Meanwhile, Lord Surya tried to make his son understand the reality as he doesn't know it, "son, it might be possible to become a great devotee of Lord Shiva but it isn't possible to become Lord Shiva's disciple. To date, only the first Saptarishis and Lord Parashurama were accepted as his disciples."
Just as his words ended, a voice was heard from the entrance. "They aren't the only ones that are taught by Mahadeva, Lord Surya."
Everyone turned towards the source and saw there was a person beside Goddess Chhaya. He was looking away, not intending to meet his eyes with anyone."
Karna looked at the stranger curiously. Meanwhile, the others' faces changed right away. It is even more so, for Lord Surya who had a deep frown on his face. "Shani..."
Walking slowly, Shani continued, "Karma is everything. Make a trip to Kailasa and pass the tests, Karna. If your Karma is great enough to move Lord Shiva, then, he will have to accept your wishes because of the Karmaphala."
"Karma and Karmaphala?" Karna mumbled to himself. He fell into deep thoughts while staring at the man who was slowly walking towards him.
"I thought you wouldn't come here." Lord Surya spoke to him, making an obvious expression that he disliked Shani's presence.
"Well, Karna's sade-sati is about to begin. I had to come, Lord Surya." Shani replied to him.
"Chhaya!"
It was then Sanjna exploded in anger. Even Yama and Surya flinched for a second at her outburst. "Tell your son to stay quiet or else, I'll start forgetting that he's a part of our family."
Shani frowned and he turned his head towards her, although he made sure that his eyesight is on no one.
"As I have always said, Goddess Saranyu, karma is everything. Don't do something that gives you a karmaphala which will bring you pain." Shani advised her.
Sanjna's arms started to shake in anger, "Chhaya..."
All of a sudden, the atmosphere turned tense in the palace. Everyone understood that Sanjna was angry and they kept quiet. And it wasn't her fault here. She was trying so hard to keep things from her son and here comes her eldest son who practically pushed Karna towards Lord Shiva and now, comes Shani, who is not only trying to encourage Karna to go into the path of hardship but he almost slipped the truth about Karna being a mortal. After all, sade sati only affects humans.
The moment Karna learns it, he would understand the truth. And when the truth about his mortality comes out, Karna will also realize that she wasn't his biological mother too. This is why she was angry at Shani.
But, it is Shani. He was more of a rebellious type who care less about the family or what they are feeling, except for his mother. The only thing matter to him is Karma. Those who do good things will get rewarded and those who do bad deeds will get a lesson. It's as simple as that.
Sanjna knew of Shani's personality. That's why she shouted at her shadow/sister instead.
As Shani argued back, Chhaya patted Shani, "son, this is the time of celebrations. Let's not turn it into something unpleasant."
"Yes, mother." Shani nodded in response and as he finally reached Karna who was staring curiously at his mother and then at this half brother.
After wishing him for the birthday, Shani added, "I don't have any materialistic present that you don't have. All I have is the knowledge given to me by Mahadeva."
Karna curiously looked at Shani's face. He couldn't help but ask, "Elder brother, why do you look away while talking?"
Sanjna answered, "Son, it's because of a curse. That's a long story but all you need to know is that you cannot meet your eyes with his or else, bad luck will befall on you."
While she spoke of the truth, Chhaya felt like her sister is trying to humiliate her son in front of everyone. Before she defended him, Shani gave her a punching answer, "my vision is dangerous to those who cannot defeat the six enemies of mind, namely kama (desire), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), Mada (arrogance), moha (delusion), ad Matsarya (jealousy). Unfortunately, most of the people come under it.
Remember King Harishchandra? He faced so many troubles because of my vakradrishti but in the end, he passed the tests by staying on the side of truth and defeating all these six enemies."
"Vakra Drishti?" Karna wondered what it is.
A couple of hours went by. A few other guests and several rishis also arrived to witness the yajna. After all, performing yajna is a good deed and those who take the offering at the end will receive a minute amount of divine power. As the guru of all devas/gods, Lord Brihaspati is the one that is conducting this yajna. Naturally, he'll be there but surprisingly, Lord Indra also arrived.
It wasn't because he's interested in Karna or this Yajna but it is more like his curiosity brought him here.
The target of his curiosity is Gandharva King and his entire family. After all, King Chitrasena resides in Gandharvaloka and isn't any relative to Lord Surya or Sanjna either. Unfortunately, Lord Vishvakarma, Goddess Sanjna's father is too busy fulfilling his daughter's request that he wasn't able to make it to the event.
Karna sat along with his parents and siblings and performed the Yajna. After it is successfully completed, everyone was summoned to the courtroom.
Lord Surya took his seat and the others are waiting for this important announcement the sun god had to make. Karna was the same as he stood beside his mother.
Lord Surya proceeded to announce, "You all know that Gandharva King Chitrasena is a good friend of mine."
His statement brought confusion to Lord Indra. When these two guys did become friends without his knowledge?
Lord Surya continued, "To improve our relationship further, we take this friendship to become in-laws, through my son Karna and his youngest daughter, Princess Roshini. After my son completes his education and returns home, we'll proceed with their marriage, officially."
Karna turned his head to look at the girl standing nearby in surprise. She was indeed considered his friend and came to the palace many times with her father but they rarely played with each other or even talked together. Roshini mostly spends her time with his mother when he focuses on reading the Puranas. The nine-year-old girl doesn't seem to be surprised by the announcement and she just smiled in response.
Meanwhile, on Earth;
Kunti, Pandu, and Madri continued to stay peacefully in a forest somewhere far away from the Kuru kingdom. It was a place named Pandukeshwar and is located in the Gandhamandana region of the Himalayas.
The place is in fact named after him by the sages as they were impressed by his detachment to material life and attaining the prowess of a Brahma rishi.
Pandu and his wives were serving food to a group of rishis who stopped by on the way.
Meanwhile, a couple of soldiers arrived at the location. "Your Majesty." They greeted with a bow.
"Kunti, take this." Pandu gave the vessel with Rotis (bread) to his wife and left to meet the two of the soldiers whose armor and the helmet indicate that they are from Hastinapura.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister sent you a letter." One of them gave a scroll to Pandu.
Pandu took the scroll and read the letter. His face glowed in delight.