Karmic Journey Of A Tibetan Tribesman To A Hindu God- A Mythical Fictional Analysis Of Shivain Amish Tripathi’s Immortals Of Meluha

Abstract

Myth, fantasy, beliefs, superstitions, chronicles, and history are some common sources for writers of mythic fiction. The characters, themes and symbols in Indian Mythic Fiction has represented some qualities that are very popular in the experience of human beings across different cultures in India. The last two decades have seen considerable increase in the production of fictional writing drawing from mythological resources and archaeological discoveries. This literature often provided alternatives to the mainstream narratives and continental perception of the orient. “Shiva Trilogy” by Amish Tripathi is an epic fantasy genre fiction reimagining life and adventures of Indian almighty Mahadev. It is presented very clearly in this trilogy how Gods were humans till they have attained immortality because of their adventurous activities. This paper analyses the evolution of a Tibetan immigrant Shiva into God Mahadev in Immortals of Meluha[i] using elements of Mythic fiction.  The various stages of the process of gradual Hinduization of a Tibetan and his transformation to a powerful Hindu God is presented by analysing the physical journey of Shiva as a Karmic journey of deification.