"Ask the gambler who wagered me if he lost me before losing himself," Devika remarked confidently to the guard.

"Oh, king! As the family sage, it is my duty to point out that lust, temptation, and gambling are detrimental habits that erode both a person's character and integrity," Kripacharya advised Duryodhana with sagely wisdom.

"Oh, Sage! Had I been losing, you wouldn't have uttered these words. Your lack of gratitude is evident. Sit down, oh sage!" Duryodhana retorted dismissively.

"When a bamboo is on the brink of demise, it unexpectedly sprouts fruits. Duryodhana is akin to the fruit of Hastinapur's treacherous politics," Vidur proclaimed to the deaf Dhritarashtra.

"If you still possess the ability to think, then contemplate! Dishonoring Devika is tantamount to insulting our dynasty," Bhishna declared, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Devika is no longer a daughter-in-law. She is now my maid and shall reside with the other maids, performing their duties," Duryodhana declared callously.

"My loyalty lies with the throne, not with Duryodhana," Bhishma stated firmly.

"Remember, it is my father who currently occupies the throne," Duryodhana asserted.

"I concur with the elders. This act is a disgrace to our noble dynasty," Yuyutsu voiced his agreement.

"I have no desire to learn about honor from you. Therefore, sit down," Duryodhana dismissed Yuyutsu curtly.

"I do not wish to witness crowns adorning the heads of my slaves. Remove them and place them at my feet!" Duryodhana reiterated his command to the Pandavas. The five brothers nodded in submission and placed their crowns at Duryodhana's feet, accepting their fate as servants in every sense.

"Hail to the Crown Prince!" the guard exclaimed.

"Why have you returned alone?" Duryodhana inquired.

"The queen wishes to pose a question to King Yudhishthir," the guard informed.

"Do not demean the assembled kings by labeling them as slave kings. What did that maid say?" Duryodhana demanded to know.

"She wishes to know if the king lost himself before losing her," the guard replied. Yudhishthira appeared numb.

"Tell that woman to come here and ask the question herself," Duryodhana ordered.

"As you wish, Crown Prince," the guard acknowledged and made his way to Devika's chambers.

"Have you returned with an answer?" Devika inquired eagerly as the guard entered.

"The king remained silent, but the Crown Prince has summoned you to come and ask the question in person," the guard relayed.

"Do me another favor. Inform them that Devika listens only to her elders. If Grandsire desires the honor of the Kurus to be present in the Gambling Hall, I shall oblige. If Grandsire commands my presence, I shall comply. Should Uncle Vidur deem it appropriate for me to attend, I shall do so. However, if both believe it to be ill-advised, I shall refrain," Devika expressed with poise.

"The Crown Prince will send me back," Devika added.

"Can you not fulfill this simple request for me?" Devika pleaded with hopeful eyes.

"As you wish," the guard conceded before departing for the sabha where the dice game was being held.

"Who is she to question the elder Kurus?" Duryodhana exclaimed upon learning of Devika's words from the guard.

"I have won her, and she must obey me," Duryodhana declared adamantly.

"For the sake of God, end this game now, my king. You cannot commit injustice. Yudhishthir had staked Devika," Vidur implored once again, hoping his words would penetrate Dhritarashtra's ears. However, the blind king remained obstinate.

"Why did you not advise him before the game not to stake her? She is the honor of the Kurus. Why raise these questions after I have won the wager? Does anyone have an answer?" Duryodhana questioned.

"Dushasana," Duryodhana called his younger brother.

"Yes, brother," Dushasana replied, rising from his seat.

"The guard is a fool. You go and forcefully bring that woman here," Duryodhana commanded his brother.

"As you wish, brother," Dushasana complied, immediately heading towards Devika's chambers.

Dushasana arrogantly strode toward Devika's room, pushing aside the soldiers who guarded the entrance, and forcefully entered.

"Come! We have won you," Dushasana declared as he entered Devika's room.

"Learn to respect a woman, Dushasana. Do not defile her dignity," Devika rebuked him.

"Do I have to drag you there?" Dushasana asked in anger.

"Do not take me there like this. I am the honor of the Kurus, the daughter-in-law," Devika pleaded.

"Today, you are nothing more than a maid," Dushasana retorted as he approached Devika.

"I have not yet bathed ritually. How can I go before the elders? I have not paid my respects. What will you say if we encounter Mother, and she questions your actions? Will you tell her that you are taking me to the Hall?" Devika spoke hurriedly as she attempted to evade Dushasana's grasp within her own room.

"Learn to speak respectfully to princes, maid. Come now," Dushasana demanded.

"The Pandavas will never forgive you for this insult. Even if they do, I won't! From today onward, I shall be a symbol of their humiliation. The wicked have surpassed all bounds of morality," Devika stated firmly, and she began to flee. However, Dushasana seized her by her hair and dragged her toward the courtroom. Despite her resistance, Dushasan forcibly brought the honor of the dynasty into a hall filled with strangers.

Dushasana dragged Devika while she was in the midst of her menstrual period, wearing a single garment and drenched in her own blood. She endured immense pain, both physically and emotionally. She screamed in agony, but no one came to her aid. Finally, Dushasana flung her into the center of the sabha.

"What did you all say to me? 'A blind man's son is blind!'" Duryodhana exclaimed, laughing.

"Dushasana, I want to see her face and witness her arrogant pride," Duryodhana demanded.

"Duryodhana, I will kill you!" Bhima roared.

Before Duryodhana could respond, Ashwathama intervened, "It takes time to forget and learn new things. They will soon forget they were warriors. They will soon learn to live as slaves. Let us witness the faces of these arrogant Pandavas who dared to call you 'a blind man's son is blind!'"

Devika stood up and tried to make eye contact with Bhishma, but he averted his gaze, refusing to acknowledge her. She made desperate attempts to communicate with him, but he merely bowed his head. Despite her best efforts, both Vikaran and Vidur failed to rescue her from the impending humiliation.

"Dushasana, disrobe her," Duryodhana commanded angrily.

"No, do not touch me. You will be consumed by fire if you lay a hand on me," Devika cried out, running and beseeching the assistance of the elders. However, no one came to her aid.

Gandhari, Kunti, and other women became aware of the incident and rushed to the sabha to put an end to the utter madness. Upon their arrival, they witnessed Dushasana about to touch Devika's saree. Gandhari prayed silently, desperately hoping for Karna's swift arrival to put a stop to this barbarity.

Dushasana was on the verge of touching Devika's saree and initiating her disrobing when a powerful gust of wind knocked him to the ground.

All eyes turned toward the entrance, where Karna stood, an imposing figure in regal attire. Devika immediately ran to him, seeking his protection. Karna gently placed his hand on her head and assured her that no one would dare touch her. He made a solemn promise to protect his sister. Then, he chanted an incantation, causing Devika to vanish before their eyes.

The elders heaved a collective sigh of relief upon seeing Karna. Soon after, Madirakshi entered the hall, accompanied by Devika. The sight of Devika, now adorned in royal garments, left everyone astonished, as mere moments ago, she had been shrouded in a single cloth.

"Gandhar Raj, what do you think? Are politics and treachery the only skills you possess? The Devika dragged into this court was not the real Devika. The true Devika was with my wife. When I embarked on my penance, I bestowed upon my wife a fraction of my power. During the night, she spirited the real Devika away, concealed within a sac, while using her magic to create a replica of Devika who would comply with my orders. Gandhar Raj, this entire charade was orchestrated by me to administer justice for your vile acts of black magic upon innocent individuals," Karna thundered with authority.

"Gandhar Raj, I, too, possess knowledge of magical arts, perhaps even superior to yours," Madirakshi proclaimed, leaving Shakuni grinding his teeth. Yet, his anxiety escalated when a resounding voice filled the hall.

"Why was Maharaj Dhritarashtra silent when such an abhorrent act was about to transpire?" Karna demanded in a thunderous voice.

"I am not obligated to answer you, Angaraj," Dhritarashtra retorted. Shakuni chuckled at the response, but his amusement quickly turned to terror upon hearing Karna's next words.

"You may not be accountable to answer Angaraj, but you are indeed accountable to answer the Emperor of Ayodhya. Maharaj Dhritarashtra, I, Emperor Prithvi, order you to provide me with an answer to my question," Karna declared, revealing his true identity to the entirety of Hastinapur.

All eyes widened as Karna unveiled his true status.