I walked back into Duryodhana’s room, and the strong smell of wine immediately hit my nose.
Duryodhana sat near a heavy wooden table, his face red with anger and drink.
Next to him sat his uncle Shakuni, calmly playing with his dice.
In the corner stood Purochana, their trusted minister.
I looked at Purochana for a moment.
With my past-life memories, I knew exactly who he was ,the man who would build and burn the house of lac in Varanavata, sent by Duryodhana and Shakuni.
He was their most trusted minister.
“Duryodhana,” I said, stepping into the room.
“Do not do anything foolish.
If you want this kingdom back, you need to be patient.
You cannot force it right now.
Wait for the Pandavas to make a mistake.
When they do, that is your chance to strike and become Yuvaraj.
But rushing into fighting them will only destroy you.”
Duryodhana glared at me, but I kept my voice steady as I told him what had happened in the garden.
“I just spoke with Grandsire Bhishma.
He knows Aryavarta is facing dangerous times.
Magadha under King Jarasandha is becoming too powerful in the east, and there are threats from the west.
Bhishma wants stability, not an internal war.
If you create trouble now, the elders and the people will turn against you.”
Duryodhana stayed silent, tightly holding his wine cup.
Seeing that he was still angry, and that I had done my part, I turned and left the room.
As soon as the heavy doors closed behind me, Shakuni let out a sharp, mocking laugh.
“Ah, your dear friend Karna,” Shakuni said, tossing his dice onto the table.
“He speaks so highly of patience and Dharma.
But tell me, nephew, do you really think you can become king by waiting for a righteous man like Yudhishthira to make a mistake?
The only way you will ever sit on that throne is if the Pandavas are dead. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Think about it.”
Duryodhana stared at the spinning dice, and his uncle’s words sank deep into his mind.
The next morning, the grand ceremony to crown Yudhishthira as Yuvaraj finally began.
The royal hall was full of nobles, priests, and ministers.
the royal guru kripa, Sage Vyasa, and other preceptors performed the sacred fire ritual (Yagna).
Smoke moved through the tall pillars as the priests chanted mantras and offered prayers for prosperity.
The heavy doors at the back opened, and the Pandavas finally entered the royal hall.
The moment they stepped inside, the people standing on both sides let out a loud roar.
“Long live Yuvaraja Yudhishthira!” the citizens shouted, their voices shaking the stone walls.
Every citizen openly showed their support for Yudhishthira.
They loved him for his goodness and strong sense of righteousness.
This huge public support completely forced King Dhritarashtra’s hand.
Even though he secretly wanted his own son, Duryodhana, to sit on the throne, he could do nothing against the united voice of his people.
Seeing the crowd’s happiness, elders like Bhishma and Vidura smiled with relief.
They believed the kingdom was finally safe.
Suddenly, the roaring crowd outside became completely silent.
The heavy doors opened once again, and Duryodhana entered the hall, surrounded by his brothers.
I walked quietly beside them.
The tension in the room became so strong it felt difficult to breathe.
The Pandavas shifted slightly, gripping tighter, ready for a fight to break out right there in the court.
Everyone waited anxiously to see what Duryodhana would do.
Duryodhana walked straight up to Yudhishthira.
He looked at his cousin, then turned to the crowd and the elders.
“I accept the opinion of the public and the wisdom of our elders,” Duryodhana announced loudly, his voice echoing through the silent hall.
“I accept Yudhishthira as my Yuvaraj.”
The immediate danger of a coup had passed, and the way was now clear for the sacred rituals to continue.
Next came the Abhisheka.
Yudhishthira stepped forward, looking calm and humble.
The Rajpurohit (the chief priest), took charge.
In our world, the priest acted as an important check on royal power, making sure the prince promised full loyalty to Dharma instead of ruling only by his own wishes.
The priests lifted heavy golden and silver vessels and poured holy water collected from India’s sacred rivers, seas, and lakes over Yudhishthira’s head.
This water in the vessels symbolized that his future rule would cover the whole land.
After the holy bath, the royal investiture began.
Yudhishthira was dressed in grand royal clothes and given the Kuru symbols.
Finally, a shining crown was placed on his head, officially making him the heir to the Kuru throne.
Standing before the entire assembly, Yudhishthira turned to face the sacred fire and the citizens to speak his royal oath.
His voice was steady and carried across the grand hall.
“Before the gods, the elders, and the citizens of Hastinapur, I take this vow,” Yudhishthira declared.
“I bind myself to Dharma.
My wealth belongs to the kingdom, my strength belongs to the weak, and my life belongs to the protection of my people.
I will rule without bias, without hatred, and without cruelty.
If I ever turn away from the path of righteousness, let the law punish me.”
As he finished his vow, the Rajpurohit raised his hands in blessing.
Bhishma, Vidura, and King Dhritarashtra showed their approval, followed by the loud cheers of the citizens.
Yudhishthira was officially the Yuvaraja of Hastinapur.
But as I stood in the shadows of the hall, watching the Pandavas celebrate their victory, I knew the truth.
Duryodhana had listened to my advice and stayed quiet for today, but Shakuni’s poison was already working.
The Pandavas thought the struggle was over, but they did not know that the real and deadly battle for the throne would begin now that Yudhishthira was Yuvaraj.
I need to become stronger quickly; otherwise, it will be difficult to change my destiny.