Chapter 32: The Storm in the Sabha
The next morning in Hastinapur dawned with peace on the surface but storms brewing underneath. Maharishi Rudra sat in deep contemplation, standing atop the peak of the palace roof hidden in plain sight by his mystic veil. His divine senses absorbed the waves of conversation, subtle manipulations, and quiet schemes unfolding below. His eyes burned with truth-seeking fury as he observed the twisted narratives being spun.
"Duryodhan, an avatar of Kali Purush?" Rudra scoffed internally. "Ridiculous. When you're treated as a curse from the moment of birth, and manipulated like a pawn in a game of vendetta, even a sage could become Kali Purush. This isn't some tale like Naruto where forgiveness fixes betrayal. This is Dharma Yuddha, a war of truth."
His mind raced with solutions. The first step was clear—isolate the Kauravas from the poisonous influence of the palace. Especially from Vidur, who disguised deceit as dharma, and Shakuni, who nursed silent vengeance.
He penned a divine letter to Mahishmati.
> "Kaki Sumitra, come to Hastinapur. Bring Kaka and Grandpa Vijay with you. Let it appear as a family visit to your sister Gandhari. The time to rewrite fate begins now."
Three days passed.
Hastinapur's royal court was lively with guests. Dhritharashtra and Gandhari sat in their places with Bhishma and Vidur by their side. Veer and Sumitra entered along with the regal presence of Grandpa Vijay Raj Singh, who remained silent, eyes filled with cold displeasure towards Bhishma. The women mingled, the men conversed about the future.
Just then, a Dwarpal entered the Sabha hurriedly.
"A Rishi-Muni has arrived. He seeks audience with the court."
"Let the Muni enter," Bhishma commanded.
All eyes turned as a radiant sage entered—Rudra in disguise. Dressed in saffron robes, long matted hair and glowing aura, he walked calmly with the grace of timeless knowledge. His gaze bore into souls.
"I am Rudrananda. I have come after hearing the heavens whisper of a child born under a terrible omen. I have come to take that child for sacrifice to remove the darkness over Hastinapur."
The entire court went silent. Gandhari gasped in horror. Dhritarashtra froze. Bhishma lowered his head.
But one man… smirked.
Vidur.
"O wise Muni, if this is the will of fate, then perhaps it must be done for the protection of Dharma. The Pandavas, especially Bheem, were born the same time and yet no ill-omens followed them. The contrast speaks truth."
Rudra's eyes turned sharp.
"You knew that Bheem and Duryodhan were born together? And yet you kept silent?"
Vidur kept his tone calm. "Sometimes dharma demands silence, Maharishi."
"Dharma?" Rudra snapped. The air cracked like thunder. "You call yourself a son of Dharma, yet you twist it to your bias. Favoring children of Devas while branding others cursed—this is not Dharma, but Adharma masked in righteousness!"
The hall trembled. Even Bhishma frowned.
Rudra turned towards the old warrior. "You, Bhishma. Grandfather of this family. You stood silent when your own grandson was called a bad omen. You did not stop it. Would you sacrifice your bloodline so easily?"
Bhishma's face darkened in shame.
Rudra then looked at Dhritarashtra. "And you, father in body but not in spirit. You allowed the court to discuss sacrificing your own son. You cannot see, but still you turned a blind eye. Your incompetence is your crime."
Suddenly, two booms echoed.
Vijay Raj Singh and Veer Pratap had summoned their weapons. Divine energy filled the hall.
"This is Adharma!" thundered Vijay. "We demand explanation!"
Rudra raised his hand to calm them.
"Let me reveal a truth forgotten in this fog of prejudice. Rishi Dwaipayana Vyasa gave Gandhari the boon of a hundred sons. But did you know why? It was Mahadev's will. Vyasa was but an instrument. Gandhari's bhakti and tapasya to Lord Shiva earned her that boon. These children are not born of darkness. They are Bhakti Prasad—divine gifts!"
The crowd gasped.
Rudra's anger rose to storm-like heights. The air thickened.
"And you call them cursed?! How dare you! For this insult to Shiva's grace, I will take them."
Everyone froze.
"From this moment," Rudra declared, "I will take all the Kauravas along with their mother Gandhari away from this court. They will return only when they are old enough for their Gurukul education."
Vidur tried to object, but Bhishma raised his hand.
"No more, Vidur. You are dismissed from your position. Your mask of dharma has shattered."
Vidur turned pale.
Gandhari, tears in her blindfolded eyes, stood up and joined Rudra. Sumitra embraced her, full of joy that her sister would no longer suffer.
Rudra raised his hand in blessing. His body shimmered and in a moment, he vanished, taking the Kauravas and Gandhari with him in a divine flash.
The court remained silent. Only the words of Rudra echoed.
> "When the flame of truth burns high, all masks shall fall. Dharma shall rise—not with bias, but with balance."
And thus began the Kauravas' true journey—away from poison, towards light.
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