Before this part, I want to say that Karna is around eight years older than Yudhishthira, 12 years older than Bhima/Duryodhana, 16 years older than Arjuna and 18 years older than both Putra/ Sons of Devi Madri. It is the closest age difference I can find from various sites and Articles.
If its incorrect, please do inform me! Additionally, please don't give me the references from any T.V serial.
Lastly, the natural lifespan of normal peoples are 1,000 years while a sage can live through Yugas without dying in Dvapara Yuga. Excluding the Immortals like Shri Hanuman, Maharishi Parshuram, Maharishi Ved-Vyasa, etc.
...
Prakriti's P.O.V,
When Acharya Drona and Devi Kripi came out from the wonderful state of gladness, They saw Ashwatthama wanting to go out and play.
Acharya Drona stopped him to know about the new friend of his son, Karna, who had stated those profound words.
Unfortunately, aside from his name, Ashwatthama didn't know much about Karna. Furthermore, Karna had already left the Ashram with his parents at the start of Purvanha Pahar.
Ashwatthama added, "PitaShri, when I asked about his destination, he told me that he will meet me again in the future."
Acharya Drona heard Ashwatthama's words and put down his thoughts to meet the wise child. He thought, If Niyati
With these thoughts, Dronacharya stared at the sky and made his resolve to make his family's condition better without deviating from his Dharma! He will definitely find a way to make them happy!
....
A few Kilometers away from the Sangam, a child smiled when he imagined the expression Dronacharya will make when he will meet him at Hastinapur!
Will he still refuse to accept Karna as his Disciple?
However, this smile was momentary. What he needs is a way to conquer his past or accept it wholeheartedly!
Something he has yet to do. Fortunately for him, Ashwatthama's situation showed him a path to synchronize his present and past into one...
May Karna find his answers soon...
I'm curious about his answers along with many of my children, right?
...
Five days later,
Following the Ganges, the two Suta families arrived at the huge structure made up of rocks and limestone, painted in white and saffron colours.
On the of the structure, there are some words written in Sanskrit which means 'Pravesh Dwar' (Entry Gate) and above it, some word shining in pure Gold radiance stated the name of the nagar (city), Hastinapur.
They were simple words and yet, they can instill great fear in the hearts of everyone in Aryavarta!
Even Kansa, The mighty ruler of Mathura-the conqueror of countless Asura didn't dare to offend Hastinapur.
It's all because of the might of a single person, Shri Gangaputra Bhisma! His mere name provides protection to Hastinapur.
The might of this Maharathi is well known to everyone. He, who survived against Lord Parshuram and later became his disciple, has killed many for the sake of Kuruvansa (The Clan of Kuru).
Arriving at the residence of this great being, Shri Adiratha and Vaibhav were reassured about their families safety.
Travelling through the forest, plains and mountains, the wilderness was filled with danger unknown to them.
It had made them to always stay on their utmost alertness. After all, a single mistake could have been dire for their families.
However, seeing the crowd queued to enter the great city, Adiratha and Vaibhav take their horse cart to enter the capital of Kuruvansa.
Different from the stereo, typical events occurred at the arrival of the protagonist, Karna and co. entered the city without a hitch.
The guards at the door didn't dare to stop them after they saw the seal of the King Dhritarashtra at the invitation letter provided by Adiratha.
"Today's weather is nice. Right Bhrata (Brother)?"
"Om Namah Shivaya (ओम नमः शिवाय)"
'Neigh!'
...
The families found the new city different from Anga. The streets of Hastinapur are much more busy than Anga. The shelves beside the roads are decorated with many attractive Sarees, flowers and Mirrors, a rarity at Anga or most of Aryavarta.
The sounds of soft reciting of prayers can be heard in every direction, providing a spiritual atmosphere to the peoples.
But, Karna knew the ugly truth.
Despite the smile on the faces of many, it's tough to say that Hastinapur is an utopia. What they are observing is the light of Hastinapur, completely different from its darkness.
While others may not be as experienced as Karna but they too were aware of such facts. Even the little Vrushali remained unaffected by the attractiveness of various beautiful objects.
Hastinapur is a city where two polarities meet. Be it Dharmic or Adharmic, Right or Wrong, Kind or wretched and others can be easily found in this city.
If not for this fact, the events from the past would have never happened.
Hastinapur has the King who had never discriminated against anyone due to their Varna and yet, many tales related to varna originate from Varnas.
At every place, there are some peopl- no, they are wretched beings who like to use their Varna to stand on higher moral grounds and bully others.
It can be observed from the fact that Kunti Putra-Bhima had mocked Karna for him being a Suta. One of the Pandavas known for their character had stated that, can you imagine the influence of communalism?!
I (Prakriti) have never differentiated between anyone and yet, they (Humans) dared to discriminate among each other! Fortunately for them, Maa Shakti has provided me with great endurance, impartiality and maturity.
Shri Adiratha was also aware of this truth. Therefore, he took them to a house near the foothills of the path leading to the palace of Hastinapur enshrouded in a world of green and thick fog, blocking anyone from observing what lay beyond the fog.
At the place where two one-story houses were built in a radius of thirty meters. Both of them looked identical aside from their colours. Both of them have a Stable, four rooms, one hall and a garden adorned with white lilies and sunflowers.
Their walls were inscribed with some Vedic mantras to keep bad spirits away.
Both of them are themed with Saffron-white and Yellow-white.
They were the homes prepared by King Dhritarashtra for the families despite the strong rejection of Shri Adiratha, he forced him to take them as his advance payments for the job.
Considering the character of his friend, Shri Adiratha accepted the offer to avoid the punishment* of his friend.
Exhausted from the long journey, both of the family quickly placed their stuff into their new homes. Devi Radha and Devi Vasundhara took the materials required for the Graha Pravesh (A ritual to be done before entering into the new house for the well being of the family).
After which, Shri Adiratha and Vaibhav left the horses in the stable with their favorite food Chana (chick pea).
Following which, they looked at the setting sun and moved their bodies to offer their evening prayers to the supreme.
Both families dinned at Karna's home before going to sleep.
That's how the bland and uneventful day finished for the families.
It failed to amuse me nor my children.
But, thinking about the future chaos... I let Karna off this time...
ONLY, this time...
***
Hey guys and the little amount of girls!
I know it was rather bland.
But, I have to write it. As for why? I don't know!
It's just that, without reading this chap, you might fail to link with the next time skip!
And yeah...
There will be some quick time skips in the future chaps.
The reason?
Karna came toooooo early!!!
At this time, neither the protagonist nor the antagonist have come into existence!
Therefore,
PLEASE BEAR WITH IT! ><