Sacred Games (S1 & S2) Series: Good Show About Changing Hindu-Muslim Relationship In India

Ashwatthama (S1, E1)

A mysterious phone call from an anonymous man leads police officer Sartaj Singh on a chase around Mumbai in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game.

It is an important character from the Indian mythological tales in the Mahabharata epic tale written in the Sanskrit language. Aswatthama was cursed with immortality after the Kurukshetra war. So he became a Chiranjivi (immortal) due to a curse given to him by God Krishna.

In Sacred Games, Ganesh Gaitonde is dead in the first episode. But his powerful life story remains alive in this show. Therefore, in this show, he narrates the story of his rise to the top of the underworld in Mumbai. Besides, along with his story, we also get a ringside view of the turbulent history of communalism in Mumbai, India.

Halahala (S1, E2)

News of Ganesh Gaitonde creates a stir among Mumbai’s VIPs, from politicians to film stars. After he is removed from the case, Sartaj begins his investigation.

According to the Hindu mythological tales, Halāhala (or Kālakūṭa) is the name of a lethal poison. It came out during the Samudra Manthan. Then, God Shiva drank the Halahala to prevent the calamity. Thus he saved the world and the universe from the destruction of the deadly poisoning.

In Sacred Games, Ganesh warns the show’s protagonist, Sartaj Singh. He asked to sincerely listen to Ganesh’s warning and to uncover the truth behind the deadly terror plot. In addition, maybe, it can also be interpreted as Ganesh deciding to take the proverbial poison and kill himself. Perhaps, he did so in the larger interest of saving Mumbai city and its people.

Atapi Vatapi (S1, E3)

The woman found in the bunker leads Sartaj to Ganesh Gaitonde’s thug, Bunty (Jatin Sarna); in a flashback, Gaitonde recalls stealing a lucky charm from rival Sulemani Isa (Saurabh Sachdeva).

According to the Indian mythological tales, Aatapi and Vatapi were two dangerous demons. They used to trick travellers with their hospitality and kill them mercilessly.

In Sacred Games, perhaps, it hints at the immense influence of the powerful religions/ideologies/politics that welcome people to its fold and then control them completely. They not only manipulate the hearts and minds of their followers but also corrupt their souls.

Brahmahatya (S1, E4)

TV starlet Nayanika (Geetanjali Thapa) visits Bunty with a hidden camera; in the mid-’80s, Ganesh Gaitonde discovers a racket even more lucrative than drugs and guns: politics.

According to the ancient Manusmriti text of Hinduism, Brahmahatya means the murder of a Brahmin (Brahminicide) – the greatest of the sins – the mahapaap. Since the ancient age, the people belonging to Brahmins (caste/community) usually worked as priests and teachers. As a result, the Brahmins were expected to devote their lives to holy pursuits and service to the gods.

In Sacred Games, perhaps, Ganesh kills his Brahmin self and forgets his Brahmin roots, to work for the Hindu politician Bhosale and fan the communal flame. Also, taking advantage of the growing anger and intolerance directed towards Muslims, Ganesh chooses to project himself as a Hindu don while working for the politician.

Sarama (S1, E5)

To save Nayanika, Sartaj intervenes during a RAW operation; in 1992, as political unrest increases so does the bloodshed from Gaitonde and Isa’s feud.

According to the Hindu mythological tales in the Rig Veda, Sarama is a mythological dog referred to as the female dog of the gods, or Devashuni. Therefore, in one of the ancient tales, Sarama helps lord Indra (the king of the gods) to recover divine cows stolen by the Panis Asuras.

In Sacred Games, perhaps, Sartaj is the proverbial dog with a leash. He is stopped by his superior police officials from doing the right thing and digging for the truth.

Pretakalpa (S1, E6)

When Sartaj’s constable, Katekar (Suhas Sirsat) is pressured to investigate the disappearance of a young man from a Muslim slum, disastrous consequences follow.

According to the Hindu mythological tales in the Garuda Purana (one of the 18 Mahapuraṇa texts), Pretakalpa is the rites and rituals to perform the cremation of the followers of Hinduism. It is read when the last rites of a deceased Hindu are performed. Thus, it is about the cycle of life, death and beyond.

In Sacred Games, perhaps, Sartaj’s close friend constable Katekar is murdered. Then, Sartaj not only cremates Katekar but also kills his murderer. Additionally, this tragic incident marks a major turning point in the life of Sartaj. Furthermore, metaphorically speaking, Sartaj performs rites of his old righteous self and embarks on a new journey.

Rudra (S1, E7)

Hoping to tie up the many loose ends of their case, Sartaj and Anjali Mathur (Radhika Apte) reunite to figure out how the enigmatic Trivedi is linked to Gaitonde’s prophecy.

According to the Hindu mythological tales, Rudra (रूद्र) is the name and form of God Shiva. He is the one who drives away evil. Also, the Rudra avatar of God Shiva is the personification of terror. The Rudra (रूद्र) traces its roots to Raudra (रौद्र) word in Hindi language, which means extreme and fierce anger.

In Sacred Games, perhaps, furious Ganesh participates in an act of violent revenge against the Muslim community after his lover Subhadra is killed by the Muslims.

Yayati (S1, E8)

To save Mumbai from impending doom, Sartaj races against time to find out who Gaitonde’s third father is and what’s planned to happen on the 25th day.

According to the Hindu mythological tales, Yayāti was a powerful king of the Kuru dynasty. He was obsessed with the youthfulness and worldly pleasures. Hence, he married Devayani, Shukracharya’s daughter. However, to fulfil his lustful desire, he molested Sharmishtha. This sinful incident made Shukracharya very angry, so he cursed Yayati with premature old age. Yayati lost his youth and became frail and feeble.

In Sacred Games, Ganesh reveals the identity of his third father, Guruji and the fact that he has pledged his allegiance to Guru Ji’s secretive and destructive cause.

1: Matsya

After discovering Gaitonde’s bunker, Sartaj joins a mission to foil a deadly conspiracy; Gaitonde resurfaces in a new location in 1994.

According to the Hindu mythological tales, in the first of his ten incarnations, God Vishnu took the form of Matsya (a fish) to save primaeval man (the humans) from the worldwide flood that deluged the entire land areas of the world.

In Sacred Games, Ganesh Gaitonde resurfaces in a new location in 1994, in a new avatar of an international gang leader of repute, perhaps to save Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Sartaj continues his investigation, by taking a new avatar, too.

2: Siduri

With the terrorist-cell investigation underway, Sartaj visits Guruji’s (Pankaj Tripathi) ashram; in the late 1990s, Gaitonde was urged to seek a spiritual anchor.

According to the Hindu mythological tales, Siduri is another avatar of Goddess Durga, the one, who wears Sindhoor on her hair partition on head.

In Sacred Games, perhaps a woman in a powerful position in the Guruji’s ashram holds the key.

3: Apasmara

Sartaj traces how Shahid Khan’s (Ranvir Shorey) nuclear consignment was delivered to India; Gaitonde takes bold action to maintain his notoriety in the early 2000s.

According to the Hindu mythological tales, Apasmara is a dwarf who represents spiritual ignorance and nonsensical speech.

In Sacred Games, perhaps, Shahid Khan is referred to as Apasmara, the man does not know his family’s history and past. Besides, the history of the two nations.

4: Bardo

Sartaj’s team tries to reach Shahid Khan through an internet chat room; in 2003, Gaitonde’s growing disenchantment with his life brings him closer to Guruji.

According to the Tibetan language, Bardo is a translation of the Sanskrit term antarābhava, which means “existence in the interval”, referring to the period between death and rebirth.

In Sacred Games, perhaps, it means the death of the unified Indian subcontinent and the birth of different and independent nations in the Indian subcontinent.

Significantly, the British Colonial rulers partitioned the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan based on two major religions, viz, Hindu and Muslim.

And maybe, the same is true for the people of the Indian subcontinent.

5: Vikarna

As Sartaj’s team baits a trap for Shahid Khan, Majid (Aamir Bashir) suspects a department member; immersed in ashram life, Gaitonde learns about Guruji’s lethal plans.

According to the Hindu mythological tales, the name Vikarna came from his character of either not listening to anyone (because of his self-esteem and ego) or listening and capturing wisdom through his (large) ears. Thus, Vikarna’s name contains two meanings.

In Sacred Games, perhaps, Ganesh listens and understands the true nature of Guruji Ji’s dangerous plans for Mumbai, so he acts as Vikarna.

6: Azrael

Batya (Kalki Koechlin) lets Sartaj in on several secrets, leaving him conflicted and reeling; Gaitonde returns to Mumbai to set Guruji’s destructive plan into motion.

Azrael is the angel of death in Jewish and Islamic religious beliefs. Thus, this angel watches over the dying and separates the soul from the body.

In Scared Games, perhaps, Ganesh Gaitonde is going to play the role of Azrael in this tale.

7: Torino

After committing a drastic act, Gaitonde cannot silence Guruji’s voice in his mind; Parulkar (Neeraj Kabi) reaches a shocking realization; Sartaj makes a breakthrough.

Torino (aka Turin) is an ancient city that is situated in the Piemonte region of Northwestern Italy. As per the legend, it is rumoured to be surrounded by the magic. Furthermore, it is said that this city was built at the confluence of two rivers called Po and Dora. These two rivers form a ‘Y’ in the city, and they symbolise the good and bad duality of humans in a real sense.

In Sacred Games, perhaps, it refers to the kind and unkind duality of Ganesh Gaitonde in the tale.

8: Radcliffe

Unsettling truths, unforeseen connections and complex betrayals emerge for Sartaj, Gaitonde and Shahid Khan as doomsday descends on Mumbai.

Notably, the Radcliffe boundary refers to the international border line between India and Pakistan nations on the Indian subcontinent.

In Sacred Games, the people of the Indian subcontinent could revisit the shared rich history of our people, before the religions and politics divided our nations.