Ashoka comes to Acharya Chanakya’s room. He touches the ground first of all so as to greet his late Guru. He thinks of Acharya as he looks at the room. There are memories in every corner of the room. He also recalls Acharya’s last words (about his dream of united India). Ashoka bends down to take his blessings as he touches the Khadau. He thinks of his first meeting with Acharya Chanakya. He had called himself Samrat Ashoka. You turned Vanraj Ashoka into Samrat Ashoka. You helped my mother gain her rights. Most importantly, you taught me to fight for others; to protect the citizens and their rights; made me aware of my dharma here in Magadh. You never gave up when I revolted. I will never be able to pay back for what all I have gained from you.
Acharya’s words echo in his head. Radha Gupta asks him if he recalled something. Ashoka denies. I never forgave and neither will. I will become Chakravarti and fulfil Acharya’s dream. Radha Gupta tells him about Samrat BIndu’s decision of making Sushim the next successor. The rituals were almost complete when the news reached to him that you are alive. Everything was almost done. You know how wrong it is. You have to act quickly. Get up and request Samrat to announce you as his successor. Magadh has waited for it since so long.
Sushim says we shouldn’t wait anymore. We all know that this meeting has been called to announce me as the successor. Why delay when Ashoka is also here? Declare him as the Up-Raja. We both wil make Magadh strong then.
Ashoka says this is father’s decision. How can he say it? he will choose the one who he thinks is suitable for the position. Radha Gupta says he is a good person but his nice nature has got him many enemies. He gets affected by emotions very soon. Now that you are back, Sushim will certainly want to do something to speed up the process.
Sushim asks everyone why no one is saying anything.
Ashoka says how I can ask my father to make me his successor. This is entire his decision. Radha Gupta replies that your heart knows that you will ask for it from Samrat for a big motive. Hope Magadh does not have to pay a big price for it. Take it as your mission. People have high hopes from you. If you delay today then you will be responsible for whatever happens next.
Sushim asks his father to continue the rituals which were left in between. Give orders for my Rajya-Abhishek. Bindu wants to postpone his decision for a while. I want to rethink it after considering whatever happened recently. Helena says that has already been delayed. Sushim felt it was important to go help his brother rather than get his Abhishek done. Bindu says I know everything. I have to see first who deserves this throne more. Ashoka and Radha Gupta enter just then.
Bindu tells everyone the reason of having this meeting. He asks Ashoka to come to him first. Ashoka goes up to him. Bindu wants to hug him for his bravery, strength and mind. They share a hug which leaves many people unhappy. He gifts a sword to Ashoka. It was yours only but after winning over Takshshila, you have proved that you only deserve it. You took help of no army and have made us all proud. Ashoka says there is someone else in this meeting only who has contributed equally. He takes Drupad’s name. Drupad is surprised. What did I do? Ashoka remarks that he took care of his room, his mother and had trust in him that he will be back alive. It isn’t easy to wish and pray for a brother’s well being in today’s date. I cannot do a lot to show my happiness but accept this letter as my love and gratitude. Drupad gladly takes it. Bindu seconds Ashoka. You deserve a prize. Drupad replies that it isn’t good to rush into things. I will also follow it in asking for my prize. Ashoka tells him to think through. I will help you. Bindu points out that not just Drupad but he also deserves a prize today. Ask anything today. I will fulfil anything that you say. Radha Gupta hopes Ashoka asks for the right thing.
Ashoka asks his father to announce him as the successor of Magadh. Bindu is surprised. Ashoka says this is the only way to fulfil Acharya’s incomplete dream. Sushim laughs at him. You have lost your mental balance after gaining victory. You won over Takshshila but it doesn’t mean that you are fit to rule over Magadh! Ashoka calls it asking for responsibility. Sushim calls him greedy. Ashoka agrees with him. I am indeed greedy of taking care of people and sacrificing my life for motherland; to inculcate the strength and capability in every single person of India to fight against evil; I am greedy to make Acharya’s dream of one India come true. It should be almost like a body. We all will work together its upliftment. The meaning is bringing peace in the world. We will not think of ourselves but only of the nation. No outside or inside enemy can harm it. I am greedy of it all! Drupad claps for him.
Sushim says only kids can get excited on such lectures. You can do all this by becoming Up-Raja only. Ashoka says one needs to have the power of making decisions too to make that dream come true. Sushim asks him if he isn’t ashamed of snatching his rights from him all the time. I was praying for you to be made the Up-Raja and you are doing this to me? You were right about brothers harming others. You aren’t my brother! Bindu tells him to stop. You are crossing the limits. Sushim angrily asks him if he wants his younger brother to snatch all his rights from him. Only the eldest son has a right to sit on the throne. He gives Shree Ram and Bharat’s example. Bindu explains that Ram did deserve to become king. Ashoka has also proved his credentials. Sushim is in disbelief. You are snatching my rights and comparing me to Ashoka? I cannot be compared to him. I don’t care about what the people who are present here think. I want to ask you a question which everyone wants to know but doesn’t have the courage to ask it! How a Dassi-putra (son) can sit on Magadh’s throne. BIndu gets up angrily.
Sushim asks everyone how a Dassi-putra (son) can sit on Magadh’s throne. BIndu gets up angrily. Ashoka looks angrily at Sushim. Bindusar slaps Sushim. Charu is shocked and so is everyone else. Ashoka looks hurt / angry. Sushim glares at Ashoka. Bindu tells him that it is enough. A person is right or wrong by his karmas. Samrat should be the one who the citizens trust and love; who they keep their hearts in. I have no doubt about it that it is Ashoka only. I have no doubt that the citizens would be happy to see Ashoka as my successr and Rani Dharma as Rajmata. Charu tries to say something but he interrupts her. there will be no more discussion on this topic. I have made my decision. I, Chandragupta Maurya’s son, Bindusar Maurya, announce Ashoks as my succesoor. Everyone cheers for Ashoka. Helena, Mahamatya, Charu, Siamak and Sushim are stunned whereas everyone else is happy. Bindu announces that Ashoka’s Rajya-Abhishek will happen tomorrow in the court on only. Make preps for it. He walks out of the courtroom. Everyone leaves except the members of royal family.
Sushim looks at his brother angrily. Drupad hugs Ashoka. The member of royal family stands on either sides of Ashoka and Sushim. Dharma looks at both of them quizzically. Drupad leaves to tell his friends followed by Shubhrasi. Helena thinks Ashoka’s victory means Chanakya’s victory. I will never accept it. It is better that I cut your head before you try to sit on our heads. She leaves. Siamak thinks Ashoka hasn’t seen my enmity till now but he will see it now. You will not realise how the person you will trust, backstabs you. Charu thinks to destroy the lives of both Ashoka and Dharma for the harm they have done to her and Sushim. Sushim picks up a sword to attack on Ashoka but Charu holds his hand on time. No, neither this place nor time is right for it. Mahamatya and Charu take him from there.
Ashoka looks at Dharma who leaves from there without a word. Ashoka follows her. The lion appears in the courtroom.
Sushim is bare-chested. He hits himself using a hunter. A guy requests him to stop when Sushim hands over the hunter to him. Hit me with full force. The guy says how can I do so. Sushim slaps him hard. I am not made the Yuvraj but it doesn’t mean that you wont listen to me. The guy hits him but Sushim tells him to hit harder. I will kill you otherwise. The guy obliges.
Ashoka says I did not do it for personal reasons. She knows it too. But the people present there will think against you. They will call you opportunist. He doesn’t mind what others think of him. She takes Bindusar’s name. Your father was disturbed by your request. He is taken aback. She says your father loves you a lot. You should have thought well before making such a request. The place and time was not right. She leaves. Ashoka is in thoughts.
Siamak is angry but Helena warns him not to do any foolishness. She says Ashoka’s request and Bindu accepting it will become the reason of impending trouble. Unani army will soon attack on Magadh. No one will be spared. You will not become Yuvraj but Samrat directly.
Dharma talks to Bindu about his reaction. He says I wanted Ashoka to be made the Yuvraj. He surprised me by asking for this right on his own. This shows that he is sure he is capable to handle the responsibility. I am glad. He asks for some alone time. She leaves.
Dharma notices Charu running frantically towards Sushim’s room. Charu asks Sushim what he is doing. Sushim tells the guy not to stop. She tries to stop him but he pushes her. what will you do now? He snatched all the rights from me. You were all quiet then. He tells the guy to continue. Charu begs him not to do this to her. He refuses to stop. I will destroy this body but wont bend down before that Daasi Putra! She cries. Dharma reaches there and is shocked to see it.
Bindu tells Helena to go if Nana ji is ill. But you will be needed tomorrow when Ashoka’s Rajya-Abhishek will happen. I would like to request you to stay back tomorrow to bless Ashoka. She agrees. I did not like Ashoka demanding to be made the Yuvraj just like that. He has changed a lot since he went to Takshshila. Did you expect it from him? He denies. but changes are bound to happen after what he went to through in Takshshila. It is his confidence and not arrogance. She hopes his belief is right. How can a mother, whose son cheated her, believe anyone? But Magadh’s wish for the throne can change people then what will happen afterwards. He hears some commotion.
Charu tells Dharma to leave from there. Since you have come here everything has gone wrong. She again tries to stop Sushim. Bindu comes there. The guy leaves when Bindu orders him to. He next asks Sushim what he is doing. Sushim replies that he is only trying to hurt his body so much that he cannot bear the pain in his soul. The pain given by you is unbearable! I will have to live with this insult till the last breath of my life. You announced me as Yuvraj but then changed your decision! People will mock me. No one will take me seriously or respect me. It is all because of you! You snatched everything from me in a second. Why did you do it? Why cant you love me the way you love Ashoka? Bindu says you both are equal to me but SUshim refuses to accept it. I am your elder son. I have spent more years with you than Ashoka. Have you ever thought? He passes out.
Charu cries seeing his condition. Wake up son. she blames Dharma and Ashoka for it. they both wont be happy ever if anything happens to my son. This is the curse from a mother. Mahamatya suggest postponing Ashoka’s Abhishek till Sushim is better. Radha Gupta says it will only raise questions at Samrat’s decisions. Enemies will make use of it and the citizens will be upset. I can understand Samrat’s pain. Both are his sons only. If Chandragupta Maurya had used his heart then he would have made Justin his successor. He did what was right. Bindu announces that the Abhishek will happen on the said time only. He leaves from the room followed by Shubhrasi. Helena and Charu talk about the impending danger on Dharma and Dharamputra!