Intertextuality and Spirotextuality in Ancient Sanatan (Hindu) Texts with Special Reference to Ramayana and Mahabharata

Abstract

Intertextuality and Spirotextuality are used in literature to enrich the reader's understanding and to create a sense of depth and complexity in the work. However, while Intertextuality creates a connection to the broader literary tradition, Spirotextuality creates a more intricate and cyclical relationship between multiple works. The Ramayana and The Mahabharata are one of the most important texts in Hinduism, have been retold and reinterpreted over time. The paper discusses how the Intertextuality in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana serves to connect these epics to a larger literary and cultural tradition and reinforce important moral and ethical values. The study of Intertextuality and Spirotextuality in Sanatan (Hindu) texts is significant because it reveals the complex and layered nature of these texts, and sheds light on the diverse cultural and intellectual influences that have shaped them over time.