Dhritarashtra was not offended by the condition at all.
If anything, the moment he heard that Hastinapura could participate only by sending its Crown Prince or King, a quiet happiness spread across his face. To him, the message did not sound like an insult. It sounded like an opportunity that had finally arrived at the right moment.
"Hastinapura accepts the invitation," he declared.
The envoy bowed, thanked the Maharaj, and withdrew from the court.
Bhishma and Vidura said nothing until the envoy had left.
Only then did Bhishma turn toward the king.
"Maharaj, you should not have accepted the invitation so readily."
Dhritarashtra frowned slightly. "Why? Dakshina Panchala remains a powerful kingdom, even after the division of Panchala. It is prosperous, militarily capable, and strategically important. More importantly, we have established peace with them. I don't see why not."
Bhishma's expression remained serious. "Maharaj, the envoy clearly stated that only a King or Crown Prince can participate."
Dhritarashtra smiled.
"And?"
"The problem, Maharaj, is that Hastinapura has no Crown Prince."
There was a brief silence.
Dhritarashtra's smile did not disappear.
"And that condition was put forward by Karna himself."
Bhishma's eyes narrowed.
Dhritarashtra continued, "Do you really believe Karna does not know that Hastinapura has no Crown Prince?"
Bhishma did not answer immediately.
Vidura did.
His voice was cautious.
"Maharaj, I believe Dakshina Kalinga Naresh is indirectly suggesting that Prince Duryodhana should be made Crown Prince and sent to the Swayamvara."
Dhritarashtra's expression brightened further.
"Exactly."
He leaned back.
"And we all know Karna. He does not ask us to do something unjust."
Bhishma narrowed his eyes but remained silent.
*More than a year ago, all of you stood against Karna when he opposed Shakuni.*
His thoughts were sharp despite the calm expression on his face.
*And now, because Karna appears to be supporting Duryodhana, he has suddenly become the voice of righteousness?*
He almost found the irony amusing.
But there was something else.
Karna was not calling for Duryodhana.
Not directly.
If Karna truly wanted Duryodhana to become Crown Prince, he could have said so openly. He had never been a man who needed another kingdom to hide his intentions behind a carefully worded invitation.
There had to be another reason.
And Bhishma believed he understood it.
*He knows.*
Karna knew that Yudhishthira was alive.
Bhishma had learned that from Karna himself.
So perhaps this was not an invitation to Duryodhana at all.
Perhaps it was a message.
*Bring Yudhishthira back.*
Bhishma slowly exhaled.
There was no point discussing that possibility in the open court.
And there was certainly no way to stop Dhritarashtra from accepting the invitation now without revealing something that could not yet be revealed.
He finally nodded.
"Very well."
Dhritarashtra turned toward him.
Bhishma continued, "Let Prince Duryodhana return. We shall prepare for his anointment as Crown Prince."
Happiness immediately returned to Dhritarashtra's face.
"Send the royal message at once."
The order was given.
Across the court, murmurs began spreading.
Some were surprised.
Some were pleased.
Others exchanged uncertain glances, because everyone understood what had just happened. For years, the question of succession had remained suspended between expectation, tradition and uncertainty.
Now it seemed that the answer was finally being decided.
Vidura, however, did not look pleased.
He remained silent.
His mind was elsewhere.
Later that day, Bhishma went to the Shiva Mandir within the palace complex.
He sat before the image of Mahadeva and closed his eyes, allowing the noise of the court to fade away. The lamps burned quietly before the deity, their flames moving gently whenever the wind entered through the open doorway.
He had barely settled into meditation when he heard footsteps.
Bhishma opened his eyes.
Vidura stood at the entrance.
"Come," Bhishma said.
Vidura entered and sat beside him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Vidura finally asked the question that had been troubling him. "Uncle, why did you accept it?"
Bhishma looked toward the Shiva murti.
"You and I both know that the Pandavas are alive." Vidura's voice remained low. "And yet we are preparing to make Duryodhana Crown Prince."
Bhishma gave a faint smile. "What else could I have done?"
"You could have stopped Maharaj."
"On what grounds?"
Vidura fell silent.
Bhishma continued, "We do not know where the Pandavas are. We have no proof that they are alive. We cannot stand before Maharaj and simply say that Yudhishthira is somewhere in the world and therefore Duryodhana cannot be considered."
"But you know they are alive."
"I know it," Bhishma said quietly. "You know it. But knowing something and being able to establish it before the court are two different things."
Vidura sighed.
Bhishma's expression softened.
"Do not worry. As long as Yudhishthira is alive, Duryodhana's anointment as Crown Prince cannot ultimately stand above his claim. The moment Yudhishthira returns, Duryodhana will have to step back."
Vidura nodded, but another question remained. "I still do not understand why Karna would invite Duryodhana."
Bhishma looked at him.
"Do you think it is because Karna believes Duryodhana has truly changed?" Vidura paused and then said, "Or perhaps because his niece, Dushala, urged him to do it?"
Bhishma did not answer either possibility.
He could not tell Vidura the truth.
He could not reveal that Karna already knew the Pandavas had survived. He certainly could not tell him that Karna himself had been the one who had informed Bhishma of their survival.
Instead, he simply said, "It does not matter."
Vidura looked at him with confusion.
"It does not matter?"
"No. Whatever Karna's reason may be, we already know where the Pandavas are hiding."
Vidura's expression changed immediately. "You know where they are?"
Bhishma nodded. "Do you remember the death of King Hidimba?"
Vidura thought for a moment. "About a year ago."
"The news reached us after the incident. If the Pandavas escaped Varanavata and eventually found their way to Hidimba's forest, then the death of Hidimba tells us something important."
Vidura listened carefully.
Bhishma continued, "Look at the kingdoms surrounding that region. To the north lies Northern Panchala, ruled by Ashwatthama. To the west lies our own Kuru territory. To the southwest lies Mathura, which is our ally. To the east lies Kosala."
He paused.
"Hidimba's forest is far too distant from Kosala for them to have remained there unnoticed for so long. And almost every other direction would have taken them toward a kingdom friendly to Hastinapura."
Vidura's eyes narrowed as he followed the reasoning. "Except Southern Panchala."
Bhishma nodded. "Exactly."
Southern Panchala had once been an enemy of Hastinapura.
Even though Drupada had recently established peace, that peace was still new. It was therefore one of the few places where fugitives from Hastinapura could disappear without immediately being recognized or reported.
"It makes perfect sense," Bhishma said. "If the Pandavas survived, they could have gone there after leaving Hidimba's forest."
Vidura looked thoughtful.
"And the Swayamvara?"
Bhishma nodded. "That may force them to move."
He turned toward Vidura.
"If they are indeed hiding in Southern Panchala, then the arrival of kings and princes for Draupadi's Swayamvara will change the situation. They may decide to leave before the city becomes too crowded. If they move away, they will have to choose a direction."
"Toward Kosala," Vidura said.
"Perhaps. Or toward Kampilya itself." Bhishma's voice became more deliberate. "Either way, we should watch the roads."
Vidura understood immediately. "Which roads?"
"The roads leading toward Naimisha Forest."
Vidura nodded slowly. "The border between Southern Panchala and Kosala."
"Yes." Bhishma's gaze hardened. "I want our most trusted soldiers and scouts there. Quietly. No banners, no large formations, and no unnecessary confrontation. They are not to attack the Pandavas."
Vidura looked at him. "Then what are they supposed to do?"
"If they find them, they are to make them understand one thing." Bhishma paused. "The Swayamvara is open only to Kings and Crown Princes."
Vidura's eyes widened slightly. "And they should also tell Yudhishthira that Hastinapura is sending its Crown Prince."
Bhishma nodded. "Exactly."
A quiet understanding passed between the two men.
"If Yudhishthira hears that Duryodhana has been made Crown Prince," Vidura said slowly, "he will have to decide whether to remain hidden."
"Yes."
"And if Draupadi's Swayamvara is drawing every important prince and king toward Kampilya..." Bhishma looked toward the temple flame. "Then Yudhishthira may decide that remaining hidden is no longer possible."
For a few moments, neither spoke.