Comic representation of the mother Goddess in "Hayavadana".

In "Hayavadana", Girish Karnad represents the Goddess Kali ironically. She appears as a character in the play, and she does not help the characters in solving their problems, rather she puts all three unfortunate beings, Kapila, Devadatta and Padmini through a series of cruel difficulties. When Devadatta and Kapila sacrifice their lives, the Goddess instead of expressing sympathy,  calls them "rascals" who were "lying to their last breathes".


          Not only that, but when Hayavadana goes to the Kali temple to fulfil his boon i. e. "Make me complete", the Goddess grants him his boon, but in hurry to fulfil it, she makes him a complete horse instead of a complete man. Thus the Goddess also makes his life problematic.


          Karnad here is critical enough of the world of Gods and Goddesses who are no better than human beings in respect of jealousy and petti- mindedness. Still they rule human destiny. Through this ironical representation of the mother Goddess, Karnad seems to suggest that it is better for human beings not to seek divine guidance because both the mediators and divinities are sadistic. Thus in "Hayavadana", Karnad debunks the false structures of certain dominant beliefs and practises but affirms the reality of human life in its real motives.