Samskara is a classic novel written by Indian author U.R. Anantha Murthy. Originally published in 1965, the novel revolves around a character named Naranappa, who has recently died and no one from the Brahmin community is willing to perform his last rites.
Samskara Novel Sparknotes : A Rite for a Dead Man By U.R Anantha Murthy
Summary of Samskara Novel By U.R Anantha Murthy
The story revolves around a character, Naranappa, a Brahmin man who has recently died and is about to be cremated. One problem is that no one from the Brahmin caste wants to perform Naranappa’s last rites.
They don’t want to do so because Naranappa was a person who always insulted Brahmins. Therefore, the Brahmins fear that if they perform Naranappa’s last rites, they will be expelled from their Brahmin community.
There is a rule among Brahmins that they cannot eat anything until they have performed Naranappa’s last rites because he belongs to their caste. The story now introduces a new character, Praneshacharya, a leader of the Brahmin community who is determined to find a solution to this problem.
Praneshacharya is about thirty years old and a renowned Sanskrit scholar. He learned Sanskrit from Kashi and is well versed in the Vedas and scriptures. Another thing about Praneshacharya is that he married a physically disabled woman to purify his soul. In his 20 years of married life, he never slept with his wife.
Praneshacharya is not disappointed with himself because he believes that Krishna is testing him on the path to salvation. He starts his day every day by bathing his wife. He first feeds his wife, then his cow, and then has breakfast.
Doing these things daily increases his energy. He has done something that not everyone can do: he married a physically disabled woman and never slept with her in his 20 years of married life.
A disease is spreading in the village, claiming lives one after another. At the beginning of the story, a Brahmin, Naranappa, dies from this disease. The problem is who will perform his last rites because he lived with a prostitute.
Also, he has always disrespected the Brahmin community. Therefore, no one wants to cremate him. The Brahmin community asks Praneshacharya for a solution to this problem.
Praneshacharya begins studying sacred texts to find a solution. Even after reading numerous religious texts, he finds no solution. Praneshacharya tried his best, but he couldn’t find any.
Frustrated with himself, Praneshacharya decides to visit Hanuman’s temple. He prays to Hanuman for a solution. A new character enters the story: Chandri, Naranappa’s prostitute. She comes forward and says she is willing to bear all the expenses of Naranappa’s funeral.
She places all her jewelry at Praneshacharya’s feet. All the Brahmins who were previously reluctant to perform Naranappa’s funeral are tempted by Chandri’s jewelry. Praneshacharya fears that this gold might corrupt them all.
When Praneshacharya was returning from Hanuman’s temple at night, he met Chandri, who was worried about Naranappa’s funeral. She began to cry and fell at Praneshacharya’s feet.
Praneshacharya picked her up and embraced her. Afterward, he fell asleep on Chandri. When Praneshacharya woke up, he saw Chandri in his lap. Afterward, Praneshacharya wandered through the forest and swam across the river.
While bathing in the river, Praneshacharya remembered that he had forgotten to give his wife medicine. He immediately rushed home to give her medicine, but found her dead in bed.
The next day, Praneshacharya performed his wife’s cremation and did not return home. Whatever happened to Chandri that day has changed Praneshacharya. He is no longer the same. He believes he is no longer worthy of being the leader of the Brahmins. Chandri is disheartened because he worries about who will perform Naranappa’s cremation.
A new character appears: Ahmed, a Muslim fish merchant, who decides to help Chandri. He helps Chandri with Naranappa’s cremation. Praneshacharya was wandering in the forest when he met Putta. Putta tries to talk to Praneshacharya, but he shows no interest in talking to him. Putta does not give up and continues to try to talk to Praneshacharya.
Praneshacharya is angry with Putta because he does not leave him alone. At the end of the story, Putta keeps asking Praneshacharya riddle-like questions, which he answers. No matter what happens, Putta does not leave Praneshacharya alone. The story ends with a mystery without any conclusion.
Amazon : – Anantha Murthy Books List