Yashodhara by Volga book review

the story:

The story of Siddhartha, the future Gautama Buddha, leaving the palace to start his spiritual journey and attain enlightenment has been told innumerable times over the centuries. And yet, have we never wondered why his young wife, Yashodhara, still recovering from the birth of their son nine days ago, sleeps soundly as her husband, the over-protected prince departs, leaving behind his family and wealth and kingdom? In Yashodhara, the gaps of history are imagined with fullness and fierceness: Who was the young girl and what shaped her worldview? When she married Siddhartha at the age of sixteen, did she know her conjugal life would soon change drastically? The Yashodhara we meet in Volga's feminist novel is quick-witted, compassionate and wants to pave a way for women to partake in spiritual learning as equals of men

About the author:

Volga is one of the most significant figures in contemporary Telugu literature. She received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015 for her novel Vimuktha, published in English as The Liberation of Sita by Harper Perennial. P.S.V. Prasad worked as associate professor in the department of English in Chundi Ranganayakulu Degree College and retired as its principal in 2013.

Review

Yashodhara is a small but interesting book. This is the story of the young, intellt, practical, mature and bold girl who married Siddhartha and played a key role in making him the Buddha. The language is easy and the narration flows smoothly.


As the title indicates is based on Yashodhara, the wife of Siddhartha (Gautam Buddha). I can't really call Yashodhara the protagonist here since the story has so much about her better half as well and it isn't based on her completely. Volga introduces us to a strong, loving and mature Yashodhara who knows well about Siddhartha and his spiritual inclinations before their communion.


In her life time she fulfills her worldly responsibilities as time and fate demand. Yashodhara is undoubtedly the ideal wife Siddhartha could have and has her absolute support when he plans to leave his worldly duties and grow spiritually. They both abhor the Vedic ways of living and believe in finding the ultimate truth of life and humankind, finding solutions to sorrow and misery in every way possible. The book is set in a time where women aren't respected as individuals, they have no freedom or opportunity to give an opinion let alone seek the divine path. As a reader I hoped to find out more about the timely difficulties Yashodhara faced in a much deeper mannere. Yashodhara is shown to have accomplished all her life's missions and attain parinirvana.


 The book is wonderfully written but lacks focus on the problems faced by Yashodhara at any stage, even her slightest inner turmoils go unexplained and she is indifferent to all that's happening in her life. The pace of the book seems hasty in later half of the which left me bewildered. I love our headstrong yet loving Yashodhara and I also love the fact that her spiritual journey is mentioned but I longed to read a detailed and profound journey. The translation of the book makes it a simple and quick read. This book hasn't really satisfied my longing so I'll not be able to say if I recommend it or no.