Summary

Act II begins with Bhagavata asking the audience what the solution to the problem is, but the question turns out to be rhetorical. Bhagavata says that the trio went to see a great rishi, who tells them “As the heavenly Kalpa Vriksha is supreme among trees, so is the head among human limbs” (110), and so Padmini is the rightful wife of Devadatta’s head. The trio, which had been frozen during the intermission, springs to life. Padmini and Devadatta jump for joy while Kapila is dejected. Padmini goes off to enjoy Devadatta’s new body, but she tells Kapila to take some solace in the fact that she will be with his body before she goes.

Kapila goes into the forest and is not seen again. Padmini and Devadatta return to the city and enjoy married life. One day, Devadatta comes home with...