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"Really, I am not that great, Ekalavya. I am just a charioteer's son. Even though I might have become a warrior, I don't suppose I've done anything to earn your admiration," Karn said in a humble tone, not feeling the least bit proud upon hearing Ekalavya's praise.
"It's your greatness that makes you so humble, even when the Kshatriyas of Hastinapur have already sung your praises," Ekalavya said. He didn't have words to describe how great Karn's character was, so he simply praised him in an admiring and awe-filled tone.
"You know, Ekalavya, if I didn't know that you were Acharya Vyasa's shishya, I would have doubted you. Where did you learn to speak in such a way?" Karn couldn't help but smile slightly and comment on Ekalavya's words.
"Haha...I just picked it up," Ekalavya laughed, hearing Karn's playful jab.
"Ohhh...looks like we found the herbs we were looking for. Let's go back!" Ekalavya spotted a stalk of herbs behind the tree roots. He carefully picked it up before motioning to Karn to head back.
Once they were back, Acharya Vyasa made a concoction from the herbs with Ekalavya's help and fed it to the young girl, whose complexion improved within a few minutes of partaking in the concoction.
"Alright, Vatsa. Your sister is still not fully cured, so you will need to follow me along with your sister to my Ashram," Acharya Vyasa said as he stood up, turning to the brother and informing him in a kind tone.
"Thank you very much. I am very grateful for your generosity, Acharya Vyasa," the child said, bowing his head to express his gratitude.
"Alright... alright... Vatsa! Let us depart then," Acharya Vyasa said, helping him stand up before patting his shoulder with a small appreciative smile on his face.
"Bhrata Shree, it looks like we must depart now. If you ever get the chance, you are welcome to visit Guru Vyasa's Ashram," Ekalavya said, cupping his hands in a pranam mudra and bowing his head slightly to show respect as he bid farewell to Karna, along with offering his welcome to his Guru's Ashram.
"Hmm... sure. I will visit Acharya Vyasa's Ashram in the future if I get the chance!" Karna smiled at Ekalavya and accepted his invitation. He then turned to Acharya Vyasa, and after taking his permission, he also departed from there.
"Oh... right, I haven't gotten your names yet," Ekalavya said as he adjusted his sister on his back before they began travelling back.
.....
Meanwhile,
In Hastinapur Raj Bhavan,
"Mama Shree, where is our Priya Mitra (best friend) Karna? We wish to honor him for bringing us such a proud moment by standing against that damnable Kunti-putra Arjuna," Duryodhana said with a joyous smile, his eyes scanning the area for Karna.
Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava prince, was an imposing figure exuding authority and confidence.
Standing tall with a broad, muscular build refined through years of intense training in mace combat, his regal bearing was complemented by his finely chiseled features.
After witnessing Karna's awe-inspiring duel with Arjuna during the archery exhibition, Duryodhana's face glowed with unrestrained happiness and excitement. His sharp, piercing eyes, often brimming with ambition and cunning, now gleamed with admiration for Karna's unparalleled bravery and mastery in archery.
His lips curved into a rare, broad smile, softening his usually stern and commanding countenance.
"Yuvaraj Duryodhan, remember to win your Mitra with warmth and honor, for he is a great ally when challenging mighty warriors like Kunti-putra Arjuna," Shakuni advised in his smooth, calculating tone. His sly smile, tinged with mischief, adorned his face as he observed Duryodhana contemplating his words.
Shakuni, not only Duryodhana's maternal uncle but also the prince of Gandhara, was known for his sharp intellect and unmatched cunning.
He was a lean man with angular features that mirrored his scheming personality. His piercing, deep-set eyes always glinted with a mix of mischief and strategy, making it evident that he was a man of endless plots and intrigues. A thin, pointed nose and a neatly trimmed beard streaked with gray added to his mature and shrewd appearance.
His slightly disheveled dark hair and perpetual sardonic smirk lent him an aura of intrigue, as though he were perpetually a step ahead in his games.
Dressed in fine silk robes of dark green and maroon, symbolic of his royal heritage, Shakuni carried himself with a grace that belied his manipulative nature.
His slender fingers often rolled his distinctive 'chausar' dice, a constant reminder of his penchant for turning fate to his favor, a trait that made him both respected and feared.
Shakuni watched Duryodhana's excitement with a calculating glint in his eyes, his mind already formulating a plan. He stepped closer to his bhanja, his voice low and persuasive.
"Yuvaraj Duryodhana, your intentions are noble, but I must caution you against haste," Shakuni began, his tone smooth and measured.
Duryodhana looked at him curiously, his smile fading slightly. "Karna is no ordinary man, nor is he like the sycophants at court who bow to you for mere gold or jewels. Karna is known throughout the land as Danveer—the one who never refuses a request, no matter how grand. Do you believe gifting him treasures will bind him to your side?"
Duryodhana frowned, his brows furrowing in thought. "What do you mean, Mama Shree? Is it not an honor to reward a warrior who stood against Arjuna and proved his worth in the arena?"
Shakuni nodded slightly, his expression contemplative. "It is indeed an honor, my prince, but consider this: Karna, the Danveer, may simply give away your treasures as charity to others. His heart is too noble, too vast for mere material wealth to anchor him. No, Duryodhana, you must think deeper. You must bind him not with gold, but with gratitude—through something far more lasting and meaningful."
"What are you suggesting, Mama Shree?" Duryodhana asked, his voice tinged with curiosity, his mind racing to decipher the deeper meaning behind Shakuni's words.
Shakuni's lips curved into a sly smile. "Give him power, Yuvaraj. Grant him a part of our territory to rule as a king. Elevate him to a position of authority, not as a mere recipient of gifts. By bestowing upon him such an honor, you will create a bond of loyalty that no treasure could ever match. He will see you not only as a prince but as a benefactor, one who recognized his worth when the world dismissed him. Such gratitude will make him your friend in both heart and deed."
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