Princess Raatri was feeling extremely disturbed by the environment there.
So she sat down at one place, holding her head.
After a few moments, she spoke to the High Minister Trishulam—
"Trishulam ji, do you know what is happening and why all this is happening?"
"Forgive me, Maharani, but I have no knowledge about this matter."
"Pranam, Maharani."
"Pushpa, it's good that you came. Look at what is happening. You are such a skilled healer, right? So start treating them as soon as possible."
Pushpa stood before Princess Raatri with her head bowed and said—
"Forgive me, Maharani, but I am incapable of treating them. I have no knowledge of this dreadful disease. I cannot understand how suddenly all of them got affected by this illness. Please forgive me, Maharani."
Just then, Maharaj Kuler arrived there and, in front of the people of Bhram Lok, said to Princess Raatri—
"Pranam, Maharani.
What happened? You are unable to understand anything?
How would you? One needs capability for that—and where do you have that capability?
You neither have the ability to rule a kingdom nor to protect your people. Therefore, you should renounce this position, hand over the throne to me, and attain liberation."
The people of Bhram Lok present there responded to Maharaj Kuler angrily—
"Stay within your limits, Maharaj.
It does not suit you to speak about capability. Because if you were truly capable, then our former king—your father—would not have exiled you, and you would be the one sitting on the throne of Bhram Lok.
We all know very well that all of this is your doing.
You are the one who has spread this epidemic because you know that the Mrityunjay shield has been removed from us, and you want to take advantage of this opportunity.
If you think that by doing all this you can remove our love for our Maharani from our hearts, then you are greatly mistaken.
We have always stood with our Maharani and will always stand with her—even if you give all of us death."
"I am pleased to hear such words from all of you. But the thing is, these words only sound good. The reality is that this entire world runs on selfishness.
Without selfishness, no one even produces offspring—so how long will you all stand by your Maharani?
The moment you become convinced that your Maharani cannot help you, you yourselves will demand that she give up this position.
Let me inform you all that I have the cure for this disease.
When you free yourselves from the false pride of your Maharani, do come to me. I will help you wholeheartedly. Until then, farewell."
"That moment will never come, Maharaj."
"We shall see," he said with a slight sarcastic smile.
Maharaj Kuler left from there.
Maharani returned to the palace, and as she kept recalling those horrifying scenes, she again saw a shadow outside her chamber.
Princess Raatri followed that shadow and went outside her chamber, but she saw no one there.
She thought it might be her illusion, so she returned to her chamber.
After a few moments, she again felt someone outside. Once again, she went to follow the shadow. After walking some distance, a hand came onto her shoulder and stopped her.
As soon as she turned back, there was no one there.
"What kind of shadow is this!?
And who is it that is stopping me from following that shadow in this manner!?
As if there were already not enough mysteries here, now this is another one to trouble me.
I don't know how things are in Subahu Lok…
Where is Maharaj Subahu?
And how did I come into this realm?
What is the way to get out of here?
How do I break the captivity barrier created by Maharaj Kuler?"
"Pranam, Maharani."
"Sumitra!"
"Yes, Maharani."
"Forgive me, but I wanted to say something to you."
"Look, I know you are in trouble, but right now I cannot solve your problem."
"I know, Maharani. Right now, there are problems far greater than mine before you.
I do not want to talk about my problem, but about the problem of the people of Bhram Lok."
"Speak."
"Maharani, why don't you place the Mrityunjay shield over the people of our Bhram Lok again?
Once the shield is in place, those who have not been affected by this epidemic will remain safe, right?
Then all of us together can calmly find a solution to this problem."
"No, I cannot do that."
"But why, Maharani?!
We know that applying the Mrityunjay shield weakens your energy for some time, but it is very necessary, isn't it?
Then why are you not doing it?"
Princess Raatri thought to herself—
"How do I explain to her that I am not their Maharani?
I have no powers.
Then how can I create any shield?"
"I said, I cannot do it."
"But why?!"
"I do not consider it necessary to answer that.
You go and rest in the guest chamber. Also, there is a danger of an epidemic outside, so until this crisis is over, it will be appropriate for you to stay here."
"Yes, Maharani."