When one spends time in something of interest and is committed, even years seem as minutes... Interest motivates and fuels ur fire whereas commitment ensures result and success.

Same was the case with Karn. Growing up in Hastinapur and being related to the royal family , the Kshatriya clan has always fascinated and excited him, especially Bhishm and his bow. He had always looked up to him, to be a warrior like him. Initially which started as a mere interest soon got converted into passion and now was commitment for him. Commitment for the better of society.

For the past 11 years Karn's life was nothing but bed of roses. The thing that he craved most was provided to him in abundance... knowledge and acceptance. Not only in Kailash but in every other lok. The Gandharvas , Saptarshi, Gana, Dev's and Asurs everyone accepted him. Yes, Asurs too. No , not because he was Lord Shiv and Goddess Shakti's student but because he was impartial. He respected and responded to everyone's request. He didn't kill Asurs or consider them as threats but thought of them as any other being lacking guidance and craving for acceptance and acknowledgement.

In Kailash there wasn't anyone who wasn't charmed by Karn. The mornings would generally start with Karn's Surya pooja , after which he will help whoever needed him, a habit he picked up from Adhirath.

After Surya pooja ,he would practice yoga and meditation with Mahadev and then would help Devi Shakti in cooking and doing chores. After breakfast , he would sit with Mahadev and Devi Shakti to learn Ved , Shastras, Upanishads and various scriptures which would be followed by classes on agriculture , politics , economics , medicine etc by Devi Shakti. Here learning was more a discussion. Karn would question them on anything he felt dubious and would provide his views fearlessly. Sometimes he would playfully banter with them on some topics . He didn't learn for the sake of knowing but because he was deeply committed to knowledge and this is what enticed the divine couple to teach him the best.

After lunch , he would learn archery and hand to hand combat from Mahadev , spear and sword fighting from Devi Shakti and mace fighting and wrestling from Nandi. In evening Mahadev would train him in using illusions , followed by Devi Shakti who would teach him any one kala. It was a routine for Karn to revise everything before dinner. And if he got any doubts he would ask them before bed. That is what Mahadev and Devi Shakti loved about him , he was not only interested in gaining knowledge but was actively involved in the procedure. The next day would begin with a short revision of whatever they had learnt the previous day in each field and then they would resume. In every 3 month Mahadev conducted a short test for him to mark his progress in each field where he has to solve case studies of common folk's problem and show off his weaponry and kala skills. Time passed and Karn went from being better to best...

In these years he had also visited Suryalok , Devlok/ Swarglok and some parts of asur lok on insistence from Devi Sandhya and Devi Chaya , Indradev and asurguru Shukracharya respectively. He had a way to seep into people's heart and captivate it.

The very first time he went to Suryalok , he was spellbound with its glory and magnamity. He instantly took to the feet of Suryadev who gently and lovingly picked his son and hugged him. Devi Sandhya & Devi Chaya were over the universe on having their baby boy with them. They were pampering him like anything and wouldn't even let him move a finger. If not for the constant company of Surya siblings like Yami , Tapati , Savitri, Ashvinays ; occassionally visited by Shani and Yam, Karn would have got mad by the amount of pampering he was receiving. No, not that he was ungrateful instead he was very thankful to Mahadev to have given him Mata Sandhya and Mata Chaya. But, being brought up in a suta family he was accustomed to do everything himself and sitting and ordering , wasn't his cup of tea. He subtly tried to stop these pamperings but would be often shut up by his dear mother's glare & by his third visit he knew there's no escape to the love of the Surya queens in form of pampering and started to enjoy his time in Suryalok.

He would do Shaastrartha with Yam and discuss about agriculture, geography and economics with Suryadev, voice his thoughts about Karm and it's fruits with Shani , learn about animal languages and medicine from Ashvinays, practice kalas with Yami , Tapati & Savitri and learn ruling a country, politics and management from the Surya queens. He would even craft something or other with Dev Vishwakarma.

His first visit to Devlok was much normal than that to Suryalok ...He met all other Deva's , indulged in exchanging views about scriptures , Vedas , Upanishads and Shaastra with Devguru , had mock spear fight with Dev senapati , practiced music , dance and dramatic with Gandharvas and Apsaras and even had mock archery duels with Indradev.

On visiting Asurlok , he practiced to see through illusions and break them with Asurguru by his side . He also practice dueled with Asurguru using spear and even voiced what he thinks about Asurs and praised many of them like Raavan , Prahlad and Mahabali for their devotion , knowledge and prowess in kingdom management. Asurguru was more than impressed with him for his unbiased nature and quality to see through societal illusions of good and bad.

Although visits to Suryalok were frequent for Karn (once a year) , visits to Devlok and Asurlok was twice or thrice in 10 years.

In 10 years Karn had mastered all the 5 forms of archery , divyaastras , spear , mace ,sword , trident, hand to hand combat and all 64 kalas . His intelligence and knowledge was unbeatable. His voice was magic and dance could enrapture anyone. Just like Mahadev he didn't believe in black & white but grey, therefore believed in second chances.

He believed in practical application of knowledge than just gaining and storing it in mind, for which he was in disguise for the past 1 year.

His education was nearly complete and time for his test was nearing....

11 years have passed ...My Karn has grown up...and grown up into an handsome, charming , intelligent , smart and a fine eye-stunning man. The childish chubby boyish appearance has now been replaced by a muscular lean man of 6'0 feet. Although lean but the power in his muscles shouldn't be doubted. He could easily defeat 10000 airavat (mount of Indradev and strongest of elephant) together with his one hand.

When he first arrived , he was astonished by Kailash's beauty and it's inhabitants accepting nature as he still thought of himself lower than others but Mahadev shooed away his insecurities. He was a joyous and mischievous child who used to play prank on everyone , not that he has changed much but has given up on pranking and mischief considerably and got that mature , understanding , gentlemanly warrior vibe around him.

Without him Kailash doesn't seem much fun. The ganas miss him , especially Nandi on whose back he would jump without warning and cling like a monkey until Nandi throws him off . I know Dev doesn't show but he too misses him. Y not ? After all they would meditate together , practice together , discuss their view points and lovingly banter like father & son.... They would even tease each other and together would tease me.

I miss cooking with him and him helping me around and asking questions... I miss feeding him. When he thought he had lot to study and wouldn't even have food ; I used to feed him. It's been 1 year I haven't fed him ... Mahadev knows what he must be eating... This boy doesn't take care of himself , specially his eating habits..Hmph!! I just hope he is fit & fine. I wish I could check on him but no ...He had taken a promise from me to not contact him because he knows that if given me this facility I would check on him every minute and even Mahadev agreed to it.

I was totally shocked when he had requested me & Mahadev to allow him to apply his knowledge to help eradicate people's problem. Although his education is yet not completed but Mahadev allowed him saying....

Knowledge is of no value if not practically applied for the better of mankind. Theoretical knowledge becomes meaningless if it can't offer practical solutions to existing problems. knowledge is the treasure of mind & practical application the key to it.

Dev assigned him some case studies and asked him to help the people in whichever way he deems fit & ....my son did . He did help the people and emerged victorious in all the cases & now only 1 case is left, which means he would be here soon. Thanks to Sonnandi who kept an eye on this brat for me .

Soon Karn would be here. His education is nearly completed and we have planned his tests . These tests will decide if he is ready for what we are to give him. The judges & competitors are tough. It isn't going to be easy for him but I have hope he will emerge victorious afterall he is the student of Ardhnarishwar ; besides there are so many people praying for him. Radha , Adhirath, Gandhari , Satyavati, Ganga jiji, Bhishm, Parshuram ,Dharini ...I'm confident of his victory.

Although one part of me hopes for his early return, another part is dreading it. Once he returns , his tests will be held, we will provide him the rest of the itty bitty but important knowledge and then...hmph!!! Thennn.. he will leave... forever. But his leaving would be fruitful for human race for which I will have to keep myself in check and not give into these overwhelming motherly feelings.

Hmphh!!(sighing)

On the rocky foothills of Ujjain are few carts loaded with sacks of grain , moving fastly towards its exit through the mountain path.

Voice /Man 1 : Be fast..We have to leave the city before dawn .

Voice/ Man 2: I'm trying ...this is the maximum speed we can have in these mountain terrains.

Voice/Man 3: I don't think it's right... Hoarding grains at the time of drought...

Voice/Man 4: We did it before as well so what's the problem?

Voice 3: But those times the food produce were enough . This time there's scarcity everywhere and hoarding would make their lives difficult, especially of the poor.

Voice 4: But that means profit for us and our family...

Voice/Man 5: Still I don't feel too confident about it... especially with the rumours of him being here ..

Voice 1: Him? Who ? What can he do ? We are the men of the prime minister. None can harm us...

Voice 2: None can harm us except him....The lion among men, mighty , intelligent , justice giver ,protector, the Messiah.. the one & only .... Shaiva.

Voice 4:(frightened) What? Shaiva is here? In Ujjain? What if he comes here? We would be dead in no second.

Voice 1: Hey !! Don't sweat now ...What will he do? We are 50 specially trained soldiers of the Prime minister and he is just one...Relax. And if by any chance situation gets out of control we will frame him as culprit and the PM will support us Let him come ..we will do a warm welcome for him. Hahaha!!!

Voice 5:U shouldn't invite him what if he really arrives?

Unknown to them someone is observing their each and every move with sharp deep brown hawk like eyes. A lean man with the build of warrior , clad in an leather armour ,white cotton dhoti and turban with his face half covered is standing on the edge of a massive waterfall......and suddenly he jumps off the edge..

The massive waterfall with its tremendous gushing waves can create a fright in even the best of the divers yet the man seems nonchalant...

The fall creates a large splash and soon a figure emerges out of it... A figure surrounded by a divine blue aura ....

The hoarders move forward chatting merrily ... forgetting the existence of the man they were so badly fretting...

Stop Right there!!

The entire mountain terrain reverberates with the power of the booming voice...

The hoarders abruptly stand up in an attacking stance. The leader of hoarders

signs something to the members and 10 of them together move forward to attack the man.

The man : tsck tsck..!!

He easily ducks one's attack and flicks the sword from other . He blocks the attack of four men and kicks one on torso and throws all of them backwards. He easily disarms and faints two of them and flicks the last one towards the group. With a whip of one the men he ties the other four and sends them flying in opposite direction..He does everything in a blink of an eye, with such an agility that confuses the group....With their jaw dropped they look at the man...

Who the hell are you?

The wind untucks the cloth hiding his identity.....

His gold ruby earrings and trident locket shine with the first ray of sun, blinding the men for a second...The sun symbol on his forehead exactly at the base of third eye (ajna) chakra makes him all the more alluring and authoritative. His beauty is beyond words can describe...

Shaavak Simha se , Kapuot Bagh se aur Bhakshak Rakshak se uska parichay nahi puchte..

" Cubs, Pigeon and Destroyer do not ask the identity of lion, hawk and protector respectively ."

Rakshak!!!!

¶

The fight goes on and within 2 minutes the rest 40 are injured enough but none of them dead .....

At the instant, the king of Ujjain along with his men reach the scene.

The Shaiva conceals his identity and throws some paper towards the King ...The king looks at the man nonchalantly sitting on the rock and eating peanuts ..He reads the paper with a frown on his forehead which converts into shock...

The King is about to ask something when the man points his finger towards the leader and makes eye contact with the King. The authority and power of the man not only causes the King to shiver but also to step back .

The King signs his commander and he drags the leader towards the King...who on one look from Shaiva confesses the plan of hoarding grains and the mastermind being none other than the prime minister.....The king nods towards his commander who leaves with his troop to arrest the Prime minister and soldiers arrest the rest of the members.

The King look towards Shaiva who is calmly munching the peanuts and moves towards him with hesitation...

The Shaiva suddenly stands up and throws another scroll towards the King...

The scroll is shown to have illustrations and plans on agriculture and water management to prevent drought. The King reads the scroll with utmost concentration . Hope shines in his eyes and a smile blooms on his face... He raises his eyes to thank Shaiva only to meet with a vacant place and a pale blue cloth with the golden engraving same as his locket...A trident connected to the rudraksha through a diamond and a mini sun on the end of rudraksha.

The King smiles, respectfully folds the cloth and carries it with him.

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Hope you like it!!😊

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Can I expect 100 votes?

& How's the entry? Well couldn't pen down as I thought but tried my best.