Princess Tirumalamba Devi feels lost after the death of her father, Krishna. She finds her way to the temple where Pampa is staying, and they become friends. Noticing that Pampa is struggling to write her story, Tirumalamba offers to act as her scribe. During this time, Achyuta arrives in Bisnaga, accompanied by his friends, a “disorganized band of drinking ruffians” (300). Achyuta is ill-mannered and unintelligent. Aliya, always scheming, tries to install himself as Achyuta’s advisor. Pampa believes that the competition for power between Aliya and Achyuta will bring about the downfall of Bisnaga. Under Achyuta’s rule, Bisnaga just about survives but does not thrive as it once did. He becomes enraged when a statue of Pampa that he intended to be a demonstration of his religiosity is taken instead, as a tribute to the still-living Pampa. He is further frustrated to discover that the population’s reverence for Pampa and her exulted status means that he cannot simply kill her.

By this time, Aliya’s political scheming has made him as powerful as the king. During one of their meetings, Tirumalamba tells Pampa that she wishes that she could be a foreigner and travel the world. The tension between Aliya and Achyuta pulls Bisnaga is opposite directions.