With her hand shielding her eyes, Ratnaprabha looked at the receding flag, as though her life depended on it. It became smaller and smaller, then a speck on the horizon. Long after that speck had disappeared from view, she continued to stand motionless, supporting herself on the shoulder of her pupil, Muktavali.

His Excellency Ravi Sharma, the Viceroy of Mathurapuri, tenderly roused her with a touch of his hand and escorted her to her chariot. Ratnaprabha returned to her palace with her face hidden behind the folds of her stole.

Divya

DEVI MALLIKA RETURNED TO SAGAL SUCCESSFUL IN HER MISSION, her pilgrimage having yielded the desired result. Her homecoming was an occasion for rejoicing for both the gentry and the common people of Sagal.

People were eager to see that jewel of an artiste who had proved equal to the demands of Mallika. Connoisseurs and lovers of art came from far and near to have a glimpse of her. Crowds of people gathered at the evening concerts in Mallika’s palace. There was a great deal of elbowing and pushing for seats, but no one was able to see the fabled dancer. The heir to Devi Mallika’s throne remained confined to the interior of the palace.

Finally, a day was fixed for the ceremonial investiture. Devi Mallika announced that a month hence, on the auspicious date of the full moon in the month of Phalgun, the ceremony would be held, and people would have the opportunity of seeing her successor. For the men and women of Sagal the waiting period of thirty days was full of eager curiosity and anticipation.

Arrangements were made for a grand sacrificial yajna for the propitiation of the gods. At the ceremony, one hundred priests and scholars recited benedictory hymns, and the seat of the head priest was occupied, at Mallika’s request, by the Chairman of the Council, the noblest of Acharyas, Mahapandit Rudradhir.

The site chosen for the investiture of Devi Mallika’s successor was on the bank of the silvery Pushkarni lake. In front of the dais, on a raised platform, sat the Master of Exceptional Virtues, the Great Noble, the President of the Republic, Sri Dev Sarvarth, and next to him, the Chairman of the Council, Acharya Rudradhir. On both sides of the platform, rows of seats were arranged in the form of a wide crescent, for the nobility, the heads of Brahmin families, the feudatory chiefs, members of the Council, and high-caste ladies. Behind them sat the monied families of Sagal, the merchants, the business magnates, and their friends and relatives. And behind them all, the soldiers and the vast concourse of people as far as the eye could see. Unable to suppress their curiosity, in spite of the professed indifference to worldly affairs, many Buddhist bhikshus were present, in their russet robes.

A contingent of Brahmins chanted auspicious mantras. A troupe of prominent dancers of the town and the pupils of Mallika performed the inaugural, propitiatory dance and welcomed the guests. The state astrologer prophesied eternal renown for Devi Mallika’s successor.