Scene 1

Place: Courtyard of the royal palace. Enter Saudamini and Maitreya.

MAITRYEA

Changing Sairandhri's mind is beyond our ability.

SAUDAMINI

What does Kankabhatta say?

MAITREYA

Such gambling addicts! Virata Maharaja and Kankabhatta are totally lost in their game! Kankabhatta has no time to talk to me; and when Sudeshana Maharani Saheb and Ratnaprabha Rani Saheb came to see Maharaja, he had no time to talk to them. Just as gambling destroyed Yudhisthira Raja of the Pandavas, so will it destroy this Virata Raja. With all his gambling how can any time be left for governing? That's why Kichaka and Anu-Kichakas have become so powerful.

SAUDAMINI

Now is the time for action, but this Kankabhatta is lost in gambling! Awful addict! Just now Sudeshana Maharani Saheb has strictly ordered Sairandhri to go to Kichaka Maharaja's pleasure palace with golden decanters of liquor.

MAITREYA

So what did Sairandhri say?

SAUDAMINI

“I will kill myself but not let Kichaka touch my body.”

MAITREYA

If she kills herself, you will benefit. One less competitor for you. Kichaka Maharaja will mourn for two days and then start chasing you.

SAUDAMINI

I have just come up with a trick! Let's do this. Persuade Sairandhri to merely step out of the palace into this courtyard with those golden decanters of liquor. And later, instead of her, I will carry those liquor decanters and enter Kichaka Maharaja's pleasure palace.