"But Gurudev…
Maharaj, until now you have protected a part of your enemy and have shown great kindness upon her. But in return, you have received nothing. Instead, Princess Ratri has only insulted you in the royal court, in front of the entire kingdom and all the people.
Therefore, Maharaj, do not make the mistake of showing mercy to your enemy in this final moment.
In just a short while, the energy will separate from the Prakashpunj. Take this sword and destroy the Prakashpunj, and become the master of all its energy.
Once you obtain the complete energy, you will become immensely powerful."
At that moment, the flow of energy increased even more, and slowly, the entire energy began separating from the Princess—the Prakashpunj.
Guru Rambh said to Maharaj Takshak,
"Maharaj, look! The entire energy of the Prakashpunj has now separated. This is the right moment—behead the princess."
Tears filled Maharaj Takshak's eyes.
In that moment, he remembered all the memories he had spent with Princess Ratri. But due to Guru Rambh's constant urging, he lifted the sword with both hands into the air and placed it upon the princess's neck.
But the moment the sword touched her…
both she and the Prakashpunj suddenly vanished.
Meanwhile, Prince Susim reached the place where the blue gem (Neel Mani) of Takshak Lok had once been kept—the same one he had failed to obtain earlier. But today, it was no longer there.
So the prince went to the place where the Neel Mani of his own realm was kept—a location he had learned about from Guru Rambh while disguised as Purva.
This time, he successfully obtained the Neel Mani of his realm.
As soon as he acquired it, he left Takshak Lok and departed for Tuluv Lok.
However, the moment he reached Tuluv Lok, a strange ball of fire fell upon him. As soon as it struck, Prince Susim lost consciousness.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a bed in his palace, surrounded by his entire family.
Back at Guru Rambh's monastery, both Maharaj Takshak and Guru Rambh were shocked by the sudden disappearance of the Prakashpunj and its energy.
Maharaj Takshak asked,
"What… what just happened, Gurudev? Where did the Prakashpunj and its energy vanish? You said the entire energy would become ours, but now neither the energy nor the princess is anywhere to be found. Where did they go?"
Guru Rambh, equally stunned, replied,
"Forgive me, Maharaj. Even I do not understand what just happened. The energy had indeed separated from the Prakashpunj… yet why it did not come to you, and where Princess Ratri suddenly vanished—I do not know."
Maharaj Takshak said angrily,
"You are telling me this? If you don't know, then who does? Gurudev, did you make a mistake in the ritual?"
"No, Maharaj," Guru Rambh replied nervously.
"There was no error in the ritual. You yourself saw the energy separate—how could there be a mistake?"
"Then where is the energy? Answer me!"
"Forgive me, Maharaj… at this moment, I am unable to answer your questions."
"What?! But—"
"Maharaj, please grant me some time. I will soon uncover the truth behind this incident."
"Do whatever you must, Gurudev—but make me the master of that energy. Otherwise, no one will be able to save you from me."
Frightened, Guru Rambh said,
"Yes, Maharaj… do not worry. I will ensure you obtain the energy as soon as possible."
"That would be best—for you and your future."
After saying this, Maharaj Takshak returned to his palace.
As soon as he left, Guru Rambh finally breathed in relief and said to himself,
"What happened today? Where did the Prakashpunj and its energy go? I performed the entire ritual correctly… then how…?
To find the answer, I must go to my own Guru. Only he can explain this mystery with proof."
He instructed his disciples,
"Listen, I am going to meet my Guru. It may take some time for me to return. If Maharaj Takshak asks about me, inform him of this."
"Yes, Gurudev."
With that, Guru Rambh departed.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Maharaj Takshak entered Princess Ratri's chamber, overwhelmed with guilt.
Looking at himself in the mirror, he struggled to meet his own gaze.
His soul was filled with remorse, and he spoke to himself:
"Forgive me, child… I know what I did to you was wrong. But to obtain your energy, I sacrificed you.
You never disappointed me. Like a daughter, you always stood by me and obeyed me.
What happened today… should never have happened. I should not have taken your life.
Now I realize… perhaps I truly loved you.
I am not worthy of forgiveness… but still, if you can forgive me…
I fold my hands and ask for your forgiveness.
And I pray to Dhritadev that in every lifetime I may receive a daughter like you… but no child should ever have a father like me—
a father who, for his selfish desires, caused such pain to his own innocent child and took her life."
Saying this, Maharaj Takshak broke down and cried uncontrollably.