Bhagavad Gita a Substantial provenance of understanding and motivation for Ralph Waldo Emerson

Abstract

Hinduism precisely came into American society when Swami Vivekananda in 1893 spoke these words and addressed the people, "sisters and brothers of America", these words attained big round of applause in Chicago where World Parliament of Religions was being held. But one cannot deny that Indo- American spiritual relation was already into existence in the works of American thinkers and writers. The deep and wide thoughts of the Vedic concepts, knowlwdge of Upanishads, stories from Purans, Vedantas and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita were fully grown in the mind and thoughts of well known writers and poets from America. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Herman Melville, Walt Whitman, William James, Henry David Thoreau and several other writers and poets came under this category and expressed their Indo- American spiritual views in their writings. People like Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman were remarked as ‘Brahmins of America or American Yogi’s’ because of their outlook and views regarding Indo- American Spiritualism which was developed by the true love for the philosophy of the Upanishads.

In the Renaissance of American history key figures of writers were Emerson and Thoreau, they American by birth yet they were Indians by heart, thoughts and philosophy to express their vision.^[1]. Literature is far beyond the national or racial boundaries its major task is to bring people closer and establish harmony. Everything is easily available on the internet these days; things are just one touch away from human being. Indian literature has widely attained attention in the in international market because now it is also available in English as well as other languages. “A new and readable translation of the Bhagvad Gita, available for a few cents, has sold a million copies in America and has become a household book of guidance for numberless American natives and Indians^{” [2]}.