Indian Philosophy And Walt Whitman

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This book offers readers a window into the creative influence on the mind of one of America's most famous poets. Dr. Ambika Sharma and K K Sharma trace the unmistakable imprint of Indian philosophy as revealed in the Upanishads and Bhagavadgita on the mind of Walt Whitman. His poems resonate with thoughts contained in these great books. This book reveals the extent to which the different strands of thought of Indian philosophy which were in vogue in America then, went into the shaping of Whitman's philosophy. Walt Whitman had a knack of weaving a tapestry of the personal and universal in his poems and India and symbols of Indian mythology are colouring his spiritual vision and becoming his guiding stars on his journey of discovery of the self. This book makes a forceful statement on how Whitman's quest for finding answers to existential questions was finally accomplished with the help of answers given in books of Indian philosophy. The way this book encapsulates the myriad flavours of Indian philosophy and its impact on Whitman is unique and will provide valuable insight to all readers, researchers and students interested in Whitman and Oriental philosophy.

Dr. Ambika Sharma has rich experience in the field of English literature and communication skills as she is involved in teaching and research since 20 years. She is currently deeply involved in the practical application of occult sciences like tarot, astrology and feng-shui. She is working as HOD in 'School of Languages and Culture' at Sharda University and lives in Noida'.

I have attempted to simplify the essence of Indian Philosophy which is imbibed from The Bhagavadgita and Upanishads and tried to make it comprehensible for the common man. At the same time the influence of these profound philosophical ideas on the great American poet Walt Whitman has been traced and analyzed.

Walt Whitman is refreshingly candid in his approach to life and art. He believes in giving a frank and direct expression to his feelings. His prismatic thoughts, ideas and dreams are often inspired by Indian Philosophy; its effect upon him is quiet evident in his musings over the soul, man and God. The Indian Philosophy believes that doing one's duty is complementary to attaining spiritual freedom and hence it propagates the path of action or the Karma Marga. It shows to man a path of acceptance of worldly duties, and does not deny them as an illusion. They are treated as opportunities for attaining spiritual freedom. Thus, it propounds a practical mysticism which can be followed by any body and keeps away from getting involved in any theory.

During the period in which Whitman was living and writing, there was a considerable vogue in America for Hindu philosophical ideas. Many ancient Hindu epics and philosophical works were available in translations in America, and many writers wrote commentaries on Hindu philosophical thoughts. Whitman, being an avid reader and a part of the journalistic fraternity, was constantly in touch with the philosophical thoughts of that time. He believed that the poet should be a seer and should discover and exhibit the spiritual truth.

In the present work, an attempt has been made to gauge the nature and the extent of the depth of Whitman's awareness of Indian Philosophy. This work intends to highlight his literary indebtedness to Indian Philosophy. It has been shown that his poetry was a sublime medium for his spiritual expression and in this effort he has been constantly guided by Indian Philosophy. I am extremely grateful to my co-author Mr. Sharma for painstakingly providing inputs derived from his long and rich life learning experiences and study. I am deeply grateful to the late Prof. T.R. Sharma who encouraged and motivated me to take up and develop these ideas. I am also very thankful to my kids Kirtika, Ravi and Raj for co-operating by happily and ungrudgingly-sparing me from their care which they most needed as this tender age.

**Contents and Sample Pages**