Published Paper Details:

The ?ivatattva Ci?t?ma?i, authored by Lakka??a Da??e?a during the Vijayanagara period, stands as a significant literary and philosophical work in Kannada literature. While primarily rooted in ?aiva philosophy and metaphysics, the text also reflects intricate portrayals of female characters, providing insights into the roles, virtues, and challenges of women within the socio-religious fabric of the time. The female personalities in ?ivatattva Ci?t?ma?i are not merely passive figures; instead, they embody devotion (bhakti), moral strength, intellectual depth, and emotional resilience. These characters are portrayed in diverse roles--as devoted wives, seekers of spiritual truth, and embodiments of dharma and sacrifice. Through these representations, the text explores the intersections of gender, spirituality, and duty, highlighting the importance of women in the path of liberation (mok?a). This aims to shed light on how ?ivatattva Ci?t?ma?i gives voice to feminine perspectives, enriching the narrative with a multidimensional portrayal of womanhood in the context of medieval Kannada literature and ?aiva thought.