The sun rose over Hastinapur, casting a warm golden glow on the city. The grand court was abuzz with activity as council members and royal dignitaries gathered, eager to begin the day's proceedings. However, there was one notable absence - Shakuni.

Karna, the head of the council of ministers and a powerful king, took his seat on the throne. Beside him sat his brother, Shon, who had earned a special place in the council for his expertise in politics and weaponry.

Duryodhana and Yudhishthira occupied the thrones of yuvraj, their faces beaming with satisfaction. Both had honed their skills and become capable and efficient heirs. Together, they brainstormed and resolved matters pertaining to internal and external affairs. Karna had suggested they disguise themselves and venture outside the palace to gauge the political climate and the condition of the people.

Arjuna and Dushasana, seated beside Bhishma, were responsible for matters concerning arms and weaponry. They provided answers to Bhishma and Dhritarashtra, assisting in decision-making.

Nakula, Sahadeva, Vikarna, and Yuyutsu occupied their thrones, adjacent to Vidur's. The thrones of Bhishma, Vidur, Karna, Yudhishthira, and Duryodhana were all placed at the same level, signifying their equal importance.

Madirakshi, Bhanumati, Amrita, Meenakshi, and Devika represented the women's committee and held significant roles in the Rajya Sabha. Gandhari, Kunti, and Dushala sat together in the women's balcony.

The court proceedings commenced, delving into various topics such as security, revenue, kingdom management, and the establishment of rules and regulations. They also held a public court session to dispense justice to the common people of Hastinapur, which concluded within an hour.

Suddenly, a peculiar voice echoed through the court, catching everyone's attention. It was Shakuni, dressed in women's attire and carrying a basket filled with vegetables and meat.

He entered the court, ready to perform a comedic act orchestrated by Karna, his mastermind.

Shakuni stood in the middle of the sabha and exclaimed, "Fresh and affordable vegetables for just a few cents!"

Laughter erupted among the courtiers. Bhishma and Vidur struggled to contain their amusement. Duryodhana and the other Kauravas were initially puzzled but soon joined in the laughter, entertained by their uncle's antics. The Pandavas, too, burst into laughter, and even Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti found themselves thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

Madirakshi and the other women relished Shakuni's performance, recalling the spell her husband had cast on him. She remembered that moment vividly:

"Shakuni shall forget all his duties and become a vegetable vendor who will entertain with antics and dance to a women's song."

As Madirakshi watched the drama unfold, she couldn't help but be amused by the hilarious transformation of her husband.

"Prince Bhima, you have the appetite of a food connoisseur, much like my foolish husband Shakuni. Please take a look at my fresh vegetables and meat, the finest in the world," Shakuni proclaimed, cheekily putting his thumb in his mouth.

"Prince Arjuna, I implore you to persuade your brother Bhima to buy my vegetables. It would be an honor if he does. You can take my husband as well. He's a fool," Shakuni continued, jumping around. The courtiers roared with laughter at his remark.

"Look, everyone is laughing at my foolish husband. He can't even walk properly and forgets to brush his teeth. He's always up to mischief," Shakuni declared, disparaging himself. He then burst into laughter, saying, "Look, even I am laughing at my silly husband."

The court was filled with uncontrollable laughter, everyone thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

"If you don't wish to buy, I will approach my husband's archenemy, the esteemed Bhishma," Shakuni exclaimed in a seductive tone, drawing attention to himself.

Approaching Bhishma, Shakuni provocatively held his pallu in his mouth and coquettishly said, "Mahamahim, this worthless wife of mine, Shakuni, beseeches you to purchase my vegetables. My husband is utterly useless, incapable even of walking properly."

Vidur couldn't contain himself any longer and burst into loud laughter, joining in on the revelry.

"See, even Mahamahim and Mahamantri Vidur are laughing at my husband Shakuni, who is utterly helpless before a man, fearing retribution or curses," Shakuni taunted, his laughter resounding throughout the courtroom.

Shakuni then approached the royal ladies and exclaimed, "Oh, my lovely sakhus, your jewelry is exquisite! I too desire such beauty. I yearn for such sarees, but my good-for-nothing husband Shakuni can't afford them. He wastes his time scheming and plotting, a complete waste of a companion." The royal ladies couldn't contain their laughter, thoroughly enjoying Shakuni's theatrics.

"Bhrata, what are you doing?" Gandhari asked, feeling a tinge of sympathy for her brother, who had become the subject of laughter.

"Bhrata! Gandhari Jiji, I am Mohini, the wife of that despicable Gandhar raj," Shakuni declared. "Jiji, that man is vile. I cannot fathom how you and your family put up with his absurdity. Jiji, he doesn't even brush his teeth. He spends his time playing with his eagle and dancing with it. You know, Jiji, he looks incredibly amusing when he dances. Here, both males and females poke fun at him, and I love mocking that foolish man." Shakuni clapped his hands gleefully, jumping with joy before assuming another character.

The courtiers and royals laughed uproariously. Dhritarashtra, listening to the whole scene from Sanjaya, found himself chuckling at Shakuni's shenanigans.

"Prince Nakula, you are so handsome. Please marry me. I promise to give you two children," Shakuni exclaimed, grabbing Nakul's hand.

Nakula looked horrified but couldn't suppress his laughter at Shakuni's appearance. The entire court erupted with laughter, and even Karna laughed like a maniac. The children were delighted by Shakuni's performance, jumping up and down in their seats.

"Marry me, prince Sahadeva. You are so handsome, and we're a perfect match in height," Shakuni declared, moving toward Sahadev and admiring his face. However, Sahadeva swiftly slapped him, prompting laughter and applause from the court.

Shakuni, after receiving a resounding slap from Sahadev, continued laughing and approached Dushasana and Ashwathama.

"Oh, heavenly beings, please marry me, handsome Ashwathama. Your abs are simply irresistible, and you are so hot. And you, prince Dushasan, you are even hotter than Ashwathama. Look at your physique and your silky hair. Please marry me so I can run my hands through your hair and rest on your chiseled chest. It's perfection," Shakuni seductively expressed. He then reached out to touch Dushasana's hair, but Dushasana and Ashwathama hastily got up from their thrones and moved toward Duryodhana.

"Where are you going, my future husband? I am coming for you. Your future wife is on her way, my lords," Shakuni exclaimed, running and jumping around the court.

After a whirlwind of laughter and jumps, Shakuni spotted Bhishma, still laughing heartily. He approached Bhishma and said, "Mahamahim, I know you have taken a vow of celibacy, but for me, you could break that vow. Look at your silky beard, perfect for making white clothing." Bhishma didn't take kindly to the remark and delivered a stinging slap across Shakuni's face, causing him to collapse in the middle of the sabha.

The courtiers roared with laughter at Shakuni's expense. They laughed and laughed for over an hour, unable to contain their amusement.

Shakuni, now exhausted, ventured back to his chambers, still dressed in women's clothing. As soon as he reached his quarters, he collapsed, unconscious, the effects of Karna's magic dissipating.

The courtiers finally ceased their laughter and dispersed to their respective rooms as the evening approached.

Madirakshi, returning to her room with Karna, expressed her pride, saying, "suryanandan, I am truly proud of you."

Karna smiled at his wife, embracing her happily.

"You have made my day, suryanandan. Thank you!" Madirakshi said with a smile.

They bid each other goodnight, retiring to sleep. They had laughed so much that day, their stomachs aching from Shakuni's antics.

The day of laughter in Hastinapur came to an end, but little did they know of the impending danger that awaited.