Niraakarana the Refusal

Niraakarana the Refusal – is a 1971 Kannada novel by S.L. Bhyrappa that explores themes of renunciation versus worldly responsibility and the emotional conflicts within a family. The novel’s protagonist is Narahari, a poor job typist living in a Mumbai slum who, after the death of his two wives, is left to care for five children. Overwhelmed by his responsibilities and seeking a spiritual path, he makes the controversial decision to give all his children away for adoption and retreats to the Himalayas to pursue samnyasa (renunciation).