Starry-eyed Kumud Sundari, accompanied by Bhakti Maiya and the other ascetics, set out on her journey to Sundargiri. That very morning Sarasvatichandra, accompanied by Viharpuri and Radhedas, came down the mountain to visit Surgram and the sea coast. The western side of the mountain was particularly beautiful. The ‘incline’ of the mountain extended right up to the sea; the ‘gradient’ was almost like well-arranged marble steps. Some parts were invisible from the top and seemed to disappear under the rocks. The waves crashed against these rocks. The verdant forest, the tall green grass, the black rocks with pointed tops and the serpentine pathways filled the eyes. It was the month of Chaitra. The sky was cloudless. The first rays of the sun seemed to bathe the mountain with light. The last of the stars had set. The sky had a pristine blue clarity and, unlike the roaring sea, it was still. It extended beyond the horizon. When this clear, unadorned but glowing sky provided a canopy to the lofty mountain, Kumud Sundari in company of the ascetics had climbed halfway up the steep mountain. She and the other women sat down to rest their weary limbs. The spot where they sat down was on a ‘curve’ on the path. It was situated such that a person coming down the mountain would not be able to see a person at the curve until they were almost face to face, but it gave a clear view of the path below. There were many ‘landing places’ along the way; some were on either side of the path, some were shaped like a circle, while others were built as a rectangular platform. Pilgrims halted at these landing places to take rest and regain their strength. Kumud Sundari had already climbed halfway up the mountain. The ‘bracing’ wind of early morning combined with some unarticulated enthusiasm did not tire her at all. Her cheeks were flushed, her limbs strangely relaxed. She participated eagerly in the banter of her companions, locking and unlocking her fingers as she walked. The slight heaving of her breasts, her halting speech, her shallow breathing, her shy eyes, the crease on her forehead and the slight disarray of her hair and clothes all gave a sense that she was either exhausted by the effort or in a state of great excitement. It was difficult to say with conviction what her true state was. But a careful observer would have surmised that physical exertion and mental excitement had both combined to create the strange sensations she experienced. Kumud’s beauty, her clothes and ornaments made her stand out in the group of ascetics. Bhakti Maiya was tall and broadly built; her complexion was dark and she was ugly to look at. All other women, save one, were taller than Kumud. The one who was shorter was almost dwarf-like and stoutly built. All of them had dark complexions, some a shade darker than others. But if colour is not the only marker of beauty,