Inner Revolutions: A Yogic Reading of R.K. Narayan’s Waiting for the Mahatma

Abstract

This research paper explores Waiting for the Mahatma (1955) by R.K. Narayan through the lens of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), particularly drawing upon Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as a philosophical and ethical framework. While the novel is typically read for its socio-political commentary on Gandhi's influence and the Indian independence movement, this study shifts focus to its deeper spiritual and psychological undercurrents. By aligning the protagonist Sriram’s emotional and moral evolution with the eightfold path of Ashtanga Yoga—the paper argues that the narrative reflects a subtle yet profound yogic journey of inner transformation. The novel’s engagement with Gandhian ideals is reinterpreted through Patanjali’s emphasis on self-discipline, detachment, and the dissolution of ego. This interdisciplinary analysis not only expands the interpretive possibilities of Indian English fiction but also foregrounds the relevance of indigenous epistemologies in literary criticism.