Episode on Saturday, December 6, 2008

Mukhiya orders everyone to go to their homes. One family has made it safely into their house but their son is still outside, his mother cries from the window, please save my son! Nobody is there to listen to her.
Prithvi and gang enter the streets of the village. Prithvi carries Arjun on his shoulders.
Chand sees a cot and pulls it for Arjun to rest and relieve Prithvi. Prithvi looks around on the village streets, nobody seems to be outside, all deserted and empty.
Chand exclaims, I will see where all the people are. He looks around and informs that all the windows and doors are closed in each house.
Prithvi can see that, he, Pundir and Chand walk ahead, they hear babies crying.
Pundir questions, where is this crying sound of babies coming from.
There is definitely a problem here, says Prithvi as he sees all the streets empty, nobody is seen at all. Let’s go and see ahead. The 3 of them wander down the gloomy street, while the troops wait behind with Arjun. They pass many homes till they reach the veranda of one house. They can see a little boy all alone near another house crying, his nose is running. A tiger is on his way to catch him while his parents watch helplessly from a window inside their house. The boy’s mother is weeping bitterly for God to save her boy, otherwise he will be killed by it.
Prithvi is aware that the boy is alone and the tiger is coming to get him, Prithvi knows he has to save him.
Pundir grabs Prithvi’s shoulders to stop him, calls Prithvi.
Prithvi ignores him and pushes Pundir’s hands away, he has his sword ready to save the boy. He watches both the tiger and the boy ahead. Prithvi rushes forward down the alley and jumps over a wooden fence and makes his way out of the yard of another house to get behind the little boy to by-pass the tiger. He runs as fast as he can, his two buddies watch him. Prithvi races to get the boy, simultaneously the tiger approaches too.
Chand is shocked anything could happen now. Pundir is silent, the boy’s mother and father do not know what to expect as they watch in horror the attacking tiger.
Prithvi comes quickly and grabs the boy. Prithvi with his centrifugal force lunges backward carrying the boy in his arms and rams into a wall to safety, avoiding the tiger.
The parents quickly make their way out of the house to get their child, while the tiger abandons his prey and goes elsewhere.
Chand and Pundir can see the coast is clear and comes running to Prithvi’s side with the rest of the army following behind.
The Parents are finally reunited with their child, the mother takes her little boy from Prithvi, she is so relieved.
The head of the village, Mukhiya was watching the whole incident from his house all this time. He is overwhelmed and walks over to Prithvi and recognizes him, Maharaj Prithviraj Chauhan? How did you come here? Mukhiya is grateful to him and has his hands folded in respect.
Prithvi’s attention is once again diverted on Sanyo, he replies, I am searching for someone.

Meanwhile, Jaichand, Sanyo and the troops race on into the jungle. Sanyo is sure that Prithvi will definitely come and search for her. She thinks, once he gets the clue I left for him to find, nobody will be able to stop him from reaching here, no one.
Jaichand interrupts her thoughts and says, I already know what you are thinking. He stops in his tracks, now Prithvi will never be able to find you. Jaichand gestures to Sanyo to look at the rings she had left in the temple in his palm. Her plan has been ruined, Sanyo looks at her father in disbelief.
Jaichand taunts, isn’t this the clue that you had left in Nandangaon for Prithvi to find, he shows it to her. What were you thinking? I wouldn’t be able to figure out that you left a clue in the path for Prithvi to find? No Sanyo, No, none of your tricks are going to work anymore, because now I and my guards are paying attention to each and every dirty move you make. So you just forget the dream that you have about meeting Prithvi in this life. All you need to do is come with me quietly now, he warns his daughter.
Sanyo is disheartened as her father and the troops walk ahead of her. Sanyo brightens up and thinks you can be stern as you want but I am your daughter after all. The clue that you have found was kept deliberately for you to find so I could put another clue. I have hidden another real clue which you will never find out.

Prithvi says so we have followed the correct path, Maharaj Jaichand and Sanyo had passed through here recently.
Mukhiya speaks up, yes Maharaj, they were talking about going towards the north near some mountains. Chand, Arjun, and Pundir listen carefully.
The northern direction, what’s over there? Prithvi is curious.
I don’t know Maharaj.
We must leave right now, immediately from here, if we move fast we will be able to reach the mountains before them, so we can find Sanyo.
Maharaj if you could at least stay back tonight in our village….
Prithvi is grateful, thank-you Mukhiyaji, but today we are in a hurry, when we return we will definitely make a stop-over here.
What I really meant was that…. Mukhiya hesitates to explain.
Means? Was Sanyo all right? Prithvi is concerned.
Oh yes, Mukhiya nods his head, she was absolutely fine, but definitely seemed hushed. He goes somewhere else.
I had promised to deliver the whole world of happiness to her, but today…. Prithvi doesn’t complete his sentence, he is in deep thought. Okay then, Mukhiyaji if you were not there then…. Prithvi is late to realize that he has walked away and not even listening to him. Prithvi asks what has suddenly happened to Mukhiyaji?
The public is gathered around on the street due to the rescue of the boy. Mukhiyaji is upset, he exclaims to them, they are also in a hurry!
One man from the crowd comments, now we have to accept death and die repeatedly in our lives like this. He glances at the public in concern, this is how our destiny is.
Prithvi and gang overhear their conversation, meanwhile one boy approaches and pulls Prithvi’s arm. Prithvi turns to see what it is and looks at the boy.
Are you people searching for Rajkumari Sanyo?
Prithvi says, yes and puts his hand on the boy’s shoulder, what, did you see her?
Yes, she is very nice, says the boy so innocently.
Prithvi is concerned, what was she doing here? What I mean, where was she sitting, what did she say, do you know anything about it?
Yes I do, she was sitting over there, he points towards a tree, she was drawing a picture of someone on it. She knew how to draw pictures very well, just like my brother.
Prithvi and Arjun are overwhelmed by the little boys talk.
Come I will show you he says.
All four walk over to the tree with Arjun limping behind.
The boy reveals a drawing behind the dense leaves of the tree, see this. A picture is seen on the trunk of the tree, coloured in red kum kum, see how beautiful the picture is, he says.
Prithvi bends slightly to look at it properly and pushes some more branches away to see the whole drawing, he tries to figure out what it could mean. Chand and Arjun also see it carefully.
(Earlier, Sanyo had dropped her rings on purpose, right in front of her father on the ground while he spoke to Mukhiyaji to attract his attention. Afterwards she deliberately picks the rings up again and goes back to the altar of the temple to scoop up some kumkum. She makes it look like she left the rings there too. Jaichand finishes his work and climbs the steps to come to the temple, he takes away the rings from underneath the marigold there.
Sanyo pretends she didn’t notice, and Jaichand comes out of the temple. Sanyo watches her father carefully and takes opportunity to run to the nearest tree and starts to write on its trunk, while he doesn’t notice. She removes some branches in the way. She writes “bigde raice, I am sure…..)
Prithvi continues to read the message, I am sure that you will definitely come here to search for me, I am fine. Father is taking me to the Northern, Kangalwasi. Before we reach there, you must save me Prithvi, save me. Prithvi reads the message with tears in his eyes.
Chand says we must leave right now, immediately.
Arjun informs that he heard that Kangalwasi is impossible to reach. Even if one is able to reach there, it’s impossible to get out.
Prithvi is not discouraged by Arjun warning and says lets go.
The boy realizes they are all going and quickly asks them, aren’t you going to see my brother’s picture? The boy points in a direction to show the four another tree, see there, he requests.
Prithvi sees a drawing of a boy on it, he says wow, your brother has drawn such a beautiful picture…. Where is he?
The boy’s face is saddened, he died.
Prithvi and gang are shocked to hear those words from a little boy.
How?
By the coming of death of the jungle, it seized him and took him away. If you had not come today, it would have also taken Chachi’s son also.
Pundir questions, you mean the tiger comes here regularly?
The boy goes shhhh…. In our village it is forbidden to take his name, they say, the one who takes his name ends up dying. It suddenly comes at night, and kills the elderly, children and everyone.
The four are shocked to listen to the story.
My father says that one day it will even kill me, Prithvi is listening carefully and brings the boy close to him. He continues, that is why I do “puja” to God everyday so that he would help us and send somebody to rescue us as soon as possible.
Prithvi remembers Mukhiya’s words when he requested him to stay back, and he refused to, Prithvi has finally realized what he meant, Mukhiya had hesitated to clarify and explain his distress. Prithvi knows his job and as usual decides to leave and do it.
His friends follow him, Arjun asks Prithvi where are you going? Arjun points in another direction, we must leave Prithvi, listen. They end up following him elsewhere.

Jaichand and Sanyo rest near a pond they have taken a break in their journey, it is night. Sanyo throws pebbles into the pond one by one, Prithvi has still not come she is very distressed.
One guard approaches Jaichand, Maharaj the only thing we found in this jungle to eat are these fruits.
Jaichand accepts it and gestures the guard to put the basket down and he leaves, he orders his daughter to eat it.
Sanyo warns her father, until I meet Prithvi again I will not eat or drink anything at all.
That Prithvi has still not been drained from your head till now? Forget him! Because that jungle full of tigers nobody can cross.
Sanyo gets up from the ground and stands to answer her father back confidently, what is the tiger who will prevent me from meeting Prithvi, there is no power in the world that can stop me from meeting him.
By now Prithvi’s body must have been ripped into many pieces.
We will see who will make pieces of whom, the whole world will find out in the end!
Jaichand becomes angry and shouts, Sanyogita, is this the way to talk to your father, if you were not my daughter, I would with my bare hands…..
Sanyo continues his sentence,….. Kill me, well you have already done that, because I am just like a live corpse for Prithvi. And about the relation of a father, you have already lost your authority of being my father when you had ordered my death.
Jaichand is so furious he can’t bear those words and shouts, Sanyogita! He rushes towards her to slap her face real hard, one more jewel falls on the ground.
Sanyo holds her cheek in pain and cries.

In the village the evening “arthi” takes place in the ‘Devi’ temple all folks are gathered around too.
Prithvi and his buddies walk up near the temple and see them doing the send off of two young volunteers who will be sent into the jungle as sacrifice for the beast, the tiger.
Prithvi calls, Mukhiyaji? What is all happening here? Prithvi watches the two youths in the temple dressed in white ‘dhotis’ and asks, where are they getting ready to go to, this late at night? Prithvi notices that something unusual is going on, the ‘puja’? What is this all? He demands an answer.
Mukhiya answers, this kind of ’puja’ takes place every night.
Why?
Because these two boys are leaving to be martyrs for our village. Garlands of marigold are placed on their neck by their loved ones. This night is going to be the last night of their lives.
But why, just tell me exactly what this is all about Mukhiyaji, Prithvi is alarmed. What is this all happening here!
The boys take their spears and bid farewell to their families, each give their farewell hugs to their respective parents. Every night from the jungle comes the ‘death’ who comes in our village to search for the next target.
Death?
That is why every night two people from our village go in the night for vigilance, and never come back.
Prithvi’s buddies have been listening to the story too, Arjun comes to Prithvi’s side and says, I know what you’re thinking Prithvi. He tries to make it clear to him that this time sister-in-law needs your assistance more than anything.
Prithvi is reminded of the boy who was praying for someone to come to save the folks from the menace of the tiger, at the same time he remembers Sanyo’s message on the tree save me. He is in a dilemma.
Chand advises, this is not the time to think, Jaichand is taking sister-in-law further and further away every moment, far away from us.
Prithvi watches the two youths leave with their spears, Stop, orders Prithvi. The villagers are watching, for tonight these two boys will not be going for the vigilance, but I and my friends will go instead, Prithvi boldly tells them. All you people just have to go and sleep calmly. From tonight onwards, your village will never have to face the shadows of death anymore.

Sanyo lays in her sleeping arrangement in the tent, she is sure that Prithvi must have found her hints, but why has he not come by now, she wonders.

Prithvi alone gets ready and starts to remove the uniform and shirt. He wears the black dhoti and ties the black band on his head.
His friends are concerned and meet him. Arjun questions what you are doing Prithvi, there sister-in-law is waiting for you to come.

At the camp in the tent Sanyo is growing impatient, before morning you must reach here otherwise it will be too late.

Prithvi explains that without protecting the villagers he will not go from here. His friends are serious. Either you people are with me or I will protect them alone myself? Prithvi leaves for the temple. The Pandit performs the same ritual or “arthi” on Prithvi as he had done to the boys earlier. Meanwhile his friends had made their decision and climb the steps of the temple too wearing the same black coloured ‘dhoti’ to join Prithvi for the same.
Mukhiya gives all 4 oblations with the oil lamp to bless them, so they succeed in killing the beast and return alive from their task.
Chand assures and whispers to Prithvi, we are always with you forever Prithvi.
Mukhiya applies red kum-kum on their foreheads one by one. All four take their “darshan” of the idol and leave. Prithvi stops momentarily before climbing down the steps and looks at all the villagers he then sees the small boy who inspired him. Prithvi walks to him and bends down, God has listened to your prayers, Prithvi smiles. The boy and all cheer, Maharaj Prithviraj Chauhan Ki Jai!
Maharaj Prithviraj Chauhan Ki Jai!
Garlands are put on their necks and weapons are handed over to them. The four proceed on their mission into the jungle. Each of them keep vigilance in their respective areas walking back and forth. Prithvi is alone and Chand is some feet away from him.
Pundir and Arjun are ready with spears in their hands. Arjun tells Pundir softly, there doesn’t seem to be any signs of the tiger anywhere. If the tiger doesn’t come tonight, we will have to keep guard tomorrow also.
Even maybe day after tomorrow, or even after that, Pundir comments.
Right, and because Prithvi will never leave this problem till it’s solved, Arjun continues.
Pundir says, and if we prolong our wait, there is a chance that we might lose Maharani Sanyo forever and ever.
Chand and Prithvi pace back and forth, looking around.
Is there any other way, where the villager’s problems can be solved and we can leave here in time, questions Arjun.
Pundir has an idea, he tells Arjun listen, for that I have a plan in my head. He carefully puts his sword down without letting Prithvi notice him and removes his dagger from its case that was attached to his ‘dhoti’. Pundir then holds the knife and carefully cuts his skin on his arms to allow a good quantity of blood to drip.
Arjun is shocked to see him do that, what have you done Pundir!
Now see, if the tiger doesn’t come at all, this scent of blood will attract him and make him come.
Arjun has understood him and lays his weapons down also, he removes his dagger too and cuts his left forearm by two inches, some blood oozes out. Both of them pick up their weapons. Pundir and Arjun both move into the forest carefully to attract the tiger’s attention. They slowly walk in a backward direction.
Chand and Prithvi are still in their same areas.
Suddenly from behind a tiger attacks Arjun then Pundir, they both fall on the ground. Both get dragged away and they both shout, Prithvi! Prithvi!
Prithvi turns around to see what has happened. So does Chand.
Arjun and Pundir both call out Chand! Chand! Both are dragged away by the tiger.
Prithvi and Chand are horrified. Prithvi calls out Pundir’s name loudly and runs to find them.