He closes his eyes. The screen fades to black. Then, carved in stone: the four lions of the Sarnath pillar—the wheel of law (Ashoka Chakra) turning forever at the center of India's flag.
The wheel turns. The story never ends.
Brought to the Mauryan palace, Ashoka is a pariah. The court mocks his rough manners. His stepmother, Queen Helena, plots his death. Only his mother’s silent tears and the quiet strength of his loyal friend, Radhagupta, keep him alive. But Ashoka has one gift: military genius. To prove his worth, he crushes the Taxila rebellion with terrifying efficiency—not with diplomacy, but with a river of blood. Bindusara, impressed yet fearful, gives him the command of the army. Sushima’s hatred deepens into madness. Bindusara dies. A civil war erupts. Ashoka, with the help of the wily minister Chanakya (now aged and ghost-like), outmaneuvers and kills Sushima. The throne is his. He is crowned Samrat Ashoka . But peace does not suit him. His gaze falls south, to the prosperous republic of Kalinga—a land of gold, spices, and fierce pride. chakravartin ashoka samrat all episodes
A young Buddhist monk, Nigrodha (some versions say Upagupta), comes to the palace gates. He asks for nothing but a moment. He recites a simple verse: "Hatred never ceases by hatred in this world. By love alone it ceases. This is an ancient law." He closes his eyes
