Switching Heads (Motif)
The motif of switching heads is pivotal to the themes of incompleteness and of hybridism. The first character that Bhagavat introduces is the god Ganesha who has the head of an elephant and the body of a child. The next character that the audience meets in person is Hayavadana, who has the body of a man and the head of a horse.
At first, the two male protagonists have their own heads correctly connected to their own bodies, but after an excitable Padmini makes an error and puts each man's head on the other's body by mistake, they, too, have a body and a head that does not belong together. This motif is followed all the way through the play until the end, when Hayavadana does reach a stage of completeness thanks to the help of both Kali and the little boy who is the son of Padmi and Davadatta.
The Flower (Symbol)
The Fortunate Lady flower that Kapila shows to Padmini is a symbol of Padmini, though the flower's name is ironic since she certainly is not that fortunate. The flower has the marks of a married woman, such as the dot on the forehead, the parting of the hair, and a necklace. It is beautiful and beguiling, sensual and redolent just like a woman. At the end of the play Bhagavata tells the audience that the Fortunate Lady flower tree sends up a lovely scent and song on the night of the full moon, reminiscent of Padmini and her tragic, glorious death for love.
Dreams (Motif)
Dreams occur multiple times throughout the text, particularly in relation to Padmini. It is in her dreams that the audience/reader finds a fuller understanding of how she really feels about Devadatta and Kapila. They are where she indulges in her most sensual and, in the eyes of traditional, patriarchal Indian society, forbidden desires.
Dolls (Symbol)
Dolls are traditionally seen as symbols of childhood. They are toys, faint replicas of children themselves, intended to teach the skills of nurturing and sympathy. In this play they are associated with the child, purchased near the time of his birth and then kept until they are replaced by new ones later. However, Karnad turns the symbol on its head a bit by making these dolls very much alive, not to mention catty, cruel, and selfish. This doesn't necessarily reflect upon the child as much as it does his parents, the ones who brought the dolls into the home.
Padmini's Door (Symbol)
There is a two-headed bird above Padmini's door, which symbolizes her split when it comes to Devadatta and Kapila. She finds it difficult to reconcile her desire for Kapila's body and Devadatta's brain, and since both men are so entrenched in their incompleteness, she cannot make any headway in determining to be with only one of them.
