3 years ..3 years of bliss happiness and joy. The bliss everyone craved. The happiness everyone longed for . The joy everyone needed. Everything was surreal, peaceful and happy. It has been three years to Karn's birth. Karn , a name that brought smile to the most desolate heart of Bhishm. Vasusen , made Ganga playful like little girl. Adhirathi , the wise small joyous and mischievous little brat of adhirath. An absolute heart stealer and charmer. None can ignore his charm not even the cold heart of Satyavati , Ambika and Ambalika. Kripacharya too was fond of this little menance due to his intelligence.

The day Karn was handed over to Radha & Adhirath , was the best day of their life. By evening they had arranged a grand feast that left most people in awe. But what surprised them was Bhishm's willing participation in arranging everything for the little one. His birthday celebration couldn't be forgotten by anyone. No it wasn't just the decoration and feast but the way Karn was tied so many black threads to protect him from evil eyes by Radha and Devi Ganga (in disguise). Adhirath and Bhishm had nearly burst out laughing on the poor boy.

In these three years Karn had become special to everyone, even the queens.

For Satyavati Karn was her second chance to motherhood. Being a queen she suppressed her emotions but Karn broke her walls and brought out her hidden emotions. The first time Satyavati met him , he was in Bhishm's embrace who had willingly taken up the responsibility of Karn till AdhiRadha return fulfilling their promise to God. That day Bhishm was not the stone hearted protector but a loving care-taker. Satyavati had found Bhishm cooing the little Karn in his arms and being fascinated by the scene enquired about it. Bhishm informed her everything and went back to cooing Karn. But Karn wasn't easy calm thus Bhishm decided to take him Devi Ganga but before he could do so Satyavati asked him to handover the child to her. At first she was apprehensive about Karn but looking into his eyes all her apprehensions disappeared and only peace remained. Peace that she had always longed. Soon she calmed Karn and fed him. Ambika & Ambalika also heard about Karn and his story and the soft-hearted Ambalika couldn't help but cry for the baby whereas Ambika immediately began cussing the woman who could do such a sin. Soon in half-a-day Karn had made the ladies his fan. And from then on three of the ladies would ask Bhishm to get Karn to them whenever possible and shower him with love. It was as if Karn had become their liberation from sorrows.

In these three years Karn had made nearly half of Hastinapur fall in love with him. His helping nature, caring attitude, intelligent talks , and cute face could even melt Kailash.

Dhritarashtra, Pandu & Vidur had returned to Hastinapur a year back and soon got fond of Karn.

Everything was going good until the time of coronation came. Vidur on the basis of shastras proclaimed Dhritarashtra ineligible for being a King as he was blind. To rectify this the elders decided to get Dhritarashtra married to the princess of Gandhar who had recently got the boon of 100 sons from Lord Shiva. The alliance brought a terrific storm not only to Gandhar but also to Hastinapur. The Gandhar raj said a no for the alliance and the war that followed led to the death of the King and his eldest son leaving his youngest son , Shakuni as a heir. Not finding any other way to save her Kingdom , the brave princess of Gandhar , Gandhari decided to marry Dhritarashtra. But what she did next shocked the royal family and Shakuni to hell. She tied a cloth around her eyes to feel the pain of her husband. Her deed which should have been respected was seen as disobedience. Although Dhritarashtra and the royal family accepted her but never gave her the due respect. But Gandhari was a strong-willed woman who had utmost trust in Lord Shiva. Every morning & evening she would pray in the Shiva temple constructed in the palace gardens and share her sorrows.

From the past 2 months I'm living in Hastinapur as the daughter-in-law of the family but neither do I get the love nor the care. I don't regret my decision of feeling aarya's pain but sometimes it scares me. I was always afraid of darkness and now my entire life is darkened. I don't blame anyone may be that's what my destiny is. In these 2 months aarya has started opening up to me . It wasn't easy at first . He thought I was mocking him and insulting him but later he got calmed. May be someday he will love me. I know the queen mother's aren't fond of me specially mata Ambika who thinks I'm responsible for her son not being crowned as a king. It feels like it's me who's responsible for every bad. First in my kingdom and now here. I didn't even realise when I had started shedding tears. I was about to wipe them when a small hand wiped them for me....

: Don't cry o'mother . Y are u crying? Are u hurt ? Did someone hurt or scare u ..tell me I will punish them.

Huh? The voice it seems to be a boy of 3-4 years...yet it seems to have authority like Mahamahim's. But what captured my heart was the word 'mother'.

Aare y have u tied ur eyes? Oo ur eyes are hurting . Wait here I will call ved ji (doctor) & he will treat u . Don't worry mother u will be fine soon. Stay here I will return soon.. Don't go anywhere. Be a good mata !!

& I heard receding footsteps.. someone running with high speed.."Be a good mata!!" Now what's that? I never heard of it before. But who's the kid? He is so caring and sweet & the way he called me mata .. seems like he had called me that for an eternity.

Soon I heard footsteps hurrying towards me , soft thuds and hard thuds.

Greetings Maharani!! Karn informed me that you are hurt. Allow me to check u.

I'm fine . Sorry to disturb you. You may leave.

I heard receding footsteps..

But u were crying and u have tied ur eyes. ...ooo I get it u are afraid that it will hurt . Don't worry I will ask mata to treat u her treatment doesn't hurt .Come with me (holding her hand)...we will go to Mata. U should not leave a wound open , it will become infectious and make u feverish.

The concern and care in his voice was what I longed for. The way he called me mata and is concerned for me , actually makes me feel better. The warmth of his small hands are like balm to my cold wounds. I held his hand tightly and felt like never to leave him ..

But I want to know about him.. before I could stop the words had already spewed ..

Putr !!

Putr it feels right..feels like I have known him for eternity...

What's ur name? Y are u helping me?

I'm Karn..who are you? And what do you mean by y I'm helping you? U are not well , hurt and upset and it's my duty to cheer u up and take care of u . Pitashree says we should always help everyone we can without expecting anything in return. That's the best way to serve God . We humans have sympathy , brain and heart to help others. Humanity is the way to divinity & one shouldn't give it up no matter what the consequence.

Karn!! Not only he is caring but far more intelligent. Ah!! I was about to fall when the tiny hands steadied me. Karn quickly touched my hands and legs asking if I got hurt..I couldn't help but tear up.. Although it's just 2 months but it feels it's a long time someone had cared for me and loved me. I could hear the voice of Karn choking and felt two drops on my palm. I didn't know what happened but immediately I checked for him and found tears streaming his face ..Oh Mahadev!! The little boy was crying and .... apologizing for .....hurting me . I couldn't help but hug him and he sobbed more. I calmed him and informed that I was never hurt ...but he was persistent that he hurt me and is a bad child. I could not help but think of him as my son. I took him in my lap and asked him to check for injuries which he did but find none. I smiled and caressed him. He asked me y was I crying before and if he could help. Do such pure souls really exist ? I said it was nothing and soon diverted him , although it was quite difficult but somehow I managed it . We talked and talked and talked and laughed. I had laughed after 5 months and it felt as if nothing had happened in my life . He made me forget all my sorrows and hollowness. He made me feel free but soon it was time for us to part. Before leaving I gave him Prasad and asked if he will visit me again in the palace and he said yes. He tugged my hand and I bent a little , he kissed both my cheeks and ran off; leaving a smile on my face .

9 months later

It has been 9 months of me knowing Karn. He is a sweetheart. I thought only I loved him but the way he is showered with love by Pitamahi Satyavati is something beyond this world. Can you imagine the queen who never cooked actually cooked food for Karn on his insistence. The way mata Ambika & Ambalika chase him through the palace says their affection for him. Even Mahamahim is no less in playing pranks on him. It seems both of them have the sweetest bond , not of a elder and junior but of friends. It's surprising to see how Mahamahim becomes a kid in his presence & how Rajguru Kripacharya talks to him about political issues and he says his view so unbiasedly .

Karn is the son of Adhirath ji and Radha jiji , the sweetest child in Hastinapur. Everyone adores him a lot. He has got his character traits from both his mother and father. Adhirath ji is a wise and jovial man and Radha jiji is smart and loving woman. Jiji ...I didn't ever thought I would call someone jiji but her presence is such that u would feel comfortable and warm instantly.

In these 11 months of my marriage I have come closer to aarya and Pandu and all thanks to Karn. He is the one who would drag them to play with him & me and they would always abide by his wishes. Afterall it was just 2 days a week Karn would visit us & that too just for 6 hours. But I am the luckiest of all , because he would always visit me twice each day during puja , talk with me for some time and then leave. He is the Sun of my darkened life and that's why I call him . Such a cute little charmer he is.

He has even managed to please bhrata Shakuni & is quite fond of him. I still don't understand what a political genius like my brother talks to my 3 year old. But whatever it is they both like and respect each other a lot .

Recently Pandu got an invitation for swayamvar of Princess of Kuntibhoj and would be leaving soon. She would be the next Maharani . No I am not jealous but I don't know y I feel her arrival would create a storm. I know I shouldn't be having such thoughts but I can't help my instincts & the one who helps me calm down has gone on a pilgrimage. Y did he had to go now? It's not even a day he has left with his parents & I'm already missing him. Hope u return soon putr. Ur mata needs u.

Everything happened in such a haste that none could predict or stop anything. Pandu marrying Kunti , leaving for war the same night, returning with his second wife Madri and consummating his marriage with her. Everything happened in fast forward. The atmosphere was tense and the two queens were not so calm about it. Madri was nervous while Kunti was enraged but as usual kept her pretences . She felt cheated and was always apprehensive about Madri. Whereas Madri was still a child at heart , innocent and straight forward. She didn't like pretence she preferred to be the way she was bold & strong whereas Kunti always pretended to be helpless victim of destiny. No doubt Gandhari loved Kunti but there was something about Kunti that didn't sit well with her .

On the eve, when Pandu decided to go for vanvas , Kunti & Madri eagerly tagged along. Soon 3 of them had left for Vanvas.

5 days ....juz 5 days changed the fate of both the royal brothers. The one who was looked down for being blind ascended the throne and the one who ruled was subjected to vanvas. This is what u call destiny.

Kunti who craved power and title was no longer the queen but a hermit. And Gandhari who always preferred the lives of hermit became Maharani, something that she deserved.

Those days were worst for everyone but none could confess it . Their world had darkened and only a sun could brighten it.

A sun...Karn.. Knowingly or unknowingly everyone wished his presence and as if hearing the pleas of their devotees ; the pilgrimage ended earlier and Karn returned. But now he wasn't alone. He had brought his orphaned cousin brother shon as well and was protective for him.

The presence of Karn diffused half the tension in atmosphere .The palace started breathing and there was a smile on everyone's face.

Satyavati's satyavrat , Ambika & Ambalika's Amb , Gandhari's Aditya, Bhishm's Markat, Ganga's & Hastinapur's Vasusen , Adhirath's Radheya and Radha's Adhirathi . The endearment for him are unlimited. He had become the apple of everyone's eye.

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