[mellow music playing]
Rama, nobody cared to know my truth till now.
But, Rama, you dared
to know the emotion hidden behind the stone.
Mother, please tell us the truth
hidden behind this statue for years.
I, Ahalya,
was created by Lord Brahma.
I'm one of the five daughters of Lord Brahma.
Although
the world counted me as one of the most beautiful women,
Maharishi Gautama made me his wife
and a part of his life.
'I was happy.'
'I had everything.'
'I had a loving husband'
'like the scholarly Maharishi Gautama'
'and an adorable, obedient son like Shatananda.'
I was sure
that my life could never go wrong.
It was my illusion though.
'I didn't know'
'that my beauty would prove to be my enemy.'
'I was unaware when Lord Indra eyed me up.'
'I was unaware'
'that Lord Indra was waiting for a chance'
which would prove to be catastrophic to my life.
It would soon ruin my family life.
[melancholic music playing]
[Shatananda reciting mantra]
Ahalya.
Yes.
Yes, lord.
- I'm going for the evening bath. - Okay.
I'll ready the evening 'puja' materials by the time you return.
Let's go, students.
[suspenseful music playing]
Son Shatananda.
Your father went for the evening bath
but he left his clothes here.
Please go and give these to him.
Okay, Mother.
[suspenseful music playing]
It's you!
Did you realise
that even though you went for the evening bath,
you forgot your clothes here?
I sent Shatananda out to give you your clothes.
[dramatic music playing]
I left my clothes here
so that you send Shatananda away
and we get to spend some private moments.
Ahalya!
[mellow music playing]
Rama!
I was entrapped in Indra's illusion.
'I failed to understand'
'that it was a stranger in my husband's garb.'
'And the unthinkable happened.'
[suspenseful music playing]
Who are you?
How dare you impersonate me and enter my ashram?
[dramatic music playing]
Indra!
Deities protect the humans and sages
but you eyed a sage's wife...
You don't deserve to be the king of the Gods
or fit enough to receive the offerings of yajna!
No! No, sage!
Sage, please forgive me.
Sage, I made a blunder.
You deserve to suffer every moment of your life
because of the sin you committed!
[conch-shell playing]
No, sage.
I, Gautama,
curse you owing to the austerities
of my entire life, Indra!
No, Maharishi. Please don't do that!
You were lured by beauty and sinned!
So you'll lose your good looks!
Sinner, you degraded your position!
You'll suffer from illness for a lifetime!
No, sage.
Your whole body will have uncountable wounds!
Indra, you'll lose your masculinity!
Asuras will register a win against you during a war!
- I curse you! - [conch-shell playing]
[Indra screaming]
[Indra continues screaming]
'Maharishi Gautama looked at me blankly.'
'He was mum.'
It would soon wreak havoc in my life.
[gloomy music playing]
What was my fault?
Was it my mistake that I couldn't prove my loyalty as a wife?
Or was I mistaken
to have not understood the evil ways of a sinner?
[gloomy music playing]
Were you really unaware
that it wasn't me?
Do you doubt me?
If I knew,
would I have allowed Lord Indra...
He came near me
and deceived me.
He didn't appear like Lord Indra
but exactly like you.
He created
- an illusion to... - Ahalya!
Indra is a sinner
but you are a loyal wife!
Then how did you fail to recognise Indra's illusion?
He touched you
but you failed to recognise the difference!
I can't believe
that a woman can't differentiate between the touch of her husband
and a stranger.
Ahalya, tell me the truth!
How could you commit adultery even though you are a sage's wife?
You have a loose character!
[thunder rumbling]
If a woman fails to understand
a person's motive
by their words, mannerisms and touch,
she is akin to a stone!
[intense music]
I curse you!
You will turn into a stone statue right away forever!
I curse you!
[dramatic music playing]
[Ahalya whimpering]
Lord, please don't punish me!
Please hear me out.
Please hear my side of the story.
After what I saw, I needn't know anything more.
No, Ahalya.
You don't deserve forgiveness.
You will have to bear my curse!
You will suffer all alone.
Anyone who enters this area
will be considered a sinner like you.
The person who is devoid
of lust, anger, arrogance, attachment, greed and jealousy
will be able to remove your curse!
[thunder cracking]
Mother.
[melancholic music playing]
[bell clanging]
[theme song playing]
[theme song crescendos]
I was wronged
but I was punished.
The verdict was given without hearing my side of the story.
Since then I have been waiting
for somebody to come and listen to my painful story.
Finally,
you came here, Rama.
She can't be trusted.
How could the great Maharishi Gautama curse her mistakenly?
[pensive music playing]
If a husband
can't see the truth behind his wife's tears,
isn't that a sin?
The biggest sin in a relationship
is to lose respect for that relationship.
If Sage Gautama hadn't lost respect for her,
he wouldn't have cursed Mother Ahalya
and the bond of a husband and a wife.
A criminal should surely be punished for his crime
but not the victim.
A woman's body isn't the yardstick
to measure her purity.
In fact, it's her intent.
It's her conscience.
Mother, I regret
that your husband failed to empathise with you.
Please know that I understand.
You are chaste, Mother.
The curse given to you was unwarranted.
[vocalisation]
[conch blowing]
[devotional song playing]
[conch blowing]
When a mother gives birth to a child,
she becomes unconscious
and still for a while.
The child's wail,
its tears and movement is what wakes her up, Mother,
and brings her back to life.
So, your son is here to awaken you, Mother.
Please wake up, Mother.
Please come back.
[flute playing]
[devotional song playing]
Mother.
[theme song playing]
[devotional song playing]
Mother!
Son.
Mother.
Mother!
Please forgive me.
I am that unfortunate son
who could not fathom my mother's plight.
I have spent my entire life in remorse, Mother.
Please forgive me, Mother.
Please forgive me!
No, son.
I am not angry with you, Shatananda.
A person matures as he grows older.
[sighs]
It is time for my departure, Rama.
My life's purpose is fulfilled
which was none other than
to be a part of your journey
and enlighten the world about relationships.
Your truth has liberated me today.
Just as I am departing this world by chanting your name,
every soul shall depart in the same manner.
Rama is the only truth.
In life, loss or gain,
curse or blessing,
and pure and impure, hold no significance.
The only thing that matters is the truth.
This thought alone
shall deliver mankind from the cycle of birth and death
and liberate them.
Rama is the only truth.
- Rama is the only truth. - Rama is the only truth.
[conch blowing]
[flute playing]
Incredible.
Rama is the only truth.
Yes, Goddess.
There is no greater truth
in the world than Rama.
Human beings like Lord Rama
deliver others from suffering without caring about their ignominy.
They think about others rather than themselves.
The journey of the lives of such men finally culminates in the truth.
On the other hand, there are people like Ravana.
Nothing means more to them
than personal gain, pride and success.
This was the reason
Ravana was prepared to attend Sita's 'svayamvara'.
[conch blowing]
[singing devotional song]
[continues singing]
- [singing concludes] - [conch blowing]
Bid your husband adieu, Mandodari.
Bid you adieu! Where are you going?
Mithila.
[tense music playing]
Mithila!
To the 'svayamvara' whose invite was not sent to Lanka!
Invitations are sent to guests,
not to the groom.
Not inviting the King of Lanka
is nothing short of a challenge, Mandodari.
My son Meghanada is married
and he does not wish to have a second wife either.
I am not going to Mithila for Meghanada's sake.
[intriguing music playing]
Then this challenge shall only bring ridicule, Demon King.
You are older than Janaka.
Undoubtedly!
Neither am I Janaka
nor Sita's father.
Only those who consider themselves old
are the ones who age.
Do you consider my love and care to be lacking after all these years?
Mandodari,
you are the priceless gem
whose lustre and resplendence
shall never fade.
You will always be my first queen.
Then why the daughter of Janaka?
I am not going to Mithila merely for Janaki,
but for Lord Shiva's great bow Pinaka.
Its presence in Mithila repulses me.
When Lord Mahadeva's greatest devotee is in Lanka,
why must his divine bow be in Mithila?
I will bring it here
as a reward for my devotion.
What is the harm if Janaki comes here
as a reward for my bravery too?
What you are about to do is wrong, King of Lanka!
"Ravana..."
I am not seeking your permission.
I am informing you.
Make preparations to welcome my new queen.
"Ravana..."
Give me your blessing, Lord Mahadeva.
I hope
that my first queen
will leave no stone unturned in the welcome of your bow.
[ominous music playing]
[Aum chanting]
Please deliver Guru Shatananda from his anxiousness, Lord Mahadeva.
Sita! Listen, Sita!
I am praying, Urmila.
Acharya Shatananda has returned from Sage Gautama's ashram.
Where is he?
Is he accompanied by King Dasharatha's son?
I do not know, he might be accompanying him.
Gurudev headed straight to the royal court
to meet Father.
[pleasant music playing]
[conch blowing]
- Glory to him. - All hail him.
[conch blowing]
He used no knowledge
and chanted no mantras.
He had tears in his eyes
and compassion in his words.
Your Majesty, I fall short of words in his praise.
His mere touch
lifted the curse off of my mother
and absolved me of the sin of being called the son
of a degenerate woman.
Today,
I stand before you
and proudly say
that
I am Shatananda, the son of Ahalya.
My mother was not a sinner.
My mother is chaste!
- Glory to him. - All hail him.
Sita,
you were right.
Lord Mahadeva led the way.
Now, this guru of yours
need not go anywhere in search of peace.
In this world, commodities,
wealth
and power hold no value.
If something matters,
it is the name Rama.
Rama is the only truth.
- Rama is the only truth. - Rama is the only truth.
Guru.
I, too, would like to meet the man with such forbearance.
Sage Vishvamitra was in such proximity to Mithila.
You should have invited him
and given us a chance to serve him.
Along with it,
I would also have had the pleasure of meeting King Dasharatha's son.
[light-hearted music playing]
Your Majesty, I did try.
'Sage, you are very close to Mithila.'
'Give us a chance to tend to you.'
'A 'yajna' for Shiva's bow is about to be held in Mithila'
'along with the Princess' 'svayamvara'.
'The Princes of Awadh accompany me for a purpose, Shatananda.'
'I will certainly visit Mithila if I get the chance.'
He has something else in mind.
As Lord Mahadeva wills.
If Lord Mahadeva wills,
Sage Vishvamitra shall visit us
as well as King Dasharatha's son,
Rama, will too.
Certainly, Your Majesty.
What was that?
Vishvamitra is a Brahmarshi.
He knows that Sita will belong only to Rama.
Then why did Vishvamitra refuse to go to Mithila?
It is because
he is a Brahmarshi
and because he was waiting for the moment
when it is proved that Lord Rama is undisputedly the greatest.
And also because
it is time for someone else to arrive in Mithila now.
[music playing]
[unsettling music playing]
[music fades]
"Hail Lord Shiva."
[conch blowing]
[light-hearted music playing]
Residents of Mithila,
the divine Lord Shiva's bow
will be taken on a procession around the kingdom
and then be established in the 'svayamvara' section.
The brave soul who manages to string the bow
shall become my daughter
Sita's groom.
- All hail Sita, King Janak's daughter! - All hail!
- All hail King Janak of Mithila! - Glory to him!
Do not think too much, Sita.
Nobody will be able to lift this bow other than Rama,
King Dasharatha's son.
Please begin the ritual.
[music playing]
[conch blowing]
Salutations to Lord Shiva.
[vocalisation]
[flute playing]
[suspenseful music playing]
Pushpaka Vimana.
It means
Ravana is approaching.
- Ravana! - Dashanan!
The king of evil rakshasas is here!
[intense music]
[dramatic music playing]
Mahadeva's Pinaka is kept here.
It means the 'svayamvara' hasn't begun yet.
Pushpaka!
[dramatic music playing]
Lord,
Ravana came here without an invitation.
What could be his motive?
He is known as Dashanan.
He doesn't need an invitation.
Going by the rules,
we can't stop him from participating in this 'svayamvara'.
[suspenseful music playing]
[conch-shell playing]
I'm confident
You'll do the best for me.
[conch-shell playing]
[joyful music playing]
[theme music playing]
[leaves rustling]
Lakshmana, aren't you hungry and tired today?
I hope you don't doubt where our guru would take us.
Rama, I'm not doubtful today.
In fact, I'm confident and focused.
Now, I know
that our guru must be taking us to a place
for a good reason.
[joyful music playing]
'- We won't stay here. Let's go. - Yes.'
We won't live here any longer. Let's leave.
[pensive music playing]
Excuse me, brother.
Why do all of you look fearful? And why are you leaving?
I can't tell you.
We can't live here anymore.
Please let us go. This place is equivalent to hell.
But, my friend, what is bothering you all at such a beautiful place?
This place is cursed.
Young man, please let us endure are suffering.
[pensive music playing]
[gloomy music playing]
Can you see that lake? It's called the Krishna Lake.
[ethereal music playing]
All of a sudden, the lake bursts, giving rise to a flood.
It washes away our fields and homes within moments.
We managed to save
the lands and fields of our ancestors over the years,
but all hope is lost now.
[poignant music playing]
The solution lies not in fleeing, but in facing the problem.
We tried,
but we could not stop the flood.
Everyone who tried lost his life.
[poignant music playing]
Have you heard the story
of the demon Shankhchur, his wife Tulsi and Lord Narayana?
That is no ordinary lake.
It carries Goddess Tulsi's grief and agony.
Lord Narayana killed Shankhchur by deceit.
Goddess Tulsi cursed him to turn into shaligram (stone).
[intense music playing]
These shaligrams are parts of Narayana
that lay accursed on the riverbed of the Gandaki River.
Where god himself is accursed, what good are a mortal's efforts?
[music fades]
[stones rumbling]
[tense music playing]
Run!
Everybody, run!
Go somewhere higher right now!
Come on! Come here, everybody! Go.
[stones rumbling]
[conch blowing]
Where are you going?
Your recklessness will cost you your life!
You are an elder and also seem wise.
Please stop him.
Please request them to change their path.
Those who are destined to change the world
don't change their path.
[theme song playing]
[avalanche rumbling]
[waterfall whooshing]
[theme song playing]
[theme song continues playing]
O, Mahadeva! Please protect him.
[theme song playing]
[theme song continues playing]
[theme song playing]
[conch-shell playing]
[sweeping music playing]