A Change of Fate

Mess of Contradictions

"I have a doubt, Professor Shantanu." The youngest Doctorate of their University spoke up, addressing the Emeritus Professor with a hunger in his eyes.

"What is it, Kiriti?" The old man asked, his voice calm.

"I read the entire Jaya Samhitha... start to end." Kiriti began slowly. "The doubt I have is about Commander Vasusena. If I'm not mistaken... You said he was the one who saw the full knowledge of their fate."

"I did." Shantanu let out a quiet breath. "What about it?"

"Why did he change so much after seeing the future?" Kiriti asked, his tone blunt.

The old professor stared at him, puzzled. "Your question sounds..." Shantanu searched for words that would not sound conceited.

Kiriti spoke before he could find them. "I understand my question sounds mad to you. Because after seeing one's destined end... anyone would change, anyone would be shaken. But this is Vasusena we're talking about. And there are... inconsistencies."

"If you found something consistent about Vasusena, I'd be more surprised." Shantanu quipped dryly. "So... which inconsistencies are you talking about?"

"Angaraja Karna was considered to be one of the greatest adharmis in the Jaya Samhitha a step below Duryodhana even." Kiriti began softly. "A cruel braggart. A vindictive snake. A warmonger who incited the war... because he was desperate to prove he was the greatest archer of the Yuga."

Shantanu's eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation flashing in his calm face. Kiriti raised his hands quickly, voice apologetic. "That's what's written in the Jaya Samhitha. I'm just quoting what's there."

"Continue," Shantanu ordered, his tone sharp but measured.

Kiriti swallowed, gathering his words. "He was also called a failure. A deserter who fled whenever he was overwhelmed."

Shantanu's face gave nothing away. "Still don't see your point."

Kiriti pressed on. "And yet... if there are moments when he was recognised as a warrior—truly recognised—there are only a handful. Like Ghatotkacha's death. Or the last two days of his life, when he fought the entire Pandava army except Arjuna... and held them to a standstill."

He paused, holding Shantanu's gaze. "And the final battle between them—between Arjuna and Vasusena. Even Indra Deva, watching from the skies, feared for a moment it would end in a loss... until Brahma Deva assured him that no one could defeat the Nara-Narayana when they were together."

Shantanu raised an eyebrow, the hint of a smirk flickering across his face. "So... is there a point to all this, or are you just here to proclaim your love for Arjuna?"

Kiriti inhaled slowly. Measured. As though weighing each word against the weight of what had been revealed.

"Who exactly is Vasusena Adhirathi?" he asked at last, his voice quiet—but sharp enough to cut. "Because he can't be just a jealous man clinging to caste and past. The scriptures say Viṣhṇu takes avatāra only when the burden of evil becomes too great for Bhūdevi to bear."