Night passes by. Ashoka sits in the same place holding Devrath in his lap. Kaurvaki walks up to him. Get up! Your duty does not allow you to mourn like this. you will have to gget up for your motherland and your mother. She has been held captive by Kichak. You will have to get up to save her. He does not react.
Dharma is sure her son will get up. Nothing in the world will be able to stop this time. It will feel like destruction has come before the destined time!
Anand takes Acharya Devrath’s body from Ashoka’s grasp and takes it away on a stretch with the help of a few people. He finally stands up but is still blank and quiet. Anand sets the pyre. He asks Ashoka to see Acharya Devrath for the last time. Ashoka stands glued to his place. Everyone is in tears as they bid adieu to Acharya Devrath.
Sushim greets his father. I headed back as soon as I got your message. Is everything fine? Bindu nods. I only wanted to meet you. Meet me in the court. He leaves from there. Charu and Sushim discuss about the impending announcement of his successor ship. There will be no obstacle in our way this time!
A messenger brings Kichak’s message to Patliputra. Mahamatya takes the message from him. He is shocked to read it.
Sushim and Charu are walking in the corridor. He looks at Ashoka’s photo in the corridor. Ashoka’s mother’s and Chanakya’s dream will break today. He will be dead. He goes to give him shradhanjali. He talks to Ashoka’s photo about what all he wanted to do. I cannot believe that it will be so easy to defeat you. Father is going to announce me his successor today. He offers flowers to his photos. Helena adds that they will need it now. She shows him the letter sent by KIchak. We are lucky to get hold of it before Bindusar. Sushim reads it. It is clearly mentioned in the letter that Ashoka is alive.
Bindu talks to Ashoka’s photo. I know you aren’t alive but I can clearly remember everything. I had full faith in you when I handed over father’s sword to you while you were leaving for Takshshila. It remained just a dream! He asks a soldier to call everyone to assemble in the court.
It is also written in the letter that Kichak has held Dharma captive. He asks for Magadh in return for Dharma and Ashoka. Bindu asks them what happened. Sushim immediately hides the letter. Helena lies that they were missing Ashoka so they came here. Sushim adds that he used to look at Ashoka as his competitor but I feel incomplete today without him. Bindu hugs him and talks to Ashoka’s photo. The situation and decisions would have been different if you were alive today. Charu diverts his attention to courtroom. Everyone must be waiting for us.
Ashoka stands at the same place and stares at the statue. Kaurvaki wants to go talk to him but Anand stops her. She is worried for Rani Dharma. Anand advises him to give some time to Ashoka.
A guy updates Kichak about Ashoka’s condition after Devrath’s death. Amatya says this it is the perfect time to attack Ashoka. Kichak denies. What if Bindu decides to give Magadh to us? Bhami advises him not to do so. It can go against you.
In the courtroom, Bindusar announces Sushim’s Rajya-Tilak as Magadh’s successor after 4 days.
Amatya tells it’s been 3 days. Ashoka has not moved from his place. He has been hurt so badly that he renounced his weapons. Kichak doubts it might be Ashoka’s drama. What if he is acting to be weak and helpless? Amatya suggests him to become the God of the citizens who Ashoka was protecting.
Kaurvaki tells Ashoka how he can leave trust after inculcating it in people. You made people believe that those who choose the path of righteousness and truth win. Acharya Devrath died for you. Your mother got herself arrested for you. You cannot give up. You will do injustice with all those who trust you. You will have to get hold on yourself. We don’t have much time. He does not even react. She slaps him but in vain. She apologizes to him but he asks her to leave him alone.
Amatya talks about Sikandar who used to tell people he is their God. He was feared so much that many states gave up before him just like that. You should set a similar example that people should fear you. They should accept whatever you say and can never think to go against you! Become the creator of the fate of citizens. Kichak reasons he is just a human being. Amatya talks positively. You are not an ordinary person. This Maha Shivratri can be turned into Kichak Maharatri. Whoever goes against you will have to die. Kichak adds that the Abhishek will begin with Dharma’s blood if Bindusar wont reply to his letter by then.
A guy spreads Kichak’s
Dharma wonders what is happening. Ashoka has not done anything. I am not with him to give him strength. Magadh will be in dark if he does not react now. I pray to motherland and my ancestors to give strength to Ashoka!
Ashoka imagines a lion pacing near the statue he has made. He follows the lion. He is brought to the temple where Dharma had come to with Vasantsena. He is surprised to see Radha Gupta standing there. He addresses him as Acharya but Radha Gupta asks him not to call him that.
Ashoka is surprised to see Radha Gupta standing there. He addresses him as Acharya but Radha Gupta asks him not to call him that. There was a time when I used to feel proud to hear it from you but not today. Is this the same person who Acharya Chanakya trusted with his dream? I came here after overcoming all the obstacles to see this day? No! I came here to see Ashoka who was once a brave warrior. He could turn defeat into victory. There is a coward standing here before me. Is this why Acharya Chanakya died? Is this why your mother and father sent you here? Who taught you to fear death? He replies that he does not fear death. Till when will I fight? I had to lose so much in the process, so many innocent people and so many Acharya’s! Radha Gupta asks him if he will overlook his responsibilities because of this fear. Should your Acharya Chanakya and your grandfather have not chosen the same easy way to escape their duties?
They had nothing else in priority. The same goes for you. Destiny has chosen you to take Magadh to new heights. You want to escape it? Ashoka is tired of hearing about destiny. It isn’t east to bear the weight of so many expectations. I too feel pain. If it was up to me then I will leave everything behind and go far away from here. Radha Gupta says it is past time. You are playing with the dreams and emotions of all the people who trusted in you; risked their life for you! It is too late now. You don’t have this option. You will leave but the citizens will lose in that case. I don’t worry how many responsibilities you have. You have to fulfil them and reach your goal. If you back out now then people wont trust any other Ashoka in future. You don’t have time. You have to make a decision right away! Ashoka says sorry to him. I lost my vision. I forgot about my promises. I vow that I wont stop till I fulfil them. He walks out of the temple determined.
Kichak asks Amatya what he thinks about his letter to Bindu. Why dint he reply till now? Amatya is also confused. They hear someone playing drums loudly and go out to check. It turns out to be Ashoka. Dharma too hears the sound. She is sure it is Ashoka.
Kichak is angry to see so many people gathered downstairs in Ashoka’s support.
Ashoka says history has examples of people who have tried to picturize themselves as Gods. They have been doomed. Till now it was you who was playing games. See what I do now. You wanted to make a son weak by planning to sacrifice his mother on this Maha Shivratri? This time it will be you instead. You wanted to do bloodshed on this Maha Shivratri. There will be indeed blood but it will be your blood. You will have to bow down your head before the people who you have hurt / tortured. In 2 days time I will end your reign here in Takshshila.
Dharma thanks God for giving Ashoka his strength back. Bhami looks at the dried plant of Tulsi. She remarks that the house is destined to doom where Tulsi dries up.
Ashoka tells Kichak to make whatever preps he has to, to save himself but I will show you what happens when death knocks at the door. There will be peace and positivity (Ram-Rajya) in Takshshila once you are finished. Kaurvaki says Jai Janani. People cheer after her.
Charu tells Sushim she can only hear oeple cheering for him since his father has made the announcement. I have made a long list of guests and things to do. Why are you sitting like this? You are going to become the Samrat of Magadh. Why are you so upset? Sushim calls it a dream till it happens in reality. I wont believe it till I sit on the throne for real. She is sure there will be no obstacle in their way now. Samrat wont get to find out ever about Ashoka’s existence. The message! They realise that they left the letter in Ashoka’s room. They immediately rush there. There are many Daasi’s there. Charu dismisses them all. Sushim and Charu look for the letter. Bindusar asks them what they are up to. Charu lies that she dropped her ring here. Sushim gives it to her. She acts. It is so dear to me as it was given to me by Samrat. Bindu is all lost in Ashoka’s thoughts. He talks to Ashoka. You died when you were so far from your family. what could be worse than this? SUshim is angry. Bindu looks at him. I am not comparing you. truth is, you do have some weaknesses. Helena suggests him to control his emotions. We all miss Ashoka but you don’t shed tears on the death of a brave warrior like him. You should be proud. Bindu leaves from there.
Charu and Sushim cannot find the letter there. Charu worries if someone got hold of that letter. What if it reaches Samrat? All three of them get thinking. Who could it be?
Drupad tries to stop his dog as he has the letter in his mouth. That’s not a thing to eat. Bindu asks him to be careful. Why are you troubling him? Drupad says he is troubling me. I sent him to Ashoka Bhaiya’s room to look for a ball. He brought something on his own. What will I tell Ashoka Bhaiya when he returns tomorrow? Samrat calls him Nanhe Samrat. Nothing will happen. Drupad does not want him to call him that. Why dint you wait for Ashoka Bhaiya? Why did you announce that you will let Sushim Bhaiya become your successor? Only Ashoka Bhaiya deserves to be the Samrat. He chases his dog once again. bindu thinks if I had even a little hope of Ashoka’s existence then I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else. I have to make sure everything is in order. I am helpless as I am a Samrat also!
Kichak is surprised to know Bindu has announced Sushim as his successor. Maybe he is not close to Dharma and Ashoka anymore. Amatya advises him to go ahead with his plan. This Maha Kichak Ratri will be amazing. Kichak points out at the irony of the situation. One Rani and son are going to be throned while the other pair will die here. We will see who dies now, Ashoka or Kichak! I will make such a chakravyuh that this Magadh’s Abhimanyu wont be able to escape it.