Like the dark clouds which rule the monsoon skies, the sky over the heads of two warriors was too covered with arrows. The volume in which they were shot and countered made it a spectacle for everyone to behold, while the sounds of their clash could fill anyone's heart with fear.

Where it felt like a warm up for the two who were launching those arrows, for anyone else the sight could give them a glimpse of their afterlife.

With their sharp and focused gaze, and the posture of their bodies, the two were shooting arrows with a speed which was incomprehensible by any lesser mortals.

Smiling internally at the fun he was having, along with feeling the adrenaline coursing through his body due to the excitement of the battle after such a long period of time, Bhagwan Parshuram decided to raise the bar by invoking celestial arrows.

Karna noticing this closed his eyes, he never even wanted to raise his weapons against his guru. But now his Guru was forcing him to invoke celestial arrows against him. He internally prayed for this to stop, but knowing that he cannot deny his guru's order of battling him, he would need to invoke and counter the arrows of his own teacher.

And with that, the arrows started raining fire, water, storms and what not. The environment which till now was witnessing the battle with a slight aww, was now terrified. Weather started to change, the sky which although was covered by the arrows shot, was now also covered with dark clouds indicating the approaching storm for the entire AryaVrat.

Back in the court of Hastinapur

FLASHBACK Continue

As the little girl thanked Karna, she accepted the Pot of Ghee and bid farewell to the man who had helped her. She with caution this time moved towards the direction of the houses, and after reaching a certain distance turned back and waved at Karna.

Karna only smiled at that, after which he looked down at the pieces of the broken pot. He bent down and started collecting all the pieces so that he can dispose of them later.

Getting up from his crouched position, he was about to turn around in the direction of his chariot, when he heard the voice of an angry woman call out, "Angraj".

Turning around towards the source of the voice, he saw a beautiful maiden, who was dressed elegantly in a Saree, and was decked with the finest of Jewelry. Her gaze which was sharp as that of an archer, was staring at him with pain and anger, while her Aura screamed of her divinity.

As Karna turned around, the woman with an expression filled with pain and anger shouted, "You... How dare you cause me so much pain and suffering? I have nurtured you for your entire life and this is how you repay me? By causing me so much pain...."

Karna hearing the woman's words was confused. He didn't recognize the woman, nor did he knew how did he cause any pain to the woman. But before he could speak, and communicate what he was thinking about, the woman continued.

"And for this, I the mother earth (BhuDevi) for the pain and suffering you have caused me by squeezing the Ghee out of the mud curse you. I curse you, that like how you held me in your fists in the form of the mud which you squeezed, I will also hold your chariot during a crucial time in your life."

Saying which she went quiet, and a few tears rolled out of her eyes.

Karna was initially disheartened hearing the words of the one whom this entire world regards as its mother. But seeing the tears falling from her eyes, his eyes too moistened. He never knew that the actions which he had done for helping someone would cause pain to someone too, which he would have tried to avoid at all cost if he had known.

But what can be done now? Since the actions had already happened, there was nothing which he could do, that would eradicate the pain of the one who nurtures their world. And so, he was starting to feel sad and horrible for his actions, and therefore with joined hands, and in a very soft tone he spoke, "Mata, I never intended to hurt you. But irrespective of my intentions I have cause you pain, I am really sorry Mata. And I accept your curse, and I beg of you to forgive me for my mistake."

The woman hearing the words closed her eyes for a moment, after which she looked at the man she had cursed. Her eyes which a few moments earlier were a pool of pain and anger, were now reflecting sorrow and what could be described as guilt.

Yes, she was hurt, and forced to be subjected to so much pain, but that did not mean she wanted to return the favor by hurting the one who cause her pain.

Being a mother, her heart brimmed with kindness and compassion for every being which she nurtured, and the man which stood in front of her was no exception. She knew what had happened, and honestly, she didn't blame him for trying to help a young distressed soul.

She realized that the anger which she felt due to the overwhelming pain, had blinded her for some time, which had led to the curse she gave to the man. But since the anger had subsided, she could now think more clearly, and which made her regret her actions.

He was too her son, and she new about his intentions, and which made her feel even more guilty and sad.

With a sad tone, she spoke, "I am sorry Putra, I shouldn't have cursed you..."

But before she could continue, Karna in a gentle tone spoke, "Mata, please don't. Don't apologize, It was me who caused you pain, and the curse was just the punishment for it. Moreover, Mata you are causing more pain to me by apologizing then your curse."

Bhudevi listening to Karna's voice teared up, and spoke, "Putra, you are the most noble soul I have the fortune to encounter. I wish I could take the curse back, but I can't, but I can definitely reduce its effect." Saying which she closed her eyes and chanted a mantra, after which she spoke, "Whenever my curse will be triggered, it will only hold the wheel of your chariot for a few minutes, after which the hold will be released."

To which Karna joined his hands once again, and bowed his head to the mother of this world.

She with a smile, looked at him and spoke, "Now I would like to take my leave Putra."

Saying which she vanished from the scene, leaving Karna to digest this entire scenario.

FLASHBACK end

As Devarshi Narad finished the story of the third and final curse of Radheya, everyone went quiet. They did not know what to say.

Duryodhan who had known about all these curses before could do nothing but remember the day when Karna had told him about his curses. He remembered his friend's expressions which seemed like uncaring, but he knew that was nothing but a façade.

He wished he could have taken the curses of his best friend upon himself, and let him be free of the burden which he never deserved. He never felt that his friend's actions should have resulted in curses, and that too of such magnitude. And for what crimes?

Yes he hid his identity from Bhagwan Parshuram, but can you blame him for it? For as good as a child knew, he would be rejected if he disclosed his real identity, like how he was rejected by more than hundred Gurus simply because he belonged to a Suta family.

Yes he killed a cow, but it was an accident. Sure, he deserved some punishment or curse for taking the life of an innocent creature. But a curse to die helplessly?

And yes, he squeezed the mud for trying to help a little girl, but knowing that kind hearted fool he would have never left someone in pain if he could help it. But destiny even cursed him for his kind heart.

With a sigh, he started to look at the different occupants of the court. Where he could see pain in the form of tears flowing from the eyes of his mother, his wife, Vrushali jiji, and the wives of his younger brothers, he could also see indifference in the eyes of a few like Guru Dron, Pandavas and few others.

He then shifted his attention to the person who was narrating the stories of these curses, and could not help himself from asking, "Why Devarshi? Why did my friend had to bear the burden of these curses?"

At Mahindragiri

The land, which a few hours ago stood proudly displaying it's natural beauty was now completely in ruins. The grass which used to stand tall and wave with the breeze, was completely gone and the only thing remained of it was the ashes on the ground. Whereas the trees which were at a distance from the battle, and surrounded the field were too not shown any mercy. They too had faced the brunt of some of the weapons which had been used.

But not paying any mind to the plight of the nature, the two warriors continued to battle. Their arrows continued to fly and counter each other, and the skill displayed by them started to get the attention of the Devs who too were now watching the battle from the Swarglok.