A few days after Bahubali and Dushala's wedding, the grand court of Hastinapur convened, its marble pillars draped in royal silks, the air heavy with the weight of a pivotal decision. King Dhritarashtra sat on his throne, Queen Gandhari at his side, her veiled gaze steady.
Mahamahim Bhishma, Mahamantri Vidura, Kulguru Kripacharya, Guru Dronacharya, the Pandavas, the Kauravas, Gandhar Raj Shakuni, Dwarkadhish Sri Krishna, Magadha Naresh Bahubali, and Angaraj Karna filled the sabha, their presence a tapestry of alliances and tensions.
The topic was Hastinapur's future and the contentious question of the crown prince, now complicated by Yudhishthira's return.
Bhishma spoke first, his voice resolute. "Maharaj, Yudhishthira, the eldest Kuru prince, has returned, proven alive after the Varanavat ordeal. Tradition demands he be reinstated as Yuvraj. His wisdom and dharma make him the rightful heir to guide Hastinapur."
Vidura nodded, his tone measured. "Pitamaha speaks truth. Yudhishthira's birthright as the eldest cannot be ignored. His exile was forced, not chosen, and his return restores the natural order. Duryodhana has served well, but dharma favors the eldest."
Duryodhana's face darkened, and Dushasana, standing among the Kauravas, shot back, his voice fierce. "Mahamantri, you dismiss our Jyeshta's deeds! My brother, as Yuvraj, rebuilt Hastinapur schools for all castes, homes for the poor, and granaries to feed the hungry."
Shakuni, his eyes glinting, added smoothly, "Mahamantri Vidura, Mahamahim Bhishma, you speak of tradition, but what of merit? Suyodhana has helped in reforming the lives of the people of Kuru kingdom. To strip Suyodhana now is to dishonor his service and people's love for him."
Yudhishthira, calm but firm, responded, "Gandhar Raj, brothers, dharma guides my claim. As eldest, I must lead, uniting all Kurus."
Arjuna, his voice sharp, added, "We disguised ourselves as Brahmins to know the difficulties common people face and understand them better. Suyodhana's reforms are commendable, but birthright and dharma favor Bhrata Yudhishthira. Hastinapur deserves its rightful heir."
The sabha grew heated, voices overlapping, until Krishna and Bahubali exchanged a glance. Krishna's knowing smile and subtle nod prompted Bahubali to rise, his presence commanding silence. "Maharaj Dhritarashtra, revered elders, noble Kurus, and Dwarkadhish. I speak not as Magadha's king and Dushala's husband, bound to Hastinapur by love and duty. It is true that dharma favors the eldest prince as crown prince, and Yudhishthira's claim by birth is just."
The elders and Pandavas smiled, expecting his support, while the Kauravas and Shakuni looked crestfallen, believing Bahubali had forsaken them. Duryodhana's fists clenched, his eyes betraying hurt.
Bahubali continued, his voice steady and piercing, "But you cannot ignore Suyodhana's deeds. When the world whispered of treachery after Varanavat—a false accusation—he shouldered the burden of yuvraj. He built schools, fed the hungry, housed the homeless, and earned the people's love. These are the qualities of a king, one who faces adversity with courage. Yudhishthira, though wise, left Hastinapur at the first sign of peril, abandoning his role. A king must stand firm, no matter the storm."
The Pandavas' faces darkened—Bhima's with fury, Arjuna's with a scowl—while Bhishma and Vidura frowned, their conviction shaken.
The Kauravas, Dushasana beaming, exchanged relieved glances, Shakuni's smile sly. Krishna's knowing smile deepened, his eyes fixed on Bahubali.
Bahubali pressed on, his tone resolute. "We face a dilemma: two worthy Crown Princes, each with loyal brothers. The Kauravas will never accept Yudhishthira over Suyodhana, their Jyeshta, whom they love fiercely. Resentment will fester if he's displaced. The Pandavas, equally steadfast, see Yudhishthira's birthright as dharma's call. These brothers cannot coexist harmoniously under one crown—it risks division, even war. I propose a solution: divide Hastinapur's kingdom into two. Let Yudhishthira rule one half with the Pandavas, and Suyodhana the other with the Kauravas. Two kingdoms, two crowns, one Kuru legacy, ruling in peace."
Krishna rose, his voice melodic yet authoritative. "Magadha Naresh speaks wisdom. Division is the only path to harmony under these circumstances. Two kingdoms allow both Yudhishthira and Suyodhana to fulfill their dharma without conflict. I endorse Bahubali's proposal as the best solution for Hastinapur's future."
Dhritarashtra, seated on his throne, sighed deeply, his voice heavy. "If this is the only way to preserve peace, so be it. The Pandavas shall take Khandav Vanam and its surrounding lands to rule as their kingdom. Suyodhana remains the yuvraj of Hastinapur. But Kunti, as kula vadhu of the Kuru dynasty, will stay in Hastinapur to guide both houses."
The Pandavas protested, Bhima's voice booming, "Pitashri, Mata belongs with us! She endured exile by our side!"
Yudhishthira added, "Maharaj, this is unjust—she is our mother!"
Kunti, stepping forward, her voice calm but firm, silenced them. "Enough, my sons. I am the kula vadhu of the Kurus first, then the mother to Pandavas. My place is here, uniting our family, even if divided. I accept Maharaj's decree." The Pandavas, reluctant, bowed to her will, their faces grim but compliant.
The sabha nodded, a contented murmur spreading, though tensions lingered. As the court adjourned, preparations began for the Pandavas' departure to Khandav Vanam, their new realm.
In a quiet corridor of the palace, Bahubali, Karna, Duryodhana, Dushasana, and Vikarna gathered, the Kauravas' faces alight with gratitude.
Duryodhana clasped Bahubali's shoulder, his voice thick with emotion. "Bahu, I thought you'd forsaken me when you spoke of the eldest's right. My heart sank, fearing you'd side with Yudhishthira. But your words—defending my deeds, proposing the division—you saved Hastinapur from strife and kept my honor intact. How can I thank you?"
Bahubali smiled, his tone warm. "Suyodhana, we are family now; there is no need for that. I spoke the truth—your work as Yuvraj shines brighter than any crown. The division ensures you and Yudhishthira both rule as kings, not rivals. Magadha stands with you, always."
Dushasana grinned, his voice playful. "Bahu, you're a Maharathi in battle and words! When you praised Jyeshta's reforms, I saw Pitamaha Bhishma's face twist—he didn't expect that! And now Dushala's husband saves our kingdom. We're lucky to call you family!"
Vikarna added, his tone thoughtful, "Your proposal was bold, Bahu. The elders wanted tradition, the Pandavas wanted birthright, but you gave us peace. I only hope the Pandavas accept Khandav Vanam without resentment."
Bahubali's eyes were steady. "They will, Vikarna. Yudhishthira's dharma will guide him, and Krishna's blessing seals this path. Let's focus on building Hastinapur with Suyodhana, as Anga and Magadha stand united."
Duryodhana hugged Bahubali, his voice fervent. "Mitra, with you and Karna by my side, Hastinapur will rise like never before. Let's make our kingdoms beacons of dharma, as you've done in Magadha!"
In the Pandavas' chambers, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, and Draupadi sat with Krishna, their faces a mix of frustration and resignation. Yudhishthira spoke, his voice heavy. "Dwarkadhish, Bahubali's proposal gives us Khandav Vanam, but it feels like exile anew. Hastinapur was my birthright, yet we're sent to a wilderness while Duryodhana keeps the throne. And Mata staying here—it wounds us. Was this truly dharma's path?"
Krishna's smile was serene, his voice soothing yet profound. "Yudhishthira, dharma is not always a straight path but a winding river. Bahubali's words were fair—he honored your birthright but defended Suyodhana's merit. Division prevents war between brothers, preserving the Kuru legacy. Khandav Vanam is no exile—it's a canvas for your greatness. Build a kingdom there, as radiant as your heart."
Bhima growled, his fists clenched. "Krishna, Bahubali's speech stung like an arrow! He called Bhrata Yudhishthira a prince who fled, ignoring our trials in exile! And Duryodhana, that schemer, keeps Hastinapur while we're cast out. I'd rather face him in battle than accept this!"
Krishna's eyes twinkled, his tone gentle. "Bhima, your strength is your fire, but patience is your shield. Bahubali spoke truth—Yudhishthira left, though forced, while Duryodhana led. Yet you, Pandavas, are destined for more than Hastinapur's throne. Khandav Vanam will become a city to rival the gods, under your hands. Trust this path."
Arjuna, his voice bitter, added, "Dwarkadhish, Bahubali's alliance with Duryodhana and Karna strengthens our foes. We thought them behind Varanavat's fire, though you say it was fate. Now they divide our home, and Mata stays behind. How is this just?"
Krishna placed a hand on Arjuna's shoulder, his voice firm. "Partha, let go of suspicion. The fire was an accident, not their plot. Bahubali's proposal, born of dharma, ensures peace. Kunti stays as the Kuru matriarch, binding both houses. In Khandav Vanam, you'll forge a legacy greater than Hastinapur's crown. Draupadi, your fireborn queen, will light that path."
As preparations for the Pandavas' departure to Khandav Vanam began, Hastinapur and Magadha turned toward their futures, the division of the kingdom a fragile peace upheld by Krishna's wisdom and Bahubali's bold vision, with dharma guiding the paths of both.
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A/n: Any suggestion as who should be the final villian and how to end the story.