Bhimsen's companions searched everywhere, but there was no trace of him. Helpless, they returned late at night and immediately went to Maharaj Shivdutt to report: "Today, the prince went hunting in the forest. While chasing a wild boar, he spurred his horse and disappeared somewhere—we searched thoroughly, but could not find him."

Hearing of his son's disappearance, Maharaj Shivdutt was deeply distressed. For a while, he vented his anger on those who had accompanied Bhimsen. At last, he summoned several spies and dispatched them in all directions to search for Bhimsen, and also gave strict instructions to the ayyaars. Yet, even after three days, there was no news of Bhimsen.

One day, tormented by his son's absence, the king sat alone in his chamber, lost in anxious thoughts, when a trusted servant entered and startled him with the sound of his footsteps. As the king looked toward him, the servant produced an envelope and said, "The chobdar entrusted me with this letter for Your Majesty. According to the chobdar, a stranger delivered it and left at once. The chobdars tried to stop him, but he slipped away swiftly."

Maharaj Shivdutt took the envelope and opened it. Recognizing his son Bhimsen's handwriting, he was overjoyed, but as he read the letter, signs of anxiety appeared on his face. The letter read:

"It will grieve you greatly to know that I have been bravely captured by a woman. But what can I do? I am helpless. I will explain everything when I return. For now, I can only be released if you set free all of Virendra Singh's ayyaars who are imprisoned by you, and allow them to return home safely and willingly. It is useless to try to find me; I am imprisoned in a most inaccessible place.

Your obedient son, Bhim."

After reading the letter, Maharaj Shivdutt was thrown into a strange turmoil. He thought, "Could it be that a woman captured Bhim? He is clever, strong, and skilled in arms. No, no, that woman must have tricked him! But now I must release those ayyaars who are in my custody! Alas, how difficult it was to capture those ayyaars, and now they must be released so easily. Well, I am helpless—what else can I do?"

After much deliberation, Maharaj Shivdutt summoned the ayyaar Bakr Ali and said, "Release Virendra Singh's ayyaars. Until they return home, my son will not be freed from that woman's captivity."

Bakar Ali (in astonishment): "What is this that Your Majesty has said? I do not understand a thing!"

Shivdatt Singh: "Bhimsen has been captured by a woman. She says that until Virendra Singh's spies are released, you too will not be allowed to return home."

Bakar Ali: "How did you come to know this?"

Shivdatt Singh (showing a letter): "Look at this, it is written in Bhimsen's own hand. There can be no doubt about this letter."

Bakar Ali (after reading): "It is true. The fact that we had no news of the prince