Mahabharat - The Changed Fate

Chapter 35: Shakuni's Loss of Control Over Duryodhana

The sun rose slowly over the vast city of Hastinapur, casting long shadows across the palace. Birds chirped in the distance, and a sense of calm filled the air. But inside the royal palace, the tension simmered like a pot about to boil over.

For days now, Shakuni had noticed a change in Duryodhana. The crown prince, once pliable and easily influenced, had started to show signs of defiance. No longer was he seeking Shakuni's counsel on every decision. Instead, Duryodhana had begun making choices independently, ignoring his uncle's veiled suggestions. Worse yet, Karna and Avika were now clearly exerting their influence over him.

Shakuni sat in his private chambers, his long, thin fingers drumming on the wooden table in front of him as he thought over his next move. His mind raced, replaying the moments of recent days: Duryodhana visiting Karna and Avika, their growing bond, and Duryodhana's increasing reluctance to follow Shakuni's manipulative schemes. He could feel the grip he had held so tightly over his nephew slipping, and it enraged him.

"Duryodhana was mine to mold," Shakuni muttered to himself, his dark eyes narrowing as he paced back and forth. "I cannot let Karna and Avika ruin everything I've worked for."

He knew that if Duryodhana continued to stray from his influence, it could jeopardize everything—the plan to defeat the Pandavas, the struggle for the throne, the eventual rise of the Kauravas to uncontested power. And Karna, with his newfound closeness to Duryodhana, was becoming a significant obstacle. But Shakuni was nothing if not patient and cunning. He had spent years perfecting the art of manipulation, and he wasn't about to let it slip away now.

He needed a new plan—one that would weaken the bond between Karna, Avika, and Duryodhana, while at the same time ensuring that the Kaurava prince remained firmly under his thumb. The question was: how?

The Palace's New Dynamic

The palace had become a place of renewed energy. Duryodhana, inspired by his growing friendship with Karna, had started to change. He became more assertive, more willing to listen to his own instincts rather than blindly following Shakuni's advice. His admiration for Karna's nobility and Avika's wisdom had shifted his perspective on leadership and loyalty. While he still held a fierce ambition to secure the throne and rule over Hastinapur, he now saw the value of forging genuine relationships, particularly with those who stood beside him out of respect rather than fear.

In his heart, Duryodhana knew that Karna's loyalty was invaluable. It wasn't just about Karna's strength as a warrior or his unmatched skills in archery; it was the way Karna embodied honor, courage, and a deep sense of righteousness. Avika, too, had opened Duryodhana's eyes to a different way of thinking. She was wise and calm, offering perspectives that balanced out his more aggressive tendencies. Together, Karna and Avika made Duryodhana feel like a better version of himself—a version that could potentially rule with justice, not just power.

But Shakuni's influence was still ever-present, lurking in the shadows of Duryodhana's mind. Though he was trying to distance himself from his uncle's manipulations, the years of counsel couldn't be entirely forgotten. Duryodhana found himself torn between two worlds: the one where he led as a ruthless, Machiavellian ruler guided by Shakuni's cunning, and the one where he was a strong but just king, supported by the likes of Karna and Avika.

Shakuni was acutely aware of this inner conflict. The more Duryodhana began to break free of his control, the more desperate Shakuni became to regain his hold over the prince. He would have to act soon, or risk losing everything.

Shakuni's Schemes Take Shape

Shakuni was no stranger to sowing discord, and his devious mind quickly formulated a plan to undermine Karna's influence over Duryodhana. The key, he knew, was to exploit the underlying tension between Karna and the Pandavas—especially Arjuna. Though Karna was not openly hostile toward the Pandavas, there was a silent rivalry between him and Arjuna that could be leveraged. Shakuni had seen the way Karna's eyes lingered on Arjuna during the grand competition, a mix of respect and competitiveness underlying their interactions. It was a rivalry ripe for manipulation.