Lord Surya stepped forward slowly, his voice respectful yet firm as he addressed the three figures in the sky. "Mahadev… nothing is hidden from you. His birth mother abandoned him the moment he was born. The moment she placed him in that basket and set him adrift on the river, she lost her right to call him her son, didn't she? So, how could it be an attachment?"
Lord Shiv smiled gently, the kind of smile that carried both understanding and quiet sorrow as he replied. "But that does not change the fact that she carried him in her womb for nine months. She became the reason his life began. And not to mention, his birth mother has regretted her actions every single day since that morning. Hence, Karna must fulfill his basic duties as a son. Until he gets freed from that mortal attachment, he cannot cut off his mortality."
Sangya's heart began to beat rapidly.
She felt a cold weight settle in her chest, the fear that something terrible was about to happen. Her fingers tightened on Karna's arm, as if holding him could stop whatever words were coming next.
Karna knelt slowly before the Trimurti.
He joined his palms and bowed his head low. "Mahadev… Brahma Dev… Narayana… I will fulfill my duties as a son. But in return, instead of releasing my mortal shackles, when I die, can you let me be reborn as a normal deva to my mother, Goddess Sangya, and my father, Lord Surya? I wish she had been the one to give birth to me, not just the one who looked after me."
A soft gasp rippled through the gathered devas.
Sangya's breath caught. Tears filled her eyes instantly, whether happy or sad, even she doesn't know. She pressed a hand to her mouth, unable to speak.
Lord Vishnu raised his hand and smiled. "I bless you, Karna. After you fulfill all your duties related to the mortal realm, in your following life, you will be reborn as a deva, born to Lord Surya and Goddess Sangya."
Sangya let out a small, broken sound, half sob, and half joy. She reached for Karna's hand and squeezed it tightly.
Lord Shiva spoke next, "Since you completed the yagna, we cannot return empty-handed. You already possess a celestial weapon from your guru. So I bless you with this: whatever knowledge you have gained in the art of warfare and the Vedas will not be lost, even after you are reborn again."
Lord Brahma raised his hand last. A glowing stick appeared in his palm, long, simple, radiating tremendous energy that made every deva's heart tremble. The air around it shimmered, as if the universe itself bent slightly toward the weapon.
Lord Brahma looked at Karna. "Your guru regretted not giving you this because of your Kshatriya lineage. But since he believed you were worthy to possess it, I bless you with the Brahmanda Astra, the counter to every weapon that exists. However, I warn you not to use it against any lesser celestial astras. It can only be used to counter the supreme celestial weapons like Narayanastra, Brahmastra, Brahmashira, Mahadeva's Trishula, and Narayana's Sudharshana. And also remember one thing: you can use it only once in your life."
Amidst the gasps echoed by the devas, who were all surprised to see such a boon to Lord Surya's mortal son, the glowing stick floated downward and entered Karna's body, a warm rush of power settling deep inside him, like a second heartbeat. He joined his palms again and bowed deeply.
"Thank you… Brahma Dev, Narayana, Mahadev."
The three figures began to fade, light dimming slowly until the sky returned to its usual golden hue.
The devas remained standing for a long moment in silence, then slowly resumed their places.
Lord Surya stepped forward and addressed the gathering. "The yagna is complete. Please stay for dinner tonight. Rest in my palace. We have much to celebrate."
The devas nodded and began to move toward the dining halls while continuing to whisper.
*
The next day, Lord Surya gathered his family in the main hall. Sangya stood beside her husband, hands clasped tightly in front of her, eyes searching Karna's face as if trying to memorize every line before he left. Chhaya lingered near a pillar with her arms folded, expression guarded, but she had come anyway.
Lord Surya spoke first. "Before you depart for the mortal realm, we must go to Gandharvaloka. King Chitrasena has invited us. It is time to speak formally about your marriage to Roshini."
Karna nodded once with a flicker of warmth crossing his eyes at Roshini's name. "I would like that, Father." If his father hadn't said this, he would have already gone alone to meet her.
Sangya then stepped forward quickly. "I will come too. I want to see my daughter-in-law, too. She must have grown into a fine young lady by now."
Lord Surya placed a hand on her shoulder. "Of course, dear. We go together."
The golden chariot waited in the courtyard, pulled by the seven swift horses whose manes shimmered like living flame.
Karna climbed in first, then helped Sangya up. Lord Surya took the reins. Chhaya hesitated at the edge, then stepped aboard without a word. The chariot rose smoothly, gliding through the golden skies of Suryaloka until the realm of the Gandharvas appeared below: floating palaces of crystal and cloud, rivers of music, gardens where flowers sang instead of blooming.
They landed gently in the central courtyard of Chitrasena's palace.
The Gandharva king waited with his family, dressed in flowing silks of blue and silver, a veena resting against his shoulder.
An adult Roshini stood beside him, older now, her face more graceful and looking like a celestial apsara, her eyes bright with something between hope and fear. She wore a light green lehenga embroidered with silver threads, simple yet beautiful, and her hands twisted nervously at her sides.
Karna stepped down first.
His gaze found hers immediately.
For a moment, neither moved. Then Roshini ran forward, not caring who watched, and stopped just short of him. Her breath came fast. Tears already gathered in her eyes.
"Karna…"
He smiled, small, steady, the same smile he had given her twelve years ago by the lotus pond. "Roshini."
She reached out, hesitant at first, then touched his cheek as if making sure he was real.
"You came back."
"I promised I would."
Sangya watched from behind, and a smile crept to her lips. She stepped forward slowly and placed a gentle hand on Roshini's shoulder.
"My dear… how are you?"
Roshini turned to her, eyes wide, then touched her feet. "Mother Sangya…"
Lord Surya and Chitrasena moved to one side, speaking quietly.
The Gandharva king gestured toward a shaded pavilion overlooking the gardens. "Come, Suryadev."
Sangya stayed with the young couple. She then touched Karna's arm lightly. "I will give you two some time alone."
She walked away, taking slow steps, leaving them standing together under the flowering vines.
Karna then finally looked at Roshini. He took her hand gently, "Roshini… there is something I must tell you."
She squeezed his fingers. "My love, I already know some of it. Father told me about the yagna, about your duties on Earth."
Karna led her to a stone bench overlooking a small pond where lotuses floated. They sat side by side and talked for a while. Karna told her things he did during the past 12 years, including the battle with Indra, the fight with some asuras that were troubling the rishis.
Roshini listened quietly. Her eyes never left his face.
Karna continued. "Yes. I have no anger toward Princess Kunti, Dear. She made a choice long ago. I only wish to do what is right, what dharma asks. But I was worried for you. You have waited for so long for me, but now… I'm leaving you again. Don't know how long it will be, this time."
Roshini lifted her gaze. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she stared at him, but her voice was steady. "Then I will come with you."
Karna blinked, surprised. "Roshini…"