The Last Descendent

2. The End Of The Beginning.

"Keshava! What have I done? You knew about him from the start but you never said anything to us," Arjuna said while crying and unable to think straight.

Kunti made all her sons sit down and narrate the story of Karna everything. She even told them about how she had approached Karna to come to the side of the Pandavas.

"He said that he was Duryodhana's friend and would never leave him....'' Kunti said, breaking out crying, unable to bear it anymore.

''He knew!'' Bheem said with a broken heart.

"He knew about us," Yudhishthira said and looked at Kunti with angry eyes.

''Is that the reason he spared all our lives?'' Yudhishthira asked, suddenly feeling disgusted with himself.

Kunti slowly nodded her head as she told about Karņa's promise to kill only Arjuna.

Krishna shrugged looking at Kunti and the Pāndavas.

''You all had each other! Through all your trials, you were still together! Karna has suffered much in his life and he had no one, not one person to share it with!" Krishna said with a sad face.

Yudhishthira closed his eyes wishing he could just wash these memories. "That is why I felt like that in the dice game!'' Yudhishthira muttered to himself.

Bheem looked at his elder brother inquiringly.

''I was feeling very disgusted with myself in the dice game! But there, I saw Karņa's feet and I was surprised," Yudhishtara said, speaking fast.

Yudhishthira, in a fit of anger, looked at his mother. "All this happened because you kept a secret! This war would not have happened."

Yudhishthira choked, unable to continue. He finally looked at his mother and shouted, "I curse all women! None of you would ever be able to keep a secret!''

"Jyeshta, now it's time to give water tributes to your elder brother and nine nephews," Shri Krishna said and the Kuru family nodded and started their tribute for their elder brother and his family.

After the water tribute, Dhritarāshtrā said, "Putra Yudhishthira, where is Vrishaketu?"

***

"Why did I face the pain of losing loved ones?" Vrishaketu questioned the idol of Vishnu and Shivling which her mother used to worship.

"Because you were destined for it."

A voice was heard by Vrishaketu which shook him to the core.

"Who are you and why are you speaking to me?" Vrishaketu shouted in anger.

"You only asked a question to us, so we have come here to answer your questions."

Two bright lights surrounded Vrishaketu as he saw two lords standing in front of him.

"Are you lord Shiva and lord Vishnu?" Vrishaketu questions the two figures.

"Yes, we are." The man with the Crescent moon said.

"Why did you give me such pain?" Vrishaketu bombarded his question.

"Because it was destined. It was decided long ago when your father insulted a pious woman." The man with the Sudarshan chakra said with a smile.

"But, what was my mistake in this? My father was the biggest Danveer in the world, he donated everything but didn't ask anything for himself, but you didn't give him anything. Why? Answer me." Vrishaketu said with a firelight gaze.

"Because he regretted those words and the insult which he threw on Draupadi. You also know that your father and uncle did some bad things in their life. And they needed punishment for those bad things. They needed liberation from that mortal world." Lord Shiva said with a smile.

"But, then why did my brothers, mothers and grandparents die?" Vrishakasked with tears.

"Because they followed the same dharma which your father, Uncle followed. Your father was ambitious and wanted to become prove to his world that he is the best archer. Your mother knew that her husband did a heinous crime but they didn't confront him. Your brothers, followed your father's words like hell but look at you, who always rebelled against your father thoughts." Shri Hari said with a smile.

"Ok, my family did some mistakes, but weren't Pandavas responsible for the staking of empress Draupadi?" Vrishaketu again questioned the two lords.

"They were and they got their punishment also. They lived in the forest and hid for thirteen years. In that period they realized their mistakes but Kauravas didn't." Mahadev said with a smile.

"But, Narayan did tell me that yesterday realized his mistake, then why did he die such a horrendous death?" Vrishaketu shouted again.

"Because he wanted to prove that he is the best archer in the world and he was very loyal towards your uncle Duryodhana. And the only way to prove that he is the best archer in the world is-"

"-Is to kill prince Arjun." Vrishaketu interrupted the melodious voice of Narayana as he lost his balance and sat on the ground with tears in his eyes.

"Don't be sad, my son. You have a whole life besides you, utilize it. Help those people who need help as a common man. You will feel happy when you see those happy faces. Do you want more Vrishaketu to suffer the same pain of losing some dearly again?" Mahadeva said with a smile.

"You're right. I'll help all those people who are suffering. My father has taught me the art of weaponry and I will use that in this work." Vrishaketu said with firm determination and got up from the ground.

"And, we bless you with all the divine weapons which we have," Narayana said and within seconds, Vrishaketu was surrounded by a very powerful light and when he came out of that light felt very energetic.

"May all your wishes be completed." The two lords said and disappeared in a thin layer of air.

"I will serve these people but I will hide my identity from the world. Let the world think that the last son of Maharathi Karna is dead. I hope to find my uncle, Ashwathama." Vrishaketu said and went towards his father's room where some black clothes were there.

He prepared a black dress for himself so that no one could see him. He wore that dress and covered his face with the black cloth. Only his lotus, browned eyes were visible. He locked his house and rode his horse. While riding he promised himself that, "I will be the end of the beginning for those people who are suffering."