The party assembles in the chamber where the performance is to take place, fitted up with the Sangitarachana, or orchestral decorations.  The king’s object is attained, for Ganadasa brings forward Malavika as the pupil on whom he stakes his credit.  Malavika sings an Upanga or prelude, and then executes an air of extraordinary difficulty.  Malavika’s performance is highly applauded, and, of course, captivates the king and destroys his peace of mind; the Vidushaka detains her until the queen, who has all along suspected the plot, commands her to retire.  The warder cries the hour of noon, on which the party breaks up, and the queen, with more housewifery than majesty, hastens away to expedite her royal husband’s dinner.

There stands an asoka tree in the garden.  The Hindus believe that this tree, when barren, may be induced to put forth flowers by the contact of the foot of a handsome woman.  The tree in question does not blossom, and being the favourite of Dharini, she has proposed to try the effect of her own foot.  Unluckily however, the Vidhushaka, whilst setting her swing in motion, has tumbled her out of it and the fall has sprained her ankle, so that she cannot perform the ceremony herself:  she therefore deputes Malavika to do it for her, who accordingly comes to the spot attired in royal habiliments, and accompanied by her friend Vakulavali.  In the conversation that ensues, she acknowledges her passion for the king, who with his friend Gotama has been watching behind the tree, and overhears the declaration; he therefore makes his appearance and addresses a civil speech, to Malavika when he is interrupted by another pair of listeners, Iravati and her attendant.  She commands Malavika’s retreat, and leaves the king, in a violent rage, to inform Dharini of what is going forward.  The King never behaves as a despot but always with much consideration for the feelings of his spouses.

The Vidushaka now informs the king that Malavika has been locked in the Sarabhandagriha or the store or treasure room by the queen.  The room was no enviable place, as the Vidusaka compares it to Patala, the infernal regions.  He undertakes, however, to effect her liberation; and whilst he prepares for his scheme, the Raja pays a visit to the queen.

Whilst the Raja is engaged in tranquil conversation with Dharini, and the parivrajaka, the vidushaka rushes in, exclaiming he has been beaten by a venomous snake, whilst gathering flowers to bring with him as a present on his visit to the queen, and he exhibits his thumb bound with his cord, and marked with the impressions made by the teeth of the reptile.  The parivrajaka, with some humour as well as good surgery, recommends the actual cautery, or the amputation of the thumb; but the vidushaka pretending to be in convulsions and dying, the snake-doctor is sent for, who having had his clue refuses to come, and desires the patient may be sent to him:  the vidushaka is accordingly