On the night when the capital was writhing under the tumult of the Yavana army, Pashupati was imprisoned alone in a cell. At the end of the night, the military uprising came to an end. Then Muhammad Ali came to speak with him. Pashupati said, “Yavana!—There is no need for your sweet words any longer. Once before, I trusted in your pleasant speech and have come to this state. I have received the fruit of trusting a heretic Yavana. Now, considering death preferable, I have renounced all other hopes. I will not listen to any more of your honeyed words.”

Muhammad Ali replied, “I obey my lord’s command—I have come to carry out my lord’s order. You must put on the dress of a Yavana.”

Pashupati said, “Set your mind at ease on that matter. I have now resolved to die. I am ready to give up my life—but I will not adopt the Yavana faith.”

M: I am not asking you to adopt the Yavana faith at this moment. I am only asking you to wear the dress of a Yavana for the satisfaction of the royal representative.

P: Why should I, a Brahmin, don the garb of a mlechchha?

M: If you do not wear it willingly, I will force you to wear it. Refusal will only bring you disgrace, not gain.

Pashupati did not reply. Muhammad Ali himself dressed him in Yavana attire. He said, “Come with me.”

P: Where are we going? M. You are a prisoner—what need is there for questions?

Muhammad Ali led him to the Lion Gate. The man who had been assigned to guard Pashupati accompanied them as well. When the sentries at the gate questioned them, Muhammad Ali gave his name and made a sign. The sentries allowed them to pass. Exiting through the Lion Gate, the three of them proceeded some distance along the royal road. By then, the Yavana army had completed its pillaging of the city and was resting; thus, there was no further disturbance on the road.

Muhammad Ali said, “Dharma Adhikari! You have reproached me without cause. I was wholly unaware of Bakhtiyar Khilji’s intentions. Had I known, I would never have come to you as the messenger of a deceiver. Nevertheless, you trusted my words and have fallen into such misfortune; I have done what I can to atone for this. A boat awaits by the Ganges—depart wherever you wish. Here, I take my leave.”

Pashupati stood astonished, struck dumb with wonder. Muhammad Ali spoke again, “You must leave this city before night’s end. Otherwise, if you are discovered by the Yavanas in the morning, disaster will befall you. I have acted contrary to Khilji’s orders—this guard is witness to it. Therefore, for his own safety, I am sending him into exile as well. Take him with you on your boat.”

With these words, Muhammad Ali departed. Pashupati, still bewildered, set out toward the banks of the Ganges.