Gautamiputra Satakarni

Gautamiputra Satakarni is the 2nd century CE Satavahana ruler of Amaravati whose long-lasting goal is to unite all the 32 kingdoms under a reign, evade internal collisions and establish peace. He takes an oath to his mother, Gautami Balasri, starts his mission at 18, and gives only two options to the kings on his way: peace by surrendering their sword or war. After 18 long years, he took over the entire South India. For the time being, Satakarni marries Vasishti Devi, and they have a son named Pulumavi. Nahapana, the critical ruler of the Western Kshatrapas, is a powerful and villainous person who forcibly locks up the princes of his feudatory kingdoms as royal prisoners to protect his kingdom on all sides. Now, it is difficult for Satakarni to reach Nahapana, so he uses a strategy and decides to go with his son Pulumavi to the battlefield. Vasishti opposes, but Satakarni still stubbornly does so. Simultaneously, Greek Emperor Demetrius is waiting at the border for the result of their battle, after that to conquer the country. Satakarni is currently moving towards Nahapana’s fort. On the way, he assures the feudatory kings that they will safeguard and secure their children. Finally, he reaches Nahapana’s fort, destroys him, rescues the princes, brings the entire country under one flag, and slaps his thigh.

Satakarni then returns to Amaravathi with the 32 swords he has obtained from the rulers of India, and Balasri edicts him to mold a mighty sword by melting all these. Everybody welcomes him with great enlightenment and joy, but his wife, Vasishti, is fed up with his dictatorial mentality. She decides to leave him, but now he must perform Rajasuya Yaaga, a grand ritual impossible without a wife. At the request of her mother-in-law, Vasishti agrees to stay until its completion. During the ritual, the Emperor must give Agra Pooja honor to the topmost person in the kingdom. Satakarni gives it to his mother by spreading the greatness of women, and from there onwards, he changes his name to Gautamiputra Satakarni and names his son as Vasishtiputra Pulumavi, where his wife Vasishti understands the virtue of her husband. Satakarni declares a new era called Salivahana Sakha, and the day starts as Ugadi. That night, Kanjira, one of the feudatory kings, backstabs his compatriots by aiding Demetrius and lets his men enter the fort to knock out Satakarni. Still, Gautami Balasri protects her son by breaking up their tactics.

Satakarni learns that Demetrius has entered the borders of Sindhu Kingdom to conquer the country, whose army is ten times that of his. He then gets ready for the final battle. At that point, Vasishti senses ominous signs that someone has poisoned her husband, so she requests him to avoid this battle when Satakarni explains to her his childhood dream of uniting the entire country, which Satakarni had done. Now, he must protect it from invaders. His only choices are victory or martyrdom. Gauthami Balasri consults a Bhikkhu and explains these ominous signs to him, who gives her an antidote to the poison. At last, Satakarni reaches the Sindhu Kingdom. Satakrani destroys almost half of the Greek army during the first day of battle. Demetrius understands the challenge of conquering if Satakarni is alive. He sends a woman named Athena to Satakarni as a messenger. Unfortunately, she laces him with poison with a pin in her ring. He foams at the mouth and faints, screaming. The next day, when Satakarni is under treatment, all the other Kings are confused about whether to fight or retreat. They understand the goal of Satakarni is not only to win the country but also to develop unity among them, and they decide to partake in the battle. Thus, Satakarni recovers, reaches the battlefield, and defeats Demetrius, affirming, Nobody can destroy the Unity of India.

Last Updated: September 24, 2025 at 01:08