The Palace of Illusions

The Palace of Illusions is full of references to nature and natural objects. The characters have a close tie to nature, and repeated references in the text solidify this relationship. For example, Panchaali and Dhri emerge from fire, a natural element, during their birth. Rather than being born from a woman, they emerge from nature. Fire is a significant image in the novel. When Panchaali visits Vyasa, he lights a circle of fire around her, and “[a] thick smoke rose until I couldn’t see anything outside the circle” (38). This fire again brings Panchaali closer to nature and also harkens back to her origin. Fire is also an element of destruction, and it kills many people after the Great War. It both gives life and takes life.  

Other elements of nature emerge as significant symbols that link the characters to the natural word. For example, at Panchaali’s swayamvar, a garland of flowers acts as a ritual object. She notes, “The king who won it would be the one I’d garland” (55). By placing a garland around his neck, Panchaali seals her connection to Arjun. The flowers symbolize their bond. Later, Panchaali’s beloved palace disintegrates into bones, hair, sand, and salt. Panchaali decides to carry around “a pouch of salt in honor of my lost palace” (198). When one of her most beloved objects transforms into a series of natural objects, it brings her closer to the earth.

The characters also have a close relationship with the river Ganga. Water gives life, and it sustains the characters in various ways. Bheeshma’s mother is the river goddess, and he often goes to the river to commune with her. Karna is set afloat on the river by Kunti, and he is rescued there. Thus, the river carries him to a new life. Finally, the characters put the ashes of the dead into the river. Like fire, water is both a giver and taker of life.