The next morning came soft and quiet.
The palace in Suryaloka felt different, not because the light had changed, but because something inside everyone had shifted. Servants moved more slowly, speaking in low voices.
Guards stood at their posts with straighter backs, as if trying to prove the realm was still steady after yesterday's strange vibrations. Flowers in the gardens bloomed brighter than usual, but no one commented. They simply watered them and moved on.
Karna woke early.
He sat on the edge of his bed for a long time, staring at his hands. The new vision Lord Shiva had given him, the power to see the consequences of adharmic acts, lay quiet inside him. He had not tested it yet. He was not sure he wanted to. Atleast, not today.
Later that afternoon, Karna went to the gardens, upon learning that Roshini visited the Suryaloka and was waiting for him near the lotus pond. She stood with her hands clasped in front of her, fingers twisting nervously. When she saw him, she ran forward and stopped just short of touching him.
"Karna…"
Her voice was small. "I wanted to come and see you, but Father stopped me, because you were in the middle of Tapasya.
Karna looked at her.
She looked tired with dark circles under her eyes, as if she had not slept well for days. He reached out and took her hand.
"I'm sorry to make you worried," he said quietly. "I didn't even write any letter after returning from Patala and went straight into tapasya."
Roshini squeezed his fingers.
"You don't have to explain. I just… I was scared. When you disappeared that day… I thought I had lost you forever. And soon…" She looked down at their joined hands. "You will be leaving."
Karna lifted her chin gently.
"Twelve years is indeed a long time, but this separation is something that neither of us can prevent. Even to get Amrit, the devas had to face the effects of Halahala. So, don't think about the separation. Think about our reunion. We reunite again, we will be husband and wife, spending our time together for the rest of our lives.
Roshini's eyes glistened. "I'll wait for you."
They stood like that for a long time, hands in hands, two young hearts holding onto a promise under the golden light of Suryaloka.
*
In the evening, a messenger arrived from Svarga Loka. Lord Surya received him in the throne room. Sangya stood beside her husband, her hand resting lightly on his arm.
The messenger bowed low.
"King of Gods sends his greetings. He felt the disturbance in Suryaloka yesterday due to Karna's tapasya. He wishes to know if all is well."
Lord Surya's face remained calm.
"Tell Lord Indra everything is under control. There is no cause for concern."
The messenger hesitated.
"He also asks… about Karna, whether his tapasya was successful and he attained the boon."
Lord Surya's eyes narrowed just slightly. "My son's devotion is his own matter. If Mahadeva chose to appear and give him the boon, that is between them. Not for Lord Indra to question."
The messenger bowed again.
"I will convey your words. May Suryaloka shine eternal."
He left.
Goddess Sangya then looked at her husband. "Do you think Lord Indra will cause trouble for our son?"
Lord Surya placed his hand over hers. "Don't worry about it. Our Karna soon will be under the protection of Lord Parashurama. No harm can befall him."
*
That night, Karna stood alone on his balcony.
He looked toward the forest, toward the peepal tree that had witnessed his tapasya. The stars above Suryaloka shone bright and endless. In two days, he would turn sixteen. In a few days after that, he would leave for the Mahendra Mountains on Earth.
He placed his palms together.
"Om Namah Shivaya," he whispered once, not in chant, but in thanks.
Two days passed quietly.
The palace in Suryaloka prepared for Karna's 16th birthday in its own way, not with loud music or grand feasts, but with soft lamps lit early, fresh flowers arranged in every corner, and the smell of sweets drifting from the kitchens. No one spoke of it openly, but everyone knew this was the last celebration before he left for his education.
Karna woke before dawn.
He walked to the balcony and watched the first rays touch the distant peaks. The truth about his birth had settled inside him like a stone in still water, heavy, but no longer sharp.
By mid-morning, the main hall was filled with familiar faces.
Lord Surya sat at the head, his radiance steady and proud.
Goddess Sangya stood beside him, dressed in a simple golden sari, her smile soft but strained.
Goddess Chhaya lingered near the pillars, arms folded, watching everything with quiet concern.
Lord Yama and his wife, Goddess Urmila, had come from Narakaloka, bringing small gifts wrapped in black cloth.
Gandharva King Chitrasena arrived from Gandharvaloka with Roshini at his side. She wore a light blue lehenga, her eyes bright but nervous.
Karna entered last.
Everyone rose. He folded his hands to them all, then bowed deepest to his parents.
Lord Surya stepped forward first.
He placed both hands on Karna's shoulders.
"Sixteen years ago, I carried you here, small, crying, wrapped in light. Today, you stand before us as a man. I am proud, my son. Proud of your devotion, your heart, your strength. Whatever path lies ahead… remember you carry my radiance inside you."
He then raised his hand, a celestial arrow with its head shaped like a sun and its tail glowing brightly materialized. The arrow flew into Karna's body as Lord Surya said, "This is the divine Astra, Suryastra, my celestial weapon."
Karna closed his eyes and received the knowledge of Divyastra. He bowed his head. "Thank you, Father. I will use it with care ."
Goddess Sangya came next.
She held out a small bundle wrapped in white silk. Inside was a thin cloak, light as cloud, woven from threads that shimmered like morning mist.
"I made this for you," she said softly. "This isn't like the indestructible divine armor you were born with, but this is made by my love and my blessings. Whenever you wear this, you will connect to me."
Karna took it gently.
He draped it over his shoulders at once. It truly felt as if his mother was on his side.
"Mother… thank you. I will wear it every day."
King Chitrasena stepped forward, smiling widely.
He gestured to Roshini. "My daughter wished to give you something herself."
Roshini then came closer, with her cheeks flushed. In her hands was a small wooden box. She opened it carefully. Inside lay a single veena string, not ordinary, but woven with fine strands of her own hair mixed with gold thread from Gandharvaloka.
"I kept one string from the veena you played for me last year," she said quietly. "I added my own hair… so that when you play in the mountains, part of me will be with you. Not much… but enough to remind you."
Karna took the string.
He held it between his fingers, delicate yet strong. He looked at her, "Thank you, Roshini. I will keep it close. And when I return… I will play for you again."
She smiled through sudden tears. "Twelve years is long. But I will wait. Just come back."
Lord Yama and Goddess Urmila gave their gifts next: a small scroll of dharma teachings from Yama, and a pendant carved with a tiny Shivalinga from Urmila. Karna accepted them with folded hands, thanking them quietly.
Then Vishwakarma stepped forward.