365betÓéÀÖ

Triveni Journal

1927 | 11,233,916 words

Triveni is a journal dedicated to ancient Indian culture, history, philosophy, art, spirituality, music and all sorts of literature. Triveni was founded at Madras in 1927 and since that time various authors have donated their creativity in the form of articles, covering many aspects of public life....

The Vedantic Vision of Wordsworth

N. Pratima

Wordsworth finds that every change in the universe is effected by the One Supreme cosmic mind. Change in human history and the physical world depict the different aspects of the same reality. Even the shape of the things in future belong to the same fundamental truth. The cosmic mind is at the basis of the diverse objects, events and changes taking place in the human world. For Wordsworth the One Cosmic mind is akin to time eternal which is the cause of all changes and appearances from the beginning of creation which has no end.

Wordsworth is fascinated by the creative power in nature. Amidst all changes and catastrophes he finds the soul as the unchanging supreme entity which is not subject to any pressure whatsoever. He tells that he has learnt to rely on the soul power which gave him inspiration and the audacity to meet the challenges of the world. He maintains that nature is divine The “mighty Being� is present in nature and His presence gives the entire world a spiritual depth. The presence of the one Being envelops the sea, the sky and everything in the world. The one Being is omniscient and he is with one and all. He says that “the holy time� moves silently and is eternal. The eternal time and eternal motion and change are controlled by the mighty Being.

The rapport with nature gives indescribable joy says Wordsworth. The spiritual power in nature elevates the human being to greater heights of achievement and perfection. The soul of nature opens new portals of knowledge to one who has delved into its depths. He maintains in his celebrated poem “Tintern Abbey� that com­munion with nature gives a wonderful sense of harmony and the individual becomes “a living soul.� In this exalted state one rises above the physical limitations and sears into the world of harmony. Wordsworth accepts the possibility of scaling the unknown heights of existence as well as delving into the secrets of the divine soul within. Human nature contains the divine spark which indicates its affinity with the divine.

For Wordsworth nature is purposive and it has great regenera­tive power as the divine teleology works through it. The nature rebuilds the deformities inflicted on it by the individuals who are moved by the narrow consideration, of profit. The ugly ruins are covered by ivy. The soul of nature is working according to divine laws. Nature is not a separate entity from the divine. The divine spirit which governs nature runs through all manifesta­tions and also shapes the human intellect. Wordsworth praises the harmony in nature and insists on absorbing it. The nature is containing ameliorative power which can heal the wounds of mankind and help in the unfoldment of human destiny in tune with its creative rhythm. The creative rhythm in nature and in the human soul are one and the same, for identical divine spirit runs through them. Wordsworth truly finds unity in diversity and shows his affiliation with the Vedantic lore.

Wordsworth believes in the presence of God in the universe and within the human being and he has described the nature of reality in his poetry. He has asserted the spiritual sublimity of every individual. He never forsake his faith in the spiritual force pervading the universe and laid equal stress on ethical ideals and tenets of Christianity. The Prelude reflects Wordsworth’s faith in the spiritual unity pervading the universe.

The divinity of the human soul is the prominent theme of the poetry of Wordsworth. In his poem “Ode on Intimations of Immortality� he has accepted that the soul is the repository of the highest knowledge and it moves towards the divine. The realisation of the inner soul equips the individual with the highest knowledge bestowing on him bliss and happiness. He believes that the soul has its divine destiny. The soul moves towards the Ideal Form which is the measure of all perfection. It is the sign of true wisdom to escape the ephemeral objects of the world and realise the nature of the highest truth. He clarifies that through faith in the Divine the human being can rise above the vile instincts, emotions and feelings and reach a state of detachment which leads towards the knowledge of Eternity. He has given primary importance to the idea of Eternity which can help the individual to distinguish the difference between the eternal and the non-­eternal. While the concept of Eternity prepares the individual to contemplate on the underlying spiritual power in the universe, the idea of the non-eternal confines the attention of the individual to the evanescent things and appearances of the world. He points out that the Infinite Being is manifested in every aspect of the world. Faith can help the individual to, grasp the meaning of eternity and the all-pervasive Infinite Being. Intellectual approaches and dependence on the faculty of reason are no more helpful in knowing the nature of the Infinite Being says Wordsworth in his Preface to the second edition of the Lyrical Ballads.

Wordsworth has affirmed that God is the source of all blessedness in human life and He is the bestower of ‘all joy�. His faith in God is firm and he finds the divine presence everywhere in nature. All happiness in human life is ultimately the gift of the divine and the religious ceremony and prayer are expressions of thanks-giving. Wordsworth relies on the tenets of the great religions of the world. He accepts that religion helps in know­ing the human destiny and the source of all creation. For Wordsworth the human destiny lies in the realisation of its infinitude. The idea of the infinite always fascinated Wordsworth. That the soul is not finite and that it has its moorings in the infinite reality has been expressed by him in his poetry. The soul is the measure of the infinite and it shuns the trivial mundane success Elaborating the characteristics of the soul Wordsworth says that it is the repository of every perfection, knowledge and bliss. The soul is beatitude itself. He has compared the soul power with ‘the mighty flood of Nile� which is the harbinger of new aspirations and hopes.

Wordsworth’s ideas and beliefs possess a breadth and catholi­city which can only be seen in Vedanta. His approach is always universalistic and transcends the limitations of race and region. There is never a speck of class-consciousness or national egotism in the poetry of Wordsworth His approach towards human life and destiny is spiritualistic. He abhors the wanton destruction of nature. Man has no moral right to destroy anything in nature in order to acquire profit or happiness says Wordsworth in his poem ‘Heart-Leap Well.�

Never to blend our pleasure or our pride.
With sorrow of the meanest thing that feels.

Wordsworth firmly believed in the spiritual brotherhood of mankind He says that no obstructions can hinder the flow of pure affection and understanding amongst the fellow beings. Words­worth accepts that the values of the new world are not conducive for the growth of finer sentiments and nobler feelings, yet all this will not hinder the growth of true affection amongst the people. Wordsworth accepted that human nature is not alien to goodness, and the basis of human life is rooted in a deep harmony and perfection which is devoid of all discordance. In ‘Tintern Abbey� and other poems he has expressed his faith in the goodness and perfection hidden in the human being. What the individual learns through sense experience helps him in gaining knowledge and sharpening of his intellect only; but the inner perfection of his being guides him in realising the ‘complete oneness with God�. Wordsworth gives due importance to sense experience and the knowledge about the world, as well as the experience of identity with God and the unity of life.

Wordsworth finds a contradiction between the intellect and the inner voice. The intellect is assertive, argumentative and analytical. But the inner voice is feeble and unable to tame the intellect which is rash and proud because of its attainments. Wordsworth maintains that the human nature is not devoid of the light of truth. He is aware of the multiple contradictions in human life and points out that the glow of truth can only lead the human being towards perfection. Wordsworth believes that the soul which is divine can elevate the individual to the highest spiritual existence. The individual soul has its moorings in the divine. The contradictions of the world have little validity once the individual soul realises its divine destiny. The world surround­ing the individual is not everything and the soul rises to greater heights to realise its dependence on the divine. When the human soul is awakened to the knowledge of the Divine Being then it experiences ‘endlesss peace� and bliss. The wise man knows that the perishing world cannot give him any solace, says Wordsworth. While love and devotion to the divine Being do not destroy or taint the soul, the ‘unbridled will� tends to benumb the divine attributes of the soul.

Wordsworth accepts that poetry ought to convey the spirit of religion and the noble ideals cherished by mankind. He has made poetry the vehicle to convey the universal truths of religion. For him the origin of the best poetry lies in the divine. Words­worth’s approach towards poetry depicts his faith in the universal tenets which permeate the thinking of sages and savants. In his poetry one finds his vision of truth which transcends the limitations of race, region and clime. He has identified himself with the predicaments as well as the aspirations of the people felt down through the ages. Wordsworth’s view that poetry has its origin in the recollection of experiences and emotions, shows his emphasis on the reservoir of knowledge within the human being. Wordsworth gives primary importance to the knowledge within, which the poet brings it into the open world. According to Wordsworth real poetry gushes forth when the mind is free from all contradictions and perplexities. His stress on tranquillity does not connote the mere absence of physical impediments or socio­-political disabilities, but also indicates the need for spiritual discipline and meditation on the divinity of nature. His poetic vision is truly akin to the Vedantic spirit and wisdom.

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Help to become even better: