Karna walked into his palace and sat on the throne. He closed his eyes for a few moments recollecting the eventful day that had exhausted him to the fullest. He took a deep breath and told himself
"I will have to talk to the mantri tomorrow" Karna entered his chambers and lied down, drifting off to sleep.
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"Karna believes in my competence. But I am not wrong. That woman deserved the punishment for taking away my weapons," Duryodhan cried with disgust.
"I will have to talk to Karna tomorrow," Duryodhan told Shakuni.
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"I will tell you the new set of rules...write them down and announce it to all the people living in Angdesh," Karna said walking as the Mantri, Chitraksh trailed behind him like a lost puppy.
"Tired already?" Karna asked stopping.
"Uf...Umm....No Maharaj... I am sorry...," Chitraksh said
"Eat more, Mahamantri, eat more...else your thin body will not handle you large brain," Karna continued walking towards the sabha.
"No woman shall be ill-treated in this Kingdom, even dasis shall not be ill treated. The King will not decide the punishment for the criminals who break this rule. The victims will decide the punishment. The Kingdom or its administration does not promote the act of taking revenge. At the same time, a woman should not throw false accusations on a man, else she will have to face dire consequences. Every person should be treated equally. Gender discrimination, discrimination on the basis of birth or profession should be avoided. Education should be made available to all those who yearn for knowledge.
The act of gambling or selling women is strictly prohibited. Children should be given freedom to choose what they want to do in life, or learn what they wish to. The basics of Shastra Vidya shall be taught to all those who wish for self-defense at the time of need. Education should not be used for wrong intentions, or wrong doings" Karna looked at his minister who was breathing heavily. He turned and walked again taking big steps.
"Finally,..." Karna said
"Yes....Maharaj!" The Mantri exclaimed
"Stupidity in the name of Dharma shall not be tolerated," Karna said as he walked further
"Do you have any suggestion?" Karna asked the minister,
"Um....Yes Maharaj...The newly made laws are excellent,..." Chitraksh said
"I did not ask you to appreciate....I asked you to give suggestion..." Karna cried walking further
"Can you walk a little bit slower, your Highness?" Chitraksh panted
Karna looked at him amusedly,
"This...was...my suggestion...The laws are perfect..." Mahamantri Chitraksh said wiping the sweat off his face.
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Karna reached Hastinapur and went to meet Duryodhan.
"But this was not right friend. Disrobing a woman is not right," Karna said
Duryodhan glared at Karna,
"She is like your mother," Karna cried as he saw his friend walking to and fro in the same room.
"Fine...When a child pulls his mother's saree, then what is the fault in it?" Duryodhan asked
"It is when the child is still a baby, if the child comes of age and he pulls his mother's dress, the mother has the right to punish the child for wrongdoings," Karna said back
"Whose side are you in, sutputr?" Duryodhan asked angrily
"I am on my own side. Even a dasi cannot be disrobed without her permission, neither in public nor in private," Karna cried trying to make Duryodhan understand.
But Alas! Karna's words fell in a deaf's ear. Duryodhan was too stubborn and did not listen to his friend.
"People would have created a ruckus learning about the Vastraharan incident," Karna said
"There would have been protests too," Karna continued
"I would have killed all those who raise their voice against me and remember Angraaj, no one in Hastinapur has the audacity to go against the king except you," Duryodhan said
"Does that mean you will kill everyone if they disagree with you? If you become the King..."
"If I become the King, I will make everyone dance to my tunes," Duryodhan said.
"These are bad signs..." Karna thought and tried to pacify Duryodhan.
"A true King is not the one who has a throne. He is the one who sets example to all the subjects and rules everyone's hearts. " Karna said
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"How will I tell you, friend Duryodhan? " Karna sighed.
Karna's attempt to pacify Duryodhan and make him realize his mistake went in vain.
"Draupadi needs justice. The Pandavas will definitely wage a war against Hastinapur and I will have to support friend Duryodhan," Karna thought to himself as he left Duryodhan's chamber at snail's pace.
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