Mystical poets

Paranjape, Makarand R.

Mysticism in Indian English poetry (Sri Aurobindo, Puran Singh, Sri Ananda Acharya, Krishnamurti, India)

Degree: PH.D.- 1985 / University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign; 0090 // DAI, VOL. 46-11A, Page 3355, 00359 Pages

ABSTRACT: Defining mysticism as the quest for, and the attainment of, complete self-realization, this dissertation examines the work of four major and nine minor Indian English mystical poets. The study devotes a chapter each to mysticism in the poetry of Sri Ananda Acharya, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Puran Singh, and two chapters to Sri Aurobindo, the former on his mystical poetry, except Savitri, and the latter on the epic. A long chapter examines the minor mystical poets, Swami Rama Tirtha, Swami Paramananda, Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Vivekenanda, Swami Sivananda, Mohan Singh, Nissim Ezekiel, Girdhari Tikku, and Syed Amanuddin.

In the chapters on the major poets, each poet's mysticism is considered as a unity with a four-fold division consisting of the mystical experience itself, other goals besides the mystical experience, the way to these goals, and the incentives to spiritual life. These chapters also contain a biographical sketch of the author, and a description of his major works. In the case of the minor mystical poets, little biographical and bibliographical detail is provided, and the focus is primarily on the mystical experience.

• The introduction offers a historical perspective on mysticsm in Indian English poetry, explains the key terms and the methodology used, and clarifies the bases for the selection of the chosen poets.
• The conclusion outlines the common features of the mystical experience in these poets, which include dissolution or disintegration of the ego or the limited self; union with the Absolute, whether known as the Beloved, God, Guru, or Truth; a transformation and expansion of consciousness; an experience of ineffable joy and bliss; and the ending of suffering, confusion, and doubt. It also synthesized a universe in which these poets function by comparing the major patterns of imagery used by them.
• The Appendix is a partially annotated bibliography of Indian English religious poetry. To sum up, this is an exploratory and descriptive study, highlighting an area that has hitherto received little attention.