Chandrakant’s Confusions How was that visit to the Malla Mahabhavan useful for me? How does the discussion about the condition of the native states and a discourse on the Mahabharata aid my search for Sarasvatichandra? Do these diversions not hamper it? Chandrakant was walking about on the ramparts of the Saundarya Udyan, his mind in a whirl. Initially, he had hoped that Vidya Chatura would assist in his mission. But several events—the incident with the outlaws, Kumud’s death, Samant Mulu’s illness—had intervened, and gradually his hope had turned into despair. Chandrakant had decided to go out unaided in search of Sarasvatichandra. Gunasundari had assuaged his anxieties, but that did not further his mission. For two days he had participated in lofty discussions about statecraft, which were of no use for his mission. How was he now to tell Gunasundari—who had such deep affection for Sarasvatichandra—that he no longer needed her help? These questions became a quandary for Chandrakant, and he walked around scratching his head, looking for some solution from the world around him. The ramparts separated the garden from a large, open public square meant for the entertainment and leisure of the citizens of Ratnanagari. The ramparts extended to a set of rooms where Gunasundari received visitors. Below he could see Kusum’s pleasure garden and ponds. Large trees obscured his vision of the rest of the building and the garden. In the distance he could see the fortifications of Ratnanagari and the grand royal palaces.

The public square hummed with activity. Many traders who had come from distant villages had set up makeshift shops in the square; many had come with cartloads of grain and other produce. They haggled over prices with the town’s merchants and their agents. Caravans had set up tents and sold camels, horses, cattle, sheep and goats. Foreign goods that had come via the ports were being sold and bought. Beggars, mendicants and brahmins sought alms in their distinctive styles. State officials could also be seen walking about grandiosely among them. Chandrakant observed this pompous show before him, and thought, is it not possible that Sarasvatichandra is part of this crowd, and is looking for me? Is there no one among these people who could provide some clue about his whereabouts? He languidly put his hand in his pocket; some letters came out. He had already read them. He put them back in his pocket, and mused aloud, ‘Ganga has taken very ill in Bombay. She needs me there. Sansarilal wrote that there is no one in my family who is willing to look after her. Kiki says that her mother will die from lack of care if I did not return soon. ‘My clerk informs that my business has suffered in my absence and is likely to go under if I did not return soon. There is money required for household expenses. These are not more important than Sarasvatichandra. Ganga’s death will be a shock and it would be criminal not to be around