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.




HANUMAN NATAKA, OR MAHANATAKA, OR THE GREAT DRAMA.