kaurvaki talking to Bindu. Have you seen what all he had borne to fight the enemies of Mauryas’’s? He did not even lose out to death. Reason being the state and you! He was alone in Takshshila even when he was dead for the world. He still did not give up. He wanted to fulfil the promise he made to you. I dint see him this happy in Takshshila gaining small victories when I saw the smile on his face when you kept your hand on his head. He was away from you yet he became the kind of son which no one in this palace could become. I know you are upset with him as he took a big decision against the tradition. I know it will affect the treasury too. I was there with him. He said he will speak to you first on the same. it was never his intention to not give you respect or to disobey you. Bindu asks her if she is done. It is commendable for the way you spoke in his favour. Tell your father that I want to see him. KAurvaki leaves from there. Dharma is outside. She drops a diya by mistake when she turns to go. Bindu hears the sound and is startled. He looks at Dharma.
Ashoka is sad to hurt his father. How do I make up for it? I did it for other people’s sake. I had no personal motive or wanted to hurt father. I wish I could explain things to him. A soldier informs him that Samrat has called everyone in his room, including you. Ashoka is confused. A while back he said he did not want to see my face.
Nicator and Mir discuss their plan as to how to attack on Magadh. We will attack from two different sides. My messenger will head from front carrying my message. They will be diverted towards it and we will get to attack easily. Bindu has no idea I know what he did to Helena. I wont spare him. Entire Maurya lineage will die on the day of Holika Dahan. Mir is worried about Ashoka. Anything can happen till he is there. He smells danger from anywhere. What if he tells his father not to allow you inside? Nicator says there is Siamak in the palace too. He will find a way. No one can stop me from ending Maurya lineage. Mir too wants to seek revenge from Bindu for Noor and his insult. I will make him blind. Nicator wants to put their plan into practise asap.
Dharma is already in the room when Ashoka comes there. Bindu asks him how much more he wants to insult him. Kalinga’s girl came to tell me I cannot understand my son. She gave me a lecture on your selflessness. Ashoka says I did not ask her to do so. I am sure she dint have wrong intentions. Bindu wonders if he thinks he had bad intentions. Dharma reasons that wrong timings twist even Ram to Mara (dead). Everyone else comes there. Bindu say sorry to Maharaj Jagannath for the delay in fulfilling his promise to him. I got engaged in internal problems. I promised Maharaj Jagannath that I will help him in gaining Kalinga. It is time for Maharaj Jagannath and princess Kaurvaki to head back to Kalinga. He asks Mahamatya to make preps for the same. 25k soldiers and half of army should be arranged for the same.
Charu says how you will go in this condition. Bindu wants Ashoka to head the army. He won over Takshshila alone and asked for Yuvraaj’s position. It is time for him to do his duty. Kalinga has extra faith in Ashoka. I am sure he will defeat Keval Nath and hand over the throne back to Maharaj Jagannath. Ashoka will have to be there by Rang Panchmi (Holi). Jagannath should regain his position on the same day he lost it. Jagannath says living up to your promise hints at your goodness. Bindu says the announcement is over. Everyone leaves one by one. Bindu calls out after Ashoka so as to stop him.
Sushim says he did not think a small act will make such a big trap for Ashoka. Father is putting Ashoka in the face of death. Mahan Chandragupta Maurya could not win over Kalinga. How will Ashoka do it? Mahamatya smiles. This war will go on for long. It will give you ample time to better your relations with father and make a place for yourself. Siamak has heard it all. Not just Ashoka but Sushim will also have to face a war. You will lose definitely as Ashoka wont be here.
Bindu tells Ashoka that the treasury can pay for this war till next month. I have no idea what will happen next. We wont have ample funds afterwards as you ended the tradition. The leader is responsible for all the soldiers too. Don’t take any decision which will cost them. Don’t disappoint Maharaj Jagannath. Ashoka promises him. Bindu points out that war does not give anyone another chance.
Nicator is happy to know that their main problem Ashoka will be out of their way now. No one can stop us from winning now. He sends a messenger to Magadh. Now Bindu will open his doors for me. No one will be there to save him this time.
Ashoka comes to seek his mother’s blessings. Dharma hopes Bindu realises one day how wrong he was in understanding his son. Ashoka tells her not to worry about it. Satyamev Jayate. I have nothing against father or his decision in my heart. Allow me to go with a smile. She does his tilak and aarti. Kaurvaki too bends down to seek Dharma’s blessing at the same time. I wont forget the love and respect you gave to me. I am sad to go away from you. Dharma replies that nothing is permanent in this world. Remember the promise I made to you. You are the only one who can understand him. Ashoka says I am not so complicated. Kaurvaki says not so but yes you are. Dharma asks her to be with Ashoka as his strength. Kaurvaki assures her of the same. They share a group hug.
Ashoka comes to Bindu’s room. Charu, Sushim Siamak and Mahamatya look at them from far. Bindu tells Ashoka the importance of time. You should know when to attack and how. They are equally important. Ashoka goes out of the room. Ashoka leaves with his troops but has a feeling that this isn’t the right time.
A Unani soldier brings Nicator’s message to Patliputra.
Everyone is gathered in the court. Sushim says Rajmata just got arrested and now we have received Nicator’s message. Does that hint at something inauspicious coming our way? Siamak says how would Nicator know what happened here. Bindu asks the messenger to come in. The messenger says that Nicator wants to meet Bindu personally. He wants him to allow a part of his soldiers to allow them inside the palace. Bindu allows him. Mahamatya and Sushim question Bindu. We did not even ask why he is coming here. Is he coming here to take revenge for Rajmata’s arrest? Siamak repeats that this news has been kept a secret already. How would Nicator know of Rajmata’s arrest? Charu says maybe Ashoka sent a message to Nicator. Dharma says why he will do so. Charu replies that Ashoka never asks anyone before doing something. Bindu tells them to calm down. Even I have doubt on Nicator’s intentions but he would have come with a bigger army if he had come with an intention to attack us. Make preps to welcome him.
Kaurvaki makes Ashoka drink water from the pot and even gives him her Chunri to wipe his hands too. Maharaj Jagnnath looks at them. This isn’t the time to rest. My brothr (Kevalnath) is very strong. He himself is not a good warrior but he has a grand army. He tells Ashoka about his brother’s army.
Nicator says we will attack from inside. This army will be right outside the palace. Bindu is opening the doors for us after all.
Maharaj Jagannath shares that only the person who has lived inside the palace can tell us how to enter there.
Nicator says SIamak knows the palace inside out. He will guide us. Chanakya said that you shouldn’t worry about the consequences of the war if you know your enemy well.
Ashoka says the same thing. There will be a weakness at which we can hit and win. If there is someone without whom Jagannath’s brother cannot imagine winning. Kaurvaki takes Takshak’s name. His army has made a trap which could not be broken till date. Ashoka decides to play Holi with Takshak first of all.
Nicator hopes to accomplish today what Sikander too couldn’t do. This will be my victory over India.
Ashoka wants to put the first milestone in his journey of fulfilling his Acharya’s dream. Maharaj Jagnnath seconds Ashoka’s idea. You will be wrong if you underestimate Takshak. Whoever challenges him is sure to die. Ashoka looks at him.
Someone (Takshak probably) stands before all the attacks and loses to Takshak. Kevalnath likes it. Whoever tries to go against me will meet the same feet. Takshak is unconquerable. No harm can come on me till Takshak is there.
Maharaj Jagannath says it is useless to think to fight with Takshak. He has never tasted defeat. We should drop the idea. Ashoka reasons that it was equally impossible to win over Kichak and get Takshshila back. I would have lost if I had thought that way. This attack can be used to our benefit. We will kill the enemy from inside only.
Nicator comes in the courtroom. He extends his arms to greet Bindu. Bindu hugs him. Nicator says a while ago I felt like I will leave this world before seeing you. I got lucky though. I have come to celebrate Holi with all of you this time, only if you allow. Forgive me, I was in a rush to come here and had no idea what was to be brought along as gifts. I brought what is gifted in Unan. I have brought Helena’s favourite fruit fig. I wonder if she likes it still or not. She has turned into a Maurya over all the years because of the love and respect you gave her here. I am thankful to you for it. Where is Helena? And Ashoka or Shubhrasi or Drupad? Is everything alright? Siamak tells him everything. Nicator acts to be shocked and hurt. Siamak says this is the punishment that traitors get. She tried to get father killed. Drupad lost his life in the process. Nicator says something is wrong. This cannot be true. Siamak shares that Rajmata accepted her crime.
Maharaj Jagganth shows Takshak’s palace to Ashoka. Ashoka says you can either swim to that place or take a boat. Jagganth points out that soldiers will get to know if we take a boat. There are crocodiles in this river. They get active whenever some disturbance happens in water. They only understand Takshak’s words.
Takshak whistles to call out his crocodiles. They all come as if in a queue.
Ashoka refuses to back down. I have promised father. I will live up to my word.
Siamak says she not just plotted against Ashoka but used me as well. She has cheated all of us. Nicator is in disbelief. I thought I will spend some quality time with my daughter and family but there is mourning here because of her. Why did she do it? She is a mother. She should have given her life for her family. She has not just ashamed you but us too. She is not just your but my culprit too. we cannot get back what we have lost but accept the apologizes of a helpless father if you can. Bindu stops him from folding his hands or bowing down before him. Nicator says a father’s head bends down in shame when his kid does something wrong. Bindu says I understand that feeling very well. Nicator wishes to meet Helena to know why she did all this.
Ashoka says Chanakya used to say that we should kill fear as soon as it looks at you. Takshak must have a weakness. Jagannath shares that Takshak drinks alcohol every night so he can sleep. Ashoka says alcohol makes our brain weak. It will take him to his death tonight.