Mallika grew apprehensive, ‘What does the Arya mean?’

‘The objective is the re-establishment and proper protection of the caste religion in Madra. It is for this that your help and cooperation are needed,’ the Acharya replied in a firm voice.

Mallika thought for a moment and said, ‘I am at your service, Arya.’

‘Is this place safe for a conversation?’ the Acharya whispered cautiously. ‘Even walls have ears.’

Devi Mallika assured him that no one could hear their conversation. The Acharya then gave her a detailed account of his plans in a low and secretive tone.

In a solemn voice Devi Mallika said, ‘In the service of the gods, the Arya’s commands shall be obeyed.’

Prithusen and Rudradhir

DEVI MALLIKA, THE COURT DANCER OF MADRA, THE LAUREATE OF ART, the Light of the Town, had lost her zest for life and for a long time had withdrawn from public events. Consequently, the gentry of the town were deprived of the pleasures of her art. On important festivals and other days, performances were organized at her palace, but they were more in the nature of formalities observed to keep up old traditions. There was little sparkle or enthusiasm in them.

The citizens of Sagal were, therefore, overjoyed to learn that on the night of the full moon, in the month of Kartik, a grand festival of music and dance would be held in Devi Mallika’s palace. To this festival, the nobility, the members of the Council, the important merchants and traders, ladies of the nobility, and a number of reputed dancers had been invited.

The concert was arranged in the open air, under a clear sky flooded with the cool beams of a bright moon. White carpets had been spread; guests sat on white mattresses against white cushions; on all sides, white flowers bloomed; white fans were used, and even drinks were served in white crystal and silver bowls and vessels. The attendants, both male and female, were dressed in white. Mallika herself, her pupils, the musicians, the guest dancers, were all in white costumes. They had decked their bodies and hair with white flowers and strings of pearls.

The guests were thrilled to have been provided with such an event after so long an interval. Acharya Rudradhir, Kartavir, the feudatory chief, Vishnu Sharma, the savant, cavalry commanders Balabhadra and Dharmajit sat on one side, making a crescent, with the great feudatory chief Sarvarth in the centre. Sakrid, Indradeep, Vinay Sharma, Vasudhir and others sat at some distance from them. Prestha, the magnate, Okris, Martha and Pandit Ikrid, the Greek nobles, and Vardhak and Gopal, the feudatory chiefs, sat on the other side. Commander Prithusen, together with his friends and their womenfolk sat close by. High-caste ladies accompanied by their attendants formed their own set. Another group was formed by traders who had lately acquired membership in the Council, their friends and other prominent merchants.

Devi Mallika, although unable to give a performance on account of her advanced age, thanked the guests for having honoured her with their presence. Even though she had lost her agility, she took part in the inaugural ceremonial dance. Precious wines from Kapisha, Kandahar, Magadh and Drakshi were served to the guests. When the moon touched the zenith, the dancing girls, in all their finery, turned from the devotional to the voluptuous and the provocative. The guests, instead of sipping their drinks, began to gulp them down.