Lord of Light has what we call a three-layered ending. Imagine a three-layered cake. It's all part of the same whole, but there's a distinct lemon crème filling separating the layers at the same time. Is anybody else hungry? No? Just us? All right then, let's explore this thing.
Layer 1: The Circle of Life
Layer 1 is an ending we've seen a million times before, the what-happens-to-everyone ending. We learn that Varuna has returned to the Celestial City, the Lords of Karma have been overturned by the Wardens of Transfer, Kubera and Ratri are now together, and Tak and Olvegg went off cruising the world.
Most telling, we learn that this planet's unique take on Hinduism continues alongside its unique take on Buddhism, and Sam has become a religious figurehead in each. This layer ends with lines almost identical to the novel's opening lines, giving the proceedings that fated, circle of life feeling.
But although we've been served this type of ending a million times before, like a favorite apple pie recipe, it still satisfies doesn't it?
That said, we're still a little hungry. So on to the next layer.
Layer 2: Into the Sunset, Into Legend
Now we get to the center, which is the most important layer. After Sam's duty is done, he leaves Khaipur and is not seen again. Several different legends pop up regarding where he went and why, "as told by the moralist, the mystics, the social reformers, and the romantics." The only thing these different versions have in common is that Sam scrammed when a red bird appeared to him.
This layer wraps up the novel's ongoing themes of symbols, stories, religion, and truth. Depending on who you ask—the moralist, the mystic, the social reformer, or the romantic—you'll get a different answer as to how and why Sam vanishes from the western continent. That's because each of these people has a different view of the world, religion, and society; so the stories they tell of it will in turn be different.
Which is the real version; which is true? No one can say. Maybe they all are. Maybe none. Ultimately you'll just have to "select whichever version suits [your] fancy" (7.604). It's like having four different recipes for chocolate chip cookies—all are different, but that doesn't make any of them any less chocolate chip cookie-y, er, we mean true. Sorry about that… it's just… you sure you're not hungry for some dessert?
Layer 3: That's Sweet
At the very end of the novel, Murga visits the temple and places before Yama's shrine "the only devotion he receives, of flowers" (7.608). Remember: Murga was once Kali, the woman Yama loved but who did not love him back. Now, it seems the god of death has finally received the love he's desired so much from the person he's loved so much.
Sure, Murga's love is the type one feels for a father and not a lover, but still. That's really the perfect place to end this thing, right at the point that warms your heart like an ooey-gooey molten lava cake.
Okay, seriously, if we don't get some dessert in us, we will metaphorically die. See you at the next section.