[Vakratunda Mahakaya mantra plays]
[Sarva Mangala Mangalye mantra plays]
[Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu mantra plays]
[Aum chants]
[conch blowing]
Rama.
[light-hearted music playing]
You are Lord Mahadeva.
You are worshipped by humans and gods alike.
Yet You chant the name of a human being.
Why so?
You are the Supreme Mother Goddess.
Yet You ask me the answer to this question.
Why so?
Or perhaps,
You do not tire of listening to Lord Rama's story.
When You do not get tired of narrating it,
why would I be tired of listening to it?
The truth is
that uttering Lord Rama's name
and talking about Him appeases the mind.
Why would it not?
Despite being confined to human life,
Vishnu's avatar, Lord Rama, will establish new principles of dignity.
[light-hearted music playing]
Please narrate the Ramayana to me once again.
I have chanted the Ganesh Stuti.
So, there will be no disruptions.
As You wish.
Then let us begin
the tale of the nation's soul
and the Supreme Self,
that of Lord Rama, the upholder of righteousness!
[temple bell rings]
[theme song playing]
[theme song fades]
'Located on the banks of the holy Sarayu River'
'lies a city'
'which, during the Treta Yuga, '
'was the capital of the kings of the Suryavansha descent.'
'The birthplace of Bhagiratha, a king of the Ikshvaku dynasty, '
'and the abode of Raghu and Aja, '
'that which could not ever be conquered...'
'Ayodhya!'
[devotional song playing]
[conch blowing]
[Sanskrit chant playing]
'During that era'
'ruled a king who enjoyed all the luxuries in the world, '
'but what he lacked was a son.'
'He was King Nemi, '
'whom the world would later come to know as Dasharatha.'
[vocalisation]
That concludes the 'sraddha', King Nemi.
Yes, sir.
[music playing]
Grandfather Raghu,
it is with your blessing that I am very ably
running the kingdom of Ayodhya.
The people of Ayodhya are happy.
I have everything today.
Everything...
Barring a son.
[poignant music playing]
A son
who will hold the reins of Ayodhya as my successor.
A son
who shall continue the legacy of the Suryavanshas.
[subjects clamouring]
Please bless me with such a son, Grandfather.
Please pray to your ancestors and offer flowers to them.
Queens Kausalya,
Sumitra
and Kaikeyi,
join me.
[music playing]
[horse whinnying]
[footsteps departing]
[pensive music playing]
[poignant music playing]
Talking about your weaknesses before the subjects
only breaks their spirit.
It is not befitting of the King of Ayodhya.
Kaikeyi, do not forget
that the King of Ayodhya is after all human.
Do you not
fathom my plight?
You and I
have harboured this dream for so long,
and it has not yet been fulfilled.
[iron gates opening]
Your Majesty, it is said
that the dreams seen at dawn always get fulfilled.
I saw a dream at dawn, Your Majesty.
I heard the gentle footsteps of tiny feet
resonating in our courtyard.
Our gardens and chambers
resonated with the laughter
of your children, Your Majesty.
[sentimental music playing]
Children!
Were any of them sons, Kaikeyi?
All four, Your Majesty.
I dreamt that you had four sons.
The four heirs to the Raghuvansha dynasty.
Really, Kaikeyi?
[wind whooshing]
- [swords clanking] - [horse neighing]
[eagle screeches]
Jatayu!
[Sanskrit chant playing]
Jatayu, my friend!
[pleasant music playing]
You arrived unannounced.
What brings you here all of a sudden?
A battle.
I need my friend Nemi's help.
How come the mighty Jatayu, a descendant of Garuda,
needs my help?
Do not jest, my friend.
I jest you not.
This is no ordinary battle.
Lord Indra sent me to seek your help
as Sambhasura has wreaked havoc in Devaloka.
His army of demons has encamped in the Dandaka forest.
His ship is filled with terrifying demons.
That illusory demon can appear in multiple places at once
and attack the opponent.
That is why Lord Indra sent me to you.
Other than King Nemi of Ayodhya,
nobody can put an end to Sambhasura's terror.
Will you help your friend, King Nemi?
[gripping music playing]
[suspenseful music playing]
Everybody attending the court of Ayodhya is hereby informed
that Lord Indra, Ayodhya's ally,
has sought our help.
Ayodhya shall honour its alliance.
In this battle
against Sambhasura,
I hereby declare Ayodhya's unconditional support.
[music playing]
Pardon me, Your Majesty.
[tense music playing]
Why must we be part of a war that has nothing to do with Ayodhya?
The King of Ayodhya does not need
to justify his decision, Sage Jabali.
Minister Sumant,
His Majesty has appointed me as the people's representative.
So, His Majesty is obligated
to answer me in light of the people's best interests.
Guru, I am willing to withdraw my questions
if they are in violation of the rules.
Sage Jabali always raises unwarranted questions.
A king is obligated
to seek the opinion of his subjects.
That is the rule.
I hope His Majesty will answer all your questions, Sage Jabali.
Pardon me, Your Majesty.
Let me present our concern.
If Sambhasura wins, it causes us no harm.
If the gods win, we do not stand to benefit.
Then why must we join this battle
and squander our wealth and men?
[dramatic music playing]
Sage Jabali, there are three reasons for Ayodhya joining this battle.
The first reason is friendship.
My friend has asked for my help.
Those of the Raghu clan always honour their friendship.
The second reason.
If an approaching fire is not doused,
it will not take too long for it to reach you.
The Dandaka forest is not far from Ayodhya.
The third reason.
It is a king's duty
to protect his subjects from any and all danger.
From the danger
that is upon them
as well as that is impending.
Your Majesty, the question is not that easily answered.
A king cannot leave the kingdom in the absence of an heir.
[poignant music playing]
I do not doubt your valour and prowess,
but the future cannot be predicted, Your Majesty.
If something untoward were to happen to you in battle,
what would become of Ayodhya
and the Raghu clan, Your Majesty?
Sage Jabali.
The foremost obligation that comes with the throne of Ayodhya
is that of upholding righteousness
and not the continuation of one's clan.
Your concern is to secure the future of my clan
whereas my concern
is to uphold the honour, dignity and prestige of my ancestors.
I am the descendant of King Harishchandra
who renounced his family to uphold the truth.
I am the descendant of King Bhagiratha
who brought Goddess Ganga on Earth to uphold righteousness.
The blood of the valorous Raghu clan
courses through my veins.
Whether my dynasty carries on or not,
I will never violate the principles
the Raghu clan stands for.
The tradition of the Raghu clan shall live on.
Death over a failed promise!
- Long live... - King Nemi!
[devotional song playing]
Have you taken the water of the Sarayu along with the food?
He prefers only that.
Are you carrying extra shields for the battle?
We are at war against the demons.
You must always be on your guard for the King's protection.
- Long live the king. - Make haste.
[music playing]
I understand,
but your husband is a king.
It is not easy being a king's wife.
You understand your obligations well.
You look after all my needs.
I have a council of ministers to run the entire kingdom,
but you are the one looking after
this kingdom and me.
[joyous music playing]
At least you smiled!
Now, see me off.
May you return victorious.
I shall eagerly await your return
and look after everybody here.
Sumitra, you are so selfless.
It is as if you were born in order to serve others.
You worry about everyone so much.
Kausalya is the most worried.
From the time you declared you will be going to battle,
she has been observing a fast and offering prayers at the temple.
[gentle music playing]
Queen Sumitra tells me you are worried.
I was, and that is why I came here.
My mind is at ease now after having prayed.
May Lord Vishnu help you in the battle.
[conch blowing]
[vocalisation]
[conch blowing]
[unsettling music playing]
[Sanskrit chants playing]
[unsettling music playing]
- [warn horn blows] - [horses neigh]
'Kaikeyi!'
I am leaving for the battle.
May victory be yours, Your Majesty!
I wish to see it in your eyes.
Manthara, come here and help me.
[music playing]
Tie the strings tightly.
What is this obstinacy, Kaikeyi?
Have you heard of any queen doing this?
This is not auspicious.
- 'What are you saying? - It will not bode well, Kaikeyi.
I am getting late. Hurry up, Manthara.
[Manthara weeps inconsolably]
[weeping continues]
[poignant music playing]
Why do you worry so much?
No harm will befall me.
I am Ashvapati's daughter.
I come from a clan of warriors.
The Manthara I knew
would tell me
that there was no woman braver than me in the country.
- What happened to you, Manthara? - This...
This is not auspicious, Kaikeyi.
This is disastrous.
I told you
no harm will come to me.
- My dear mother. - Yes.
Yes!
My child.
[tense music playing]
Goodbye.
[music intensifies]
Please come back, Kaikeyi.
Please come back.
I shall return along with my king.
[conch blowing]
[drums beating]
- Hail King Nemi of Ayodhya! - All hail!
[conch-shell playing]
[horses neighing]
[motivational song playing]
[eagle screeching]
[horses whinnying]
[birds chirping]
Guru, the queen is here.
Greetings, Your Highness.
- Greetings, Your Highness. - Greetings, Your Highness.
Acharya Vashishtha.
[mantra chanting]
Queen Kausalya, the face mirrors the mind.
Please ask.
What do you want to ask?
Acharya, it's about a dream.
I see it repeatedly.
It makes me anxious.
- [conch-shell playing] - [drums beating]
[birds chirping]
You dreamed of Narayana.
[devotional music playing]
[devotional song playing]
Acharya, who is he?
He is the great sage, Kakabhushundi.
[devotional song playing]
What are you doing?
Mother, I'm not doing anything wrong.
You are the luckiest mother in the whole world.
Mother, I'm blessed to see you.
[devotional music playing]
[devotional song playing]
Acharya, I came here to get rid of my doubt
but you are smiling away.
Shri Kakabhushundi's behaviour and his words
have made me even more confused.
Devi, you shouldn't be confused as it's a good omen.
Please silence your mind.
Please focus on Narayana
and let time take care of everything.
Ayodhya, you and the whole world
will soon witness good times.
[theme song playing]
[intense music]
[eagle screeching]
[soldiers marching]
Attention, my friend.
Samabarasura is deceptive.
I'll guard the sky
and you may guard the ground.
[eagle screeching]
[earth shaking]
[horses whinnying]
Attention!
Ayodhya's warriors, please stay unmoved!
[earth shaking]
[horses neighing]
Soldiers, shields up!
[sinister music plays]
Nemi!
You still have time.
Please retreat.
The warriors from Awadh retreat only on two conditions.
Either they return victorious
or martyred!
Fine.
You'll get martyrdom.
Soldiers, attack!
[soldiers shouting]
[arrows swishing]
[eagle screeching]
Friend!
[mantra chanting]
Apologise!
Promise not to attack the deities again
and save your life.
Nemi, the battle hasn't started yet!
[bugle playing]
[soldiers charging]
[horses neighing]
Come on, charioteer!
[horses neighing]
[soldiers charging]
Oh!
[eagle screeching]
[dramatic music playing]
[drawing a sword from the scabbard]
Lord!
[sinister music plays]
[Kaikeyi shrieking]
- [swords clashing] - [thumping]
This is the right moment.
[Kaikeyi straining]
Lord of Ayodhya, you will be fine.
[horses neighing]
[swords clashing]
[arrow clanking]
Lord! Lord!
Kaikeyi, what happened in the battle?
Lord, the battle is going on
but Sambarasura's arrow rendered you unconscious.
I brought you here
to keep you safe.
The battle is going on
but you distanced me from my army!
How could you do this being Ayodhya's queen?
Lord, please forgive me
but I can't lose you.
I can't flout my principles.
Lord!
[horse neighing]
Lord, I...
[wheels rolling]
[horse neighing]
Lord!
The axle of your wheel is broken, lord!
Lord, please stop!
Lord!
Come on!
[swords clashing]
We have overcome fear!
[inspirational music playing]
We are the fearless warriors of Awadh!
- Yes, we are! - Yes, we are!
[dramatic music playing]
[wheels rolling]
[Kaikeyi screaming]
Kaikeyi!
I already told you not to distract me.
You aren't required in this battle.
[Sambarasura screaming]
[dramatic music playing]
Nemi!
You will be attacked from ten directions!
[Nemi grunting]
[horses whinnying]
[mantra chanting]
[thunder rumbling]
[arrow swishing]
[explosion]
[screaming]
[soldiers screaming]
[horses neighing]
[sombre music playing]
- Hail King Nemi of Ayodhya! - All hail!
I fought innumerable battles
but I never saw such bravery and skill before, my friend Nemi.
Though you were riding one chariot,
it seemed you were fighting from ten directions.
Unbelievable.
You aren't just a warrior but someone
who rides ten chariots. You are Dasharatha!
- Hail King Dasharatha! - All hail!
Hail
Lord Dasharatha...
Kaikeyi!
[melancholic music playing]
Kaikeyi! Kaikeyi!
[mellow music playing]
[flames flaring]
[Kaikeyi moaning]
Kaikeyi...
Kaikeyi, please forgive me.
I did a blunder.
You were trying to tell me
that the axle of the wheel was broken
but I ignored you.
I lashed out at you in anger.
- Lord... - I wrongly called your action
a black spot on Raghukul.
You endured humiliation
and suffering
and inserted your hand into the rolling wheel...
Please forgive me. Please!
Lord Dasharatha
can't be overly emotional.
[melancholic music playing]
Kaikeyi,
you earned
my respect
as well as a wish fulfilment.
[mellow music playing]
Kaikeyi, please ask for it.
You may ask for a wish.
Raghukul is victorious today,
thanks to you.
Today, Nemi is known as Dasharatha
because of you.
That's why, Kaikeyi, you may ask
for two wishes and not just one!
Please ask!
Honestly, I can't think of anything right now.
I'll surely ask you when I think of something.
All right.
Lord Dasharatha owes you
two wishes.
You may ask for those wishes whenever you want.
Lord, you have given me
all the comforts of this world.
I couldn't give you all the comforts.
I failed to give you a son.
I failed to give a successor to Ayodhya.
Lord, God gives everything
at the right time.
Lord, wait and watch. Suryavansha will be blessed
with a son one day.
[mellow music playing]
He would be placid like the moon.
[conch-shell playing]
[devotional song playing]
Goddess, where are You lost?
What are you thinking?
Mahadeva, Kaikeyi's sacrifice was unmatched.
Was Dasharatha right
in promising Kaikeyi a wish out of emotions
without knowing what she might ask?
A hasty promise
or an arrow shot without aiming
results in a tragedy in a human being's life.
I'm waiting for the pious moment
when Shri Rama will be born.
How is it connected to a curse or a wish?
Goddess, it is surely connected.
It has a deep connection.
Shrimad Ramayan
is the story of Lord Vishnu's incarnation in a human form.
A human being's life
has principles along with ego,
sins along with virtue
and wishes along with curses.
All of them are intertwined.
[devotional song playing]
[devotional song continues playing]