The Influence of Indian Epics on John Milton

Abstract

The study of Indian culture and traditions reveals that certainly there were people around the world whohave inspired by the writings and ancient scripts of India. The epic is traditionally ascribed to Vyasa, whois also a major character in the epic. The first section of the Mahabharata states that it was Ganesha who, atthe request of Vyasa, wrote down the text to Vyasa's dictation. Ganesha is said to have agreed to write itonly on condition that Vyasa never pause in his recitation. Vyasa agreed, provided Ganesha took the timeto understand what was said before writing it down as an Epic. The epic is part of itihasa (history). Besides its epic narrative of the KurukshetraWar and the fates of the Kauravas and the Pandavas, the Mahabharata contains much philosophical anddevotional material, such as a discussion of the four "goals of life" or purusharthas (12.161). The latter areenumerated asdharma (right action), artha (purpose), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation). Among theprincipal works and stories that are a part of the Mahabharata are the Bhagavad Gita.