Dharma apologizes to God for lying to Ashoka. This has happened for the first time in life. Ashoka will be pained to know this. He might lose his trust on me. There can be no sadder incident than this for a mother. Help me, please! Vasantsena continues to look for Dharma. Dharma prays. Goddess always takes birth on earth whenever evil outweighs the good. My son needs you right now. Help him. Don’t punish him for my folly.
All the citizens have gathered to see Ashoka and Kaurvaki on the horse. Their faith is once again alive in him and dharma. He will surely help us gain freedom. They cheer Jai Janani. Agnibahu is forced to follow Ashoka’s horse as his hands are tied to a rope. Ashoka is holding the other end of the rope in his hands.
Anand informs Acharya Devrath that Ashoka has saved Kaurvaki. Nayak has been defeated. Acharya Devrath hugs him. They both go out.
Kichak hears the sound of the bell. Vasantsena says I have already checked there. She isn’t here. Kichak says I just heard the sound of the bell. Vasantsena calls it his illusion. The commander informs him that none of them could find Dharma anywhere. Kichak orders him to bring Dharma from anywhere at any cost. I don’t want to lose this chance to make Ashoka weak.
Dharma is hiding behind the idol of the Goddess. Acharya Devrath was right. Kichak wants to use me to make Ashoka weak in his mission. I will have to go to Ashoka right away. A soldier stands in her way as she tries to flee from there. She throws the ingredients from her puja thaal at his face and runs from there!
Ashoka stops at a point. Everyone gathers around him. He gives the rope to Kaurvaki to hold and brings one pillar. Acharya Devrath tries to help him but Ashoka asks him to move aside. I have broken my ties with you all. I don’t know what you are fighting for. your selfish decision might have made a girl lose her respect. I couldn’t have forgiven myself ever if this had happened. Acharya Devrath apologizes to him but Ashoka stays put. I will fight my battle alone. I don’t need anyone’s help. Acharya Devrath steps back. Ashoka alone positions the heavy pillar upright. Everyone looks on in shock. There are cheers of Jai Janani from all around.
Dharma meets a few ladies on the way. She gets to know that Ashoka was successful in saving Kalinga’s princess. He defeated Nayak. We are sure he only will become our saviour. Not just this, he has given respect to a woman today. He has shown it that it is the duty of every man to protect a woman. That mother is great who gave birth to a son like him! Dharma proudly smiles.
Kichak refuses to believe it that Ashoka has defeated him yet again. The soldier says this is indeed the truth. He has also kept another pillar to showcase the same. Kichak demands to know what Agnibahu was doing when Ashoka took Kaurvaki with him. Someone shares that Agnibahu was being dragged just like the Kaurvaki was dragged around town by Kichak. Kichak says it means Nayak is no more. If he was alive then he wouldn’t have let it happen. It was wrong to except victory from him when my own sister lost to Ashoka! Today I will myself go. We will come to a conclusion today! Nayak comes there just then.
Ashoka says this third pillar is the emblem of our capacity to bear things. It never makes us weak. It actually gives us strength and makes our resolve stronger. This only is our strength. No one can snatch it from us without our wish! The proof is Kaurvaki. She has proved that people are wrong to mistake a woman weak. The land never prospers where women are insulted. I, Dharmaputra Ashoka, will make such a town where women will be treated equally like men. They will study, think, opine, and speak out on their will. They will be known and respected for their individuality. Everyone cheers.
Kichak asks Nayak why Ashoka isn’t defeated when he is alive. Nayak keeps his sword down in his feet. Kichak scolds Nayak. Did you forget the vow taken by your ancestors? You lost to Ashoka? You lost out to a kid. How will you make up for it? Nayak says he isn’t only physically but mentally also strong. Kichak is not happy to hear him talking nicely about Ashoka. Everyone has disappointed me! How will you make up for this damager? Nayak offers to die on this Maha Shivratri as he failed in living up to his word.
Agnibahu also says Jai Janani. He acts to be sorry for what he has done. Please forgive me. Ashoka says your actions justify death as your sentence. Agnibahu cries. Ashoka says it will be a mistake to raise a weapon on a person who is actually weak. I will punish you in such a way that you will realise what it is to insult someone, especially a woman! Ashoka cuts the hairs off Agnibahu’s hairs. He pulls off his earrings. Agnibahu cries in shame and pain as Ashoka tears off his clothes also. Ashoka announces that this will be the punishment for anyone who insults a woman or stays quiet during that tenure. He turns to go when Kaurvaki holds his hand. you saved my life and respect even after knowing how I cheated you. Please forgive me. He makes her get up. She is about to hug him but he stops her from doing so. I would have done the same thing for any other woman, even if she has cheated me. it is my dharma to respect a woman. I never stop following my dharma come what may! Our paths are separate from hereon! She looks at him as he walks away.
Ashoka walks up to a place. He hears the sound of anklets and immediately takes out his dagger. It is Kaurvaki only. He asks her what she is doing here. I told you our ways are separate. She continues to follow him which irks him. She knows what all he has said. You did not ask me not to follow you or not to come with you. Where should I go then? Kichak will throw me in that hell again if I go back. I cannot go back without freeing my father. I am in a foreign land where I know no one but you. I feel safe with you. You saved me when no one could do so. He replies that he cannot let her either come with him or follow him. Understand it well! She refuses to leave his side. he tells her not to think he will save her. I will follow you even if you are going in the jungle.
People throw things at Agnibahu. Dharma comes there. She asks for Ashoka. People don’t know it. They talk about how good a prince Ashoka is. His parents must be proud to have a son like him. Dharma proudly looks at the Ashoka Pillar. Everyone cheers for Jai Janani. She looks at the statue teary eyed. She hears someone crying and goes to check. It is Agnibhau. He is scared when Dharma tries to help him. Soldiers come in. Everyone evacuates the place, including Dharma as she hears Agnibahu taking Kichak’s name.
Agnibahu cries before Kichak. Kichak is angyr at him. You got so much insulted by Ashoka yet you are alive! Vasantsena stops him from hurting Agnibahu. We have to focus on Dharma right now. She is his weakness. We have to focus on that now. Kichak tells her to be quiet. You yourself could not do anything and are lecturing me now. He warns Agnibahu not to even come before him now. I will kill you. Agnibahu cries. Dharma comes out yet again. Agnibahu asks Dharma who she is. You seem new to this place. I have never seen you here before. Dharma is worried for him. She helps him in making his hand fine again. He asks her if she is a Vaid or something. Your hands are magical. She nods. He notices the gold bangles in her hand. It has a royal emblem. Is she Ashoka’s mother? Kichak is looking for her? Dharma asks him if he knows the way to the Vishwavidyala. He asks her if she is the one who brought Ashoka back to life. She nods. He gets happy. The mother who saved Ashoka will save me now! Come with me, I will take you to Ashoka! Dharma goes with him.
Ashoka asks Kaurvaki to be far from him. She is irked. You will have to tell me now, what my mistake is! You are very brave. I know you hate me as I went against you to help Kichak. Did you ever try to understand why I had to do so! Why did Kaurvaki do that with you! Kichak has kept my father a shis prisoner for 11 years. My mother and father are being punished for a crime they haven’t done. I have seen my mother yearning for him all these years. I want my father to return him his respect. You are also ready to do anything for your mother. How could you not understand it then? Our fights are not different. We are fighting for the same reasons. He points out he did not cheat anyone. she admits doing it. I tried to help you as soon as I realised my folly. I know I can never repay for the damage that happened because of the delay. When I had to choose between my father and innocent people, I chose the people over my father! I got insulted in return. I put my and my father’s life in risk once again. I lost your trust and friendship. The punishment given in justice of the crime is right. If you think my mistake was bigger than that then punish me. I cannot take it if you will disown me. you were speaking about women equality and giving respect to them a while ago. My confidence wavered for a while but I am still strong. I did all this on my own and can do so in future too. don’t worry, I will do it.
Dharma asks Agnibahu if this is the right path. He nods. I know this is the shortest route to take you to Ashoka!
Acharya Devrath questions everyone on Dharma. Where did she go? A lady shares that she was in her room. Other lady points out that she went to temple with Vaid Raj’s temple. A man says I did not see her leaving. Acharya Devrath sends everyone to cross check the info. Anand wonders why he is so worried. People are also confused on his concern for an ordinary woman.
Ashoka follows Kaurvaki so as to stop her but in vain. She is standing on the edge of a mountain. He warns her but she has her back to the edge. She retorts back refusing to believe him. She slips. He runs towards the edge but she keeps her hand up and shouts for help. He tells her to hold onto the stone. I will just be back. She asks him if he will definitely come. He answers in affirmation. Don’t let go! I will come soon.
Dharma is nowhere to be seen in Vishwavidyalaya. A man tells Acharya Devrath that Vaid raj is not back since the day he came to cure Ashoka. Plus neighbours and his family members told me that he has no sister! Another guy tells him that Dharma went to a temple. Kichak and his men were also there. Acharya Devrath falls down in shock.
Agnibahu brings Dharma to Kichak’s palace. Dharma realises Agnibahu has fooled her. Agnibahu addresses her as Rani Dharma. I was forced to bring you here. How would I have saved my life otherwise?
Kichak scolds his men for failing in bringing a woman! It was important for me to have her here but my plan failed. He refuses to hear anything that his sister has to say. You were a part of all my victories till date but I failed today all because of you. Agnibahu steps inside. Kichak demands to know what’s happening. Has everyone become shameless to fail and still come in front of me? I had told you I will kill you if I see you again. Agnibahu requests him to see his gift first. You will give me a prize then. Dharma comes in. She tells Agnibahu that Kichak has actually called his death closer by bringing her here.