The Home and the World

Days later, Chandranath brings Panchu to Nikhil. Harish Kundu has fined Panchu for selling foreign yarn and now wants to eject him from his ancestral holding. Kundu insists Panchu burn it all. Sandip and his followers destroy all. Nikhil says Panchu must file a complaint. Nikhil summons Sandip, who admits to being on the other side. Sandip makes a speech about how there are several kinds of truth, and the ultimate truth is whatever leads to success. Nikhil buys Panchu’s holding, taking on the debt.

Nikhil responds to Bimala’s summons. She tells him he must banish the foreign goods. Nikhil’s mind is suddenly clear. He thinks he sees Bimala as she truly is; her adornments now look cheap to him. Outside, he looks at nature and reaffirms to himself that he will never be on the wrong side of truth.

Sandip visits Bimala and sees that she failed to persuade Nikhil. He takes her hand and experiences a jolt of nerves. He cannot account for the sensation and thinks he will never truly understand who he is. Bimala is too upset to talk and leaves the room. A servant enters to announce a boy named Amulya. They talk about the current state of the Swadeshi movement and Sandip is energized. He says there can be no compromise, however small, on the foreign goods. Sandip asks a boat captain, Mirjan, to refuse to import outside goods. He refuses, and Sandip has his boat sunk. Mirjan returns in tears, and Sandip knows that he will now be loyal.

Sandip tells Bimala that the plan is ready; he just needs 50,000 rupees. He encourages her to find a way to take it from Nikhil, who will certainly not let the money go.