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Indian Mythology References in English Literature | |||||||
Paper Id :
17649 Submission Date :
2023-05-13 Acceptance Date :
2023-05-21 Publication Date :
2023-05-25
This is an open-access research paper/article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. For verification of this paper, please visit on
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Abstract |
To study Indian mythology references in English literature. Literature and language complement one another in many ways. For instance, one needs to be conversant with English literature in order to speak well in the language. This is due to the importance of language in English literary studies. If you cannot correctly compose simple phrases, you cannot read English-language literature. Students who are interested in English literature must therefore be skilled in the language. When one examines the relationship between mythology and the various criteria for what constitutes a body of literature as world literature, it becomes evident that many contemporary authors incorporate, adapt, and make allusions to various mythologies because they relate to the universal themes and dilemmas that are most frequently present in modern literature. However, often the unique contribution is overlooked when evaluating a modern literary work in light of the mythical echoes it contains. During the course of this investigation, the researcher encountered numerous difficulties. Numerous significant discoveries from earlier research that were pertinent to the subject of this examination were cited. Additional requirements included the need for judgment, the imposition of review time constraints, the selection of publications that addressed the influence of social media influencers on young women's acceptance of traditional beauty standards, and the assessment of journals appropriate for data collection and analysis. In this paper, the researcher plans to use interpretative, analytical, and comparative methodologies. We'll get our information from a lot of top-notch libraries.
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Keywords | English Literature, Myths and Mythology, Indian Mythology. | ||||||
Introduction |
There is much more to the study of English literature than just the English language. Almost every facet of human culture has provided inspiration for writers working in the English language. That is to say, native English speakers from all walks of life, ages, nations, schools, religions, cultures, and political persuasions share their thoughts and feelings through written expression. Learning about and appreciating the profound knowledge and moral concepts they convey is the fundamental purpose of reading their writings. Language and literature are two sides of the same coin. For instance, being able to communicate effectively in English requires familiarity with English literature. This is because the study of English literature is extremely language dependent. You can't read literature published in English if you don't know how to construct simple sentences properly. Therefore, students interested in English literature must be fluent in the language. The study of English literature presupposes a high level of fluency in the English language. (Maharsi)
Given the close relationship between Indian mythology and Indian literature, it is reasonable to assume that in a country like India, where there is not much of a historical tradition - unlike as one finds much in abundance in the West - which myth has become a powerful instrument of preservation of both history and culture. As C. N. Srinath (2003) correctly argues, such a pervasive mythical atmosphere has been dynamic in nature, with immense potential to interact with and even alter contemporary reality.
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Objective of study | To study Indian mythology references in English literature. |
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Review of Literature | The global, ever-evolving, and fiercely competitive
business environment of today is unlike any in history. They both want to
create a long-term edge in the marketplace. However, getting in touch with them
is trickier and takes more time than you may think. In today's fast-paced
business field, the capacities to adapt, be open to new ideas, and be creative
are crucial. The last two, originality and innovation, make up the
"motto" of each modern company. These are the concepts of
contemporary management that Peter Drucker said were essential in today's
cutthroat business world. This is the cold, harsh truth of today's economic
climate. This means taking into account the most ephemeral
asset every business has: its personnel. That's because the skills of the
company's workers are the single most important factor in determining the
extent to which an organization is inventive and creative. The purpose of human
resource management is to maximize an organization's most valuable asset: its
people. Promoting organizational learning, cooperation, and collective
intelligence appears to be the only option, and this can only be done by encouraging
open communication and a disciplined commitment to continual development. We will first provide an overview of this ancient
Indian philosophical classic, the Bhagavad-Gita, before delving into its
counsel on introspection and growth. Sri Krishna gave Arjuna the Bhagavad-Gita
as advice for living a fulfilled life(Dharmaratnam). Over the years,
many respected scholars and thinkers from across the world have commented on
and expanded upon the Bhagavad Gita's lessons. Its teachings are global and
non-sectarian, therefore not only Indians may benefit from them. One's
spiritual development, financial stability, and potential for leadership
transformation may all be aided by studying the Bhagavad Gita. Sanskrit, one of
the world's oldest languages, was used to compose the original version of the
Bhagavad Gita. In 1785, Charles Wilkins released the first English translation
of the Bhagavad Gita(B Muniapan). More than a thousand English versions
of the Bhagavad Gita and commentaries on it have been published by hundreds of
Indian and worldwide academics. There are translations of the Bhagavad Gita
available in more than 500 languages throughout the world. The Bhagavad-Gita's
influence has been felt all across the world, from ancient China and Japan to
modern-day Western culture. A tremendous debt is owed to the Bhagavad-Gita by
the two principal canonical writings of Mahayana Buddhism, the Mahayana
Sraddhotpatti and the Saddharma Pundarika. "I find a verse here and a
verse there and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming
external tragedies," Mahatma Gandhi, a supporter of the Bhagavad-Gita's
teachings, once said. I credit the Bhagavad-Gita for the fact that "they
have left no visible, no indelible scar on me."(Mahadevan) The Mahabharata, which the Bhagavad-Gita refers to,
is considered the fifth Veda. Dharma, the path one is expected to follow in
life, is discussed extensively throughout the Mahabharata. It incorporates not
just dharma but also artha, the accumulation of financial prosperity, kama, the
pursuit of sensual delight, and moksha, the attainment of nirvana. Sri Vyasa
Muni (son of Parasara Muni) compiled Sri Ganesa's 1,10,000 verses into what
would become known as the Mahabharata more than 5,000 years ago. There are 700
lines in the Bhagavad-Gita (575 of which are spoken by Sri Krishna) and it may
be found in the book BhismaParva of the Mahabharata(Rosen). The Mahabharata details the struggle between the
Pandavas and the Kauravas, a group of one hundred of their cousins, for control
of the kingdom of Hastinapura. Sri Krishna, the protector of right, vowed to go
on a peace mission for the Pandavas as an example to the world. As the Kauravas
persisted in their rejection of peace overtures, war became more likely.
Arjuna, prince of the Pandavas, had Sri Krishna serve as his charioteer. Both
Sri Krishna and his army of mighty soldiers headed by Sri Krishna were
available to Arjuna, but Sri Krishna chose not to fight. Arjuna (Pandava) opted
to go into war with Sri Krishna unarmed, whereas Duryodhana (Kaurava) was happy
to welcome Sri Krishna's large army. Duryodhana reasoned that Sri Krishna
couldn't help the Pandavas if they didn't have an army and weapons. At Kurukshetra, the Pandava and Kaurava armies met
with all their divisions deployed. This laid the groundwork for the rest of the
Bhagavad-Gita. Before fighting broke out, the lecturer gave a speech on the
battlefield. Whether it's five Pandavas vs one hundred Kauravas, or seven
Pandava divisions versus eleven Kaurava divisions of troops, the body is a
battleground where good and evil are always at fight. The fundamental issue on
a spiritual level is the struggle a man faces between his higher calling and
the desires of his physical body, intellectual mind, and sensual
pleasures (Subramaniam). A mentoring relationship is one in which one
individual offers guidance and assistance to another for the purpose of the
latter's professional growth. One's professional advancement is only one of
many possible outcomes of establishing a mentoring relationship. It's possible that all that's required to go into
the unknown is a talisman to protect against bad spells, a gem of wonderful
counsel, a guide, or just the courage to take the plunge. But the mentor always
shows up early to provide a hand and act as a midwife for our hopes and
aspirations. Mentors serve as inspirational role models. The modern meaning of the phrase may be traced back
to Greek mythology. King Odysseus of Ithaca left his son Mentor in the care of
a reliable friend before embarking on his journey to fight in the Trojan War.
Despite our assertions that the term "mentor" derives from the
Greeks, French, etc., the Guru-Sishya connection in Indian culture is the first
documented example of a mentor-protege bond. Students in ancient India's
"Gurukul" method of education lived with their teachers as they were
family. Guru means master or chief, while kul is the territory ruled by that
individual. The Guru was more than just a teacher to the students at the
Gurukul, therefore he or she enforced a harsh system of tutelage, compliance,
and punishment. He was like a father figure to all of his pupils. Many ancient
royal families sent their young princes to Gurus to learn martial arts, music,
politics, ethics, and the Vedas. This essay aims to dispel the fallacy that the
mentor-protégé relationship (Guru-Shisya) is a product of modern business
culture and is unhistorical.(Nachimuthu) There are a wide variety of strange creatures
described in Indian mythology, each with its own unique appearance (much like a
mosaic). These mysterious creatures combine characteristics from other animals
and, in some instances, humans. Yatu from the Rigveda and minavaji or
Gajavaktrajashi from the Mahabharata are two more examples of composite
entities in Indian mythology. "Gajnam, hayanam, simhanana, Vyaghranana,
rgendravadana, Kharamukha, Makaranana, thamrgamukha, Kakamukha, Gridamukha,
etc." is only a small sampling of the exhaustive list provided by the
Puranic writers. "the term ihamrga was generally used from ancient times
for fantastic animals," writes K. Krishnamurthy, "but the term
vyalacame into frequent use from the Gupta period onwards." In contemporary
Indian art, the composite figures take the form of flying horses, elephants,
birds, people, and more.
Given the importance of mythological elements, I
decided to study and write on hybrid imagery in contemporary art. The core
structure of this article is provided by the works of contemporary artists who
have made use of these elements. The bulk of the article is devoted to a
discussion of fantastical animals from mythology, including winged people,
avian humans, winged humans, human-animal hybrids, and fabled marine monsters.
In Section 3, we get the concise summary. In the last chapter, titled
"Appendix," you'll discover the plates of paintings I used as
references when writing my dissertation.(Rehman) |
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Main Text |
Myths and mythology, the tale or collection of stories
compiled into an epic or a purana, have long captivated and attracted authors
and readers from all walks of life. The rich canon of Indian mythology is the
product of oral tradition and written records that have survived the test of
time. The myths and legends of India have a profound impact on its readers,
helping to form their personalities and worldviews. The purpose of sharing
Indian mythology is to impart wisdom about living and navigating the world.
There might be several, equally legitimate interpretations of the same event,
incident, or celebration. Because of natural selection, the tales have
persisted over the years. Despite being retold in a variety of languages and
incorporating regional qualities through imagery and language, the original meaning
of stories from the Vedas, Puranas, and Itihasas remains intact. The Indian book market has exhibited unusually high
levels of interest in these tales. Inspiring a new generation of readers while
also helping to maintain an essential component of Indian culture is exactly
what these tales have accomplished. This phenomenon may be seen in the
popularization of mythology in both English literature and Indian television
serials. While the history and primary sources remain unchanged, the
presentation has been modernized to better align with contemporary expectations
and values. The perception of this genre has changed among viewers and
producers alike. Even the 'Gods' of mythology that were once thought to be the
source of inspiration now face criticism. (Kulkarni) Comparing the role of mythology to the various
criteria that qualify a body of literature to be considered world literature
demonstrates that many contemporary authors incorporate, adapt, and allude to
various mythologies because their universal themes and dilemmas mirror those
most represented in contemporary literature. When evaluating a modern literary
work in light of the legendary echoes found in it, it is easy to lose sight of
the original contribution. Like the myths of all cultures and civilizations,
adaptations and even works that feature traces of such mythology are receiving
broad acclaim. Examining why works with legendary echoes are so well-liked by
readers throughout the globe might provide light on how much mythology affects
modern literature. (Mohamed) One of the many things that sets Indian culture
unique from all others throughout the world is its rich and fascinating
mythology. Indian mythology is a centuries-old oral tradition that has also
been preserved in religious books. Stories from Indian mythology are
interesting because they often include hidden truths, principles, and maxims
with practical applications in business and daily life(Bhattacharya).
Every religion is illogical because it accepts fantastical ideas like a
"ocean of milk," "flying horses," and "virgin
births." Every event is instructive and may be used as an example of
efficient management in action. The international market may be navigated with
the aid of the management teachings offered by Prince Ram. He alone has earned
the title of Maryadapurushottam, or the perfect man. Valmiki, the author of the
Ramayana, and Narada, a wise man, had a chat long before the epic poem was
written(B. Muniapan). Sri Ram and other great leaders have given us
examples of the practical application of these ideas via their own lives. Knowledge and integrity go hand in hand in the same
way as courage and talent, compassion and skill, etc., do. The use of
management theory plays a significant role in Hanuman's voyage to Lanka. His mission
was to track out Sita and give her Prince Ram's message. When it became clear
that Sita was in Lanka, Jamvant contacted Hanuman for help. He motivated him to
realize his potential and push forward into enemy territory(Panda and Gupta).
The relevant take away from the Mahabharata is the need of cooperation in
modern business. Kauravas didn't work well together. They were engaged in
separate wars. It was like being swarmed by a swarm of mosquitoes, hornets, and
bees. In contrast, the Pandavas cooperated for the greater good. Leadership in
the Mahabharatha is defined as the skill of encouraging people to accomplish a
shared objective, and the necessity of collaboration and the worth of each
member's contributions, as well as the importance of identifying the proper
person for the position, are all lessons that may be applied to contemporary
management(Kejriwal and Krishnan). The holy Gita is frequently used as a
management guide despite being an epic. With its help, we may connect with our
essential nonphysical selves. It teaches us how to take the fight out into the
real world with knowledge and honesty (Satpathy). Management is the art of rallying a group of
individuals around a common goal and keeping them motivated until that goal is
achieved. Every manager's first concern is how to achieve managerial success.
To solve this fundamental problem, the Bhagavad-Gita advises, "you must
try to manage yourself." If a manager doesn't aim high and succeed,
they'll end up as simply another cog in the machine(Parashar). Ganesha
is the God of Good Fortune and the son of Shiva and Parvati. He had the big,
pot-bellied body of a human, and the enormous head and ears of an elephant. He
erases all traces of misfortune and difficulties. The attributes of knowledge,
concentration, communication, problem solving, and swiftness that managers want
to possess are all personified by Ganesha(Pattnaik). Ganesha is the God
of Good Fortune and the son of Shiva and Parvati. He had the big, pot-bellied
body of a human, and the enormous head and ears of an elephant. He erases all
traces of misfortune and difficulties. The attributes of knowledge,
concentration, communication, problem solving, and swiftness that managers want
to possess are all personified by Ganesha(Tapasyananda). Lord Krishna is the fountainhead of all knowledge,
and he manifested on Earth to establish a faith based on selfless service. He
was sent to mediate conflicts(Satpathy and Muniapan). Sri Rama says that
the smartest individuals should be given key positions in decision-making and
strategic planning. According to Sri Rama, the key to internal harmony and
business success is matching employees with tasks that play to their individual
strengths(Gregor). Management may be more effective if jobs are divided
into the three groups of interpersonal, informational, and decision-making
work. Due to their prominent positions in the organization, managers are tasked
with a wide range of interpersonal tasks, including those of figurehead,
leader, and liaison(Mintzberg). Possible areas for further study include
how the lessons of the Valmiki Ramayana might be applied to strategic and human
resource management(Muniapan and Satpathy). Although the ideas of effective
management may be applied to a wide range of situations, this research
concentrates on those that directly affect employee motivation(Panda and
Gupta).
One God (small g) or not, Hindus believe in a total
of 33 koti gods, one for every Hindu caste, occupation, village, and home.
Minerals, plants, animals, and even fictional characters may all serve as
deities. The only way to unlock the mystery of who we are is to first unravel
this intricate network. The organization really cares about its employees and
is committed to ensuring their personal and professional growth. A good working
relationship between an employer and worker requires all three(Pattanaik).
A manager's success hinges on their ability to put their intelligence and
expertise to good use and produce measurable results. The success of a manager
depends on his or her ability to get things done quickly and effectively.
Several models, methods, and points of view on effective management have been
presented in Western management literature, but none of them seem to be
applicable in every context (Samson and Daft) |
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Methodology | The researcher witnessed many challenges while doing this study. Significant findings from previous studies that were relevant to the study's topic were cited extensively. There was also the need for judgment, the imposition of time limits on review, the selection of publications addressing the role of social media influencers in influencing young women's acceptance of conventional beauty standards, and the evaluation of journals suited to the collecting and analysis of data. The researcher intends to apply interpretative, analytical, and comparative methods in this study. Information will be gathered from a variety of world-class libraries. The focus will be on a comprehensive reading of the available primary and secondary sources. It's possible to obtain information via the internet and many websites. |
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Conclusion |
In conclusion, Indian literature, both poetic and nonfictional, is rife with allusions to the folklore and mythology of the country. India's literature and drama are rich in theoretical underpinnings. As though theoretical explanations could address all the issues raised by the authors. They looked to myth when they sought to tell a story or impart a universally applicable philosophy of life. These works by Indian authors gain more meaning and context by the incorporation of myths and tales fundamental to Indian culture and history. The study highlights the absolute necessity of open lines of communication, equitable and balanced treatment of workers, loyalty to one's profession, and the ability to persevere in the face of adversity among the many Hindu legendary figures praised by employees at all levels of the company. Stories about Hindu deities like Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesh may teach us about the virtues needed to succeed in business, while stories about Lord Rama can teach us about the need of organizational discipline and being honest in business. |
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References | 1. Maharsi, E. (2002). Introduction to Linguistics. Malang: Cintra Mentari Group.
2. Kulkarni, Sanika. “A Study of retellings in indian mythology with special reference to sita a nook by Dedutt Pattnaik.” International journal of creative research thoughts.
3. Mohamed, Donia Wael. How Mythology Shapes Modern World Literature: The Echoes of Mythology.
4. Bhattachaya, P. Management of power: lessons from the Ramayana.
5. Satpathy, B. The Knowledge of “Self” from the Bhagavad-Gita and Its Significance for Human Capital Development.
6. Rosen, J.S. The Hidden Glory of India. |