Mythological references in Sudha Murty's novels

 Mythological references in Sudha Murthy’s novels

Sudha Murty has made numerous references to Hindu mythology in her novels.In this short essay, I am going to show the mythological references from her two novels: “Mahasweta and gently fall the bakula.”.

In her novel Mahasweta, she refers to 6th-century Sanskrit scholar Bana bhatta's novel "Kadambari." (scholars considers it as the first novel) Mahashweta, the daughter of Gandharva and Kadambari, are childhood friends. Mahasweta falls in love with a young monk, Pundarika, son of Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. The Goddess of the Forest presents Pundarika with his earring mango sprout, which he then gives to Mahasweta. She renounces all the worldly pleasures and leads an ascetic life as Pundarika dies suddenly. Anupama, the main character, plays the lead role as Mahasweta in a drama that she organized. She enthralls the audience with her excellent acting skills. Dr. Anand watches the play and is astounded by her beauty and elegance. Dr. Anand, falling in love with her extraordinary beauty, marries Anupama. 

In another novel, "GENTLY FALLS THE BAKULA '' Murthy mentions the story of Bhamati. Bhamati is the wife of Vachaspati Mishra (900–980 CE), a scholar who has written a commentary on the Dharmashastra Sutras Of ‘Badarayana Vyasa’). The young scholar completely focuses and immerses himself in his work in such a way that he forgets the outside world. The sage, after finishing the book, notices an old woman sleeping on the floor. She identified herself as Bhamati, his wife, who had been working for him without any compensation for forty years. He was unable to recognize her, and her response astounded him. With great respect and moved by her sacrifice, he names his book after her. The sage wouldn't have completed it without her undemanding and unconditional service and sacrifice. Srikanth answers that though two people sacrifice their time,pleasures,the sage’s perseverance and focus on the target without any distraction from earthly pleasures are the great factors. Shrimati likes it very much that the husband recognises his wife's sacrifice, and in gratitude, he names the book after her. 

The writer foretells the readers the wife-husband relationship of Srikanth and Srimati through the story of unconditional love, an undemanding, and submissive wife, Bhamati. Srimati,a typical Indian woman, as a dutiful wife, supports her husband's family financially, obeys Srikanth's orders, and sacrifices her dream of doing a Ph.D. at one of the American universities for her husband’s career. Srikanth becomes director of the software company soon and builds his career on the sacrifices of Srimati’s personal life and career. Srikanth enjoys money, power and success. Srikanth fails to recognize her constant support and doesn't treat her as a part of his success.

The story has slight variations on the Bhamati waiting period, according to internet sources.

For a detailed Bhamati story in English, click on the below link. https://udaypai.in/bhamati-true-story-of-an-ideal-beloved-wife/ 

https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/osho-bhamati-remembered-hindu-spiritual-story/. 

For a detailed Bhamati story in Telugu click on the below link

https://aumamen.com/story/story-of-bhamati-wife-of-vachaspati-mishra-love-is-unconditional. 

Kadambari. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%81dambari.