AtDTDA: 19 The Quadrantal Versor Asana [539]

[robinlandseadel at comcast.net]

Barry Nebulay continues to explain Quarterninions, while continuing to be 
confusing:

          ". . . .we're obliged to encounter it in more than one guise. 
          As a vector quotient. As a way of plotting complex numbers 
          along three axes instead of two. As a list of instructions for 
          turning one vector into another.

We are rejoined by Dr. V, Ganesh Rao, who showed up earlier on 130

          The noted Quaterninionist Dr. V. Ganesh Rao of Calcutta University 
          was seeking a gateway to the Ulterior, as he liked to phrase it, 
          having come to recognize the wisdom of simply finding silence and 
          allowing Mathmatics and History to proceed as they would. 130

>From the Pynchonwiki:

          Ganesha is a Hindu god. From Wikipedia:

          "It is widely believed that "Wherever there is Ganesha, there is 
          Success and Prosperity" and "Wherever there is Success and 
          Prosperity there is Ganesha". He is the Lord of Obstacles both 
          of a material and spiritual order.[2] He is capable of placing 
          obstacles in the path of those who need to be checked, and 
          can remove blockages just as easily. By calling on him people 
          believe that he will come to their aid and grant them success 
          in their endeavour. He also is considered the master of intellect 
          and wisdom."

http://tinyurl.com/2e3dhw

Dr. Rao explains the importance of the imaginary number [square root of -1] 
that is at the root of Quarterninions:

          If you were a vector, mademoiselle, you would begin in the 'real' 
          world, change your length, enter an 'imaginary' reference system, 
          rotate up to three different ways, and return to 'reality a new 
          person. Or vector."

And then demonstrates how shifting the twists and turns of the asanas of yoga 
into 'the complex spaces of Quaterninions" results in the 'Quadrantal Versor 
Asana':

          . . . .and commenced a routine which quickly became more contortionistic 
          and now and then you'd say contrary-to-fact, drawing the attention of 
          other diners and eventually the maître d', who came running over 
          waving a vehement finger and was two steps away from the table when 
          Dr. Rao abruptly vanished.

Bonus question: What the hell is going on?

The maître d' [now reduced to 'functionary'] swears "Uwe moer!", the 
pynchonwiki explains:

          "Uwe moer!"
          Looks a lot like the Dutch "Uw moeder!" - a cry of astonishment 
          ("Your mother!"), the equivalent to the black English "yo mama".

In the midst of general astonishment [save a few of Dr. Rao's companions 
picking off food from his plate], Dr. Rao reincarnates a bit taller, and with
his foot in a tub of mayonaisse°.

          "And blond now, as well," puzzled Pléiade. "Can you do it backwards 
          and return to who you were?"

Apparently not, Dr. Rao shrugging it off as 

          "Like reincarnation on a budget, without the element of karma to 
          worry about."

Kit has decided that he doesn't trust Pléiade, who is looking at her:

          . . . .Vacheron & Constabtin watch, flipping open the hunting-case, 
          and executing a dazzling smile of social apology. "I must fly, do 
          forgive me, gentlemen."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacheron_Constantin

°: Doubtless that tub of mayonaisse must have something to do with the 
influence of the mysterious Pléiade Lafrisée

Pynchon wiki:
http://tinyurl.com/2e57nu