After an exceptionally rewarding day, Karna's exhaustion drove him to seek solace in sleep. Little did he know that his slumber would be plagued by peculiar and unsettling dreams, causing him to wake abruptly, drenched in sweat. The dreams were unlike anything he had ever experienced, entwining his own existence with those of his closest kin. Deeply troubled, Karna yearned for answers and made a resolute decision to journey to Mahendragiri at once.

In the depths of secrecy, Karna left behind a letter for his wife and cloaked himself entirely in black attire before slipping away from the confines of the Hastinapur palace.

As he made his way towards Mahendragiri, Karna's mind was consumed by the enigmatic dreams that had unsettled him. An overwhelming sense of worry for the future gripped him tightly.

Upon reaching his destination, Karna swiftly ascended the mountain peak, scaling it with urgency, until he beheld his revered guru immersed in deep meditation.

Approaching him respectfully, Karna said, "Pranipaat Gurudev, my mind is burdened with queries that seek clarification."

"Speak, my son," Lord Parashurama replied, opening his eyes.

"Gurudev, I have been visited by countless bizarre dreams involving myself and my family," Karna confessed.

"Tell me, what dreams have plagued you, my pupil?" inquired Lord Parashurama.

"Gurudev, it began with the very first encounter I had with you. When I first sought your guidance and concealed my true lineage, I spoke a falsehood. It was only after many years, when my education was complete, that you discovered my true identity. In response, you cursed me, decreeing that I would forget all my knowledge when I needed it most," Karna revealed, fear evident in his eyes.

"Go on, my son," Lord Parashurama encouraged.

"Next, I saw myself being cursed by a Brahmin in Hastinapur, as I inadvertently caused the accidental death of his cow. Furthermore, Devi Prithvi herself cursed me, foretelling that my chariot's wheel would fail me at the most critical juncture, leading to a painful demise," Karna continued, his words pouring out in a single breath. He looked upon his guru, whose face remained devoid of emotion, and proceeded with his account.

"After accepting Bhumi Devi's curse, I discovered that a grand exhibition of talents, the Kalapradarshan, was organized solely for the prince of Hastinapur. When Guru Bharata Dronacharya proclaimed Arjuna as the greatest warrior, I interfered, which led to mockery and ridicule due to my caste. Mitra Duryodhana then anointed me as the king of Anga, and I devoted my entire life to serving Duryodhana. Consequently, I became a pawn in Gandhar Raj Shakuni's treacherous schemes, tarnishing my reputation in the eyes of Āryāvrata," Karna concluded, his narrative accompanied by beads of perspiration.

"Continue, my son," urged Lord Parashurama.

"Next, I witnessed myself hurling offensive remarks at a woman who had insulted me based on my caste during her svayamvara. Then, a horrific battle unfolded before my eyes. I beheld the esteemed Bhishma lying on a bed of arrows, crafted by Arjuna with the aid of Shri Krishna. I witnessed Yudhishthira resorting to falsehood to bring about the demise of Guru Bharata Drona, who was ultimately slain by a man named Dhrishtadyumna. Bhima, meanwhile, drank from Dushasana's chest and anointed the same woman's hair with his blood. Finally, I witnessed my own death, as all three curses converged, leading to Arjuna's victory over me, a consequence of the Kauravas' wrongful killing of his son," Karna recounted, pausing momentarily to catch his breath, his weariness palpable. He then continued his tale.

"Following that, I saw Duryodhana meeting an untimely demise at the hands of Bhima, an act that deviated from the righteous rules of combat, as decreed by Shri Krishna. I witnessed Ashwathama receiving a horrendous curse from Lord Vishnu himself, after using the Brahmashirsha Astra to attack a pregnant woman named Uttara, resulting in the death of her unborn child," Karna added, his voice carrying a mix of weariness and anticipation as he glanced at his guru.

"Your story is not yet complete. Please continue," Lord Parashurama commanded, his gaze calculating.

"Gurudev, in these dreams, Madirakshi was absent, and all my sons were slain, except for Vrishaketu. Why, Gurudev? Why did these peculiar dreams haunt me so? I implore you, show me the righteous path, the path of dharma," Karna beseeched, concluding his account of the dreams.

"My son, these dreams would have manifested as reality had you chosen to lie about your birth on that fateful day. By speaking the truth, you altered the course of destiny. Remember that twilight, when you sought instruction in archery from me. Recall the moment when you confessed your true identity. It was at that precise instant that you became the harbinger of new destinies, shaping the entire Āryāvrata. I would never have engaged in combat with you if you had chosen falsehood. I would not have granted you the dominion of Ayodhya, Anga, and the mantle of upholding justice in Āryāvrata, as your gurudakshina," Bhagwan Parashurama elucidated.

"How can a single truth wield such profound influence over the lives of countless individuals?" Karna inquired.

"My son, when you embraced the truth, you defied the predetermined path and emerged as a new architect of destiny for the entire Āryāvrata. No longer shall you blindly follow dharma; your eyes are open to its true meaning, all thanks to the truth you embraced," Lord Parashurama explained.

"You spoke ill of a woman, driven by loyalty, simply to prove your unwavering dedication to Duryodhana. You, along with Drona and Bhishma, have supported adharma under the guise of dharma. Today, through these dreams, you have come to comprehend the consequences that awaited you if you had lied about your caste. Today, you understand the fear of losing those you hold dear. Today, you also realize that had you not spoken the truth that day, you would never have wed Princess Madirakshi," Bhagwan Parashurama revealed, his face emotionless.

"Gurudev, what could I have possibly lost by uttering that lie to you?" Karna inquired.

"You would have forfeited all your sons, with the exception of Vrishketu, who would have lived a life of desolation as an orphan. Today, my son, you have gained self-awareness. Do not repeat these mistakes in the future, for the destiny of Āryāvrata rests upon your shoulders. It is your duty to save this land from the impending Mahabharata," Lord Parashurama directed.

"As you wish, Gurudev," Karna replied, realizing that he now held the power to alter the destiny of Āryāvrata.

"Now, spend some time with me before your departure. How is everything else faring?" Parashurama inquired of his student.

"All is well. I now rule over Ayodhya, Anga, and Magadha. I stand as the most formidable individual in all of Āryāvrata. However, Gangaputra Bhishma is aware of my true lineage through the divine revelations of Mother Ganga," Karna divulged.

"I am aware of that, my son. Mother Ganga confides all her secrets in her beloved child. You and Bhishma are alike in many ways, save for one key difference: he blindly adheres to dharma, whereas you embrace it with open eyes," Parashurama revealed, teasing Karna with a mischievous tone that left him feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"Gurudev, who is my real mother? I understand that you cannot disclose her identity outright, but please provide me with a hint. My heart yearns for the love of a mother, and there exists an empty space waiting to be filled," Karna pleaded.

"You may inquire of Bhishma; he will surely provide the clue you seek, if he is willing to share it," Parashurama suggested.

"Bhishma knows of my true mother?" Karna questioned.

"Mata Ganga never conceals any secrets from her beloved son," Parashurama confirmed, his demeanor calm.

"How are my little Karna and little Madirakshi?" Parashurama asked.

"They have become quite mischievous, especially Vrishasena. He keeps a watchful eye on me," Karna replied.

"Much like you, Karna. Do you recall the days when divine beings would visit, and you would eavesdrop on our conversations?" Parashurama teased, evoking a sense of embarrassment in Karna.

"Now, my son, it is time for you to depart. The sun will rise within two hours, and you have much work ahead of you," Parashurama advised.

Karna sought his guru's blessings and descended from the Mahendragiri Parvat with utmost haste. Clad in dark attire, he resembled a formidable outlaw as he swiftly mounted his horse and galloped back to Hastinapur. Silently slipping into his chambers, he changed his clothes, noting that his twins and wife slept peacefully, oblivious to his presence or the letter he had left behind. He decided to burn the letter, freeing himself from its burden, and sought much-needed rest.