Hospitality and Kindness
The theme of hospitality and kindness is central to the book. The characters in the novel are very empathetic, generous, and kind to their guests and each other. In the first act, the main characters Yaugandarayana, Vasavadatta, and Padmavatti are in a hermitage. While there, several hermits visit and they are asked to list what they would want for it would be given to them. They also receive a guest who is a student of theology from the village. He is welcomed and given refreshments.
Yaugandarayana asks Padmavati to help him hide his sister Vasavadatta. Padmavatti agrees to be guardian to Vasavadatta who she believes is in danger as Yaugandarayana had said. The hospitality and kindness of the characters in the novels show the virtues that a person has and they are upheld in society.
Deception
Deception is also a central theme in the novel. King Udayana had been deceived that his wife Vasavadatta, and his chief minister Yaugandarayana had perished in a fire. The village where Udayana was king also believed that their queen and chief minister had died. Vasavadatta and Yaugandarayana had deceived everyone to save Vasavadatta because her life was in danger. Vasavadatta and Yaugandarayana had also deceived Padmavatti where they pretended that Yaugandarayana was a brahman whereas Vasavadatta was his sister who was in trouble.
The deception of Vasavadatta and Yaugandarayana even though it hurt the king was to his favor and well-being. This is because in so doing, they were able to preserve the life of the king and the queen.
Love
In the text, love is what binds the characters together. Vasavadatta and King Udayana's love kept alive the deep feelings that they had for each other when the king thought Vasavadatta had perished in a fire. Udayana also had great love and a good relationship with his chief minister Yaugandarayana who was also thought to have perished in the fire. When the king heard about the death of his two most beloved people, he mourned uncontrollably.
Love is what enabled the king to forgive the deception of Yaugandarayana and Vasavadatta. When he learned that they were both alive and well, he welcomed them back with open arms.
