The Impact of The Bhagavad Gita on R W Emerson

Abstract

The present research on The Impact of the Bhagavad Gita on R.W.Emerson show beyond doubt that R.W. Emerson was heavily influenced by Hinduism. The highest in Western civilization is moving on the path delineated by the Great philosopher Emerson. Thus it is important for all to understand his thoughts for success not only in the Western Civilization but also throughout the world. The Bhagavad Gita among other books on true happiness, morality and knowledge is like the Sun in our Solar System. Its effulgence and shining requires no evidence, it is self evident and also incomparable to any other source of light required for life in the solar system. Its ardent follower Emerson said, I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagvad-Gita. It was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions which exercise us. In fact R.W. Emerson has made the Bhagavad Gita and Vedic thought an integral part and foundation of Western philosophy. newlineAmerican Literary Independence was comprehensively influenced and enormously uplifted by Emerson s view and concepts. They are one of the fundamental concepts of American thinking now. In fact Emerson s concepts of own work , own nature , genius , justice , soul and over soul , central doctrine , self reliance , compensation that has been explained in this thesis that the private individual can and also should try to achieve the highest level in all fields newlineIn Chapter, I have elaborately discussed about Emersonian literary world; Greatness of the Bhagavad Gita; R.W. Emerson s differences with other religions except Hinduism; and the influence of Emerson and through him Sanatan Dharm and the Bhagavad Gita on American society. In my research paper I have analyzed, that Emerson is in fact a Vedic saint and a great soul who understood and perceived the Vedas. He developed and planted Vedic concepts in Western culture in the present ag