Girijaya said, “Let us go home.” Mrinalini replied, “What is this commotion in the city?” At that moment, the Yavana army was ravaging the city. Hearing the tumultuous uproar, both were filled with anxiety. Girijaya said, “Come, let us leave now, cautiously.” But when the two of them reached near the main road, they saw that there was no way to proceed. With no other choice, they turned back and sat upon the steps by the lake. Girijaya said, “What if he comes here?”

Mrinalini remained silent. Girijaya herself said, “We shall hide in the shade of the forest—no one will be able to find us.”

The two of them came and sat together on the steps.

With a pale face, Mrinalini said to Girijaya, “Girijaya, I fear my utter ruin is at hand.”

G: What do you mean!

M: Just now a horseman passed by; it was Hemchandra. Friend—there is fierce battle in the city; if my lord, alone and unaided, has gone into that war—who knows what peril may befall him!

Girijaya could not answer. Sleep was overtaking her. After a while, Mrinalini saw that Girijaya was asleep.

Mrinalini too, already weakened by lack of food and rest—and after enduring such mental torment day and night, her body could bear no more—she too was overcome by drowsiness. In her sleep, she began to dream. He saw that Hemchandra had always emerged victorious, even when alone. It was as if Mrinalini stood on the royal road to behold the triumphant hero. On the royal road, before and behind Hemchandra, elephants, horses, and foot soldiers marched in procession. It seemed as though that wave of the army swept past Mrinalini, trampling her underfoot as it went by— Then Hemchandra dismounted from his Sindhu mare, And, taking her hand, raised her up. She seemed to say to Hemchandra, “Lord! I have suffered much; do not abandon your servant again.” Hemchandra seemed to reply, “Never again shall I leave you.” In that very voice— Her sleep was broken, “Never again shall I leave you”— Even awake, she heard these words. She opened her eyes—what did she see? What she saw, she could not believe. She looked again—it was true. Hemchandra stood before her—Hemchandra was saying, “Forgive me once more—never again shall I leave you.” Unresentful, unashamed, Mrinalini once more clung to his neck, Resting her head upon his shoulder.