Krishnegowda, catching her eye, finally acts. He whispers something to Bhaskaraiah, who in turn looks mortified. He was so elated at seeing the possession and recording all that the Being said that he had not realized the villagers actually planned to burn Honni.

He immediately goes up to Puttaswamegowda and draws him aside. Maybe he tells him about the new law that imprisons people who force women to burn on funeral pyres. Maybe he speaks of divine retribution. The consequence of this talk is that Puttaswamegowda says Honni will not be burnt.

The villagers are not convinced. Puttaswamegowda is not himself and he does not even know what he is saying. A delegation of villagers go to the Kamadeva temple and Annaiah’s counsel is finally sought. Annaiah, as usual, gives his advice through a story.

‘It’s not gumma, don’t worry,’ he says. ‘It is Ooramma who speaks. She remembers how she, as Sati, jumped into the fire created by her father Daksha when he refused to honour her husband Siva. She wants Honni to honour Rajegowda, at least in his death, by joining him in the fire.’

The villagers nod wisely. Rajegowda may have ignored her, but Honni’s behaviour has been subject to much whispered discussion, particularly among the women. They know what Ooramma means.

But Annaiah is not done. ‘We can’t carry out what Ooramma wants,’ he says. ‘The headman’s daughter-in-law has to agree to be sacrificed.’ He pauses to see if they understand. ‘Remember Bhageerathi? She jumped on her own into the well to save her people. The village got water. But Honni, that is not her choice. She hasn’t agreed.’ The villagers look blank. What has Bhageerathi got to do with this? ‘Honni is also carrying her first child,’ Annaiah says. ‘The only one in the village right now. If she is burnt against her will, the fire will destroy the whole village.’

This is the first anyone has heard of Honni’s child, but somehow no one is surprised. So what if no one knows whose child it is? The village is, however, divided on what to do next. They are now scared to sacrifice Honni. On the other hand, there is Ooramma’s wrath!

Bhaskaraiah starts worrying that he may be forced to witness a murder. He urges Krishnegowda to act. Isn’t there a police chowki nearby, he asks. Krishnegowda brushes the idea away and says that they can’t bring police into the village. How shall we stop these people then?

Annaiah, seeing the people’s mood, comes up with a familiar solution. Let us burn a wooden doll, like Ramani, along with Rajegowda’s body, in place of Honni. After all, that’s what we do every year during Kamanahabba. And we have always been blessed, he says. Ooramma will be happy with that.