Indian Literature

Week 4
 Objectives
* provide the essential components of
plot of the chosen stories

* write literary reactions and analysis

 Indian literature
Writings of the Indian subcontinent, produced
there in a variety of vernacular languages,
including Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Bengali,
Bihari, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri,
Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Tamil,
Telugu, Urdu, Lahnda, Siraiki, and Sindhi,
among others, as well as in English.
 Indian Literature

Savitri (except from

Mahabharata)
Who wrote the savitri excerpt from
Mahabharata story ?

The Savitri episode is not from the

Mahabharata but from the
Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic,
and the Bhagavad Gita is a part of it.
 Introduction
The story of Savitri is told in the Mahabharata to illustrate the
power of woman’s chastity and devotion to her husband, and
is called pativratā māhātmya. It appears as a minor episode,
upākhyāna, in seven sections in Vana Parva, the Book of the
Forest of the Great Epic. Rishi Markandeya narrates it to
exiled Yudhishthira to console him out of his plight of
melancholy, distressed as he was by the sufferings of
Draupadi; the sage assures him that, in the manner of Savitri,
she too will prove a saviour and fortune-bringer to the desolate
Pandavas.
 Characters
Savitri: The virtuous princess and central protagonist of
the story.
Satyavan: Savitri's husband, a noble prince destined to
die.
King Ashwapati: Savitri's father, the king of Madra.
Narada: The celestial sage who predicts Satyavan's
impending death.
Yama: The god of death, who comes to take Satyavan's
soul.
 Setting
Primarily in the forest during the period
of exile (Vana Parva). Satyavan and
Savitri live in the forest during this phase
of the epic. The tranquil natural
surroundings become significant in the
unfolding of the story.
 Plot
Exposition of the story
When Princess Savitri marries Satyavan, a noble
prince, despite the forewarning of his impending
death within a year. The setting shifts to the forest
during their period of exile. The central conflict is
introduced when Sage Narada predicts Satyavan’s
fate, foreshadowing the challenges to come. The
stage is set for Savitri’s unwavering devotion and
her encounter with Yama, the god of death, as she
strives to alter the destiny of her beloved husband.
 Conflict of the Story
Arises from the foretold death of Satyavan. Savitri, aware
of her husband’s impending demise, must confront the
inevitability of his fate. The conflict intensifies when
Satyavan’s predicted death comes to pass, and Savitri,
driven by her love and devotion, faces the god of death,
Yama, in an attempt to alter the course of destiny and save
her husband. The clash between mortal destiny and
Savitri’s determination becomes the central conflict
driving the narrative.
 Rising action of the Story
Satyavan’s predicted death approaches. Sage Narada’s
prophecy sets the stage for tension and anticipation. As the
fateful day arrives, Savitri and Satyavan are in the forest
when Yama, the god of death, appears to claim Satyavan’s
soul. The rising action intensifies as Savitri, undeterred by
the grim circumstances, decides to accompany Yama on his
journey, showcasing her determination and unwavering
love. This sets the scene for the crucial encounter between
Savitri and Yama in the attempt to alter Satyavan’s destiny.
 Climax of the Story
Savitri, after accompanying Yama to the abode of the
dead, engages in a profound conversation with him. She
praises the virtues of marital fidelity and requests the boon
of offspring. Yama, impressed by her wisdom and
devotion, grants her this boon. At this moment, Savitri
seizes the opportunity to ask for Satyavan’s life to be
restored. The climax is marked by Savitri’s clever
negotiation with Yama, leading to the resurrection of
Satyavan and the resolution of the central conflict.
 Falling action
Occurs after Yama, impressed by Savitri’s devotion
and wisdom, grants her the boon of Satyavan’s life.
Satyavan is revived, and Savitri returns with him to
the forest. The falling action involves the
resolution of the conflict, as Satyavan’s life is
restored against the initially foretold destiny of
death. The narrative transitions towards a sense of
closure and the aftermath of Savitri’s successful
negotiation with the god of death.
 Resolution of the story
Savitri’s successful negotiation with Yama, the god of
death. Impressed by her devotion and wisdom, Yama
grants her the boon of Satyavan’s life. Satyavan is
revived, and the couple returns to the forest. The
resolution brings about a harmonious conclusion,
defying the earlier prophecy of Satyavan’s death. The
story underscores the triumph of love and
determination, showcasing the power of virtue and
devotion to alter destiny.
 Theme of the Story
The enduring power of love, devotion, and virtue. Savitri’s
unwavering commitment to her husband, Satyavan, and her
clever negotiation with the god of death, Yama, highlight the
theme of love transcending mortal boundaries. The story also
delves into the concept of destiny and the potential for
individuals to shape their fate through righteous actions and
steadfast devotion. Ultimately, the theme emphasizes the
triumph of virtue, love, and determination over predetermined
outcomes.
Indian Literature

Unending Love
Robindranath Tagore
 Who is
Robindranath Tagore
* Indian poet, philosopher, and polymath.
*First non-European to be awarded the Nobel
Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of
poems, "Gitanjali."
What is unending love (robindranath
Tagore) poem?

“Unending Love” is a poem by Rabindranath

Tagore, a renowned Indian poet and philosopher.
The poem reflects on the enduring nature of love,
transcending boundaries and limitations.
Why did rabindranath tagore write
the poem?
Rabindranath Tagore, like many poets, wrote “Unending Love”
to explore and express his thoughts and feelings about the
timeless and boundless nature of love. It’s a common theme in
literature, and Tagore, known for his deep insights into human
emotions, used this poem as a medium to convey his
perspectives on the enduring quality of true love.
 Unending loveStanza One

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times…

In life after life, in age after age, forever.

My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,

That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,

In life after life, in age after age, forever.

 Unending love
Stanza Two

Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, its age-old pain,

Its ancient tale of being apart or together.

As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,

Clad in the light of a pole-star piercing the darkness of time:

You become an image of what is remembered forever.

 Unending love
Stanza Three

You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.

At the heart of time, love of one for another.

We have played alongside millions of lovers, shared in the same

Shy sweetness of meeting, the same distressful tears of farewell-

Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.

 Unending love
Stanza Four

Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you

The love of all man’s days both past and forever:

Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.

The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours –

And the songs of every poet past and forever.

Thank
you!