Dr. Bhagavatidevi A. Chudasama
Government Teacher, Mandvi (Gujarat)
Dr. Rachit D. Kalaria
Assistant Professor, M. M. Science College, Morbi. (Gujarat)
Abstract
Urge for reinstatement of the human values, for peace and harmony, protest for the Dharma (Religion/Duty), devotion to the Karma (Deed) and quest for the Moksha (Emancipation) are the needs, felt not only in 21st century, but in all Ages, whenever the erosion of human values, hegemony of chaos, escapism from one’s own duty and spiritual degradation are felt. And because of their universality Indian scriptures, like the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita have timely proved to be the only sources for the keys to all problems of the life and inspired many Eastern and Western scholars to rethink, re-contextualize and reinterpret the meaning of life in/after Life. Henry David Thoreau, an American writer, philosopher and transcendentalist, is one of them whose works are highly influenced by the ideology depicted in these Indian scriptures, especially the Bhagavad Gita. The present paper is an attempt to investigate how Thoreau’s life, perception and his works were influenced by them, especially by the Bhagavad Gita, under the title Glimpse of Ideology of the Bhagavad Gita in Henry David Thoreau’s Works
Key words: Universality of the Bhagavad Gita, Karma, Dharma, Duty, penance, detachment
References:
Bhaktivedanta Swami, A. C. Bhagavad-gita As It Is. California: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, 1998. PDF.
Thoreau, Henry David. Walden & On The Duty of Civil Disobedience. PDF. :