Ashoka jumps in the well. He lands atop a net. Two soldiers are walking. One guides the other to be very careful while stepping forward. Don’t keep your feet anywhere else. One soldier is unable to do so. He falls down deeper in the well. Ashoka observes them. He very carefully tiptoes to the other side.
Siamak is walking hurriedly in the corridor followed by Bindu and Mahamatya. Mahamatya shouts after Bindu to stop. Don’t be angry. I will personally speak to Siamak. Charu steps in between saying I have to talk to you. Bindu tries to dismiss her but she complains that he has time for Dharma but not for her. He asks her why she takes every convo in the same direction.
Mahamatya alerts Siamak in the meantime.
Bindu tells Charu to say what she wants. She speaks well of Chanda. I like her for Sushim. Bindu says last round is still not over. I will consider your wish and Sushim’s like before making my decision. I will make sure the decision is taken after considering what’s right for everyone and Magadh. He walks away.
Mahamatya dons a cloth over his head. he acts to be an old man who takes the clothes of late Rajmata (as per Siamak). I will donate them like you said. They will bring peace to the soul of late Rajmata. He rushes away before Bindu can see his face. Bindu walks up to Siamak. I said I wont do shraad of a traitor. Siamak says you are right but you don’t know how a son feels about losing his father. I cannot see you in this condition. I got scared. I don’t want to lose you. I was scared you might not like it. I apologize to you for what happened with Vit. Bindu advises him to be good to his younger brother. Siamak agrees to take care in future.
Ashoka notices a man playing with a potli. Ashoka realises that it belongs to him. The guy (Virat) says it is Kalyug. Someone else does the work while someone else enjoys. He steps down from the light. Ashoka finally sees his face as he empties the potli full of gold coins. It is true, right? We are so many yet we get such fewer amounts of coins for us? You Rajvanshi’s have so much money with you! You are my guest as you have come to my place now. I will give you the respect a guest deserves. You Rajvanshi’s never give respect to anyone. He claps. His soldiers steps forward. Virat tells Ashoka not to worry. It is not my habit to give poison to my guest or stab someone in the back. It is the work of you Rajvanshi’s. Ashoka says you know a lot about my family.
Virat shares that he has heard a lot about him. You are more than what I have heard about you. You don’t even know the prize of the lives of the soldiers who protect you. Ashoka calls him a coward who hides away in a well. Virat points out that it isn’t called hiding. We don’t like the kind of places where you Rajvanshi’s live. People are cheated there. We will soon free society from such a kind of stuff. Ashoka says our thoughts are alike. Only our outlook is different. Virat says our method is different as well. I feel your time has come. Soldiers surround Ashoka. Virat steps forward. Do you know why none of your soldier could find out this secret place? No one could go back from here alive. Your time has come. Think of your loved ones for the last time. Ashoka thinks of Vit, his parents and of Kaurvaki.
Devi tells Kaurvaki that Chanda has already begun practising for the dance. She dances so brilliantly. Kaurvaki does not know how to dance. Devi says do you only know how to sword fight. It is the last chance to get Ashoka. How will you get him? Kaurvaki says I will get him because of love. Rani Dharma also said that day that love is like salt in food. It is the main ingredient. Dharma agrees with her. I have decided that all the princesses will perform a skit with princes. Vit says we will do Shakuntalam play. Ashoka will be Dushyant while Kaurvaki will be Shakuntala. Kaurvaki asks her how they will make sure that both of them get the lead roles. Dharma tells her to leave it on her. I know how to do it. Everyone smiles.
Virat asks Ashoka if he is done remembering his family and love. I want to take your body back to Magadh to show them what happens to any Rajvanshi. Ashoka calls it his aggression. I haven’t come here to fight with you. I have only come to take Nirankush with me. Virat tells Ashoka he can take Nirankush with him if he fights with the eagle and succeeds. If you fail in doing so then you will become the lunch of my eagle and his friends. Ashoka accepts the challenge. All the soldiers step back.
Ashoka and Virat’s eagle have a fight. The eagle keeps attacking Ashoka. It snatches Ashoka’s necklace from around his neck. Ashoka throws a torch at the eagle that lets go of the necklace. Ashoka catches it before it can touch the ground. Ashoka kills the eagle with a stone. Virat and his chief look tensed. Virat’s soldiers try to surround Ashoka but Virat tells them to let Ashoka go. I am not Rajvanshi who will back out on his promise. I allow Ashoka to meet Nirankush. I am sure though that he will not be of any help to you. Ashoka goes to meet Nirankush. Virat sadly looks at his eagle.
Virat’s chief tells Ashoka that they found Nirankush in a really bad state. He wont live for long. He leaves. Ashoka asks Nirankush to tell him Gondna’s truth. Nirankush cries. He speaks in gestures. Ashoka notices that his tongue has been cut. It is only one person who can stoop this low to hide his secret. Flashback shows Nirankush meeting Sushim and Rajmata. He requests them to save him from Ashoka. They willingly agree to protect him. Sushim says I will send you to Virat. Nirankush worries for his life. What if he kills me? Helena denies. you will be a bait for Ashoka to reach Virat. Virat will kill Ashoka then. Nirankush says what if Ashoka finds me. They assure him they will make sure he isn’t able to say anything about them to anyone. Sushim holds him from behind while Helena cuts his tongue. Flashback ends.
Ashoka gives water to Nirankush. NIrankush is panicky when Ashoka speaks of taking him to palace with him. Is Gondna in palace? Nirankush nods. Ashoka takes everyone’s name one by one. NIrankush shakes his head hearing Sushim, Siamak, Charus name. Ashoka keeps thinking. It is a woman who lives in the palace. Who is it? Nirankush begins to write in the dirt. Ashoka encourages him to write the name. Nirankush writes the first initial – H.
Nirankush writing the initial H. He screams and holds himself. He takes his last breath and falls. Ashoka wonders whose can be with H. Ashoka leaves from the well cave. Virat tells his men to ruin the well, Ashok has got to know about our secret. He says if you were not my sister Kaurvaki’s lover, I would have not left you alive Ashoka.
Devi Dharma tells about Lalit art competition, you all have to play Shakuntala and Dushyant’s love story, Sushim and Ashoka will get chance to play Dushyant and Rishi’s Vishwamitra’s roles, and anyone of you will get chance to play Shakuntala, other princesses will get to play Gautami, Menka and Shakuntala’s other friends. The princesses say we will become Shakuntala.
Devi Dharma says it will be decided after Ashok returns, till then you all practice your lines in the play. A princess says but I m scared thinking will Ashoka come back alive or not, he has gone on a tough task. Before Devi Dharma answers, Kaurvaki speaks up and asks the princess how can she say Ashoka will not say fine. The princess asks do you know Virat, how can you be sure. Kaurvaki says I don’t know Virat, but I know Ashoka, if you don’t trust Ashoka, then you don’t need to be here. Devi Dharma smiles and thinks I m sure Kaurvaki is the right girl for Ashoka, you will support his dream of having a united India.
Ashoka comes out of the huge well, and it collapses. Ashoka turns and sees the destruction. He says this is not the end Virat, we will meet soon.
Some soldiers put up soil. Virat says its true I hate Rajvanshis, and Ashoka is different, but I m fighting for the tantra for which you work, we are rivals Ashoka, I know we will meet him, you will need me soon. Ashoka comes back to palace and sees Sushim torturing a poor man. He holds the hunter and stops Sushim. Sushim asks how did Virat leave you alive. Ashoka says throw me in any well, till I don’t kill Magadh’s enemies, I will come back again, I told you not to torture Praja then you have to bear punishment, I feel you forgot that. He beats Sushim.
Sushim says you want to beat me right, beat me more. He holds the hunter and says I will show you how to give punishment. Ashoka holds the hunter and asks who is she who has become Gondna. Sushim thinks Ashoka did not know anything from Virat. Ashoka asks was this your plan or Virat’s, tell me truth of Gondna if you want to be alive, I know you are related to it. Sushim says you are also related to that truth, Gondna is Magadh’s enemy. They take swords and have a fight. Ashoka says I know her name initial. Sushim says you can’t reach her, as you are following a ghost. Ashok recalls seeing Helena, and the initial H. he rushes from there.
Sushim follows him. Ashoka reaches Bindusara. Bindusara sees his wounds and asks who did this, Virat? Ashoka says that’s not important, important thing is what I want to say you, just believe me. Bindusara asks him to say whats the truth. Ashoka says you may feel I m saying wrong, but the ghost you all have seen, the secret is related to it, Rajmata’s ghost, Gondna’s truth, the truth is Rajmata is Gondhna, this is complete truth. Bindusara gets back.
Bindusara says I did her last rites myself. Ashoka says this is the deceive, she did not wish to get burnt, she was buried by her wish, she wanted to play this game. He tells them everything and says I found it strange how Gondna came here and committed suicide, Uttar did this to save Gondna, Rajmata knew that I know the truth Uttar is not Gondna, and I will find Gondna everywhere, except one place, that’s this Raj Bhavan, its easy for her to hide here, when we believe she is dead. Sushim comes with Charu and others, and claps. They all laugh at Ashoka’s story. Charu says Ashoka got hurt, that’s why his senses got affected. Bindusara says Ashoka, I think you did much hardwork to do your duty, you need rest, go to your Kaksk.
Sushim says no, Maa is right, this work needs mind’s hardwork too, that’s why Ashoka is dreaming. Siamak asks Ashoka did he lose to Virat, so he is saying all this fake stories, to make us feel you are right heir. Ashoka says fine, why don’t we dig the place and check if Rajmata is there in her grave, then we can know whether I m saying true or not. Siamak says it will be like insulting elders. Charu says doing this can get disgrace and curse on our family. Ashoka says Samrat, we will get proof, if we get nothing, it will be proved I m saying true, if we get dead body there, it will be proved I m wrong. Devi Dharma asks Bindusara to permit Ashoka to testify. Bindusara says I hope Ashoka’s words are true, else it will be big mistake.
The men dig up the grave and find the skeleton. Siamak says that’s Rajmudrika. Ashoka thinks how is this possible. Siamak asks are you all sure now, we have seen the ghost in our place, that’s Ashoka, his shadow has danger, since he came in our lives, our peace got ruined. He asks Ashoka not to regard Rajmata as their enemy, she was against us, but she was our mum, we all have ashamed humanity today. Sushim smiles.
Sushim tells Ashoka that the times of Chanakya are gone with him, even united India’s dream is gone. Ashoka shouts Sushim and holds his collar. Devi Dharma asks Ashoka to leave Sushim. Everyone leave. Ashoka says I have to prove that Helena is Gondna, I will do anything, but I can’t let my country’s enemies rule, even if they are my family, this Chand won’t leave anyone.
Acharya asks Ashoka whose skeleton was it. Ashoka says it has one meaning that her planning was ahead of my thinking. Sushim says 10 years ago, Rajmata did this planning for this day, she kept a woman in her place, now Ashoka will leave thought to find Rajmata, he won’t know Rajmata is Gondna and we are her helpers. Charu says I will make sure Bindusara doesn’t believe Dharma and Ashoka.
Ashoka says I m sure Rajmata is Gondna, I m just one step away, I will find her from anywhere and get her to Bhavana, I will punish her, Chand Ashoka swears this.
Charu asks Bindusara why is Ashoka taking revenge, Rajmata was my mum in law, I got hurt seeing her skeleton, we are thinking of Ashoka and Sushim’s marriages, to secure Mauryavansh, on the other hand, Ashoka is doubting on ancestor’s death and checking their graves, I feel Ashoka’s mental balance is shaken, he used to doubt on people who are alive, now he is doubting on dead. Bindusara says I think where did I get wrong in raising my children, I assure peace and happiness to many families whom I did not ever meet, but my family, who stays with me, I failed in bringing peace and stability, don’t know peace will be founded in my life or not.
Dharma says it will be surely founded, let them get married, their wives will teach them about uniting family and new responsibilities, we should get them married soon, I will do Lalitkala arrangements before time.
Everyone gather for the Lalitkala competition. Ashoka looks around and says Kaurvaki kept her promise. Kaurvaki walks in and he gets shocked. Bindusara says start the competition to find suitable brides for Ashoka and Sushim, I decided both princes will become part of this play and do act with the princesses. Ashoka and Sushim say we can’t do this. Sushim says Ashoka can do this, its his nature. Ashoka says I have no time to act, someone here is showing love for country and going against, I have to expose them. Bindusara says I did not ask both of you, this is command of Magadh’s Samrat. Sushim thinks he has to make some plan to end Ashoka and Padmavati’s love story by using this lalitkala competition.
READ NEXT – Thursday Update on Emperor Ashoka