Two weeks later, the radiant palace in Suryaloka was transformed.
Every corner glowed with fresh garlands of jasmine and marigold, their fragrance drifting through the halls like a gentle breeze.
Servants moved quietly, arranging cushions around the vast yagna platform that had been built in the central courtyard. Everything was prepared with care, as if the entire realm understood that this was no ordinary gathering.
Karna stood near the entrance. He watched as the first guests began to arrive — familiar faces from childhood, devas he had known since he was small.
Some came with smiles and warm greetings; others carried a different kind of look in their eyes — calculating, hopeful, glancing toward the daughters who walked beside them.
Karna folded his hands to each one, offering respect without haste, but his thoughts kept drifting toward the horizon, waiting for his fiancée.
To his quiet surprise, Lord Yama arrived early.
The God of Death stepped down from his dark chariot, dressed in simple black, his wife Urmila beside him. Yama's face softened the moment he saw Karna. He walked forward and placed a hand on his younger brother's shoulder.
"You have grown into a fine adult, dear brother," Lord Yama said quietly. "Looking at you now, you resemble Father quite a lot."
Karna bowed deeply. "Thank you, elder brother. Your presence means a lot."
Lord Surya and Goddess Sangya stood at the entrance, personally welcoming every guest.
Sangya's smile was bright, but her eyes kept searching the sky, waiting for her daughter-in-law, too. Chhaya remained near a high window, arms folded, gazing outward with quiet longing, although it is for her son, Shani. She said little, only nodding when someone greeted her, but her shadow flickered restlessly across the floor.
Karna approached his father during a brief lull. "Father… what about Brother Shani and King Chitrasena?"
Lord Surya's expression tightened for a moment, "Don't worry. He is always late, but he will be on time." And then after a pause, he quietly added, "And King Chitrasena won't be here."
"What?" Karna blinked in surprise, "Why?"
Lord Surya replied, "At the last minute, Indradev had objected to their participation."
"Why?"
"Because this is a deva and Navagraha assembly, and Gandharvas have no place in this. If you were already married to Roshini, it would be another thing, but since it didn't happen yet, they were not considered our in-laws, and hence, they cannot be given a special invitation. And because this yajna needed Indradev's cooperation more than anyone, we have to listen to him."
Karna's face hardened at the reason, but he could only clench his fists for a few seconds and loosened.
If only he knew that this would happen, he would have gone to Gandharvaloka to meet her, instead of waiting for her at home.
Hours passed.
The devas settled into their positions around the yagna platform — cushions arranged in a wide circle, fire pit already prepared with sandalwood logs. Whispers began to spread.
Lord Indra, seated near the center, tapped his vajra impatiently against his knee. Other gods exchanged glances, growing restless. The sun moved higher, then began its slow descent, yet the empty seat remained unoccupied.
Then, suddenly, a low cawing sound echoed across the sky.
Crows circled overhead, black wings cutting through the golden light. Darkness rolled in like a wave — not night, but a deep, heavy shadow that swallowed the radiance of Suryaloka for a moment.
The devas tensed. Some reached for their weapons instinctively.
The shadow dispersed as quickly as it had come.
Lord Shani descended slowly with his dark robes flowing, eyes fixed straight ahead, avoiding every face. He walked toward the empty seat reserved for him and sat down without a word, without a greeting — not to Surya, not to Sangya, not to anyone.
Lord Indra's jaw tightened at his blatant disrespect.
Lord Surya's hands were also clenched briefly at his sides.
Most of the other devas merely looked away — fear of Shani's gaze stronger than any discomfort at his rudeness.
Karna rose at once. He walked to his brother, folded his hands, and bowed deeply. "Elder brother Shani… welcome."
Shani glanced at him and nodded, "May you always follow the path of dharma."
Karna returned to his seat, a small flicker of disappointment crossing his face as he couldn't talk to Lord Shani at all because of the time constraints.
Guru Brihaspati rose then, the teacher of all devas, and signaled to Agni Dev. The fire god stepped forward and kindled the sacred flames. Sandalwood logs caught instantly, sending sweet smoke curling upward. The yagna began.
For six full days, the ritual continued without pause.
Priests chanted mantras in unbroken rhythm. Offerings of ghee and herbs are poured into the fire. The gods sat in disciplined silence, eyes fixed on the flames. Karna sat among them with his posture steady, voice joining the chants when required, but his mind wandered sometimes to the face he had not seen in twelve years: Roshini, whom he expected so much to see, but couldn't.
On the seventh day, as the final offerings were made, the sky above the platform suddenly blazed brighter than the sun itself.
A boundless white light poured down — so intense that every deva except Lord Surya closed their eyes tightly. Even Indra turned his face away. The light dimmed slowly, like dawn softening into morning.
When everyone opened their eyes again, three figures stood in the sky — side by side, radiant and immense.
Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, his four faces, calm and serene.
Lord Vishnu, the preserver, with his skin gleaming, conch and discus resting in his hands.
Lord Shiva, the destroyer, with matted locks flowing, a crescent moon shining on his forehead, and a serpent coiled around his neck.
A wave of awe swept through the gathering.
Low-ranking devas fell to their knees, tears streaming down their faces — many seeing even one of the Trimurti for the first time, let alone all three together.
Karna felt his own eyes fill. His gaze lingered longest on Lord Shiva, whom he worshiped.
Lord Brahma's voice then rolled across the courtyard — gentle yet carrying to every corner. "Your yagna has been successful. Child… come forward."
Karna rose and stepped into the open space before the platform.
He stood with palms joined, head bowed.
Lord Brahma raised his hand, ready to pronounce the blessing that would make Karna a deva.
But Lord Vishnu lifted a palm, calm, stopping him. "Brahma Dev… the yagna is successful, but you cannot bless Karna yet."
A ripple of shock passed through the gathering.
Even Indra leaned forward, eyes narrowing. He rose respectfully and stepped beside Karna. "Narayana… why can Karna not become a deva yet?"
Lord Shiva's voice answered his question instead, "Because Karna still has one attachment left to the mortal realm. Unless he frees himself from it, we cannot release the shackles of mortality upon him. It would go against the laws of nature."
Silence fell across the place.
Karna clenched his fists involuntarily. He didn't need an explanation to know what kind of attachment that is tied to the mortal realm.