g an interesting juxtaposition of prostitute and angel.Rangi also makes a very important comment when she says "Sir, I am only a public woman, following what is my dharma," . It is said that if a prostitute performs her dharma scrupulously, then she acquired great powers. This is illustrated by the story of the prostitute who makes the river Ganges flow upstream because of the powers she received by following her dharma . This gives us a new way of looking at the death of Vasu. If we are meant to believe that Rangi has followed her dharma and acquired some sort of higher power, then Rangi could have caused Vasu to end his life through the blow to his head, as Krishna led Bhasmasura to end his life in a similar manner.With the notion of dharma introduced by Ragni (or Krishna), the notion of moksa comes into play, because the two are interminably linked. In the novel, we see all three ways to liberation from the cycle of life and death, as described by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. Ragni is the example of one who follows the path of unselfish action (karma yoga), or following one's dharma. She is so unselfish that she is even willing to risk her personal happiness for the sake of the temple by aiding Nataraj in his attempt to stop Vasu from killing Kumar. Sastri is an example of one who follows the path of knowledge (jnana yoga). He is obviously familiar with many of the Hindu texts, performs all necessary rituals, and makes pilgrimages to holy sites. Muthu is the character that most exemplifies the path of devotion (Bhakti Yoga). He does whatever he can to save his temple elephant, does much to improve the Mempi temple, observes the proper offerings to the temple goddess, and never visibly strays from the path of devotion.Nataraj at first appears to be one who follows the path of devotion. When we first see his daily routine, he shows his devotion through his ritual bathing and prayer to the sun. He does all he can to help K...
