Across Oceans of Influence: Indian Philosophical Threads in T.S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land'

Across Oceans of Influence: Indian Philosophical Threads in T.S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land',
About T.S.Eliot,
About “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot,
Five Parts of it,
The Fire Sermon,
What the Thunder Said:
(Prajapati's Timeless Teachings: A Path to Inner Harmony,
DA - DA - DA),
Spiritual Symbols,
Indian Influence & Spiritual Symbolism in 'The Waste Land:
(Structural Integration,
Symbolism of Water and Sterility,
Influence of Buddhism,
Message of Compassion and Control,
Symbolism of Rain and Redemption,
Importance of Sanskrit Mantra "Shantih",
Circular Structure and Spiritual Insight,

1. Across Oceans of Influence: Indian Philosophical Threads in T.S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land' Presented By : Pallavi Parmar Presented at:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar.

2. Personal Information Presented by:- Pallavi Rameshbhai Parmar Roll Number:- 20 Enrollment Number:- 5108230034 Paper 106 : The Twentieth Century Literature: from 1900 to World War II. Batch:-2023-2025 (M.A. Sem 2) Date:- 05 April, 2024 Subject Code:- 22399 Email:- [email protected]

3. Table of contents Abou t T.S.Eliot Five Parts “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot The Fire Sermon 01 03 02 04 05 06 08 07 DA - DA - DA : Spiritual Symbols: I ndian Influence & Spiritual Symbolism in 'The Waste Land: Conclusion What the Thunder Said 09 References

4. About T.S.Eliot: Born: September 26, 1888, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Died: January 4, 1965, London, England He was an American-English poet, playwright, literary critic, and editor. Leader of the Modernist movement in poetry. Famous works : > "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" (1915) | > "Ash Wednesday" (1930) > "The Waste Land" (1922) | > "Murder in the Cathedral" (1935) > "The Hollow Men" (1925) | > "Four Quartets" (1943) He exercised a strong influence on Anglo-American culture from the 1920s onwards. Awards: Awarded the Order of Merit, Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1948. His experiments in diction, style, and versification revitalized English poetry. In a series of critical essays, he shattered old orthodoxies and erected new ones. ( Gardner)

5. “ The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot "The Waste Land" is a long poem by T.S. Eliot, first published in 1922. Initially published in The Criterion in London in October, followed by The Dial in New York City in November. Later published in book form with footnotes by Eliot. Considered one of the most influential works of the 20th century. Expresses disillusionment and disgust of the post-World War I period. Portrays a sterile world of panicky fears, barren lusts, and human longing for redemption. The poem is renowned for its innovative use of language, fragmented structure, and rich cultural references. Initially met with controversy due to its complex and erudite style, alternately denounced for obscurity and praised for Modernism. ( Britannica )

6. Five Parts: Part Title 1. The Burial of the Dead 2. A Game of Chess 3. The Fire Sermon 4. Death By Water 5. What the Thunder Said

7. The Fire Sermon: Eliot directly draws upon the Buddha's 'Fire Sermon' in Part III titled "The Fire Sermon" " The Fire Sermon" was preached by the Buddha against the fires of passion, hatred, and infatuation. The title is borrowed from Buddha's famous sermon on the fires of desire/passion causing suffering Eliot uses the Buddhist view that desire/passion is the root cause of the spiritual wasteland depicted References to Buddha's teaching on renouncing desires are combined with St. Augustine's views on asceticism This collocation represents the confluence of Eastern and Western ascetic traditions advocating renunciation The "burning" imagery connects to Hindu rituals involving sacred fires and purification through fire Draws on Upanishadic concepts like the "still point" and insights from texts like Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Highlights the universality of the theme of desire causing degeneration across societies. Regeneration possible only by heeding teachings of moral/religious leaders of East and West like Buddha. (Pandit)

8. Combining Eastern and Western ascetic traditions: The collocation of Buddha's teaching on renouncing desires with St. Augustine's views on asceticism represents the confluence of Eastern and Western ascetic traditions advocating renunciation. Connection to Hindu rituals and imagery: The "burning" imagery connects not only to the Buddhist concept of desire/passion causing suffering but also to Hindu rituals involving sacred fires and purification through fire. This broader inclusion of Hindu rituals adds another layer to the poem's exploration of spiritual themes. Use of Upanishadic concepts: In addition to drawing on Buddha's teachings, Eliot's "Fire Sermon" section also incorporates insights from Upanishadic texts like the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. This broader reference to Hindu philosophical texts further enriches the poem's exploration of spirituality and moral decay. (Pandit) Continue:

9. Thunder's Message in "The Waste Land": "What the Thunder Said" in "The Waste Land" draws from Indian philosophy, particularly the Brihadãranyak Upanishad. The Thunder's triadic command urges self-control, compassion, and generosity, echoing Prajapati's teachings. Eliot rearranges the traditional order to emphasize giving as the initial step towards spiritual growth. The Thunder's message is situated within the narrative of spiritual drought and moral decay. References to the Ganga and Himavant enrich the poem's cultural and spiritual resonance. The call to action reflects the protagonist's journey towards self-awareness and redemption. Eliot's inclusion of Indian philosophy deepens the thematic complexity of the poem. (Dwivedi)

10. In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (5.1-3), Prajapati engages in a dialogue with his threefold offspring - gods, men, and demons - imparting essential teachings for spiritual elevation. Prajapati's teachings emphasize three core virtues: - Self-control (Damyata) - Giving (Datta) - Compassion (Dayadhvam) These virtues are echoed in the Thunder's threefold message - 'Da Da Da' - which encapsulates the essence of Prajapati's teachings. The dialogue between Prajapati and his sons underscores the timeless wisdom embedded in Indian philosophy, emphasizing the importance of self-discipline, generosity, and compassion in leading a meaningful life. Eliot's incorporation of this episode from the Upanishad reflects his profound engagement with Indian philosophical traditions, highlighting the universal relevance of these ancient teachings in addressing the existential dilemmas portrayed in "The Waste Land." Prajapati's wisdom serves as a guiding light for humanity, offering a path towards inner harmony and enlightenment amidst the desolation of the modern world depicted in Eliot's poem. (Dwivedi) Prajapati's Timeless Teachings: A Path to Inner Harmony:

11. Offspring Instruction Sanskrit Term Devas/ God Self-control Damyata Manavas/ Humans Giving Datta Danavas/ Demons Compassion Dayadhvam DA - DA - DA :

12. Himavant Reference: Eliot references Himavant in "The Waste Land," symbolizing a distant and formidable mountain range. The mention of Himavant suggests a sacred and majestic landscape, echoing themes of spiritual ascent and enlightenment. It evokes a sense of awe and reverence, highlighting the transcendental nature of the poem's journey. Ganga Reference: The reference to Ganga, or the Ganges River, carries deep cultural and spiritual significance in Indian tradition. Ganga symbolizes purity, renewal, and divine grace, serving as a source of spiritual cleansing and rejuvenation. Its mention underscores themes of purification and redemption amidst the desolation depicted in "The Waste Land." The image of Ganga waiting for rain reflects a longing for spiritual nourishment and revival in a parched and barren landscape. (Dwivedi) Spiritual Symbols:

13. Indian Influence & Spiritual Symbolism in 'The Waste Land: Structural Integration: Indian philosophy, including Hinduism and Buddhism, forms an integral part of the poem's structure. Sanskrit language and references to Indian texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Dhammapada are prominent. Symbolism of Water and Sterility: The title "The Waste Land" suggests a barren, sterile landscape. Draws parallels to the metaphysical quest symbolized by water in Indian texts like the Rig Veda and the Dhammapada. Spiritual search and metaphysical pursuits are essential to overcome this sterility. Influence of Buddhism, Message of Compassion and Control . (Dwivedi)

14. Symbolism of Rain and Redemption: Rain s ymbolizes spiritual resurgence and redemption, paralleling the barren Waste Land with the need for spiritual renewal. The Thunder's message signifies the path to restoring peace and order in a chaotic world. Importance of Sanskrit Mantra "Shantih": The concluding Sanskrit mantra "Shantih shantih shantih" represents the vision of peace and order derived from Indian tradition. It signifies the culmination of the protagonist's quest and serves as a structural element reinforcing the poem's themes. Circular Structure and Spiritual Insight: The poem's s tructure is described as cyclic rather than linear, reflecting the cyclical nature of life and death. Eliot's explo ration of basic themes and articulation of spiritual insights contribute to the poem's structural integrity. (Dwivedi)

15. Conclusion : In conclusion, we can say that T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land" is deeply influenced by Indian philosophical ideas and myths. Through his poem, Eliot weaves together themes of peace, compassion, detachment, and the pursuit of meaning, drawing from the rich tapestry of Indian philosophy and mythology. By incorporating these elements, Eliot not only enriches his work but also shares universal truths that resonate across cultures and generations. This demonstrates the profound influence of Indian philosophy and mythology in shaping Eliot's poetic vision, truly exemplifying the theme of "Across Oceans of Influence" in his masterpiece.

16. References : Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "The Waste Land". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Feb. 2024, https://www.britan nica.com/topic/The-Waste-Land . Accessed 5 April 2024. Dwivedi, A.N. “Indian Philosophy in Structuring The Waste Land.” Literary Oracle Journal , Literary Oracle, 1 May 2022, https://literaryoracle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/I.-3.-Indian-Philosophy-in-Structuring-The-Waste-Land-By-A-N-Dwivedi.pdf . Accessed 5 April 2024. Eliot, TS. “The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, December 1922, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47311/the-waste-land . Accessed 5 April 2024. Gardner, Helen , Davies, Hugh Alistair and Tate, Allen. "T.S. Eliot". Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Feb. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/T-S-Eliot . Accessed 5 April 2024. Pandit, Tanmoy. “Indian Philosophy in T S Eliot's Poetry: An Analytical Study.” National Journal of Hindi & Sanskrit Research , National Journal of Hindi & Sanskrit Research, 2019, https://sanskritarticle.com/wp-content/uploads/40-23-Tanmoy.Pandit.pdf . Accessed 5 April 2024.