Hinduism and the four stages of life- Sophie
Single God called Brahman. Some view Brahman to be Ultimate reality (connected to every part of the universe) while others see him as three parts.
Brahma: The creator four faces that point towards north south east and west (suggesting he created all ends of the universe)
Vishnu: The preserver keeps Brahma’s safe and orderly. The color blue shows his endless spiritual power which might show relation to Susila’s blue dress at the end of the book“her saree shimmered with blue interwoven”
Shiva: The destroyer/transformer Shiva is depicted in many forms: a yogi, the lord of dance (which is associated with the destruction of the world) and a Lingam which signifies the regenerative divine energy in nature
…show more content…
The first part of the book (up until chapter three/Susila’s death) is the development of Krishna and establishing the book, the creation. Susila’s death and Krishna’s remorse could be the destruction of Shiva, though it is a stretch to say the yogi that Krishna’s mother recruited was the symbol of this. After Susila’s death we see more spiritual things with the medium, Krishna’s personal readings and ultimately the spirit of Susila which could be symbolic of Vishnu’s spiritual power.
Belief in Samsara or Reincarnation
After death, it is believed that people are reincarnated into new bodies. What form you take depends on your karma, good karma means you’ll take a better body and be closer to God. The best karma means you will not be reincarnated and become one with Brahman in a state of Nirvana.
In the novel, it appears Susila is not reincarnated as Krishna and the medium can still communicate with her
Caste System Five stages that rank people in indian society, the higher you are, the closer you are from escaping reincarnation and reaching