# Vasitthi — The Pilgrim Kamanita character guide > Vasitthi in The Pilgrim Kamanita by Karl Gjellerup. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** happy Vasitthi, Sister Vasitthi, sister Vasitthi **First appearance:** 0045-xliv-vasitthi-s-bequest ## Snapshot A woman torn between hatred for her husband and the memory of a vow sworn beneath the Sinsapa trees. ## Who they are Vasitthi spends a night on the Terrace in a storm of passions she never knew she had, learning that Kamanita still lives and that Satagira is to blame for her misery. She recoils from the idea of worming a secret out of her husband through tenderness, yet admits she would use the knowledge if she already had it. Her struggle between love, hate, and self-honesty makes her the emotional center of the book's earthly chapters. ## Relationships ### [Kamanita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/kamanita) _romantic_ Kamanita and Vasitthi are deeply in love, their bond enduring across lifetimes and spiritual trials. ### [The Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/the_master) _professional_ The Master offers spiritual counsel to Vasitthi, helping her cope with loss and guiding her toward inner peace. ### [The Lord Buddha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/the_lord_buddha) _professional_ The Lord Buddha teaches Vasitthi directly, offering her solace and a path to liberation from her grief. ### [Satagira](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/satagira) _social_ Satagira and Vasitthi are acquaintances from the same social circle, with Satagira occasionally acting as a messenger or intermediary. ### [Kamanita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/kamanita) _romantic_ Kamanita and Vasitthi are deeply in love, their bond enduring across lifetimes and spiritual trials. ### [The Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/the_master) _professional_ The Master offers spiritual counsel to Vasitthi, helping her cope with loss and guiding her toward inner peace. ### [Kamanita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/kamanita) _romantic_ Kamanita and Vasitthi are deeply in love, their bond enduring across lifetimes and spiritual trials. ### [The Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/the_master) _professional_ The Master offers spiritual counsel to Vasitthi, helping her cope with loss and guiding her toward inner peace. ### [The Lord Buddha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/the_lord_buddha) _professional_ The Lord Buddha teaches Vasitthi directly, offering her solace and a path to liberation from her grief. ### [Satagira](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/satagira) _social_ Satagira and Vasitthi are acquaintances from the same social circle, with Satagira occasionally acting as a messenger or intermediary. ### [Satagira](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/satagira) _social_ Satagira and Vasitthi are acquaintances from the same social circle, with Satagira occasionally acting as a messenger or intermediary. ### [The Lord Buddha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/the_lord_buddha) _professional_ The Lord Buddha teaches Vasitthi directly, offering her solace and a path to liberation from her grief. ## In the story ### [IV: The Maiden Ballplayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/iv-the-maiden-ballplayer) The maiden ballplayer, described as the incarnate goddess of Fortune and Beauty, who captivates Kamanita. ### [The Magic Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/v-the-magic-portrait) The subject of the portrait; her name is revealed and she responds with a verse. ### [On the Terrace of the Sorrowless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/vi-on-the-terrace-of-the-sorrowless) The beloved maiden who reciprocates Kamanita's love, speaks of true love's color being black like Shiva's throat, and recites a verse to the asoka tree. ### [VII: In the Ravine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/vii-in-the-ravine) Falls ill from worry over Kamanita; pleads with him to leave the city for his safety. ### [The Paradise Bud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/viii-the-paradise-bud) Meets Kamanita in the temple, expresses fear of never seeing him again, and proposes they swear to meet in Paradise. ### [Under the Constellation of the Robbers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/ix-under-the-constellation-of-the-robbers) Kamanita's beloved, remembered with longing; he imagines her under the sorrowless tree. ### [XI: The Elephant's Trunk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xi-the-elephant-s-trunk) Revealed as Satagira's bride, appearing sorrowful and lifeless during the procession. ### [At the Grave of the Holy Vajaçravas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xii-at-the-grave-of-the-holy-vaja-ravas) Seen by Kamanita in a marriage procession, her face full of misery, leading to his resolve to stay hidden. ### [XIV: The Husband](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xiv-the-husband) Mentioned as Kamanita's first wife, who becomes embroiled in bitter rivalry with the second wife. ### [XV: The Bald-Pated Monk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xv-the-bald-pated-monk) Vasitthi is one of Kamanita's two wives; she and the other wife unite in verbally abusing the ascetic, showing their maternal contempt. ### [XVI: Ready for Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xvi-ready-for-action) Implied among Kamanita's wives; she and the other wife argue hysterically when ordered to leave. ### [XVII: To Homelessness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xvii-to-homelessness) Kamanita's lost love, remembered during his reflection; their vow to meet in the Western Paradise haunts him. ### [In the Hall of the Potter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xviii-in-the-hall-of-the-potter) Referenced in the Master's internal reflection as faithful to Kamanita, married to Satagira by fraud, and instrumental in Angulimala's visit to Ujjeni. ### [XX: The Unreasonable Child](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xx-the-unreasonable-child) Mentioned in the context of the Sinsapa wood at Kosambi, where she and Kamanita swore eternal fidelity and pledged to meet in the Paradise of the West. ### [XXIII: The Roundelay of the Blest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxiii-the-roundelay-of-the-blest) White-robed figure who points to the river feeding the pond and discusses the heavenly Gunga. ### [XXV: The Bud of the Lotus Opens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxv-the-bud-of-the-lotus-opens) Awakens in a white lotus in Sukhavati; initially does not recognize Kamanita but later remembers him after smelling the Coral Tree's perfume. ### [The Chain with the Tiger-Eye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxvi-the-chain-with-the-tiger-eye) Narrates her suffering, longing, and defiant refusal to marry Satagira, clinging to hope despite evidence of Kamanita's death. ### [XXVII: The Rite of Truth (Saccakiriya)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxvii-the-rite-of-truth-saccakiriya) Performs the omen ritual under the asoka tree; confronts Angulimala; ultimately accepts Satagira's proposal after losing hope. ### [On the Shores of the Heavenly Gunga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxviii-on-the-shores-of-the-heavenly-gunga) Newly awakened in Paradise, she is drawn to the heavenly Gunga and contemplates the nature of eternal happiness and limitation. ### [XXIX: Amid the Sweets of the Coral Blossom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxix-amid-the-sweets-of-the-coral-blossom) Alongside Kamanita, she recalls their many incarnations and marvels that they are as old as the world. ### [To Be Born Is to Die](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxx-to-be-born-is-to-die) Calmly explains the Buddha's teaching about impermanence; has personally sat at the feet of the Master. ### [XXXI: The Apparition on the Terrace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxi-the-apparition-on-the-terrace) Narrates her years of lonely grief after marrying Satagira, and her encounter with Angulimala on the terrace. ### [Satagira](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxii-satagira) Vasitthi is consumed by hatred for Satagira and tempted to betray him to Angulimala, but she is horrified by her own thoughts. She ultimately helps Satagira plan his route through a ravine, torn between her desire for freedom and her moral revulsion. ### [Angulimala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxiii-angulimala) Consumed by vengeful fury, Vasitthi conspires with Angulimala to murder her husband Satagira, but is thwarted by Angulimala's transformation. ### [The Hell of Spears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-hell-of-spears) Addressed by Angulimala at the end of his story, as he declares his new life as a disciple. ### [A Pure Offering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxv-a-pure-offering) Reflects on Angulimala's transformation and decides to visit the Buddha; prepares offerings and goes to the Sinsapa wood. ### [Buddha and Krishna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxvi-buddha-and-krishna) Narrator and listener; recalls her vow with Kamanita but feels no desire for the old Paradise, embracing the Buddha's teaching on suffering and Nirvana. ### [The Blossoms of Paradise Wither](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-blossoms-of-paradise-wither) Vasitthi speaks words of wisdom about the transience of paradise and the higher uncreated state, encouraging Kamanita to aim for rebirth in the Brahma realm. ### [In the Kingdom of the Hundred-Thousandfold Brahma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxviii-in-the-kingdom-of-the-hundred-thousandfold-brahma) Reborn as a star-god, sharing a double-star existence with Kamanita. ### [XXXIX: The Dusk of the Worlds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxix-the-dusk-of-the-worlds) Remains calm and wise, recalling the Buddha's teachings and preparing to share her last earthly memories. ### [In the Grove of Krishna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xl-in-the-grove-of-krishna) Narrator and central figure; she counsels Satagira, reveals her past plot, and requests to enter the Sacred Order. ### [The Simple Motto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xli-the-simple-motto) Now a sister of the Order, she receives the motto 'Where love is, there is also suffering' from the Buddha and struggles with its implications. ### [XLII: The Sick Nun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xlii-the-sick-nun) The sick nun, consumed by love and longing for Kamanita, confronts Angulimala and later falls into despair before redirecting her pilgrimage toward the Buddha. ### [XLIII: The Passing of the Perfect One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xliii-the-passing-of-the-perfect-one) The narrator, a sick nun who travels to see the Buddha before his death, hears of Sariputta's passing, and receives the Master's final blessing. ### [XLIV: Vasitthi’s Bequest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xliv-vasitthi-s-bequest) Describes the Buddha to Kamanita, creates a vision of the Perfect One, and ultimately sacrifices her own form to complete the image. ### [Night and Morning in the Spheres](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xlv-night-and-morning-in-the-spheres) Kamanita reflects that Vasitthi has passed away without leaving seed of existence, and that life without her is meaningless, motivating his choice of the eternal. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/vasitthi - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters