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