Aarti The flute plays, it plays sublime! And I awaken to its beauty. The Lord of the Universe dances, He makes the world dance with Him To the rhythms of spring I long to watch the Ras, I long to play the Ras, I long to dance the Ras, With my Lord. Dear reader, after a long journey we return to Bombay. One year passed since Sarasvatichandra brought Kusum to Bombay. Gunasundari wrote regularly to them. Her letters showed that Kusum’s happiness and Kumud’s equanimity had filled her cup of joy. Gunasundari spent her days in delight and in the acquisition of knowledge. All day long Sundargauri spoke to her about the joys of her niece; that was the only work and distraction for Gunasundari. Vidya Chatura was engrossed in his administration and could not write as often. But every time he wrote, he enquired about the welfare activities of his daughter and son-in-law and also shared his experience with them. Sundargauri and Kusum’s banter continued through letters. Kusum read out these letters to Sarasvatichandra and shared her pleasure with him. Kusum wrote to her mother and sister as to how her learning, arts and aspirations had grown by her association with

Sarasvatichandra, the scholars, ascetics and the ‘madams’ who came to visit them. Buddhidhan and Narbheram had witnessed the scenes on Sundargiri. They admitted to each other that if Pramaddhan had been restrained in time, as was suggested by Vidya Chatura, the result would have been more auspicious. Vidya Chatura on the other hand felt that if he had been more farsighted, Pramaddhan could have lived a reformed life and Kumud could have been happy. On his return to Suvarnapur, Buddhidhan gave up the idea of renunciation. Kumud and Alak Kishori ensured that he was free to devote all his time to the administration of the state. Together they raised Saubhagya Devi’s infant son and planned his future. Kumud read Sanskrit and English books, including those which dealt with love and romance. She taught the women who flocked to her. She spent time with Gunasundari and also at Sundargiri and at Chandravali’s abode. This was the place which had given her and Sarasvatichandra noble aspirations. She learnt new ideas from the ascetics. At times, Alak Kishori also accompanied her on these journeys. It was almost a year since she had last met Kusum at Sundargiri. Kusum wrote to her often and insisted that she visit them in Bombay. Every two or three days Sarasvatichandra and Kusum wrote to her about Kalyangram. They repeatedly asked her to come and see for herself what had been described in their letters. She also aspired to be the Yamuna that she had promised to be. Alak was also invited to Bombay. Kumud decided to visit them and obtained her father-in-law’s consent to go. Alak wanted to tease Sarasvatichandra for having stayed in her house under an assumed identity. In Bombay Sarasvatichandra’s plan for Kalyangram had been discussed threadbare. Both father and son had