Pitamah Bhishma took him to the archery course after learning about his love for the weapon. He and his brothers took turns spending time with Pitamah Bhishma every day and today it's his turn. His brothers went to Sahodar Bhavan to play.



It took a bit of time for him to push past his guilt and look into the loving face of his grandfather whom he killed in his previous life. Even now sometimes all he could see was his Pitamah lying down on the arrow bed made by him and dying slowly day by day in pain. He made a woman who was turned into a man his shield and attacked his Pitamah. Keshav might have said that act is for Dharmastapana and has to be done but even today his Pitamah's face haunts his nightmares.



He shook off those thoughts. In this life, he has not yet committed that sin and he swore it'll stay that way. This Suyodhana does not have the strength of Vasusena and is a lot less temperamental and egoistic. To their surprise within four months they arrived back at the palace, Bharta Yudhistir was crowned as the Yuvaraja of Hasthinapur. Suyodhana himself has given up the rights to the throne to the surprise of everyone who knew him. So everyone was in high spirits and he believed that nothing could shatter this peace.



"Focus, my child is the base of archery," Pitamah told him lovingly. "Only when the mind is clear and the body is stable, the arrow can reach the target. Concentrate and release the arrow, Arjuna."



He could hit these targets with his eyes closed, from more than 5 times the distance he is standing from the target and in quick succession Yet to spend time with his grandfather, he took a few moments as if he's trying to concentrate and then released the arrow. It hit the bullseye.



Pitamah smiled kindly. "Pandu already started teaching you archery, didn't he?" The pillar of the Kuru clan lovingly smiled at him. "Why are you hiding your capability, Arjuna?" Busted.



The smile didn't wane. "If you are trying to pretend you are concentrating on the target move the arrow sometimes. You took a minute to release the arrow but your arms are steady and the arrow didn't even move a millimetre."



"You are so excited to teach me archery Pitamah." He smiled shyly. "I want to spend time with you. And I don't want to bring up sad memories by bringing up Pitashree, Pitamah."



Pitamah patted his head lovingly. "Alright show me your real capability, Arjuna."



Arjuna proceeded to hold back a bit but showed off as much as he could without rousing Pitamah's suspicion. The proud look on the face of Pitamah grew when he showed off his capability. His face glowed so much in happiness that it rivalled the sun. "You will grow up to be one of the greatest archers in this generation if not the strongest, Arjuna," he said proudly. "Even I'm not this skilled at your age."



Pride and happiness filled him with the praise given to him. Both of them spent the day in each other's company. Pitamah even in his previous life loved him deeply and nurtured him before his family went to learn under Guru Drona. He revered his Pitamah and killing him unjustly in the war broke his heart. This life ...with no war looming over them like a shadow, he soaked himself in the presence of his grandfather and listened to the stories he already heard with the wisdom he didn't have as a child.



Little did he know that the tranquillity would be shattered and the division of the Kuru clan would start on this day.

------------------------------------------



When he and his grandfather reached Sahodara Bhavan... the soldiers were pacing anxiously without regard for discipline. Pitamah roared at them and all of them fell into a line.



"What is happening here?" He asked the nearest soldier.



The soldiers gulped in fear and stood rooted on the spot. None of them dared to speak. As he and his grandfather were warriors, they could smell faint traces of blood in the room. "Saravana..." A tall lanky soldier with archer's build gulped when he was singled out by the Mahaamahim of Hasthinapur. "What happened here? And whose blood is that?"



"That blood belongs to Prince Bhimasena... Mahaamahim." The soldier replied without any waver in his voice. However, his eyes betrayed his fear.



"Who dares to lay hand on a Prince of Hasthinapur?" Pitamah was roaring mad. Even he too started to lose control over his anger.



"Prince Suyodhana... Mahaamahim." He replied.



That arrogant bastard. Arjuna snarled in his mind. He thought that Suyodhana had changed because there is no influence of Gandharraj Shakuni on him. Yet he dared to spill the blood of his brothers. "What happened here?" He growled. "Where are the rest of my brothers."



"Prince Suyodhana came here with that mad dog he calls his teacher," Sarvana spoke trying to hide the tremor in his voice. "He looked very normal... so we are not too worried. But then he challenged all the princes in wrestling."



"What? Why?" Pitamah asked in confusion. He too felt confused. Suyodhana was the person who decided not to fight with his cousins. He was the one who ordered his brothers not to fight their cousins. After composing himself... he spoke calmly. "What exactly happened here?"



------------------------------------------------------



"Come and wrestle with me, Crown Prince Yudhistir." Prince Suyodhana spoke sofly. Prince Yudhistir looked up from his books and before he could deny it, Prince Suyodhana spoke softly. "Denial of an invitation to Dice, and a summon for war is an impropriety for a Kshatriya, Prince Yudhistir."



"But I'm not trained in wrestling Prince Suyodhana. I learnt basics of the spear from my father." The mortal son of Yama spoke softly. "But my anuj Bhimasen is talented in wrestling. You can fight with him."



"Or are you too scared to fight with me, Anuj Suyodhana..." Prince Bhimasena boasted flexing his arms.



"I too am trained in spear fighting by my friend Vasusena." Prince Suyodhana spoke softly. "I challenged Crown Prince Yudhistir, not you Prince Bhima. An archer should face an archer. A swordsman should face a swordsman and so on. So we will spar with wooden spears if that's acceptable to you."



------------------------------------------------------------------



"Jyesta Yudhistir will always follow dharma. So he would have accepted the challenge." The guard nodded and continued. "



"It was then Prince Suyodhana's face turned became cold and hard." The guard spoke softly. "None of your brothers saw his face because he turned away from them but the hatred in his eyes made us take a step back. He then went to the weapon cabinet and pulled out two wooden spears, two practice swords and two practice axes. He gave the Princes their favoured weapons and beckoned them to follow him to the training grounds.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



"The rules are simple. Either the other person has to be knocked out or declare his surrender." Prince Suyodhana stated.



"No bloodshed must occur in spars, Prince Suyodhana. If you spilt your opponent's blood in a spar, it shows that you lack self-control and you'll be disqualified." Vasusena added which made the Prince scowl a bit but nonetheless agreed to the terms. Prince Yudhistir too agreed to those rules. "And if you manage to knock your opponent out of the ring that too counts as a win."



The first challenge was spear fighting between the Jyest Pandava and the eldest Gandhari Nandhan. The fight was unexpectedly brutal. The younger prince hit the older one in his throat, with the butt of his spear, preventing him from crying out in surrender and kicked him to the ground. Suyodhan, then brutally proceeded to assault the fallen prince for the next five minutes, breaking both his hands and a leg. He then held the older prince by his hair and prepared to punch him.



"Prince Suyodhana...Enough." Vasusena ordered. Why on earth didn't the rotten bastard stop the Prince before no one ever knew? Prince Suyodhana glared at the suta who looked unflinchingly into the eyes of the prince. He then spit on the ground and proceeded to drag the elder boy out of the ring by his hair.



"Oi, Nakulaa and Sahadeva..."Prince Suyodhana's eyes now didn't even bother to hide his malice. The hatred in those eyes is clearly visible. "Will you guys avenge your Jyesta yourself? Or will you go crying for your mother to save you? " Prince Nakula and Prince Sahavdeva took sword and axe respectively and jumped into the ring their eyes turning red with anger.

----------------------------------------------



"Did Suyodhana turn into a mad dog like that Vasusena?" Pitamah Bhishma growled. "Those poor children did nothing to him and yet he allowed them to be brutalized in his presence."



"Oddly enough Mahaamahim. All the fights have been stopped by Vasusena before the Prince could do permanent damage. " Sarvana stated. "Prince Bhimasena grew angered because Vasusena stopped him from helping his brothers."



------------------------------------------



"Coward..." Prince Bhimasena snarled trying to get out of Vasusena's grip. "Pick someone your size to fight with. You hurt my Jyesta. Today, I will tear you with my bare hands. You..." He roared at Vasusena. "Let me go you petty suta."



"Outside interference in duels is prohibited, Prince Bhimasena."Vasusena's tone was calm. "Prince Suyodhana issued a challenge to Princes Nakula and Sahadeva first. Don't break the rules of this arena."



"Oi Bhima..." Prince Suyodhana mocked lips curling into a sinister smile. "Don't worry. Today I will leave this place only after I break your pride. Your turn too will arrive."



This time Prince Suyodhana fought with a sword in his right hand and an axe in his left. The fight ended similarly as before. He assaulted both the princes who fought with him at the same time while looking into the eyes of Prince Bhimasena with a mocking smile without even bothering to look at the attacking twins. The highest form of disrespect any Kshatriya could give to other Kshatriya. Prince Bhimasena snarled in the arms of Vasusena trying to break free but unable to do so.



"Radheya..." Prince Suyodhana ordered. "It's time to teach this gluttonous pig a lesson. Release him"



In the searing heat of the training grounds, two figures squared off, their animosity palpable in the charged air that surrounded them. Prince Suyodhana showed off his mastery of combat techniques taught by Radheya who was well known for his brutality. His eyes showcased seething hatred that burned deep within his soul. Prince Bhimasena, a child with a heart of gold, his strength forged not just by muscle, but by an unyielding sense of righteousness stood across him.



Their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills, each showing a profound disdain for the other. Prince Suyodhan moved with a calculated grace, his movements sharp and precise, every strike a manifestation of his festering resentment. Across from him stood his adversary, his resolve unyielding, his muscles coiled with a quiet determination born not of hatred, but justice for his brothers who are brutalized for no reason by this monster.



As the confrontation escalated, the battlefield became a crucible of rage and bitterness. Prince Suyodhana, driven by his animosity, launched a relentless assault, his blows raining down with merciless intensity. Yet, despite his proficiency, he found himself met with an unexpected resistance, his opponent Prince Bhimasena, fueled by a righteous fury, refused to yield.



In a moment of brutal clarity, Prince Suyodhana unleashed a final, devastating blow, leaving his adversary broken and battered, a testament to the depth of their mutual enmity. As the dust settled on the battlefield, it became clear that in their clash of wills, it was not just bones that were shattered, but the fragile bonds of family started to erode between them. Suddenly Prince Bhimasena started coughing blood and Radheya immediately stopped the match.



"You are disqualified since you have shed the blood of your opponent Prince Suyodhana." Vasusena declared. "Prince Bhimasena is the winner."



-----------------------------------------------



"I seriously don't understand that boy," Pitamah muttered to himself. "He says he never breaks any rules but he always supports adhrama. Should I applaud him for his dharma in following rules or should I kill him for supporting adharma I never know?"



Arjuna followed his grandfather to the physician's place. His brothers except Bhima are lying in their beds unconscious. Nakula and Sahadeva are moaning in pain unconsciously and his Jyesta whom he looked up to was crying in his sleep. Bhima despite having bruises all over his body with his hands and ribs fractured sat over his brothers' bed crying helplessly. His mother too was present there and was consoling Bhima by rubbing his shoulders.



Arjuna's heart melted at the sight of seeing his kind-hearted brother caring for his brothers despite being severely injured. But soon anger took over his mind. What did his brothers ever do against that evil Duryodhana in both their lives to suffer in his hands? Why after even giving up his throne Duryodhana is still torturing his brothers? And how on earth did that evil adharmi manage to beat all his brothers? Bhimasena was a very strong child and even his father had a difficult time fighting him. When will this world start to make sense again?



"Pitamah," Mata Kunti whispered. "Would you do me a favour?"

"Whatever you wish for my child, I'll do my best to fulfil it," Pitamah vowed softly.

"Please, make arrangements for me and my boys to leave for the forest. Here, in this palace, I can sense constant danger upon them. They would be safe in the forest. The Kauravas will be happy too if we leave." She said in a choked voice. Tears were falling from her eyes.

Pitamah Bhishma looked gutted at those words. And seeing tears in the eyes of his mother, his own eyes turned red. "No, my child... for this kingdom your son is the Crown Prince. So he has more right to this Kingdom than that son of Dhritarastra. You will stay with us, and your family and I promise you that Gandharinandhan will not go scot-free. Even Dhritarastra's putra moh will not save him today." He vowed.



"But Pitamah..." "Amma, we cannot go back to the forest after my brother is crowned. We will be dishonoured as ranchods if we run away without fighting. And Suyodhana spilt the blood of my brothers. He should pay for it."



When they reached the quarters of Kaurava Princes... they were stopped at the door by the guards. Despite shivering from head to toe, the guard refused to allow Pitamah Bhishma inside. "Sorry Mahaamahim..." The soldier stated with trembling knees. "But on the order of the King and the Queen all the ministers, you and Prime Minister Vidhur are not barred from the quarters of Gandharinandhanas. Vasusena will cut off our heads if he heard that we disobeyed the order of the king."



Why on earth did the king issue such an order? He respected Pitamah Bhishma a lot. "If you don't step aside I'll be the one who will behead you," Pitamah growled in anger.



"And I will gladly accept that punishment." The guard stated in a heartbeat. The hell... Vasusena was more terrifying than Pitamah Bhishma in the eyes of this guy? What the hell did he do to scare all the soldiers?



Pitamah's anger turned into surprise. "You are willing to disobey me and die in my hands than obey me and die in his? I'll protect you from him."



"Yes, Mahaamahim." The soldier replied without even batting an eye. "He said that only when we are dead, you should enter the quarters of Kaurava Princes. He said if we are alive and allowed you into the quarters of Kaurava Princes... there will be a charge of treason on our head and all our families will be executed. If we die at your hands only lives that will be lost are ours. But if we die at the hands of that monster... all our families will follow us into the grave. And you cannot protect me Mahaamahim. Vasusena knew the law of the land as much as you. He never lost in the court of law."



'That ruthless bastard...' Arjuna growled in his mind. "Please get permission from the king or the queen, Mahaamahim." The soldier begged falling at his feet. Pitamah's eyes showed grief for a moment before hardening immediately. He then marched to the quarters of Mata Gandhari and saw Vasusena guarding the door.



"I really should have beheaded that boy that day but stopped myself on the order of my teacher." Bhishma glared at the boy who was standing guard outside Mata Gandhari's room. "Sometimes I wished that Guru Parashuram had not stopped me on that fateful day. Now he poisoned the members of my family against me and in front of my eyes... my family is splitting into two."



There was almost half a kos distance from where both he and Pitamah were standing away from Vasusena. But it seems he clearly heard them and gave his grandfather a mocking smile. Arjuna's blood boiled at that smirk and Pitamah gripped his sword tightly in rage. 'That poison-filled snake.' Arjuna sneered in his mind. Jyesta, Nakula and Sahadeva are in the infirmary due to Suyodhana's wrath and the vaidhya has decreed that all three of them need at least six weeks of bed rest. Even Bhimasena got injured and had to wear a cast for five weeks. Suyodhana literally broke his arm in three different places.



"Please state your business... Mahaamahim." The arrogant suta spoke in a measured tone. Gulping down his anger, Pitamah stated. "I'm here to talk to Gandhari."



"On what matters... Mahamaahim." Even after seeing the wrath in both of their eyes, he continued without being bothered. "Matters of state or personal matters?"



"Pitamah have no obligation to tell that Vasusena," Arjuna stated in a chilly tone. "Just because you have the favour of Duryodhana... it doesn't mean you can interfere in family matters."



"By the order of King Dhritarastra... the ministers of the court including Prime Minister Vidhur, Kulguru Kripacharya, the relatives on both sides of the family and Mahaamahim Bhishma are barred from the quarters of the king and the queen, except for the matters of state, Prince Arjuna. The Princes' rooms are declared off the limits for everyone. The reason for the visit has to be informed beforehand so we can inform the King or the Queen who will decide if they want to speak with you. I don't care about your issues." Vasusena replied bluntly. "So give me the reason for your visit, Mahaamahim Bhishma so I can do my job."



Both are taken aback by the words. This declaration meant that King Dhritarastra and Queen Gandhari were cutting off ties with the rest of their family. Pitamah Bhishma looked disturbed at those words and his heart turned cold.



"We are here to talk about the behaviour of Suyodhana Vasusena." Pitamah Bhishma spoke after coming to his senses. "He assaulted the sons of King Pandu and landed all of them in the infirmary. He should be punished for his crime."



"So you are here to get permission to enter the quarters of the Princes then." Arjuna nodded. "But Prince Suyodhana is not in those quarters. He is in the army infirmary. There is no law that prevents you from visiting him there. Did none of the soldiers say that?"



Is this suta helpful or is he misleading them? Before he could process it... Pitamah started to march towards the army infirmary. "Pitamah... wait." He ran after him. "How can we be sure that he is not lying?" Pitamah stopped at those words but before he could say anything a kind voice spoke.



"Putra Vasusena..." A sweet voice was heard as Mata Gandhari walked out of her room with Sughada's (Yuyutsu's mother) help. On the other hand of the maid there is a large pot "Please can you take me to the army infirmary."



"Putri Gandhari..." Pitamah Bhishma called her. "Why are you going to the army infirmary?"



The calmness on the face of the kindest person Arjuna knew morphed into sheer loathing. "Vasusena, who is the man who is calling me his daughter?" The hatred in her tone squeezed their hearts. "My father died a long time ago and there are no people who are close enough to me to consider me their daughter. So who is the man who is calling me his putri?"



"Mahaamahim Bhishma and Prince Arjuna are here to meet you, Devi Gandhari," Vasusena replied like the asshole he is. For that, his ears got twisted by the queen. The familiar action which mixed love and reprimand in equal parts made both him and Pitamah understand that Gandhari too fell under the spell of Vasusena.



"You arrogant little suta..." Bhishma growled and pinned him to the wall by his throat. "You poisonous snake. You have poisoned my family and divided us for your hatred."



"How dare you lay your hands on my son, Mahaamahim?" Gandhari shouted. "After all you have done... how dare you lay hands on one of my sons, Mahaamahim Devarata."



"Putri..." Pitamah's eyes turned moist. "Just by the words of an outsider will you go against your family? I'll kill him on this very spot and accept any punishment you give me."



"All of my family except for my sons are dead, Mahaamahim Bhism. Don't tell me you forgot that." The cold words crushed their soul. "My husband himself decided to sever ties with his family. Both me and my husband are orphans, Mahaamahim.



You, your devaputras, the Queen mother and any of your relatives are no family of mine. It was said a good friend is greater than a brother, Mahaamahim. Vasusena is a good friend of my son. He is like his older brother. And the brother of my son is my son." She declared. Even with her blindfold on her glare seared their souls.



"Just because your husband decided to sever ties doesn't mean you are not my daugh..." "Don't you dare call me your daughter Mahamaahim. Don't you dare. All I am is a temporary queen you are saddled with till your favoured grandson ascends the throne. Nothing more nothing less. And my husband severed ties with you on my request." Arjuna's hands started to shiver. Mata Gandhari who loved them severely in his previous life wanted nothing to do with them. Even when her sons are against them she gave blessings so that only Dharma will win. What is happening?



Pitamah Bhishma wiped his tears and hardened his heart. Vasusena was looking over the proceedings emotionlessly. "Why are you here Mahaamahim Bhishma?"



"Prince Suyodhana assaulted Princes Yudhistir, Bhima, Nakula and Sahadeva without any provocation. Vasusena here stood as a referee over the match. You can ask him what happened. All four of them are hospitalized with severe injuries. I'm here as the Mahaamahim of Hasthinapur putr..." His voice choked a bit at the glare shot at him by Gandhari. "...Queen Gandhari. He is to be punished for his crime."



"Follow us then..." She stated before giving one of her hands to Vasusena. "Putra... take me to the army infirmary."



"Devi... can you give me a moment?" Vasusena asked in a kind tone. When she nodded, he turned towards them and his face hardened "Mahaamahim...This is the second time you have assaulted me without any evidence. 'A kingdom where a king cannot trust his own ministers is akin to a house built on sand—destined to collapse under the slightest pressure.' is what I believe. Whatever quarrel I have with you, I will never speak bad of you with Queen Gandhari and never speak a lie about you to the Princes. I'm willing to swear on Shivalinga that this is nothing but the truth" Anger made Vasusena glow and both he and Pitamah took a step back in fear.



Taking a deep breath he then took the hand of Mata Gandhari and led her towards the army infirmary Sughada followed them in the back with the pot of food. When they reached the healing quarters Vasusena called out Prince Suyodhana and placed the hand of his mother and stood as a guard near the door.



Duryodhana sneered at him and Pitamah. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be nursing your dear devaputras Mahaamahim?" Mata Gandhari who advised them to respect the elders always didn't reprimand her son and it shocked both of them. Not even bothering to listen to his words he guided his mother into the room.



Thinning his lips in irritation, Pitamah entered the room. The sight paralyzed him and Pitamah was no better.



"Bharta Suyodhana..." Sama spoke cheerily. "See Pitamah came to see us. He never came before. He must be too busy. But he came to us today. There must be some love left in him for us, right?" It's not his words but his body that shocked him and The boy's body was covered in bandages exactly like Sahadeva's. Pitamah's hands started to shiver. Because even in the places uncovered the body was filled with bruises.



"He's here because I hurt Bheem, Anuj," Suyodhana spoke sarcastically. "Don't get your hopes up. See how he's shocked by looking at you. He didn't know what happened before coming here. Mahamaahim..." he stressed" ...is here to punish me. He doesn't have love for us and will never care for us. Never get your hopes up. That way you'll never be disappointed."



There are twenty beds in the infirmary filled with the injured Kaurava Princes. Five of them are unconscious. Five of them sported injuries similar to Yudhistir, five of them have wounds like Bhima, five of them like Nakula and five of them like Sahadeva. What the hell happened here? Pitamah collapsed on a chair.



"What happened to all of you?" Pitamah asked in a strangled tone.



"Please don't act Mahamaahim." Suyodhana sneered. "By gods please don't act like you have no knowledge."



"Poutra..." Pitamah started to have tears in his eyes. "From the very first week your dear devaputras are here, we hundred brothers are trashed by your sweet devaputras. Tell me you don't know Mahaamahim. I dare you."



"I thought you guys were rough-housing poutra," Pitamah stated with tears in his eyes. "I never knew."



"Never knew, Mahaamahim?" The anguish in the tone of Gandhari felt like hot coals pressing into his heart.



"The first time the vaidya came to you about the injuries inflicted by that devaputra..." the sheer loathing in the face of Suyodhana made Arjuna remember the man who grew up and turned into a bitter man whose only joy of his life was to do adharma. "...you said that the boy just lost his father and is lashing out. You told him not to blow this out of proportion which will lead to his punishment. I was there, Mahaamahim Bhishma. I was there."



"I didn't know, poutra," Mahaamahim whispered in horror. "I didn't know you were that hurt."



"Of course, you didn't know. If you have ever bothered to come and visit us when we are injured... you would have known." The hatred in his eyes made his Pitamah bow his head down in shame. "If you at least have listened about the injuries we have sustained... you would have known. But no... the great Mahaamahim of Hasthinapur does not have time for the children of the puppet king. He only has time for the children of King Pandu."



"And what did you really expect by the way? Hmm... scratches and bruises?" Suyodhana smiled mockingly. "Bhimasena is stronger than most adults and does not control his strength too much... If you had come and seen the condition we brothers are in... you would have known our suffering. If you saw us the first time we are injured... you would have reprimanded that fat buffalo. Then my brothers would have not suffered this much. Instead, he took your silence as a blessing and tormented us more."



"You must be lying..." Arjuna spoke in a horrified tone. "Bhrata Bheem always tussled with us. He never hurt us this badly. He is a very kind person."



"You and your brothers are bloody devaputras, Indranandhana." Suyodhana snarled in a bitter tone. "You can bear the so-called roughhousing. Me and my brothers cannot. Vayuputra.... is a kind person, really?" He sneered at both of them. "Then Vasusena must be a saint of the highest order. Because even at his highest cruelty he never tried to kill a child by drowning him for no reason other than his own amusement."



His brother did what? Arjuna screamed in his mind. He cannot imagine his kind brother doing any of this. Even when he grew up he wasn't that cruel but when he was a child, not a chance.



"Bhimasena did what?" Mahaamahim uttered in terror.



"He tried to drown us Mahaamahim," Sama spoke with eyes filled with betrayal. "If not for Bhrata Suyodhana and Vasusena, we would have died last week. He even bore insults because he tried to save us."



"Till today... till today I never raised a hand against those devaputras." Suyodhana spoke in a dangerous tone. "These injuries my brothers got are just from yesterday in the hands of the pig you call 'a golden-hearted child'. There have been several cases like this before. Mother... I heard that our father has decreed no one from his side should meet with us. So what the hell are they doing here?"



"Mahaamahim Bhishma came to me about a matter of state, Suyodhana." Mata Gandhari spoke softly without any emotion in her voice. "The Princes of Hasthinapur are brutally assaulted in your hands. So he wanted to punish you it seems."



The entire hall was silent for several moments before Sushashana started to laugh loudly. "Parameshwara..." He said between his laughter. "You don't care if we hundred brothers are beaten black and blue till we coughed blood... but one time your priya devaputras are hurt you turned into a frenzied bull?"



"Bhrata Sushashana..." Vikarna tried to rebuke his brother but even a deaf person can hear his heart is not in it.



"No..." Sushashana spoke time but this time all his mirth disappeared. "Don't stop me anuj. You were not the only person who didn't believe in Bhrata Suyodhana's words. He warned us, didn't he? He told us there was no love for us left in their hearts. He said that, if the Panduputras beat up black and blue they will ignore it but once if we even dare to touch the hair on their heads we will be branded as adharmis. He told us but we are not ready to accept it. But today his words proved to be true, didn't they?"



"Poutra..." "Don't call me your grandson, Mahaamahim. Don't you dare." Sushashana snarled.



"You have only five grandsons. You only have two nephews King Pandu and Prime Minister Vidhur. You have only one daughter, Rani Kunti. Your actions showed exactly where we stand. So don't you dare... don't you dare call me your grandson, Mahaamahim. I felt jealous of them you know?. Till now I thought that there was something wrong in our behaviour... but today it was proven that you are just a partial old man who stood in favour of his grandsons against the children of two orphans."He snarled in anger. 'Why have I ever respected you and fought for your love?"



"I have been in this condition two times before, Mahaamahim," Saha spoke with tears in his eyes. "All our brothers except Suyodhana have been in this condition. Yet you never came to visit us. I just thought you were busy. How much time did it take to confront us when your dear devaputras got hurt? Less than half a day? Bhrata Suyodhana left us only for two hours today in the morning. The rest of the time he is with us. It took you less than half a day to come like a mad elephant to punish Suyodhana for his deeds. So why did you never try to punish Vayuputra for hurting us?"



"Because they are devaputras and we are kulnashaks in their eyes, Saha." Suyodhana snorted. Mata Gandhari clenched her fists in anger. "Love covers a hundred sins... but hatred makes even virtue look like a vice."



"He loved those devaputras you see. He loved them so much he'd clear his schedule to play house with devaputras." Sneering at the pillar of Hasthinapur, he continued. "I'll prove it here itself. Let's play a game shall we?"



"All of you here including you Arjuna, raise your hands if Mahaaahim Bhishma ever praised you at least once in your life?" None of their hands except Arjuna's went up. "How often does he praise you Arjuna?"



"At least once per day." He replied



"OK, what about spending time with you?" Still, the hands except Arjuna's remained low. Suyodhana raised his eyebrow. "Every day at least for half an hour Pitamah spends his time with us."



"Ok, at least a kind word?" Their hands remained the same. "No need for you to answer Arjuna."



"Ok, what about trying to teach you anything kindly? I meant kindly... not coming like we have insulted his ancestors and punishing us for whatever crime we supposedly committed." Crickets can be heard in the room.



"And here he cleared his schedule so that he could spend time with those devaputras. He is teaching each of them their favoured weapons." Pitamah wilted under the look given to him by Gandharinandhan. "We have to beg to get scraps of whatever those devaputras are given freely and abundantly." All the Kauravas bowed their heads but Arjuna could see their remaining love turning into betrayal and then hatred.



Pitamah Bhishma started to cry at the accusations thrown at him. Is this true in his previous life too? Did the Kauravas live without the love of anyone except their parents? Did Bhrata Bheem really torture the Kauravas in his previous life? Arjuna doesn't know what is happening around him.



"It's not like that..." he wailed. "Pandu just died recently and these children just lost their father. Please understand."



"My children's father is blind and I foolishly blinded myself due to my vow." Mata Gandhari considered her vow to be the greatest offering of love given to her husband. "They never had anyone to look over their well-being. Have you or Vidhura sat down with my children and taught them? Has even a sliver of pity formed in your heart for my children?" The voice was soft but the anguish in her face was heartbreaking.



"Your children have chased away all the caretak..."



"Of course, they chased them away." Mata Gandhari cried. "No one taught them manners. No one tried to understand them. Even servants sneered at them openly because they took your silence as the stamp of approval. Like a blind man leading another blind person... my son raised himself and his brothers not knowing what is right and what is wrong. They don't know how to behave because no one ever taught them. Me and my husband are too busy in the administration of our kingdom and the rest of your family not even caring for them just because of the words of Prime Minister Vidhur.



I too am the culprit in this. I willingly blinded myself and could not see the dark path my sons were going down. But you..." The anger melted into anguish. "... you so-called dharmatmas didn't even care for my sons after you have declared them as kulnashaks. You haven't even tried to teach them what is right and what is wrong. Oh, you scolded them but you never taught them why their deeds are wrong. But really me and my husband are the ones to blame.



We trusted men who declared my son should be thrown into the forest as feed for beasts when he is less than a day old. What kind of fools are we to trust such callous men? What stupidity entered our mind that we placed the lives of our children in their hands?"



Is this what his cousins have experienced in their previous life? Did Gandharraj find his cousins this vulnerable and thirsting for love? No wonder Duryodhana became a complete puppet in the hands of Mama Shakuni. Suyodhana's behaviour, his ethics and his nature are moulded by Gandharraj.



"Gandhari..."



"After all you have done, you dared to lay a hand on my Putra who tried to lead Suyodhana in the right path, Mahaamahim. You might call him adhrami and cruel... but at least he tried."



Suyodhana looked puzzled for a few moments before recognition lit in his eyes. "Vasusena..." Suyodhana crushed the handrest and stood up. "You dared to lay hand on my Bhrata?" The wrath in his eyes made him look like an enraged elephant. He then walked outside and dragged Karna in.



"Mata said that Mahaamahim tried to hurt you. Are you in need of any medical help, Bhrata?"



"He just held me by my neck, Little Prince. I'm not injured in any way." Vasusena tried to placate him but his words had exactly the opposite effect on Suyodhana.



"Why did you lay hands on my Bhrata, Mahaamahim?" When Pitamah stood silently, Suyodhana snarled. "I'm asking you who are you to lay hands on my brother?"



When his grandfather and even Vasusena stood silently, Suyodhana turned towards his mother. "Amma can you tell me why?" He asked politely.



"Mahaamahim accused Vasusena of trying to break our family because of his hatred," Gandhari replied. "He didn't know Radheya promised me that he'll always try to keep you and your brothers on the path of dharma."



Pitamah staggered in disbelief. What kind of a joke is this? Everyone who heard about Vasusena can confidently say when he grows up he'll be a cruel monster. How can a blind man lead another blind man? How can an adharmi lead another adharmi into dharma?



"My brother..." the love in his voice for Vasusena can be heard even by a deaf person. "... is the one who is breaking your family, Mahaamahim? Really? Your family is always united Mahaamahim. Prime Minister Vidhura always follows your lead. Rani Kunti was loved by both you and your nephew. Your five grandsons are adored by the kingdom. So when did Vasusena ever involve himself in your family?"



"My actions might have shown otherwise... but Suyodhana, I loved all of you." Pitamah cried. No wonder the Kaurav sena never bothered to listen to their elders except Shakuni in his previous life. "Please believe me."



"What do you call a body without a soul, Mahaamahim?" Vikarna asked softly. Pitamah looked at the boy in confusion but nonetheless answered. "A corpse."



"That's exactly what a love without action is, Mahaamahim." Pitamah's face fell. "A corpse. Your love for us is a rotten-smelling corpse." Folding his hands as if requesting for alms he begged. "We don't want it anymore, Mahaamahim. And we will no longer fight for it. I don't know about my brothers but I want us to be nothing more than strangers. Please leave us and let us be."



Vikarna was the person whom Keshav himself considered to be the Kumbhakarna of Kauravas. Not in strength, but in moral compass. A person who knew his brother was wrong and tried to lead his brother to dharma. And when he failed to change his brother, he willingly laid down his life for him. The only one in the Kauravas who respected the elders and followed Dharma. If Mata Gandhari and Vikrana too got broken, then this family is fractured completely.



"Oh, he cannot leave, Vikarna." Suyodhana sneered. "Knowing him, I can bet a hundred coins that he gave a vow to Rani Kunti that I'll be punished for laying a hand on his priya devaputras. Am I wrong, Mahaamahim?" Pitamah could do nothing more other than to nod mutely. "Gungadutta Mahaamahim Bhishma will never break his vows."



"Bhrata Vasusena..." Suyodhana turned towards the child in question. "I don't trust anyone to be fair and impartial except you. According to the law of the land... what is my punishment?"



"Bhrata Suyodhan... you cannot be serious." All the Kaurav sena shouted. Even Mata Gandhari looked distressed.



"Let's not flout the laws of the land as long as we live here." Suyodhana stated in a blunt tone with a small smile on his face."So Bhrata Vasusena what is my punishment?"



Karna did have a reputation for never breaking rules. So his answer stunned everyone except Suyodhana. "None, Prince Suyodhana."



"What?"



"Prince Suyodhana is not yet three and ten years old. According to the law of the land we cannot punish a child who is less than that age. They have no understanding of their deeds." He stated and took a deep breath. "However... the one who should be punished is myself."



"Bhrata Vasusena what are you saying?" Sushashana screamed and this time Suyodhana was frozen in shock.



"Prince Suyodhana issued a challenge to the Princes. According to the rules, only bruises and scratches are allowed. No blood should be drawn and no bones are to be broken. If bones are broken more than once due to excessive aggression, the person should be whipped according to the position he occupies. If you drew the blood of a Brahmin, you will receive 10 lashes and 15 lashes for breaking a bone. Same for a Kshatriya. But for princes, it is double the number of lashes and for crown prince, it is five times the amount." Karna stated the nyayashastra perfectly. "If the proctor of the match does not stop the match immediately he will receive the same punishment."



"However since you are less than three and ten years old." Vasusena continued softly. "So whatever punishment you are to receive, it'll be mine to bear because you are my responsibility."



"This cannot be happening." Mata Gandhari said softly. "You allowed it on my order." Mata Gandhari ordered what?



"Whatever the order is, Devi Gandhari, the law.... is final." Karna stated, "It is equal for the farmer who tills the land and it should not change even for the King who sits on the throne."



Suyodhana shouted desperately. "You knew that didn't you? You told me I wouldn't be punished if I stopped when you told me to. You never told me... I would have left those bastards alone if you were the one who would be punished. You lied to me."



"Devi Gandhari ordered you that if your brothers are hurt by Prince Bhimasena again... you should teach him a lesson he would never forget, Little Prince." Karna smiled softly. "If you knew... you'd dishonour her words and would have left them alone. I didn't lie my Prince. I just didn't tell you the whole truth. A mother's wish should never be ignored."



What is it about Suyodhana that made Vasusena so loyal to him? What was their foundation of friendship that made them love each other so deeply? Arjuna remembered Krishna's words. If there is a friendship from this yuga that will be remembered in history, it will be Krishna and Sudama's, his and Krishna and the friendship between Karna and Duryodhana.



"If I have not issued a challenge your punishment would be halved." Suyodhana cried."Why? Why did you do that? Why did you take double the punishment."



"I promised Devi Gandhari that I'll try my best to never let you walk in the path of adharma, Little Prince." Mata Gandhari smiled with love filling her face."If you attacked them without any provocation..." He took a deep breath. "...and if you attacked them outside their weapons of choice, it'll be revenge, not justice. Revenge is adharma, my Prince. Justice is dharma. In a challenge, I can keep you from going too far. I allowed you an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth and a limb for a limb. Nothing more, less yes, but nothing more."



Karna smiled cheerfully. "After this... none will fight each other. Because from what I know about Mahaamahim... he'll order Bhimasena to stop tormenting you. You and your brothers too would see justice served and it'll cool down your anger. What is a small punishment compared to all of that, my child?"



"A small punishment, Bhrata?" Suyodhana cried. "It's not a small punishment. You are getting punished for me."



"Then whenever you get any ill-feeling at your cousins... be it anger, be it jealousy and be it hate. Remember me." He said softly. "They too are your relatives Suyodhana. A brother fighting a brother is never good for the family."



The smile got wiped off from his face when he turned towards Pitamah. "Prince Bhimasena has a broken rib which caused him to cough blood, two broken legs and an arm broken in three places. Prince Sahadeva has a broken leg and two broken arms. Prince Nakula had one broken arm and two broken legs. Prince Yudhistir too has similar injuries to Prince Sahadev but after the fight, Prince Suyodhana showed extreme aggression and tore off the roots of his hair. So in total 1010 lashes. You must be very angry with me for insulting your gurudeva, Mahaamahim. You should be the one to flog me so you could get some of your anger out of your system."



"So Bhimasena will go scot-free?"



"As long as a child is not punished... I don't care about anything other than the safety of you and your brothers, Little Prince." Karna must have loved his brother very much. If the memory of his brother is enough for him to love Suyodhana this deeply... how much does he actually love the real one?

----------------------------------------------------

In this life, his principles revolved around never hurting a child. Keshav once said that Vasusena was a man of strong principles. Arjuna never saw that side till today. If a man like this stood on the side of dharma in his previous life... Arjuna really wished he could have seen it.



Bhimasena was punished and Pitamah took an oath from him that he'll never torment his cousins anymore. He then accepted his wrongdoings and tried to ask for forgiveness from Kauravas. But none of them even bothered to listen to his words or accept his apology. They ran away when they saw him. Same with his other brothers. Nakula and Jyesta were hurt by their actions but it's not like he and his brothers could blame them for that. Mata Kunti tried to apologize on their behalf but Mata Gandhari closed off both doors and her heart on the face of their mother.



Pitamah Bhishma cried that day and the melancholy didn't leave his face even when they and their cousins left for Guru Drona's Ashram. It was said that he always tried to enter the quarters of the King and the Queen but was turned away every day. He never forgave himself after that day.



Vasusena's punishment was doled out by a soldier under Pitamah. He said he couldn't do it with his own hands.



Vasusena never cried even for a moment during the punishment it seems. What punya did Suyodhana perform in his previous life to get a friend like that, he never knew. But one thing was sure. As deeply as Vasusena loved Suyodhana... Suyodhana too loved the suta back just as deeply. Vasusena might be filled with poison, it's understandable but the love he had for Suyodhana is true.