Sarasoti and Mahadevi

Today I am discussing about these two women 'Sarasoti' and 'Mahadevi' from once again my favorite Shivaram Karanth's novel 'Nambidavara Naka Naraka'

Story starts with Mahadevi's marriage with a rich person. Mahadevi belongs to a very poor brahmin family. After her marriage she realises that her husband has cheated her by telling that he is a brahmin. One side she thinks that she has been pushed to hell. But at the same time she can't go against her husband. First she tries to adjust herself.

Once Mahadevi and her husband go to Gokarna. On the way their car gives some problem. So they decide to stay in a nearby brahmin's house where Mahadevi meets Sarasoti.

Sarasoti lives there with her mother-in-law and brother-in-laws. She has been married to this house years back. Her husband works in a faraway place and he never feel it necessary to take Sarasoti with him. She is just a time pass for him when he comes to home yearly once. Strangely, Sarasoti's husband comes to home the same day when Mahadevi and her husband comes to her house.

That will be the last meeting of Mahadevi and Sarasoti. Mahadevi's husband first feel that he has won a battle by marrying a brahmin girl. But day by day he feels it so difficult to face Mahadevi. He literally feel scared in front of her. Mahadevi in turn tries to find her peace of mind by worshiping goddess 'Mookaambika'. People treat her as if she is having some strange power. They treat her with respect but are scared to talk to her.

After 9 months of Sarasoti and Mahadevi's meet Sarasoti gives birth to a child which has all the features of Mahadevi's husband(Blue eyes and 6 fingers in one hand). Sarasoti's mother-in-law sends her out of her house. Sarasoti goes to her parents. (Reason: Sarasoti's husband and Mahadevi's husband belong to same family, which has been parted long back during their grandfather's time)

Quite opposite to Mahadevi, Sarasoti completely stops believing god. She doesn't even name her son. Everyone calls him with different name. She will be treated well in her parents house. Her parents, brother and his wife Padma takes good care of her. Sarasoti helps them in their work. She never accuses god with words. But people observe that she has completely stopped prayers.

Padma's brother comes to visit his sister. Two days after he leaves that house people find Sarasoti and her son are missing. After few weeks they get a letter posted from Poona by Sarasoti informing that she is getting married to Padma's brother.

When Mahadevi realizes that her end time has come she sends one of her friend to search for her sisters. By that time her sisters were married to a nice family. She asks them whether she is allowed to spend her last time in their house. They bring her to their house with full respect. When she enters their house, she says "I am so happy. I can die with peace now. I have people who can perform proper rituals to me after my death"

Who is right?
Mahadevi spent her whole life praying to goddess to forgive her as her cast has been spoiled. Did she spent her whole life in the fear that when she die no one is there to perform proper rituals to her?

Or is it, Sarasoti! who thinks life is important more than cast, society and god.


I don't know................................