Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) are attacked by a group of demons as they walk along a riverbank. Xena puts "the pinch" on one of the demons and learns that they were sent by Indrajit (Rajneel Singh), the King of Demons, to prevent Xena and Gabrielle from reaching the Avatar, a deity in human form destined to save humanity. Later that night, Xena tends to her wounds and questions if violence is the right path for her, now that she knows her destiny is to be a peacemaker. The next day, Xena and Gabrielle continue their journey and come across a crowd of poor and sick people who are being healed by the Avatar. The two are stunned when they learn that the Avatar is Eli (Timothy Omundson), the devi who earlier saved Gabrielle from an evil demon. The three depart for the coast and set up camp, but Xena senses they are being followed. Suddenly, Hanuman (Jake McKinnon), a huge ape-man, appears and offers his services to help protect Eli. He knows that Indrajit is coming and suggests they go to the Great Temple to ask for help from Krishna (Rajiv Varma), the Supreme Personality of the Godhood. Xena is reluctant at first, but trusts Hanuman's insight, considering he has helped other Avatars in the past.
While walking to the temple, Gabrielle learns from Eli that reverence for life is the ultimate truth and Xena questions Hanuman about the right "Way" to live one's life. Hanuman explains that there is only one Way for each person and to be caught between two Ways is a bad thing. They just make it to the temple when Indrajit, a majestic man riding a magic carpet swoops down on them. First he grabs Eli and then Gabrielle and flies off to the demon land of Lanka. Xena is prepared to go in pursuit, but Hanuman convinces her that she will need the help of Krishna to rescue Gabrielle and Eli. They enter the temple and Xena begins to pray. After a while, Krishna appears and acknowledges Xena's confusion about her life's path. He tells her that in order to walk the Way of a saint in her next life, she must embrace her warrior Way now. Krishna sends Xena and Hanuman on their way to confront Indrajit, and tells Xena to call out his name in battle to summon the strength needed to defeat the King of Demons.
Xena and Hanuman enter Indrajit's palace to find him holding Gabrielle by the throat. Xena lets her chakram fly and it severs Indrajit's hand, releasing Gabrielle. Suddenly, Indrajit sprouts five more arms, each holding a weapon, and attacks Xena. Xena fights with everything she has, but Indrajit cuts off both her arms with a scythe. As she falls to the ground, Xena calls out Krishna's name. Suddenly her arms regenerate, along with four other armed appendages. Xena proceeds to dismember Indrajit, and when the battle is over, her extra limbs disappear. Eli and Gabrielle say their goodbyes and then Eli leaves to return home. Later, Xena watches as Gabrielle accepts the Way of Love by throwing her fighting staff into the Ganges.
Guest Starring: Timothy Omundson (Eli), Jake McKinnon (Hanuman), Rajneel Singh (Indrajit), Rajiv Varma (Krishna), George Sabbage (Man), Slade Leef (Demon)
Starring: Lucy Lawless as Xena, Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
Written by R.J. Stewart
Directed by John Fawcett
Trivia: This episode was pulled after it first aired because several Hindu groups found it offensive. It was later brought back with several changes made to it. There were "we don't intend to offend anyone" spots included at the start and end. In addition, Xena headbutting Hanuman when they first meet was edited out. They also removed the comedy disclaimer because it poked fun at the similarities between Hanuman and the apes from the "Planet of the Apes" movies and television series.