Volltext - ub-dok: der Dokumentenserver der UB Trier - Universität ...

a singular reference, Koch has cited the Goddess Uma (YLD, 183) when describing her. Uma
is a common name for Parvati, the Goddess in her Mother and Good Wife aspect, whose
earliest appearance in Hindu literature, Kinsley writes, is in the Kena-upanishad.
Her primary role in this text is that of a mediator who reveals the knowledge of
Brahman to the gods. She appears in the text suddenly, and as suddenly
disappears. (Kinsley, 36)
Vera likewise appears, seems to be of considerable importance, and then entirely and
without explanation disappears from Koch’s novel—normally a technical fault of a modern
writer, but fully in accord with Uma in the Upanishads. This prototype also points out some
resemblances between Vera and Billy Kwan. There is the multiplicity of their masks, but more
importantly is the way both function as mediators of knowledge. Kwan teaches Hamilton in
particular and the world in general; Vera, as Russian agent apparently is a professional
information collector, who also provokes Hamilton to take count of the information Kwan has
been giving him. As this information is about creation and destruction, the dualities of reality,
righteous action and thought, and the true self, it is no accident that Koch has chosen to name
her ‘Truth’. And yet, Vera, like Kwan, and like the closer relationship between the two which
Koch fleetingly hints at, disappears from the scene all too quickly. This, in the end, is one
wayang kulit puppet character who, as Cookie decides, is and must ever remain a shadow.
9.9. Sri Lakshmi
The goddess Koch first mentions in The Year of Living Dangerously under the name of
Sri Dewi, the Goddess of Rice, returns in Highways to a War to play her traditional role, which
encompasses not only that of the Parvati-Durga-Kali triumvirate but also replaces the functions
of the supreme gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This goddess, Sri, Sri-Laksmi, or most
commonly Lakshmi, is one of the most popular goddesses in Hindu mythology, perhaps
because she is associated with fertility, physical health, life-giving rain, the blossoming of
organic life, and overall prosperity. Her name, Sri, denotes capability, power, and
advantageous skills, all important qualities in a fertility goddess. She is also associated with
kingship, provides the qualities of power and majesty which are associated with the king, and
- 202 -