Episode on Sunrday, January 18, 2009

Prithvi looks at his buddies, he is in doubt of leaving them alone. He takes a good look at the 3 of them as he never left them alone to fight before. He gives them all a farewell hug.
Prithvi finishes hugging them, he gets lost in his thoughts, he remembers Baba’s words of somebody’s death. Chand’s, Pundir’s and Arjun’s faces flash in his mind.
Arjun interrupts his thoughts, we both were thinking that we would reach Dhilli first and arrange for sister-in-law’s welcome. But the situation,…. The situation has reversed.
Sanyo feels sorry for that.
Now you will reach Dhilli and welcome us instead, why not sister-in-law? You will definitely be ready to welcome us in victory with the “puja” plate right? Pundir is eager for the answer.
Sanyo smiles and nods yes.
Arjun chuckles and then you must welcome us with lighted ‘diyas’ and garlands of flowers, after all we will be winning your most gigantic battle and returning likewise.
We promise you that we will not even allow the slightest of injury to Maharaj Jaichand, says Pundir.
Arjun says, let anything happen but we will not raise our swords on him.
Sanyo is overwhelmed by their gestures, she takes the dagger from the table and cuts her finger, she applies her blood on Pundir’s, Arjun’s and Chand’s forehead. “Vijaya Bhava.”
The 3 accept her blessings.
Prithvi is ready to take Sanyo with him away, but turns and takes a last look at his friends, before leaving the tent. Prithvi and Sanyo leave the tent and make their way to Dhilli secretly.

Outside the troops on both sides wait in their respective sides on the battlefield. Jaichand is standing outside and keeps vigilant on Prithvi’s camp, his eyes are focused on them, he watches their army attentively they have blocked the view of the tent to allow passage of Sanyo and Prithvi unseen. They both leave the area.
Arjun peeps out of the tent and sees Jaichand. Arjun orders the troops to arrange food for the Queen and King, fast.
Jaichand is watching him and turns away.

Meanwhile Sanyo and Prithvi head by foot to Bhairav Ghat, some soldiers accompany them behind. Prithvi rushes ahead holding onto Sanyo’s hand. Sanyo cannot keep up with his speed, so he halts, what has happened to you Sanyo?
Today we don’t even have a moment to spare to make any stops.
I know you can’t leave your friends alone to fight in the battlefield, but then why did you do it?
Prithvi cannot answer the question, I will take you to Dhilli, and before morning comes, will return to fight this war.
Sanyo is astonished, now she knows they cannot rest at all, he has to drop her to Dhilli and return back in time to fight. I knew it, you were going to do like this. But I will not allow you to come back alone, I will also stay with you here, I don’t want to go to Dhilli.
No Sanyo, taking you back to Dhilli safely is my most important responsibility. Once you reach there in good state, after that I can look after and divert all the attention on my friends.
I am safer here with you, than I would be in Dhilli!
No Sanyo! In Kannauj your life will always be in danger! She has become real upset. Prithvi doesn’t want to use force on her, he says softly, okay then, fine, I will drop you at Dhilli and have decided not to come back here.
Sanyo cannot refuse now, no, let’s go, you just drop me at Dhilli and return back here.
Prithvi explains, Sanyo you remember that night what the Baba was telling? He said in this war two lives will be lost. And I don’t know myself who the two are, he is very worried for them. As long as I am alive I will never allow something like that to happen at all, never.
And I have full trust in you, Sanyo pats his cheek and smiles at him, I am confident that you will not allow anything to happen to them as long as you are there. I am with you Prithvi, now let’s go, the faster we move from here the earlier you can return to this place, come on.
Prithvi is happy that she understands, he smiles and gives her a hug. Let’s go. They rush ahead. The troops follow behind.

Arjun, Chand and Pundir sit in the tent to decide their strategy. We have fewer troops so what, exclaims Arjun, remember what Prithvi always says, fight war not in the battlefield, in the mind of the warrior war in won.
Arjun is correct says Pundir, and in my mind I have a strategy. We will always intimidate our enemy of war so that every step of the way they will feel we are losing the fight. Pundir informs Chand, according to his plan, as soon as the war commences you will take your division of army with you here standing in front of the border. Pundir shows him on the table with a stick.
Chand visualizes it.
Pundir continues and tells Chand, Jaichand and his troops should not be allowed to see anything but you and your army division. They visualize the situation. Pundir looks at the model plan on the table, and behind your army some strides away, a small division here, will be waiting for you. Pundir puts another stick on the table parallel to the stick representing Chand’s group. They visualize another row of troops behind Chand’s army, lying low on the ground away from sight at least 1/2 km away.
Now some time after the war starts, you will take your division and run behind backwards.
Chand finds it peculiar.
…..So that the enemy will be happy and think that you are frightened and running away from them. Without any hesitation they will follow you behind, and you will go behind with your army and combine with the other division behind. Pundir shows on the table to Chand, by moving the stick close to the other stick, parallel to it. Now the strength of your troops would have doubled and the enemy will be surrounded caught in your grasp.
Chand and Arjun have understood.
Meanwhile, I will take my division on the right side from behind, he puts another stick on the table vertically to the stick representing Chand’s. I will surround the enemy.
And Arjun, he looks at the table again, he will come from the left side and join with me. Pundir places the third stick on the left side on the table vertical to Chand’s and closes the ends to form a triangle. Now, like this as morning comes, the war will start, no sooner it will be over. Pundir slaps his lap, he is pleased with himself and his plan, he is very confident with the outcome. The three of them stand up and take out their swords and raise it in the air, Har Har Mahadeo!
It is night, Prithvi and Sanyo together sit and travel by caravan which Arjun had arranged for their travel to Dhilli. Behind are some of the troops dressed as civilians. Both sit inside, they are draped with woolen blankets they cover their faces so nobody will recognize them.
See over there Kannauj’s southern border, Prithvi points to show Sanyo. Sanyo can see the tall pillar at the border, it’s the landmark. Once we cross it everything will be all right.
She smiles, but soon realizes a problem. She sees a guard posted there ahead, what if the guard recognizes us at the Kannauj border, then?
Prithvi also realizes the situation. You just lie down here and act as if you are extremely sick and keep your face covered.
Sanyo does just that and waits patiently while the caravan travels ahead. They reach the border and are about to cross it. The guards see them and say stop! One guard walks towards them. Prithvi and Sanyo wait and they don’t know what to anticipate next, the moment is tense.
The guard approaches, who are you people? Where are you heading? He holds the torch in his hand.
Prithvi disguises his voice and answers, oh “Saheb” there is disease spreading in the village, my wife is very sick that is why I am taking her to the “vaid” ahead.
Two other guards walk over to inspect the caravan inside. Prithvi quickly covers his sword that is visible. They guards open the door of the caravan to check, one of them brings the torch inside and bends to see them both. Meantime Sanyo takes action and acts as if she is sick and going to vomit. Ackkkkkkk!The guards move back, she makes more vomiting sounds.
Let them go, says the guard. The poor girl looks very sick, don’t know if she will survive or not, they close the caravan door. Sanyo and Prithvi look at each other, they are relieved. They are free to go, they travel ahead in the caravan and cross the Kannauj border. Sanyo and Prithvi smile and remove their blankets they both hug each other, they are finally free.
Now father cannot do anything to ruin it for us. They both sit comfortably in the caravan and travel to Dhilli ahead.

Jaichand is in his tent, his commander enters inside Maharaj Ki Jai Ho!
Where are all our army divisions that I had called from Kannauj?
All are present and ready Maharaj. We are just waiting for your orders.
Okay then, you tell them all, that the time has come.
But Maharaj, what are the orders for them?
For them I have arranged a special plan, in the darkness of the night they all will have to colour their faces and bodies with green leaves and soil, and then they will have to secretly and silently trespass into the enemy’s territory, this is what you will have to order them.
The commander understands, yes Maharaj.
And listen, one more thing, and some of them will have to go and hide into the right side of the jungle while the others will hide in the left side of the jungle. And after the war starts, as soon as I give the sign, all 4 divisions must surround the enemy in all 4 directions.
By the time the enemy realizes our troopers advancing, all of them would have perished to death by then.
This is our fight of prestige, and we only will win it, no matter what we may have to do for it. As for losing? Only Prithviraj Chauhan will be the loser! Only Prithviraj Chauhan!


The rider takes the caravan into the Dhilli city limits through the sandy path. Sanyo sleeps on Prithvi’s shoulder. A Dhilli guard sees them and tells them to halt he doesn’t recognize them both. The horse stops and neighs, the caravan comes to a halt, Sanyo wakes up. The guard walks over to them to check, who are you people? Where are you going? The guard comes closer to the caravan and brings the torch to see inside. The guard recognizes his King sitting inside and bows in front of them both. The other guards also bow in respect. Forgive us Maharaj, I didn’t recognize you.
Please tell the troops of the southern division to get ready to leave in few minutes, go.
The guards bow and leave to inform the troops.
We have reached Dhilli, says Sanyo.
Prithvi nods yes, and smiles at her, she also smiles back at him. He puts her head on his shoulders. They are happy, and have finally reached their destination. Prithvi orders lets go, the caravan travels to the palace.

They have already reached safely into the palace.
Sanyo sits right in front of the Shiva Idol doing “puja” she lights the “diya” and “niranjan”, she then prays to the idol.
Meanwhile Prithvi gets ready to leave back to Kannauj he puts on his armor. His servants adjust the chest plate on his chest and fixes it in place, then they put the belt on him. Prithvi’s servants attach the arm plates on his arms.

Sanyo prepares the tray to bless Prithvi for victory in his battle, with “kum-kum”. She also selects the red flowers and puts it on the tray. She prays to the idol for blessings.
The leg plates are tied on both of his legs. Prithvi is ready, lastly he takes his helmet in his hand and leaves the room. Prithvi walks into the hallway to go to the puja room.
Sanyo has finished praying and gets up, she takes the tray down the hallway. Prithvi is also coming to take blessings. They both meet in the middle of the hallway. Sanyo blesses Prithvi, she does ‘arthi’ on him. She finishes doing ‘arthi’ and applies ‘kum-kum’ on his forehead and throws flowers on him. A servant arrives with the sword. Sanyo gives her the tray and takes the sword from her, the servant leaves. Sanyo hands the sword over to Prithvi.
Prithvi looks deeply into her eyes and wipes the tears off of her cheeks. You just don’t worry Sanyo, I will do as I promised. In this war your father will not have to face any danger. The only thing you have to do is make grand preparations for the welcome ceremony. You must welcome each and every person like nobody has ever welcomed anyone like that before. And because of them we have both reached here, we must be grateful to them.
You mustn’t worry about Arjun, Chand and Pundir at all, Sanyo smiles. I will definitely make a special welcome for them. But you must return fast.
Prithvi kisses her forehead and leaves without saying anything. He walks down the hallway to leave the room. Sanyo watches him leave.

Pundir, Chand and Arjun make their beds ready to sleep. Enough, tomorrow will be the last of Jaichand’s army says Arjun. I am absolutely sure that by nightfall we will be back in Dhilli, Arjun pulls the bed covers in place.
Yes, we were going to arrange sister-in-law’s welcome ceremony but now she will be welcoming us instead, says Pundir.
Chand and Arjun smile.

Jaichand’s army divisions get ready with their disguises they cover themselves with leaves, gathering it throughout the forest in their respective areas. They apply green mixture and soil on their faces according to Jaichand’s plan.

Arjun continues, Jaichand can try any kind of trick on us, but it is sure it will be our win.
Come on let’s sleep now, advises Chand, tomorrow’s war will be the biggest war in our lives, that we have ever faced.
Yes you said correctly Chand, Arjun agrees. Tomorrow for the first time we will be fighting a war without Prithvi.

In the forest, Jaichand’s forces climb trees and remove more leaves to cover their bodies as camouflage. One troop calls “Senapatiji”, our military have taken their posts accordingly and they are keeping vigilant on the enemy.
Very good, says “Senapati”, you must all pay attention on each and every move of the enemy and keep me informed always. But keep in mind that you all must not allow them to find out about your presence here.
They will not even find out about us in their dreams, says the troop.
The “senapati” gives him a sign to go. He leaves also.

Pundir, Chand and Arjun sleep peacefully in their beds, in the tent. They are not aware of Jaichand’s plans and what may lie ahead in the morning.

Jaichand waits in his tent and is still awake he gives a chuckle, he is with his “Senapati”. He has already informed him about the latest updates of the enemy. Wow, the enemy sleeps peacefully? They do not even know the news about us spying in their territory. Ha ha ha ha, let the idiots sleep, it will be the last night of their lives.

Prithvi rides his horse back all the way. Morning approaches, he moves swiftly across the terrain nonstop, he has to get to his friends in time before the war starts.