Chapter 14
This is how the narrator feels at the beginning of Chapter 14, when he begins to question the purpose of his retreat, describing himself as “adrift in the strangeness of other people’s lives”.
What is overwhelmed?
The name of the holiday that is approaching at the begining of "The Minstrel's Story".
What is the night of Shiva?
The activity Tariq Mia tries to pressure the Narrator into doing with him, and the hidden topic behind it.
What is singing and the Narmada River?
As the Naga Baba walks around, he is covered in protective ash. He depends on people to donate him food, and these same people often shout "Jai Shankar! Praise to Shiva!" What does the ascetic do to them in return?
What is smearing ash onto their foreheads in blessing?
Tariq Mia used to read and sing by the Narmada as he found it gave him clarity. This location is where he meets the ascetic.
What is a waterfall?
The Ascetic Chants "Shiva-o-ham / I that am Shiva / Shiva-o-ham / Shiva am I" while doing this prolonged activity.
What is meditating by the funeral pyre for nine days and nights without food or water?
The ascetic and a small child were singing in the waterfall, but were angry at being interupted by Tariq Mia. This is the language that their songs were sung in.
What is Sanskrit?
On the Night of Shiva, the ascetic goes to beg from the lowest caste who are not allowed to enter temples. He goes to the brothel and finds a nameless child. This is why he gains custody of the child.
What is an alm (religious donation to the poor) from the brothel woman?
The ascetic and the child walk for several weeks to the Narmada. She says her father abused her, and she was sold to the brothel. The ascetic bathes her in the Narmada to purify her, and names her "Uma". However, she gets scared and tries to run when he says this about the process.
What is "meet your new mother"?