While Karna spent his days inspecting the riverbanks, discussing trade routes, and shaping the future of the Ganga enclave with calm focus, another current entirely was flowing beneath the marble halls of Hastinapura.
Unlike the sacred Ganga outside, this current did not flow openly.
It moved beneath silence.
Beneath smiles.
Beneath carefully chosen words.
Inside the royal council chamber, oil lamps burned steadily despite the afternoon light pouring through the carved stone windows. The heavy fragrance of sandalwood incense lingered in the air while scribes sat quietly near the pillars recording royal decisions upon palm-leaf scrolls. The atmosphere looked peaceful on the surface, but beneath it rested tension sharp enough to cut flesh.
Upon the throne, Dhritarashtra sat in thoughtful silence while his fingers slowly tapped against the armrest. Nearby stood Shakuni, calm as always, his half-smile resting on his face like a snake coiled quietly beneath dry leaves. Beside them sat Bhishma, stern and silent. And near the lower steps stood Vidura and Kripacharya.
The discussion itself had begun softly. But its implications were not soft at all.
Dhritarashtra finally broke the silence.
"The blessings Princess Dushala earned after serving Sage Mukunda for eighteen months…" His voice carried slow deliberation. "…should not be allowed to lose their auspicious timing." The king paused briefly. "Kripacharya also informed us that the eighteenth day from now carries the most favourable alignment this month."
Kripacharya gave a slow nod.
"The stars are favourable," he said calmly. "Such alignments do not repeat often."
Shakuni immediately stepped forward.
"Then there is no reason to delay further, Maharaj." His voice remained smooth and persuasive. "A flower reaches its fullest fragrance only for a brief moment before time steals it away. Princess Dushala has completed sacred seva, received blessings from a great sage, and returned safely. This is the perfect time to announce her swayamvara."
Bhishma's brows tightened slightly. The old warrior slowly leaned upon his staff before speaking.
"Yudhisthira is away from the capital." His deep voice echoed across the chamber. "He is the Crown Prince of Kuru. Conducting such a major royal decision without his presence feels improper."
The room became quieter immediately afterward. But Shakuni did not retreat. Instead he smiled lightly.
"Mahamahim," he said with deceptive politeness, "with respect… is Princess Dushala the daughter of Yudhisthira?" Bhishma's eyes sharpened instantly. Shakuni continued calmly. "She is Maharaj Dhritarashtra's daughter. The king himself has taken the decision. Does a father now require permission from his crown prince to arrange his daughter's future?"
The words were respectful on the surface. But the intent beneath them was obvious. Vidura frowned immediately. Even Bhishma's expression darkened slightly. For several moments nobody spoke. Only the distant sound of temple bells entered faintly through the open windows.
Finally Dhritarashtra exhaled slowly.
"Vidura," he said calmly, "send a message to Yudhisthira." Vidura looked toward him. Dhritarashtra continued. "Tell him to return after the Varanavata festival is completed. Even if the princes are absent during the swayamvara preparations, the wedding itself will take place after their return."
Vidura hesitated slightly.
"But Maharaj…"
Before he could continue, Shakuni interrupted immediately.
"No buts, Mahamantri." For the first time, the softness in his voice vanished slightly. "Maharaj's decision has already been made." He folded his hands behind his back and slowly walked across the chamber. "And everything being done here is for Princess Dushala's happiness. There is no need to turn family matters into political obstacles." His eyes glimmered briefly. "Instead, we should discuss more important matters." He stopped near the council table. "Such as whom to invite. And whom not to invite."
The silence that followed carried weight. Bhishma immediately sensed it. So did Vidura. Shakuni then added casually,
"And naturally, since Prince Duryodhana is the eldest brother of the princess, the final conditions of the swayamvara should also be decided by him once he returns."
Bhishma's staff struck the floor sharply. The sound echoed heavily across the chamber.
"Dushala is not merely Duryodhana's sister." His voice deepened like distant thunder. "She is the princess of the Kuru Dynasty." The old warrior slowly rose to his feet. "For four generations this clan did not see the birth of a princess. She belongs to the entire Kuru house." The air itself seemed to tense. "The royal council will participate in deciding her swayamvara."
For once even Shakuni remained silent. Then, unexpectedly, Dhritarashtra nodded slowly.
"I agree with Uncle."
That answer surprised nearly everyone present. Even Vidura looked slightly relieved. But Shakuni's eyes narrowed subtly.
The discussion then shifted toward the guest list itself. Palm-leaf scrolls were brought forward while scribes prepared ink. Kings. Princes. Alliances. Political balance. Every name carried consequences. And eventually the inevitable name surfaced.
"Karna."
The moment the name entered the chamber, the atmosphere itself changed. Shakuni immediately spoke.
"It would be improper not to invite him." His tone became firm now. "He is among the greatest warriors of Aryavarta. He is currently a royal guest of Hastinapura itself. Ignoring him would insult not merely a king… but an ally whose influence now stretches from eastern seas to western kingdoms."
Bhishma's expression became visibly stern.
"No."
The answer came instantly. The chamber fell silent. Bhishma continued slowly.
"Inviting Karna is not appropriate." His sharp eyes settled upon the council. "He already has five queens." A slight tension moved through the room. "We cannot give the only princess of Kuru to a man who already rules a crowded inner palace." Then, after a pause, Bhishma added something even deeper. "And his traditions… his governance… his culture…" His gaze hardened slightly. "…they are too different from ours."
Shakuni opened his mouth again, but Vidura spoke before him.
"I agree with Uncle." Vidura's tone remained calm but serious. "The relations themselves would become unnecessarily complicated." He folded his hands within his sleeves. "Karna is already married to Princess Subhadra, who is connected to the Pandavas through Queen Kunti. If Dushala also marries him, the familial ties between kingdoms will become tangled beyond necessity."
Dhritarashtra slowly nodded in agreement. Even though part of him admired Karna deeply, even though part of him trusted Karna's character more than many kings, the thought of giving Dushala into a household with five queens unsettled him.
Kripacharya remained mostly silent throughout. Only after several moments did he finally speak.
"A father has the right to decide what future he believes is best for his daughter."
His words were vague—neither support nor opposition. But enough. Enough for the room to understand where the decision was leaning.
Shakuni attempted once more.
"But politically speaking…"
Bhishma cut him off immediately.
"This discussion is over." His voice carried finality.
The chamber went silent again. Even Shakuni understood further pushing would only create suspicion now. Slowly, one by one, the names were finalised.
Jarasandha.
Ugrasena.
Virata.
Shalya.
Indraverma.
Several neutral rulers.
Several respected dynasties.
But not Karna.