Ashoka: A fanfic: Chapter 20: The Interlude (Page 46) - Page 32

Originally posted by: babur1527

You might want to ask for an episode guide from BB or Shyam. Some EPs are headache inducing. But overall it was exciting track. 😆

There is more than one path that leads to the void of darkness. Not just pursuing power for Greed. Power is such a thing that it can change the noblest of souls. Even prophesied heroes. Just ask Darth Vader. The most iconic villain in Cinema.

Ashok's psyche is starting to tread on a thin line between altruism and egoism.

For now Ashok is an altruistic individual who helps others for unselfish reasons. But that will change. I don't want to spoil anything. All I can say for now is people can be selfish in various ways.

The other factor is Ashok is losing his manavta. You will notice that after each battle the attitude towards the lives he has personally taken changes. And bit by bit Ashok will lose more of his humanity.

(On a related note butchers in the Ottoman Empire were sent on a paid vacation where they looked after gardens. It is a process to rehabilitate their humanity)

Speaking of the Ottoman Empire the first ten Sultans were warrior Sultans. One of them, Murad died in one of the most epic battles of Central Europe.

Originally posted by: sashashyam

Dear Babur,

Yes, and there is also Lord Acton's oft-quoted line Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. But I believe that this is not an universal truth, nor is the example of Darth Vader and his ilk. For that kind of power-induced corruption to set in, there has to be the seed of it already there, just waiting for the right soil and temperature and humidity. There are surely those in whom this seed neither exists nor can it be planted and made to flourish. Why then can Ashoka not be one of these?

But I agree with you as regards his becoming desensitised to killing, and the idea of sending butchers to do gardening for a spell is fascinating. Not that this would do much for a proto-sadist who enjoys cutting the throats of pigs and listening to them squealing in their death throes. What I believe is that Ashoka never was any kind of sadist.

Again, a judge has to some extent to get desensitised himself or herself to be able to function, and a doctor as well. Being too sensitive and taking upon oneself all the sufferings of humanity is a recipe for going into a chronic depression, if not ending up in the loony bin.

I would be satisfied if Ashoka, even if he no longer minds killing in a battle, does not begin to enjoy decapitating others or cutting their throats. After all, it is those who fight and at times kill those who want to spread murderous mayhem who make it possible for the rest of us to sleep in peace. They are in effect doing our dirty work for us, and the least we owe them is not to put up our noses and condemn them for what they have to do for our sakes.

Your Ashoka sounds very satisfactorily complex, and he will undoubtedly continue to grip and hold one's appreciative attention. As for the one in the show, I do not think they will go in for such subtleties. They will very likely make out that it was all really the fault of Kalinga, which, after one has seen Jagannath in action, would not be hard to swallow!😉

Shyamala B.Cowsik

Originally posted by: nikii11

Drama cum Entertaining Chapter!! Loved Keechak-Bahmini convos .Somewhere deep down keechak Isn't that bad after all. He genuinely loves Bhamini. But his past has made him Power- Hungry and Ruthless. Which has distanced him from Bhamini. Coming to Dharma-Ahan,Their bonding is growing strong each passing day.Loved how Dharma stood up for Ahan. And gave back to Queen charu. 😉 Also the tactics played by Ashok and Rudra on Bhairav so that he gives the needful info was indeed Smart. Bindu-charu portions was intruguing too. So Bindu gonna change his 'will' and make Ashok the yuvraj. Good job Bindu!! "Me claps". 👏 Hmm it seemed like charu was affected by Bindu's words . Is she gonna Redeem!! 😕 So Ujjaini regent is Ashok's senapati now!! Wow!! And again Magadh is under attack. And Samrat At that moment was having some quality time with his beautiful Queen Subrashi lol. They got disturbed cos of attack. Last line cracked me up. What a timing!! 🤣

Originally posted by: shyam09

Man, that was a fantastic chapter. Dharma was simply awesome, just the way I want her to be. Bahamini, Charu, Helena ... all the women in your story have actual, meaningful roles with great dialogues and aren't just brain-dead eye candy like in CAS. Charu-Bindusar's conversation, Keechak - Bahamini, *whistle*

Ashok's personality oozed delight. Loved the Acharya Rudra + Bhairav scene. A sprinkle of delightful comedy on top of the growing intrigue.

Splendid work Babur 👏👏👏

Originally posted by: babur1527

I can't say too much without giving a way spoilers, but the reality is far more grimmer than our expectations. Heroic tales and heroes are our ideals. And we often try to relate real personalities to our ideals.

You don't have to be a sadist to be evil or a tyrant. Ashoka was well known for adopting brute force policies even after embracing Buddhism. Even after he had embraced Buddhism. Honestly I don't have a problem with that. You don't rule an Empire with by a being meek and non violent.

Like I mentioned in another thread Ashoka's empire fell simply because it is the natural life cycle of every Empire.

Minor spoilers ahead.

In the context of my story Ashok isn't untainted. He has anger issues that often surface when he sees a loved one, especially his mother suffer. Even if someone so much as insults or even tries to hurt Dharma he can get seriously violent. This was often touched upon in the show. What these battles are doing is loosening Ashok's control on his temper and his penchant for violence.

Retribution is good. But when you cross limits you become the the very thing you are fighting against. A tyrant.

And ditto on the show. They are already portraying Jagannath as someone who is irredeemably evil.

Chapter 7:https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/130222503(page 12)

A/N: So so sorry guys. I completely forgot to update. As a recompense this chapter is a big one. And I mean big. Next update will be faster. IA. 😆

Play this music while you read the first sequence of this chapter. Trust me it will make it reading that much better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJXw0lL5-vA 😛

Dedicated to Niki, Ramsha, Gargi, Mac, Khushi, and Shelly. My dedicated readers and sources of inspiration.

Also Rohini, Medha, Krystal, Kaana and Vidhu. Old loyal CAS viewers who loved Chanakya niti just as much as me.

And finally my bros BB and Shyam who love Dharma and PS more than me. 😆

Chapter 8: The Epiphany

Originally posted by: sashashyam

Dear Babur,

This one is like a salad, with all the different elements clearly distinguishable, tossed together expertly to form a nice, crunchy brunch.

But I am handicapped, especially as far as the opening segment is concerned - though the music is all that you had said it would be - because I have not watched these episodes. At least, judging from what Ashoka says to himself after coming out of his nightmare, these things really happened to him, even if not in the sequence in the dream or in the same manner, so presumably these things were shown onscreen.

The nightmare sequence is very well written right thru. The agony that surges thru Ashoka as he sees Acharya Chanakya being burnt alive all over again is almost palpable.

Then there are the sorts of things that happen in one's dreams - as when Sushim is summarily thrown backwards out of the window, like in a Tom and Jerry show - and you have caught that aspect very nicely. Also, for a young man half in love, the fantasy of a lovely young girl getting up close and personal with him.😉 But who is the new attacker supposed to be?

There is nothing much to be said about Ashoka's visit to the Assandh palace and his meeting with the austere and unwaveringly principled Raja Jaisal. I do not know if you plan to bring Nalini centre stage again, but she reminds of an annoying, buzzing bluebottle fly.

Bindusara's sudden reversion to the old days when he was with his bhrata Justin is psychologically perfect, as is Dharma asking Subhasri to stay back and comfort him. Very perceptive snippets.

I was delighted to see Radhagupt in a rather unusual role as an unrelenting, almost impertinent baiter of both the redoubtable Rajmata and of the much less astute Khallatak. He really pulls out all the stops, as when he twits Helena about her sudden pre-occupation with Siyamak, complete with a devastating whisper in passing about it being just a matter of time before some secrets are passed on. Does he really know that Siyamak is Justin's son? I do not remember Chanakya as having worked that one out.

On a lighter note, I was in stitches visualising the imperious mater familias of the imperial Magadha family addressing Radhagupta as my dear, and kid!

Radhagupt's whole passage of arms with Helena - for that is exactly what it was, with the gloves taken off - had a very rapid, quicksilver quality to it, like a duel between an Italian fencing master and a rather flustered colleague who can never quite keep up. Khallatak is of course so inferior to Radhagupt in all ways that their encounter looked like a walkover.

Radhagupt's relief and pride when he hears and sees Ashoka being lionised in the Royal Academy and by the palace guards for his military prowess in the battle for Assandh are heartwarming.

A new mystery: The large contingent of evidently armed men travelling from Tosali towards Takshashila. I don't plan to quiz you about that, for I know what your response would be: Read on and you will find out! So I shall simply do that on my own!😉

Finally, Ashoka feeling the ground slip from under his feet when he learns who the key villains in the Pataliputra palace really are, and cold fear grips his heart when he thinks of his mother there in their midst, exposed to their murderous schemes. The words here are so evocative that one can see his face, frozen in fear and near panic.

Well, I shall not be doing any more here till after the weekend, for I am too tied up. Anyhow, you need a break from me - there can be such a thing as an overdose of anything, even sustained appreciation - so make the most of it.😉 I too need to ease off a bit, I have been overdoing things with back to back late nights for over a week now. But I should be back early next week, for this is fast becoming an addiction. For me, that is.

Shyamala B.Cowsik

PS: I see that you have called this chapter The Epiphany, but that usually calls for a divine manifestation or intervention, not just a dramatic revelation. Not that it matters, for there is always creative licence!😉