"Malati is tutored to our wishes and inspired with hatred of the
bridegroom Nandan. He is reminded of the examples of _Sakuntala_ and
_Vasavadatta_ that vindicate the free choice of a husband. Her
admiration of her youthful lover is now approved by his illustrious
birth and my encomium of his high descent. All this must strengthen and
confirm her passion. Now their union may be left to fate."
By the contrivance of Kamandaki, a second interview between the lovers
takes place in the public garden of the temple of _Sankara_. Malati is
persuaded that the god _Sankara_ is to be propitiated with offerings of
flowers gathered by one's self. Whilst she is collecting her oblation
she and Madhava meet as if by accident.
At this moment, a great tumult and terrific screams announce that a
tremendous tiger has escaped from an iron cage in the temple of Siva,
spreading destruction everywhere. Instantly, Nandana's youthful sister,
Madayantika happens to be passing, and is attacked by the tiger and is
reported to be in imminent danger.
Madhava and Makaranda both rush to the rescue. The latter kills the
animal, and thus saves her who is then brought in a half-fainting state
into the garden. He is himself wounded. Mandayantika is thus saved by
the valour of Makaranda. The gallant youth is brought in insensible. By
the care of the women, he revives.
On recovering, Madayantika naturally falls in love with her deliverer.
The two couples are thus brought together. Malati affiances herself
there and then to Madhava.
Soon afterwards, the king prepares to enforce the marriage of Malati
with Nandan. A messenger arrives to summon Madayantika to be present at
the marriage. Another messenger summons Malati herself to the king's
place.
Madhava is mad with grief and in despair makes the extraordinary
resolution of purchasing the aid of ghosts and malignant spirits by
going to the cemetery and offering them living flesh, cut off from his
own body, as food. He accordingly bathes in the river Sindhu and goes at
night to the cemetery. The cemetery happens to be near the temple of the
awful goddess Chamunda, a form of Durga. The temple is presided over by
a sorceress named Kapalkundla and her preceptor, a terrible necromancer
Aghorghanta. They have determined on offering some beautiful maiden as
a human victim to the goddess. With this object they carry off Malati,
before her departure, while asleep on a terrace and bringing her to the
temple, are about to kill her at the shrine when her cries of distress
attract the attention of Madhava, who is, at the moment, in the cemetery
offering his flesh to the ghosts.
He thinks he recognizes the voice of Malati. He rushes forward to her
rescue. She is discovered dressed as a victim and the magician and the
sorceress are preparing for the sacrifice.
He encounters Aghorghanta and, after a terrific hand-to-hand fight,
kills him and rescues Malati.
She flies to his arms. Voices are heard as of persons in search of
Malati. Madhava places her in safety.
The sorceress vows vengeance against Madhava for slaying her preceptor
Aghorghanta.
Malati is now restored to her friends. The preparations for Malati's
wedding with Nandana goes on. The old priestess Kamandaki, who favours
the union of Malati with her lover Madhava, contrives that, by the
king's command, the bridal dress shall be put on at the very temple
where her own ministrations are conducted.
There she persuades Makaranda to substitute himself for the bride. He
puts on the bridal dress, is carried in procession to the house of
Nandan and goes through the form of being married to him. Nandana, being
disgusted with the masculine appearance of the pretended bride, and
offended by the rude reception given to him, vows to have no further
communication with her and consigns her to his sister's care in the
inner apartments. This enabled Makaranda to effect an interview with
Nandana's sister Madayantika, the object of his own affections.
Makaranda then discovers himself to his mistress and persuades her to
run away with him to the place where Malati and Madhava have concealed
themselves.
Their flight is discovered. The king's guards are sent in pursuit. A
great fight follows; but Makaranda, assisted by Madhava, defeats his
opponents. The bravery and handsome appearance of the two youths avert
the king's anger and they are allowed to join their friends unpunished.
The friends accordingly assemble at the gate of the temple.
But the sorceress, who has been watching an opportunity when Malati is
unprotected, takes advantage of the confusion and carries her off in a
flying car, in revenge for the death of her preceptor. The distress of
her lover and friends knows no bounds. They are reduced to despair at
this second obstacle to the marriage. They give up all hopes of
recovering her when they are happily relieved by the opportune arrival
of Soudamini, an old pupil of the priestess Kamandaki, who has acquired
extraordinary magical powers by her penances.
She rescues Malati from the hands of the sorceress and restores her to
her despairing lover.
The two couples are now united in happy wedlock.