Ashoka throws a rope down. He asks Kaurvaki to hold it. She does so. He tells her not to let go of it. You trust me, right? She nods. He manages to successfully pull her up. They end up falling on the ground. Kaurvaki asks him why he did not really tell her about the edge. He points out that he did say it. but I saved you. She asks him till when will he continue to do so. He replies that he will do it as many times as she will fall.
Anand asks Acharya Devrath why he is focusing on that woman instead of Ashoka. We should think of pacifying him first. Acharya Devrath says we wont be able to do so if something happens to that lady. She isn’t an ordinary woman, but Rani Dharma. Everyone is shocked. I cannot lose time. I have to find her before Kichak finds her.
Dharma tells Agnibahu that he brought Kichak’s death close by bringing her here. I am only the indication of your death. You look so shocked by seeing me here. Think what will happen when Ashoka will come here. She sits down on Kichak’s throne. Kichak and everyone look on stunned. Dharma says you made the biggest mistake by bringing me here. You have only seen Ashoka tolerance till now. You haven’t seen his anger. When he can do so much for a girl then he can do a lot more for his mother when she has been held captive by you! This is why I am saying Kichak, your death is certain! Kichak points out that if she was not important for him then he would have cut her tongue. Bhami stops her. you have invited death here. Return her safely to Ashoka if you want to stay alive. He slaps her. She again requests him. Kichak asks his soldiers to keep her in the cell where other ordinary captives have been kept. Bhami says she is Devi Dharma, magadh’s Rani, and above all a woman. When a woman was insulted in the past (in Mahabharata, etc.) then everything was finished in no time. Takshshila might be the place where you rule but it is my home. Please don’t insult it like this. Amatya seconds her. What if Bindu finds out that you are misbehaving with Rani Dharma? Kichak agrees. Keep her in a separate cell. Dharma smiles.
Kaurvaki wants to rest for a while but Ashoka refuses. I don’t need to. She reasons that she wants to rest. He agrees. They both sit down for a while. She asks him till when will they stay here, what’s to be done next. He has no answers to any of her questions. He even replies I don’t know when she asks him hs name. She laughs hearing his answer. He stares at her.
Acharya Devrath stumbles upon hearing the punishment given to Dharma. What will I tell Ashoka? He accepted me as his Guru. It is my duty to protect him. Anand shares that one should either not start the journey of truth or should not stop in his path once he does so. Don’t stop now. Acharya Devrath decides to bring Dharma back safely even if he has to sacrifice his life in the process.
Amatya wants to convey their message to Ashoka. Kichak says he will automatically come when he knows of this. Send my message to Bindu also. Entire Magadh will be under my feet then. send this message to Patliputra without fail.
Kaurvaki is trying to look something to eat when Ashoka stops her. You could have died if you had eaten that. She says I am hungry. He turns to go look for something when she murmurs that he is so good. He asks her if she said something. She says I was wondering what will we get to eat here. He mutters that princess wants to have bhoj here.
Acharya Devrath wants to attack on the palace tonight to bring back Dharma safely. He leaves with his men.
Kaurvaki is impressed to see what all Ashoka has managed to get. She remarks that her mother only used to arrange so much food for her. who did you learn to cook food from? Your mother must be a good cook. You cheated me by hiding this from me. People can be bad but no one can cheat you after knowing you. Ashoka is in thoughts. He recalls seeing his mother’s reflection in water when he had bent down to touch her feet; overhearing her another second. He asks aloud why his mother lied to him. he goes from there. Kaurvaki follows him.
A Daasi brings food for Dharma but she denies. Bhami takes the plate of food from the Daasi. She tells Dharma it wont do any good to anyone if she wont eat it. eat it for your baby atleast. Dharma apologizes to her. I don’t want to insult you or food. I don’t want to nurture my son with the food bought by money that is gained by torturing people. Bhami asks her if she can ask something from her. Dharma politely says no. I have always taught Ashoka not to do violence. I have followed what Acharya Chanakya taught me. I wont let my personal thoughts overshadow logic. Samrat had overlooked Acharya’s suggestion once and allowed your husband to rule here. I wont repeat that mistake. Bhami leaves. Dharma thinks she did mistake by hiding the truth from Ashoka. What will he do when he finds the truth?
Kaurvaki asks Ashoka why is he so restless. He says lie is the reason. I can bear it if anyone lies to me but how can my mother do so. She hid her truth from me even when she was around. how could she think I will not recognize her? She is surprised. Your mother is here? He nods. she called herself a Daasi and treated me. she hid the truth but did not lie to me. she did not lie when my life was in danger. She never stopped saying the truth even in the worst conditions but why did she do so with me! She knows how much I hate lies. Kaurvaki walks up to him. I don’t know your mother but as far as I know you, I am sure she is a great woman. You said she never lies even in any situation. There must be a very big reason behind her doing so. Think what she must be feeling. You were dead for her in that ship that sank. How difficult will it be to see you in this condition? You got upset with your allies when they did not tell you about me. what would have happened if anything had happened to you? A lot many other women would have been made the Nagarvadhu like me. Guru’s and parents are the only one who knows what is right or wrong for us. They are not always right but they always try to do what’s right for us. Ashoka realises his mistake. I have to meet my mother right now.
Bindu rushes in his mother’s room. Vaid shares that she has high fever. She will be fine but she is getting old. Anything can happen anytime. Everyone leaves. Helena tells Bindu the truth is, her end is near. You have loved and respected me more than my own son. what else can a mother ask for? I know you are in grief after Ashoka’s death. I have seen your father taking decisions in difficult times. It is my wish that you should announce your successor while I am still alive. What’s the harm in doing it today? we have to do it some day anyways. Siamak is very young and so is Drupad. Sushim is the only eligible kid. You should announce him as your successor. This is my last wish. Bindu agrees. He might not have reached Takshshila by now. I will send a message and call him back. I will find a perfect mahurat and do the necessary things. Helena says I did not give birth to you but I wish I give birth to a son like you in my next birth. He tells her to take rest. Charu comes in just when Bindu leaves. Helea advises her to do something about Ashoka before Bindu finds out he is alive!
Acharya Devrath and a few of his men enter inside Kichak’s palace stealthily. AMatya is watching it from far. Amatya thinks he is neither emotional nor a fool like Chanakya. Devrath is both though. He did not realise when he fell in my trap. Acharya Devrath realises that they are being trapped. We should leave. Soldiers surround them from all the sides just then. There is a fight from both the sides. A lot many soldiers die in the process.
Ashoka is walking nonstop while Kaurvaki is all drained out. They stop as strong wind starts blowing. He feels as if something is about to go wrong. I have to reach Vishwavidyalaya without any delay.
The soldiers hurt Acharya Devrath and a few men. Acharya Devrath asks everyone to leave. I will meet you soon. He gives them Ashoka’s swear. They finally leave. The very next moment, he is surrounded by a lot many soldiers.
Ashoka borrows a horse from a random person.
People pray for Acharya Devrath’s well being. What will we say to Ashoka if anything happens to Acharya?
Ashoka and Kaurvaki are on their way to the Vishwavidyalaya.
Acharya Devrath is being brought before Kichak. He says he is useless to me. Where is Ashoka?
Devrath tells him not to be so keen to meet Ashoka. He is your death. You have arrested his mother. You are still alive as Ashoka does not know of this. There is still time. Free Rani Dharma with respect. Kichak says I know how important she is for Ashoka. This is why I have held her captive. You want me to free her? Trust me. I know how significant she is to me. She is my ladder to reach Magadh. I will bring Bindu and Ashoka on their feet using her! Devrath laughs at him. I did not you were such a big fool. One should know anything about their enemies beforehand. You don’t know Ashoka can die but will not stoop down before anyone. I wont let you even do so. Kichak is about to kill him when Bhami intervenes. He still manages to hurt Acharya Devrath on his hand. You want to protect an enemy? He stops his hand mid-air as he realises something. You said Ashoka is unaware of the fact that his mother is in my arrest. Take him to that pillar on the crossroad and tie him there. I will show everyone his death. I will set a lesson for everyone as to what I do to the rebels. Acharya Devrath advises him to pray that this news should not reach Ashoka before his death. People will otherwise see your death there instead of mine! Kichak angrily repeats at the soldiers to take Devrath away. They oblige.
Ashoka and Kaurvaki reach Vishwavidyalaya. He sends her to her room. He finds the place deserted. He calls out for his mother.
Kichak hits Acharya Devrath with a hunter as he takes him to that pillar. Devrath keeps saying Jai Janani all along. He is badly wounded. Kichak says this is the example for my rebellions. I will kill anyone who will dare to raise their head against me! Where is your Ashoka now? Is he scared of me now?
Ashoka comes to his mother’s room. The diya is wavering. He thinks his mother cannot leave it alone like this. Kaurvaki tells him that there is no one in the Vishwavidyala. We should go to the village. He picks up a sword.
The soldiers tie Devrath to the pillar. People stand there and look on. Kichak looks at Devrath. I am leaving some breaths in your body, just so when that Ashoka comes to you, you can tell him his end is near! He stabs Devrath using a dagger. Devrath prays. God has chosen Ashoka for a big motive. If he does not return today then people will lose their trust. Bring him back for them! Ashoka screams Acharya as he notices Devrath tied that ways. Acharya Devrath is relieved to see him. Ashoka frees him. Who did this? How did it happen? Acharya Devrath apologizes to him for lying to him. Ashoka tells him not to say so. I could not understand your outlook. I was only looking at things from my perspective. I could not understand your worry. I understood that my mother was here and have also understood the reason behind that truth. Forgive me. Devrath tells him that Kichak has held his mother captive in his prison. Ashoka assures him KIchak will be punished. Devrath asks for a promise. You wont take any decision in haste. You will win this war by being patient and certain. Ashoka agrees. Devrath breathes his last. Ashoka is in tears.
Dharma refuses to believe it. Say that it’s a lie! Bhami tells Dharma that she tried to stop her husband but in vain. Dharma says everything will be finished now. I can sense it that my son will come and he will come in such a way that everything will be destroyed! He will come like a storm and everything will be finished.
Ashoka screams Acharya. Kaurvaki tells him to get up. She calls out for help but no one is around. The person who helped you, protected you and sacrificed everything for you, how can you leave him alone here today? People come out of their houses. Ashoka is still sitting there blank. Kaurvaki tells him to look around. Everyone is with you. It is time to give a fitting reply to Kichak. Ashoka picks up his sword and throws it away. He is in tears as he looks at Devrath.