Mauryas killed through deceit by Nandas. Chandragupta imprisoned.
Mauryas are lured by Nanda to avoid a future threat to the throne. Mauryas are invited for food, lured to a cellar & starved to death. Chandragupta is the only survivor & imprisoned by Nanda.
Nanda (thinking): Maghada’s king Sarvartha Siddhi, my father has retired & gone on a pilgrimage. I anticipate a threat to the throne from the Mauryas.
Nanda: Chandragupta, please join us for dinner with your brothers.
Nanda (thinking): For the last time...
Chandragupta: Sure.
Nanda: Welcome to the palace for dinner. However, there’s not enough space for all of us in the hall. We’ll eat in the cellar.
Chandragupta: Don’t worry, my family & I will eat in the cellar.
Chandragupta walks to the cellar & sits down to eat.
Nanda shuts the door.
Nanda: You’ll never come out alive...
Chandragupta: All my brothers are dead from starvation. How long will I last?
Nanda: What harm can one man do? Get him out & imprison him. Burn the reeking palace.
Parvata Desh’s Parvatak’s spy Kamalapida’s test. Chandragupta solves it & gets released.
Parvatak: Kamalapida, I hear that the smart & powerful Mauryas are dead. Can you gather intelligence from Magadha? Maybe, we can attack them later?
Kamalapida: Sure. I will disguise myself, go to Magadha & conduct a test.
Kamalapida with a stick: People of Magadha, can you solve this mystery? How did this lion go into this cage with no openings?
Lion walks around the cage.
Nanda: My people are baffled. Is there no one who can solve this? The honor of our kingdom is at stake.
Chandragupta: I can solve this mystery.
Nanda: Ok, Chandragupta. If you save Magadha’s honor, I’ll release you.
Chandragupta: Who are you?
Kamalapida: I live in the mountains.
Chandragupta thinking: He must be from Parvata Desha, sent by Parvatak.
Chandragupta: Blindfold an elephant & bring him to the lion.
Elephant: walks towards lion.
Lion: walks around.
Chandragupta (thinking): Why doesn’t the elephant sense the lion & appear fearful? Why doesn’t the lion react towards the elephant?
Chandragupta: Let me offer some food to the lion.
Lion: walks around.
Chandragupta: Why is the lion not reacting?
Kamalapida: The lion is trained to not accept food from strangers. Give it to me.
Kamalapida raises stick.
Lion eats food.
Chandragupta: You have a magnetic lion & a magnetic staff. This lion is not real.
Kamalapida: This is indeed correct.
Nanda: Thanks for saving Magadha’s honor. I’ll release you & put you in charge of guest houses.
Parvatak: What did you find, Kamalapida?
Kamalapida: One Maurya has survived. It is the intelligent Chandragupta.
Chanakya’s cutting of harsh grass. Chandragupta’ invite & Nanda’s insult.
Chandragupta: Who is this Tejaswi Brahmana walking? He doesn’t look like an ordinary person.
Chanakaya walks. Stops.
Chanakya: This harsh grass hurt my feet. It will hurt the feet of other passers-by as well. It is best to remove it.
Chanakya starts removing grass.
Chandragupta thinking: There is a lot of harsh grass. What is this Brahmana going to do?
Chanakya keeps removing the grass.
Chandragupta: This Brahmana has removed all the grass. Such determination. Having him as my advisor will be good for me.
Chandragupta: Revered sir. I am Chandragupta. Who are you? Can I please serve you lunch in my seat of honor?
Chanakya: Thank you for the invitation. I am Chanakya.
Chanakya starts eating.
Nanda: Chandragupta, I’ve just arrived from a hunt. Serve me food. What? The seat of honor is taken? How dare you? Get up.
Chanakya ignores him & continues eating.
Nanda: You wretch. How dare you ignore me?
Nanda kicks his plate & pulls his Shika.
Chanakya in anger: You arrogant king! A person with such arrogance cannot be a ruler. I shall not tie my undone Shika until I dethrone you.
Nanda laughing derisively: What can you, a poor Brahmana in rags with a funny undone Shika do to me, the king?
Chanakya solicits Parvatak’s help. Plans to neutralize Lampaka.
Chanakya: Chandragupta, what is your relation to Nanda?
Chandragupta: Nanda is my cousin. He killed my family through treachery.
Chanakya: You have shown the humility required of a king. I will dethrone Nanda & make you king. Who has eyes on Magadha?
Chandragupta: Recently, Parvatak had sent a spy over. He must have designs on Magadha.
Chanakya: Let’s approach him.
Chanakya: Raja Parvatak, help us dethrone Nanda & make Chandragupta the king. I’ll give you half of Magadha.
Parvatak: I have threats of my own. Lampaka Raja is planning to invade Parvata Desha. Magadha also has the Kashi Raja as an ally. The alliance is formidable.
Chanakya: I’ll handle Lampaka Raja & Kashi Raja. I need two intelligent spies.
Parvatak: Kamalapida, help Chanakya.
Kamalapida: Chanakya, I’m here to do your bidding.
Kamarupa set against Lampaka.
Kamalapida: Kamarupa Raja, we seek a royal alliance between your beautiful yuvarani & our brave yuvaraja, Malayaketu.
Kamarupa Raja: I’m pleased with the proposal.
Kamalapida’s spy employee interrupts: Sorry, Kamalapida, here is an urgent letter for you.
Kamalapida reads the letter.
Kamalapida: Honorable Kamarupa Raja, I deeply apologize. We can’t proceed with the alliance.
Kamarupa Raja (angrily): What does the letter say?
Kamalapida hesitates: My apologies, my lord. I can’t bring my tongue to read it.
Kamarupa Raja (angrily): Minister, take the letter and read it.
Kamarupa Mantri: It is reported Lampaka Raja called the Kamarupa Raja a man of low origin since one of his ancestors had married a commoner. In light of these remarks, we apologize that we have to withdraw the proposal.
Kamarupa Raja (fuming): Lampaka Raja will pay for his malicious & defamatory remarks. Prepare for war.
Kashi Raja solicited for help. Nanda’s minister Amatya Rakshasa plots against Parvatak & Malayaketu.
Chanakya: Diplomacy is making enemies neutral, neutral folks into friends, friends into allies. Build relationships.
Parvatak: Yes, wise one.
Chanakya: Send Kamalapida to Kashi Raja. Don’t worry about his alliance with Magadha.
Kamalapida: Kashi Raja, Parvatak seeks your alliance in deposing Magadha’s Raja Nanda. Break off your alliance with Nanda & ally with us.
Kashi Raja: Wait Kamalapida.
Kashi Raja: Send an envoy immediately to Nanda.
Kashi Raja envoy: I bear a message from Kashi Raja. Raja Nanda, Chandragupta seeks to depose you. He seeks an alliance with me. I am committed to our alliance. What should I do?
Nanda: I spared Chandragupta & this is how the wretch behaves? Prepare for war. Minister Amatya Rakshasa, why does he approach Kashi Raja knowing that we’re allies?
Rakshasa: Let Kashi Raja pretend to ally with Chandragupta. Capture Chandragupta, Parvatak or Malayaketu by surprise & we can end the uprising.
Kashi Raja envoy: Kashi Raja, Nanda suggests that you pretend friendship with Chandragupta. Capture Chandragupta, Parvatak or Malayaketu by surprise & we can end the uprising.
Kashi Raja: Kamalapida, we’ve decided to ally with Parvatak.
Kamalapida: Thank you, Kashi Raja. We’re honored. Chandragupta, Parvatak or Malayaketu will join you shortly to help command the army.
Kamalapida delays Kashi Raja.
Kashi Raja: I’m anxiously waiting for Chandragupta, Parvatak or Malayaketu. When will they come?
Kamalapida: They should be here shortly.
Kashi Raja: I’ve been waiting days. When will they come?
Kamalapida: I don’t know what’s keeping them. They should be here shortly.
Kashi Raja: I’m anxious. I’ve waited so long. When will they come?
Kamalapida: I’m also worried, my Raja. They were supposed to be here soon. I don’t know why they’re delayed.
Chandragupta & Parvatak plan attack. Nanda plans defense. Nanda interrupted by Rishi Masopavasi’s Yajna.
Nanda: Chandragupta’s armies are here. We’ve also planned our defense. Let’s fight.
Rakshasa: I’ve arranged a Yajna for our victory.
Masopavasi: I’ve started a Yajna. At the final offering, the enemy soldiers will collapse & die.
Nanda: We seek your blessings, Rishi. Now, on to battle.
Nanda’ setback & counter-attack by Rakshasa.
Nanda: Chandragupta’s army has an upper hand over us? What to do?
Rakshasa: Don’t worry my Raja. I’ll lead a counter attack.
Nanda: I’m indebted to you, Rakshasa. Your courageous counter attack saved the day for us.
Malayaketu’s ‘capture’. Surprise attack on Nanda joined by Masopavasi. Chandragupta’s victory. Half Magadha given to Parvatak.
Rakshasa: My spy reports that Kashi Raja has captured Malayaketu & is delivering him to us. Masopavasi is also about to end his Yajna.
Nanda: Excellent news. Let us go to Masopavasi.
Rakshasa: Here comes the palanquin with the captive Malayaketu.
Nanda: Malayaketu, you’re now our captive. We’ll release you only if Parvatak gives us Chandragupta. Why aren’t you coming out? Are you shy?
Nanda (in shock): Oh no! This is not Malayaketu. These are Chandragupta’s soldiers in disguise. We’ve been fooled. What? Masopavasi is burning our sites? He is also Chanakya’s spy in disguise.
Chandragupta: Nanda, your end has come for your treachery.
Chanakya ties up his Shika.
Chandragupta: Wise Chanakya, I owe my victory to you.
Chanakya: We’re not out of danger yet. Nanda’s sons have escaped. They may mount a future rebellion.
Chandragupta: I’m prepared for war.
Chanakya: It is best to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Sometimes, we have get rid of a few through unethical means for the greater good.
Kamalapida: I have tracked their maid & bribed her. She will poison Nanda’s sons.
Rakshasa entices Parvatak to rule all of Magadha. Chanakya’s spy listens in.
Rakshasa: I’ve failed in my duty to safeguard Nanda’s kingdom. Nanda was not a noble king. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that Nanda’s sons were killed through treachery. I must take revenge. Parvatak helped Chandragupta out of greed. If I entice him with greed, he will help me too.
Rakshasa: Parvatak Raja, Chandragupta used your army to gain Magadha. In return, he only gave you half the kingdom. You deserve to rule all of Magadha. I can help you.
Parvatak: But Chandragupta is ruling now…
Rakshasa: I can help you get rid of Chandragupta.
Parvatak: Ok.
Chanakya’s spy: Chanakya, Parvatak has turned. He is plotting with Rakshasa against Chandragupta.
Chanakya prevents poisoning of Chandragupta by Rakshasa’s Vaidya.
Chandragupta: I feel ill.
Raja Vaidya: Please have this medicine, Maharaja. It will cure you in a few days.
Chanakya: A king must ensure that someone else eats everything in his presence before he eats it. Raja Vaidya ji, can you please taste it?
Raja Vaidya eats it in despair. Dies.
Rakshasa: I’ve lost such a good friend.
Rakshasa’s spy informs Chandragupta’s plan to move into rebuilt Nanda’s palace.
Rakshasa: My spy informs me that Nanda’s palace is being rebuilt. I’ll have my architect friend build a secret cellar.
Rakshasa: The palace is built. My spy informs me that Chandragupta will move in.
Chandragupta: What a beautiful palace. I’m ready to move in.
Chanakya inspects & finds ants with grains of rice from the basement. Burns the palace. Assassins killed.
Chanakya: The palace must be properly inspected before moving in.
Chandragupta: My Rakshak team has already inspected everything. Everything is in order.
Chanakya: Let me check anyway.
Chanakya walks around.
Chanakya: Everything does look ok. Wait, what’s that?!
Ant: slowly walks out of a floor crack carrying rice.
Chanakya thinking: If an ant is coming out of the floor carrying rice, someone is underneath in a secret basement who has eaten food.
Chanakya: Burn the palace.
Chandragupta: My beautiful new palace, burnt to ashes!
Chanakya: A king should always be steady minded & never get excited. Come over. See the bodies of the soldiers hiding in the basement.
Rakshasa: I’ve lost so many of my trusted warriors.
Rakshasa sends Vishakanya. Redirected to double-crossing Parvatak.
Rakshasa: I’ll send a Vishakanya to Chandragupta. He will be poisoned & die if he touches the girl.
Chanakya: Chandragupta, send her to Parvatak.
Kamalapida: Parvatak is dead.
Chanakya: I suspected that she was a Vishakanya sent by Rakshasa. Parvatak is no longer loyal & has joined hands with Rakshasa.
Rakshasa convinces Malayaketu to attack Magadha.
Rakshasa: How does Chanakya anticipate every move of mine?
Rakshasa: Malayaketu, Parvatak, your father was unfairly killed by the Vishakanya sent by Magadha. Attack Magadha.
Malayaketu: Plan for war.
Chanakya’s spy watches Rakshasa’s family & gets seal. Spy ‘saves’ Rakshasa’s friend from Chandragupta’s soldier. Infiltrates Rakshasa’s circle.
Chanakya: My spy who was watching Rakshasa’s family spotted his wife dropping his ring by mistake. I now have it. I can use it.
Rakshasa’s friend: Chandragupta’s soldiers, please don’t punish me. It is true that I was Rakshasa’s friend, but I was not plotting anything. Oh, somebody save me. Save me.
Chanakya spy: Pretends to fight off Chandragupta’s soldiers who retreat.
Rakshasa’s friend: Thank you for saving me.
Chanakya’s spy: Let us go to Rakshasa.
Rakshasa’s friend: Rakshasa, so glad to meet you. This person saved me from Chandragupta’s soldiers.
Rakshasa: I’m indebted to you. You’ve put your life in danger for us & will not be safe if you go back. Please stay with us.
Chanakya’s spy: Thank you.
Chanakya ‘fights’ with Chandragupta. Malayaketu plans attack
Chandragupta: Why are there no celebrations? It is my coronation day?
Chanakya: I ordered no celebrations.
Chandragupta: I’m the king.
Chanakya: Don’t forget who made you king.
Rakshasa: Chanakya & Chandragupta are fighting. Now is the right time to attack, Malayaketu.
Malayaketu: I’m ready with my war plans. My allied kings are here.
Chanakya’s spy is caught. Treacherous letter with Rakshasa’s seal.
Malayaketu: Halt! Who is there? Catch him & bring him.
Chanakya’s spy with a letter.
Malayaketu: What letter is this with Rakshasa’s ring seal? What? Rakshasa is accepting Chandragupta’s offer to me minister? My allied kings will betray me?! Kill the kings who pretended to be my allies.
Rakshasa: Malayaketu, what have you done? Why did you kill your allies?
Malayaketu: I now know of your treachery. See this letter with your seal.
Rakshasa: This is not my writing!
Malayaketu: But this has your seal. To avoid Brahma Hatya, I’m letting you go reluctantly.
Rakshasa thinking: It is useless arguing with idiots.
Chanakya convinces Rakshasa to be Chandragupta’s minister. Retires.
Rakshasa: Who is coming towards me? It is Chanakya.
Chanakya: Respected Rakshasa, my job is done. I wish to return to an Ashram to teach. I need someone loyal & intelligent to be Chandragupta’s minister. My quarrel with Chandragupta was faked.
Rakshasa: I’m honored that you’d treat your adversary in this manner.
Chandragupta: Please stay, Gurudev. I owe everything to you.
Chanakya: Chandragupta, you & your kingdom are in good hands with Rakshasa as your minister & advisor. My job is done. I’ll now retreat to an Ashram to be a teacher.
