The prince of Tuluva Lok, Prince Susim, had been away from his family for a long time. He wasn't even sure if he would ever be able to see them again. But when he regained consciousness and saw his entire family before his eyes, he could hardly believe it. It all felt like a dream to him.
Just then, his mother, Queen Seema, and his father, King Santanu, asked him, "Susim, are you alright?"
"Mother, Father… you all have regained consciousness! We thought we might never meet you again. Many thanks to Dhrutdev for bringing you all back."
Saying this, he got up from his bed and embraced them all.
After a while, cries and wailing from the people outside the palace could be heard, calling out to the King and Queen. Everyone stepped out of the palace and asked the reason.
"What happened? Why are you all crying?"
"Maharaj, after the attack of the demon Nalish, we adults somehow regained consciousness… but our children under five years of age have still not awakened."
"What!?"
"Yes, Prince Susim. Please restore our children, Maharaj."
"Do not worry. We will surely find a solution. Until then, please return to your homes."
The people, still weeping, replied, "Yes, Maharaj."
Then King Santanu asked, "Susim, we have all regained consciousness, but why haven't the children?"
"Father, we cannot say for sure. For the past four years, we have been searching for the Prakashpunj, but we have learned nothing about it. We are surprised ourselves—how did you all regain consciousness without it?"
"Prakashpunj?"
"Yes, Father. Demon Nalish had put you all into a deep slumber with his powers. To awaken you, we needed the Prakashpunj. But even after searching all the realms, we found nothing."
"Susim, perhaps we can tell you something about it."
"What? You know about the Prakashpunj?"
"Not much, but we do know that on the day of Dhrutdivas, King Drishtadum of Kusumdhwaj asked for a boon from Dhrutdev. However, due to an error during the ritual offering, the boon turned into a curse. Because of that, the queen gave birth to a Prakashpunj. But after some time, it mysteriously vanished. No one knows where it is now."
"But Father, when we asked King Drishtadum about this, he didn't mention anything!"
"Even today, remembering that incident pains his heart deeply. Perhaps that is why he does not speak of it."
"You are right, Father. But we must focus on our people."
"Yes, Susim. Let us go to Acharya Gajpati. Perhaps he has regained consciousness and can explain everything."
"Yes, Father."
Prince Susim and King Santanu went to Acharya Gajpati's residence. The Acharya had also regained consciousness. They greeted him and tried to understand the situation.
"Greetings, Acharya."
"Greetings, Maharaj and Prince Susim. Are you both well?"
"Yes, Acharya. We are fine. How is your family?"
"They are safe now."
"Acharya, our people are in great distress. Children under five have still not awakened. And we do not understand how the rest of us regained consciousness without the Prakashpunj. Where is it?"
"Prince Susim, we do not know where the Prakashpunj was, but its energy has reached our realm."
"What!? How is that possible?"
"That we do not know. But the power used by demon Nalish can only be countered by the energy of the Prakashpunj. Since its effects have vanished from us, it means its energy has arrived here."
"But if its energy is here, why are the children still not free from its effects?"
"Perhaps only half of its energy is present in Tuluva Lok."
"Half energy?"
"Yes, Maharaj. Until the complete energy arrives, the children will not be freed."
"But how will we find where the Prakashpunj is?"
"Do not worry. With the half energy present here, we will perform a ritual to locate the rest."
"That is wise. Please begin the ritual."
"Yes, Prince Susim."
After this, Prince Susim and King Santanu returned to the palace.
Meanwhile, Kumar, who had gone out of Takshak Lok, returned. He went to meet the princess in her chamber, but she was not there. Instead, Queen Takshika was present, crying as she remembered the princess.