Ashoka says I am against this Das (servant) tradition. I want to end it for forever. people cheer for him. He promises everyone he will speak to his father on this matter. I am sure he will do justice with you all. People get happy.
Dharma is grinding necessary herbs. Shubhrasi wonders what has happened to the family. Sushim tells his mother that Ashoka is attending some wedding of a tribe with Kaurvaki right now. Charu says his absence is good for you. You should be before your father when he opens his eyes. He should also know that when he gained conscious, his beloved son was busy spending time with Kalinga’s princess.
Ashoka and Kaurvaki are back in the palace. He is aghast at the Das tradition. How can someone do this to someone! He gets to know that Bindu is ill. He rushes to his father’s room.
Ashoka comes to Bindu’s room. What happened to him? Bindu takes Ashoka’s name as he begins to gain conscious. Ashoka asks Raj Vaid what happened to father. Charu talks about his going in a wedding with Kaurvaki when his father was already worried about so many things. Dint you think about him once? Kaurvaki leaves from there teary eyed. Dharma tells her not to speak about all this right now. Charu retorts that she is saying so because Ashoka is her son. Raj Vaid seconds Dharma. Bindu has a weak heart condition right now. if the situation around him is tensed then it wont do him any good. Ashoka says nothing will happen to father. I wont let anything happen to him. Acharya Radha Gupta asks Ashoka to come with him right away. Ashoka leaves with him followed by Sushim and Siamak.
Outside, the people shout for justice. Mahamatya tells the citizens that justice will happen. Samrat Bindusar is unwell right now. The citizens are upset as Das tradition will leave them with nothing. If Samrat is unwell then Yuvraaj Ashoka should not have made that announcement. The news has spread like wildfire. The servants have stopped working. Where will the tax come from then? We want justice.
Acharya Radha Gupta asks Ashoka if he made this announcement. Ashoka explains that he only said that he does not support this tradition. I spoke of consulting father before making any proper announcement on the same. Mahamatya tells Ashoka that he has to remember he isn’t an ordinary citizen now. Any order given by him will be followed diligently. You have no idea how this can be misued. You asked for the position but you don’t understand the responsibilities of the same yet. If Samrat finds out of this then he will be hurt. He goes to calm down the citizens. Siamak is glad that they will all be so much engrossed in the internal issues that they wont pay heed to the Unan army coming their way. Everything will come back to us finally.
Sushim talks to Charu about Ashoka misusing his rights. He intentionally tells everything in the room where Bindu is. Charu compliments her son for not leaving his father’s side as he is unwell. Your father is unwell. Ashoka is already misusing his rights. If anything happens to Bindu now then Ashoka will do anything that he wishes. Does he want to tell the citizens of Magadh that Samrar Bindu has no more role to play in stately matters? Bindu has heard everything and looks angry.
Everyone has gathered in the courtroom and demand for justice. Ashoka tries to calm them down. I only spoke of my views. I did not pass any orders. They demand to meet Samrat right away. Ashoka says he is unwell. Siamak points out that father might take time in recovering. Till when will these people bear the losses? They agree with Siamak and speak against Ashoka. Our servants stopped working after what you said. We want a decision on this matter!
Dharma tells Bindu to rest. It isn’t right for you to get up. He instead tells her to make her son understand this.
Sushim comes to the courtroom. Ashoka says I dint intend to instigate anyone. I only said what I felt like. Sushim says those servants took your words seriously. Ashoka reasons that this is his wish. I do support my words. Sushim questions him on how he can challenge age old traditions. Ashoka says we have to change as per the changing times. The citizens speak of him announcing it before everyone. Ashoka insists that he dint give any proper order. Sushim says I can understand why you want to ban this tradition. You will have special place for these kinds of people as you are one of them after all, a Daasi Putra! Ashoka angrily calls out his name. Bindu asks them what’s happening. He signals Shubhrasi and Charu and walks toward the throne. Dharma too comes there.
Bindu asks Ashoka if this is why he wanted to become Yuvraaj. You said you wanted a responsibility. Is this how to do your duty? Mahamatya thanks them on the behalf of the traders for coming here even on this condition. When someone with a great position says something then it is followed as a final word. This is what happened here. The traders speak their point and Ashoka gives his logic. The society where everyone is not given equal rights then it is a shame on the society. Making someone a servant and holding every right over them is injustice to people. This tradition hints at the society where people are abused and made weak only. Is it not the duty of the state to protect weak and poor people? They hear some people cheering for Bindu and Ashoka. Everyone goes out to see all the Daas gathered there.
Mahamatya says Ashoka put us in a dilemma. You will disappoint many people today if you don’t do what Ashoka said. They can hurt us too. Sushim reasons that we gain tax from the traders. We might get in a problem. Acharya Radha Gupta says we should first help the people who are facing injustice. The traders ask for the loan that they gave to these people. We will have to pay them as well. This is happening to us as we are rich. Bindu asks Ashoka if he has a solution. Ashoka suggests paying the loan to the traders through treasury. Bindu says do you understand how it will affect the state. There is only one option now. He gives his word in favour of Ashoka. We will pay for whatever amount the servants owe to the traders. The decision has been taken suddenly so everyone should continue their work. The work should not stop. Mahamatya wonders what they will come face to face with some problem. Charu, Sushim and Siamak speak against Bindu’s decision. Your decision looks to be affected by your son more than the state. Bindu stumbles. Ashoka holds him but Bindu pushes his hand away. You will one day kill me. You will have to bear the punishment. You wont given any suggestion or order in stately matters. Taking any decision without my consent will be considered an act of revolt. He heads inside.
Charu, Sushim and Siamak’s words echo in Bindu’s head. He holds his chest and falls down in the corridor. Dharma and Ashoka come rushing to him. Other family members also come there.
Siamak comes to meet Helena. He tells her everything that happened today. Helena is happy. There can be no better news than this for me. Ashoka made it possible what I couldn’t do since so long. This dispute between father and son will take this lineage down. It will help us only. Bindu is unwell. Sushim is with us and Ashoka has no idea about facing a big army. Unani army will easily win as the treasury will be less. This is the perfect time to attack.
Raj Vaid says I already told you to keep Samrat away from stress. His heart has become weak. I cannot say anything for now. Anything can happen. Let him gain conscious.
Sushim is angry. Why don’t I get something on time? I tried to get father killed from Ashoka’s hands two days back. I would have become Samrat definitely if that would have happened. Destiny has other plans. Father will die when it will give all the rights to Ashoka. Mahamatya says he will end our story just like he ended Das tradition. Who will save us then? Sushim thinks of the tantric.
The tantric slaps Sushim. You are questioning my capability by asking me the same question. You will have to wait for that moment. Sushim deduces that Bindu will not die now.
Dharma and Ashoka are keeping wet cloth on Ashoka’s head turn by turn. Ashoka is also taking care of his father.
Nicator vows to take everyone. I have to take revenge from Bindu for what he did with his daughter. Mir too wants to settle his dues with Patliputra. I guess the time has come. Nicator asks his commander to ready an army of 10k soldiers. Mir suggests to make it sudden so Magadh is not prepared. We will need an excuse. They will doubt us then. Nicator says we will play Holi with blood this time in Patliputra. First of all we will kill Ashoka!
Both Dharma and Ashoka stick to Bindu’s side while he is unconscious. They fall asleep next to him only. Next morning, Shubhrasi wakes them up. Dharma checks Bindu’s temperature.
Helena is curious as to what his father will be planning.
Nicator’s army is ready.
Bindu has not woken up since many days now. Ashoka is concerned. Dharma assures him he will be fine soon. He will forgive you surely after knowing how much you took care of him. No father can be upset with his kid for long. A soldier comes to inform them that Raj Vaid has called them. Charu, Mahamatya and Sushim come to the room just then. Sushim remarks that his father is so stubborn. We did so much but it did not hurt him. His heart became weak when he had to hear things against of Ashoka. Charu angrily says that she feels like freeing him from his pain right away. Bindu opens his eyes with a start. Charu and Sushim are taken aback. Bindu asks for water. Sushim feeds him water. Mahamatya says thank God that Charu and Sushim were still by your side when no one else paid a thought to it. It is because of them that you recovered. He goes out to inform everyone.
Dharma runs to meet Bindu. Ashoka thanks God for hearing his mother’s prayers. Bindu looks pointedly at Dharma as she comes in. Sushim gets down from the bed. We have hit bull’s eye now. Dharma asks Bindu about his health. He says I am fine and withdraws his hand from her. I don’t need you here. Take care of your son. Dharma says I know you are upset with Ashoka but he too regrets doing what he did. Bindu says I regret making Ashoka a Yuvraaj. I never expected him to do this to me. The worst thing is that you are still supporting him. She tries to explain but he instead asks her to do a favour on him. Don’t let him come before me after today. Do anything that you have to do for the same. Both Dharma and Ashoka are taken aback. Charu, SIamak, Sushim and Mahamatya smirk. Kaurvaki has heard everything from outside. She looks sad. Ashoka hides behind a pillar as his mother comes out of the room. Kaurvaki and Ashoka notice each other.
Charu tells Bindu to rest. Let good thoughts come to your mind. I will pray to God till then. Sushim, Siamak and Mahamatya too leave to do some work. Bindu angrily throws the glass away. Ashoka looks hurt. Kaurvaki knocks at Bindu’s room. Bindu mistakes it to be Ashoka. I told your mother not to let you come before my eyes. Kaurvaki says Samrat. He allows her to come in. Is everything fine? She says I have all the respect here because of you only. I feel you are making a mistake in understanding Ashoka this time. He says magadh’s Samrat, Ashoka’s father is mistaken here. You think you know him well? Your age cannot challenge my experience. She reasons that only truth can challenge lie. He gets angry. She apologizes. I thought you had the patience and courage to listen to the truth. He allows her to speak.
She says if you think Ashoka wasn’t worried about you then you should know that no one took care of you like anyone else while you were unconscious. He helps and looks after everyone selflessly. I have never seen someone like that. You would know that we should understand the motive behind the karma. This is where everyone goes wrong. I made the same mistake when I looked at him as a Maurya, my enemy. I thought he will never want my good but time made me realise I was wrong. When he can do so much for a stranger then wont he do much more for his father who means the world to him? I have got to know he lives for others. His life has only motto – to fulfil his Guru’s dream and to live up to his parents’ expectations. He has put his life in risk not once but many times for this. Dharma is outside and has heard everything.