Pattmahadevi Shatala Part 1

Certainly! Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Pattmahadevi Shantala Part 1," based on the introductory sections (Pages 1-12) and the initial chapter excerpt (Pages 13-279):

Book Title: Pattmahadevi Shantala Part 1 Author: C K Nagraj Rao Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Overall Summary:

"Pattmahadevi Shantala Part 1" by C K Nagraj Rao, published by Bharatiya Gyanpith, is the first volume of a historical novel that aims to bring to life the story of Shantala, a prominent queen of the Hoysala dynasty. The author's journey to write this epic began with a deep fascination for the architectural and historical sites of Karnataka, particularly Shravanabelagola, Halebid, and Belur. Through personal experiences and extensive research, Rao felt compelled to delve into the life of Queen Shantala, challenging prevailing historical narratives and unearthing a more nuanced and dignified portrayal of her character.

Author's Journey and Motivation (Pages 3-12):

The author, C K Nagraj Rao, recounts his personal journey that led to the creation of this novel. His initial visits to historical sites in 1933 and 1945 ignited his interest, but it was a more in-depth engagement in 1945, during a lecture tour with prominent Kannada figures, that truly sparked his curiosity about Shantala and Jaknachari. His subsequent appointment as the Honorary Secretary of the Kannada Sahitya Parishad in 1947 gave him ample opportunities to visit Belur multiple times, deepening his fascination with the Hoysala history and the legendary queen.

Initially, Rao harbored the common misconception that Shantala was infertile and met a tragic end. However, his studies and research led him to believe these notions were incorrect. He found strong evidence suggesting Shantala was not infertile and that her purported suicide was a fabrication. His dedication to proving this led him to extensively study Hoysala history and the broader South Indian historical context of that era. This research enabled him to conclude that Shantala had three sons and one daughter.

The author mentions that his research article on this topic was published in the Mythic Society's Quarterly in 1967 and also featured in the book "Hoysala Dynasty." He acknowledges that while his research provided the factual basis, the novelistic element involved the imaginative creation of characters and events to fill historical gaps and enhance the narrative, drawing inspiration from folklore. He aims to present a historically grounded yet creatively imagined portrayal of Shantala, emphasizing factual accuracy where available while employing fictional elements for storytelling. The novel covers forty years of Shantala's life and highlights her multifaceted personality as described in various inscriptions and copper plates, which attribute qualities like mastery of arts, devotion, wisdom, virtuous conduct, generosity, artistic skill, and religious tolerance.

The Novel's Scope and Approach:

The novel aims to weave together historical facts from inscriptions, copper plates, and palm-leaf manuscripts with fictional elements to create a comprehensive narrative. Rao mentions incorporating about 200 historical figures and 220 fictional characters to enrich the story. He acknowledges the necessity of imaginative leaps to maintain reader interest and present a compelling narrative, while firmly believing that a fact-based historical novel can offer a grander and more truthful depiction of the past. The story spans various significant locations in Karnataka, reflecting the historical and cultural landscape of the time. It also touches upon the political and military interactions with neighboring kingdoms.

Initial Chapter Excerpt (Pages 13-279):

The excerpt from the first chapter provides a vivid introduction to the protagonist, Shantala, as a young girl. It depicts her intelligence and poise even at a tender age when she confidently interacts with royal messengers. The scene subtly introduces the political environment and the social fabric of the time, highlighting the respect accorded to elders and the established etiquette in interactions with royalty. The narrative emphasizes young Shantala's precocious nature, her observant demeanor, and the hints of her extraordinary personality that would later define her as a queen. The arrival of royal messengers from Sosuru to deliver a letter to Shantala's parents sets the stage for potential future developments in her life, hinting at her eventual connection with royalty. The interaction showcases the politeness and grace of the household, even in the absence of the father, and the responsible nature of young Shantala and her mother.

Key Themes and Personalities Introduced:

• Shantala: Portrayed as a bright, observant, and confident young girl, even at a tender age.
• Hegde Marasingayya: Shantala's father, a village chief, depicted as a respected figure.
• Machikabbe: Shantala's mother, portrayed as a wise and composed woman.
• Royal Messengers (Revimayya and Gonka): Representatives from the royal court, highlighting the political connections and the societal hierarchy.
• Inter-faith Harmony: The text hints at the religious diversity of the time with Shantala's family background (father Shaivite, mother Jain) and her own devotion, and the potential for religious harmony.
• The Power of Character: The author stresses that Shantala's rise to the position of Pattmahadevi was due to her inherent qualities, not just her royal status.

This summary captures the essence of the provided text, focusing on the author's intent, the historical and literary approach, and the initial character introductions.