The Bhagavad Gita contains a variety of philosophical concepts and ideas. The text teaches people how to live righteously. This text shows the most important things in the human’s life (“The Bhagavad Gita” 105). Interestingly, two anthropological articles on Indian life also touch upon the issues considered in the Bhagavad Gita. It is possible to state that Karve explores the role of women in Indian society and learns a lot while taking part in a religious celebration (15). Marriott also takes part in celebrations and learns important things about such concepts as love, life, and society (n.p.). It is possible to single out two major ideas which are central to the three texts.
One of these concepts is the concept of the journey. The Bhagavad Gita is all about the journey of Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna. This journey makes the mortal understand a lot of important things concerning the meaning of human life. The two articles also contain the concept of the journey which reveals secrets. For instance, Karve is participating in a procession and her neighbor tells her everything about the meanings of the celebrations (17). The author also makes a lot of valuable observations about life in the community (Karve 15). Therefore, the author’s journey is also educatory as she learns more about the world around her.
Marriott also has a journey that changes his perception of the world around him (n.p.). He lives in a village and participates in numerous celebrations. However, several days and night are most memorable for him as those days can be regarded as a sort of journey. The author learns a lot about the life of people divided by castes, religion, etc. (Marriott n.p.).Therefore, the three texts convey the idea of a constant journey which makes people learn more about the world around them. In other words, the three texts show that human life is a journey and people have to learn lots of things along their path.
Another important concept considered in tree texts is the concept of development. The aim of the journey is gaining certain knowledge and becoming a more righteous person. Thus, the prince learns how to be less arrogant and wise (“The Bhagavad Gita” 110). Marriott also concludes that he has become a wiser man as he has become open-minded (n.p.). The author stresses that he had some prejudice at the beginning of his journey, but, at the end of his trip, he has managed to understand what righteous life means. The anthropologist has become an open-minded person, capable of understanding different standpoints and ways of life.
Likewise, Karve describes her evolution into a new person (28). Thus, she started observing other people’s behavior. She was an anthropologist interested in certain data. However, at the end of her trip, she has shared the spirituality of the people she was observing. It is possible to state she has become one of them, at least, for some moments. However, even these moments show her development. The author has broadened her horizons and has become a new open-minded person.
In conclusion, it is possible to note that the three texts dwell upon such concepts as people’s spiritual journeys and development. The three texts make the reader understand the value of the development. More importantly, the three texts show that this development is possible for each person.
Works Cited
Karve, I. ” On the Road: A Maharashtrian Pilgrimage.” The Journal of Asian Studies 22.1 (1962): 13-29. Print.
Marriott, McKim. The Feast of Love. 2013. Web.
The Bhagavad Gita. Trans. Franklin Edgerton. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1988. Print.