The atmosphere in the Kuru Raj Sabha was thick with anticipation as the doors slowly opened, and the blind king Dhritarashtra entered, supported by Bhishma on one side. The murmurs of the assembly quickly turned into loud chants of "Maharaja Dhritarashtra ki jai!" ("Hail Maharaja Dhritarashtra!") as the king made his way to the grand throne at the center of the hall. The echo of the crowd's praise filled the air, each voice merging into one thunderous roar.

The king took his seat, and beside him, on his left, sat Pitamah Bhishma, Guru Dron, and Duryodhan. On his right were Vidur, Kulguru Kripacharya, and Yudhishthir. The assembly had gathered for a momentous occasion, and all eyes were on the royal family. Vidur stepped forward, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of authority.

"Aaj mujhe ye kehte huye badi prasannata ho rahi hai ki Maharaj aaj kuch hi kshano mein Hastinapur ko apna Yuvraj dene ja rahe hain." ("Today, it gives me great joy to announce that Maharaj will soon bestow upon Hastinapur its Crown Prince.") His words electrified the crowd, and once again, they erupted into chants of "Maharaja Dhritarashtra ki jai!" ("Hail Maharaja Dhritarashtra!") The excitement was palpable.

Amidst the celebration, Queen Gandhari, her face concealed by her veil, leaned slightly toward Kunti, who was seated beside her. In a soft, probing voice, she asked, "Tumhara hriday kya kehta hai, Kunti?" ("What does your heart say, Kunti?")

Kunti, torn by maternal affection, replied, her voice steady but tinged with emotion, "Dono mere hi putra hain, jiji." ("Both are my sons, sister.") Her words were simple yet heavy with meaning.

Suddenly, the crowd fell silent. From the far end of the hall, the metallic sound of shackles echoed through the air. The clinking chains grew louder as four prisoners were brought into the assembly. The atmosphere turned tense, and the king, sensing the shift, asked, "Kya baat hai, Vidur?" ("What is the matter, Vidur?")

Vidur stepped forward, bowing his head slightly, "Char apradhiyon ko bandi banake laya gaya hai, Maharaj." ("Four criminals have been brought here, Maharaj.")

The king's brows furrowed in concern. "Apradh?" ("Their crime?")

A soldier came forward, bowing deeply before the king. His voice was firm but respectful as he reported, "In chaar apradhiyon ne milkar ek nirdosh vyakti ki hatya ki hai, Maharaj, aur ye chaar apne apradh ko swikar karte hain." ("These four criminals have together committed the murder of an innocent man, Maharaj, and they have confessed to their crime.")

Before the king could respond, Vidur, his tone measured, interrupted respectfully, "Kshama chahta hoon, Maharaj. Yadi aapki agya ho, to main kuch kehna chahta hoon." ("Forgive me, Maharaj. If I have your permission, I would like to say something.")

Dhritarashtra nodded, his blind eyes focused in Vidur's direction. "Agya hai." ("You have my permission.")

Vidur spoke with great thoughtfulness, "Aaj Maharaj dono jyesth rajkumaron mein se ek ko raja bana rahe hain, to main yeh sujhav dena chahta hoon ki inn dono rajkumaron ko aaj nyay karne ka avsar pradan karna chahiye. Aise main rajya ke log, jo yahaan upasthit hain, weh bhi inn dono rajkumaron ki yogyata ko dekh sakein." ("Today, Maharaj, one of the two elder princes will be made king, so I suggest that both princes be given the opportunity to deliver justice today. This way, the people of the kingdom, who are present here, will also witness their abilities.")

He turned to Bhishma, his tone respectful, "Aapka kya kehna hai, Tatshree?" ("What is your opinion, grandsire?")

Bhishma, seated with regal grace, replied, his deep voice resonating through the hall, "Main Vidur se sehmat hoon, Maharaj. Parantu ek baar Gandhar naresh Shakuni se bhi unka vichar puchh lijiye." ("I agree with Vidur, Maharaj. However, perhaps you should also ask for King Shakuni of Gandhar's opinion.") His words were laced with subtle sarcasm, an indirect jab at Shakuni's involvement in Hastinapur's affairs. Nisha laughed a little and again tried to maintain a normal face as all the people around her including Adrika was looking at her.

Vidur, ever composed, responded with a respectful bow, "Kshama kijiyega, Tatshree, parantu yeh Hastinapur ki samasya hai aur yeh Kuru Raj Sabha hai." ("Forgive me, grandsire, but this is a matter concerning Hastinapur, and this is the Kuru royal assembly.")

Bhishma's lips curled into a slight smile as he continued, his sarcasm now more evident, "Gandhar Naresh bhi ab Hastinapur hi ke ho chuke hain, Vidur." ("The king of Gandhar has now become a part of Hastinapur too, Vidur.")

Vidur, maintaining his dignity, replied calmly, "Main phir kshama chahta hoon, Tatshree, parantu ho jaane mein aur hone mein bohot antar hai, Tatshree." ("I apologize once again, grandsire, but there is a vast difference between being and becoming.")

Duryodhan, who had been silently burning with anger, felt the sting of Vidur's words as it was directed towards his pyare mamashri. Unable to contain himself, he stood up abruptly, his voice loud and commanding, "Main toh Hastinapur ka hi hoon na, Kakashri, aur Maharaj ka jyesth putra hone ke nate pehle nyay karne ka avsar mujhe milna chahiye." ("I am a true prince of Hastinapur, uncle, and as the eldest son of Maharaj, I should be given the first opportunity to deliver justice.")

Vidur shook his head, his calm demeanor never wavering. "Nahi, Duryodhan. Tumhe pehla avsar issliye nahi milega kyunki tum Maharaj ke jyesth putra ho, parantu issliye milega kyunki tum Yudhishthir ke anuj ho." ("No, Duryodhan. You will not be given the first opportunity because you are Maharaj's eldest son, but because you are Yudhishthir's younger brother.")

Duryodhan's face twisted in anger, but he controlled himself, bowing to his father, Dhritarashtra. "Rajkumar Duryodhan ko pehla nyay karne ka agya hai?" ("Does Crown Prince Duryodhan have permission to deliver the first judgment?")

The king nodded. "Agya hai." ("You have permission.")

Duryodhan stood tall, his chest puffed with pride. "Adarniya pitashri evam Hastinapur naresh ko mera pranam." ("My respects to my honorable father and king of Hastinapur.") His voice dripped with arrogance as he turned to the assembly.

The blind king, intrigued, asked, "Tumhare mat mein in apradhiyon ko kya dand milna chahiye?" ("In your opinion, what punishment should these criminals receive?")

A cold, triumphant smile spread across Duryodhan's face as he replied, "Hamare yahan shatabdiyon se yehi nyay chal raha hai, Maharaj, ki hatya karne wale ko mrityu dand diya jata hai. Isliye main in chaaron ko mrityu dand deta hoon." ("From centuries, the law has been that those who commit murder are given the death penalty, Maharaj. Therefore, I sentence these four to death.") The four criminals held thier head low out of shame.

Shakuni, who had been watching quietly, suddenly stood up, his face lit with pride. "Jeete raho, bhanje!" ("Long live, nephew!") He then began chanting loudly, "Rajkumar Duryodhan ki jai ho!" ("Hail Prince Duryodhan!") The crowd followed suit, their voices rising in unison.

In the crowd, Nisha mentally cheered, whispering to herself, "Yesss," a victorious expression crossing her face.

Vidur glanced at Bhishma, who nodded in approval. But before Vidur could speak, the blind king, impressed, declared, "Adbhut, Duryodhan! ye adesh diya jata hai ki in chaaron ko mrityu dand diya jata hai." ("Remarkable, Duryodhan! Then, I decree that these four criminals be sentenced to death.")

The words hung in the air like a heavy storm cloud. Kunti, the four Pandavas, and Nisha stared in shock at the king's statement, as it showed how biased he is that he didnt even think of yudhisthir's justice. The assembly remained tense, awaiting what would unfold next.

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