On the way back to Kashi, Karna sat cross-legged upon the chariot, eyes gently closed. Across his lap rested Vijaya. Ever since the Brahma's creation essence had merged with it, the legendary bow had grown strangely peaceful. A warm golden light flowed along its dark limbs.
It did not merely glow.
It seemed to meditate alongside its master.
The spiritual energy around Karna slowly gathered toward both warrior and bow, until it became difficult to tell where one ended, and the other began.
Several moments passed in silence.
Then Karna joined his palms.
"O Dharmaraja…
O Lord of Justice…
O my revered eldest brother…
If it pleases you… grant this your mortal brother an audience."
The prayer had barely left his lips when the world itself grew still.
The rushing winds stopped.
The drifting clouds froze in place.
Even the soft hoofbeats of the celestial horses faded into silence.
A gentle ripple spread through the empty sky. From within that ripple stepped a majestic figure clad in crimson robes, crowned with the quiet authority of Dharma itself. His eyes held neither affection nor severity—only perfect fairness.
Yamaraja.
The Judge of every soul.
The Guardian of Justice.
The Lord before whom kings and beggars stood equal.
Karna rose at once. Joining both palms, he bowed deeply.
"This mortal younger brother greets his eldest brother."
Yamaraja nodded gently.
"Rise, Karna." A faint smile touched the Lord of Dharma's face. "What matter weighs upon your heart today? Whose death is troubling you?"
Before Karna could answer, Yamaraja's gaze drifted toward the bow resting on the chariot. His expression froze. The smile disappeared.
For several long moments he simply stared.
"…Impossible."
He stepped forward slowly. His eyes never left Vijaya. The divine bow answered with a low, ancient hum.
"What… did you do to Vijaya Dhanush?"
Karna blinked. "Brother?"
Yamaraja circled the bow once, studying it from every side without touching it. The surprise on his face only deepened.
"This… cannot be. It is overflowing with creation essence." He slowly shook his head. "No… it is far beyond that." He looked directly at Karna. "Vijaya is no longer merely a divine weapon. It has become your Soul Armament."
Karna frowned.
"…Soul Armament?"
Yamaraja nodded.
"Just as my Yamapasha is forever bound to my soul… as Vajra is bound to Indradev's soul, Vijaya has now become forever bound to yours. It is no longer a weapon that belongs to you. It has become part of your very existence. Even if you die, Vijaya will join you in your next life as well. Apart from tridev, no force in the three worlds can truly separate you from it."
The Lord of Dharma remained silent for another moment, as though he still could not fully believe what stood before him. Finally he asked, "Tell me. What transpired?"
Without hiding anything, Karna narrated every event that had unfolded within Pragjyotishpura—from Narakasura to Devavinashaka, from the fierce battle to Shukracharya's final decision, and at last to the destruction of the Kalarakta Mukta. He described the two primordial essences that had emerged: the poisonous Halahala, and the radiant essence of creation. He finished by explaining how that golden essence had ignored everything else and chosen Vijaya as its vessel.
When Karna's narration ended, even Yamaraja remained silent. The Lord who had watched the rise and fall of civilizations stood deep in thought.
"…So that was the truth." His voice became unusually solemn. "We never knew that such a relic existed in the depths of Sagar."
His eyes grew distant.
"Had the essence of creation fallen into the hands of the Asuras… the balance between devas and asuras would have collapsed once again, and Narayana would have been forced to come down to earth in the form of another avatar." His gaze returned to Karna. "You have unknowingly prevented a catastrophe that might have endangered all three worlds. You have upheld Dharma once again."
Karna lowered his head.
"I merely fulfilled my duty. The credit belongs to Dharma."
Yamaraja chuckled quietly.
"As always… your accomplishments exceed your own opinion of them."
The smile gradually faded.
"However, I do not think you summon me merely to recount this. There must be another reason."
"There is." Karna's expression became serious. "During my previous battle with Narakasura… he openly boasted about his boon. Only his mother could bring about his death. As far as I know… his mother is Bhudevi."
Yamaraja quietly nodded. "Yes, it is true that he was born to Lord Varaha and Bhudevi."
Karna continued.
"Bhudevi herself would never take a life, forget her own son. However, fate cannot be escaped as well. So, she must have taken birth upon the earth as a human. If she doesn't, then she might. Chitragupta maintains the Book of Karma. The births, deeds and destinies of mankind are recorded therein. If such an incarnation exists right now… I seek only to know who she is."
Silence followed. Yamaraja did not answer at once. Instead, he lowered his gaze, as though searching through memories that stretched beyond countless ages.
Karna waited patiently.
Finally he spoke once more.
"Brother… Narakasura has committed atrocities beyond counting. He exterminated the entire race of the Matsya Purushas merely to seize a treasure. He has brought endless suffering upon the innocent. I seek no shortcut. I merely wish to know… has Bhudevi's human incarnation already descended upon this earth… or has that destiny yet to arrive?"
Yamaraja slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his decision had been made.
"…Very well. I shall tell you."
Karna looked surprised.
"You know?"
The Lord of Dharma nodded.
"The day you spared Narakasura… we foresaw that one day you would seek this answer. So Chitragupta searched through the records. We found her."
Karna's eyes widened slightly.
"So she truly exists…"
"She does. But…" Yamaraja's expression became deeply serious. "You must tread carefully. The human you seek has secluded herself within the Himalayas. For many years she has remained immersed in uninterrupted tapasya. Years have passed. Seasons have changed. Kings have risen… and kings have fallen. Yet she has not once opened her eyes."
The heavens fell silent.
"The intensity of her austerities has become terrifying. If you recklessly awaken her… the consequences shall be unimaginable. The flames born from her penance alone may reduce even mighty warriors to ashes. And even should your Kavacha and Kundala preserve your body… you shall not escape her curse. A curse born from interrupted tapasya is among the most dreadful consequences a mortal can invite upon himself."
Karna slowly nodded.
"I shall never commit such a sin, Brother. I will not disturb her meditation. If destiny permits… I shall simply announce my presence. If she chooses to emerge… I shall speak. If not… I shall depart in silence."
Yamaraja looked at his younger brother for several moments. Then he released a quiet sigh.
"Every being walks the road shaped by his own karma. I have given you my warning. The rest… belongs to destiny."
He slowly lifted one hand. The sky shimmered. A vision of the northern mountains unfolded before them. Towering peaks covered in eternal snow pierced the heavens. Among them, one mountain shone with quiet sanctity.
"Nanda Parvat." Yamaraja pointed toward it. "Journey there. There… you shall find the one you seek."
Karna remained gazing at the vision. After several moments, he softly asked,
"What is her name…?"
Yamaraja's eyes rested upon the distant mountain. His solemn voice echoed through the silent heavens.
"…Dharani."