Nirakarana (The Refusal) - English Edition

Nirakarana (1971) by S.L. Bhyrappa is a English novel about Narahari, a man in Mumbai who, after losing his wives, gives up his five children for adoption to pursue a spiritual life in the Himalayas, only to find himself unable to fully renounce worldly attachments, ultimately failing at both householder and ascetic paths. The title reflects his refusal of family responsibilities and later, the commitment to asceticism, exploring the conflict between worldly duty and spiritual detachment.