Dream - A Karna SI

38. INTERLUDE - SHANTIDOOT

Karn - 43 years

Yudhisthir - 40 years

Bheema & Duryodhan - 39 years

Arjun - 38 years

Nakul & Sahadev - 36 years

Abhimanyu - 16 years

"Bhagwan Hastinpur Aaye, Pandav Ka Sandesha Laaye." ~ Rashmirathi, Rastrakavi Shri Ramdhari Singh Dinkar

(At Kurusabha, Hastinapur)

"Maharaj! War will bring devastation on both sides. Whether it is the Pandavas or your powerful sons who fall, will there be any joy in such a hollow victory? I implore you to seek a treaty between the Pandavas and Kauravas to avoid this catastrophe that threatens to tear your family apart," Krishn urged, his voice heavy with concern.

Duryodhan, unable to remain silent, cut in with defiance. "Then let the Pandavas accept my terms, Govind. They should return to the forest, as they were discovered before the passage of thirteen years."

Krishn's gaze sharpened. "Suyodhan, let go of this obstinacy! You will not be able to defeat the Pandavas."

Duryodhan scoffed, his arrogance palpable. "We will crush the Pandavas, Madhav. We have warriors like the invincible Bhishma, the living embodiment of Dhanurveda, Dronacharya, the wielder of all weapons, Ashwatthama, the undefeated Bhagadatta, and countless others. You may have Arjun on your side, but what can he achieve alone?"

Krishn's voice deepened, resonating with a stern warning. "You forget about Karn, Bheem, Abhimanyu, Satyaki, and others, Prince Suyodhan."

Duryodhan dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand. "I and my brothers will handle Bheem, Abhimanyu is just a child, and Satyaki is not of the same caliber. And Karn? Don't even mention that ranchhod, that deceiver. He hid from our forces after his banishment. This isn't some malyuddha where he can defeat Jarasandha under the guise of charity. He's nothing but a glorified suta. He will get what's coming to him."

Krishn's eyes darkened, his tone growing more intense. "You do not know Karn, Suyodhan. The world has yet to witness the true measure of his might. You all feel emboldened to slander his character and question his valor, both in his presence and behind his back. He endures your insults without retaliation, and you mistake his restraint for weakness. But let me warn you, Karn is like the sun, hidden behind clouds for far too long. He has kept his power and emotions in check out of dharma, his iron will holding back a torrent of unmatched strength. When that dam breaks, when Karn is unleashed, all the warriors you boast of will pale in comparison. Like stars and moons lose their light in the presence of the sun, when Karn steps into this war, there will be no place for you to hide in all of Triloki. The world will tremble at the combined might of Karn and Arjun."