Literary Criticism for interpretation of text with special Reference to Browning's Poem- Paracelsus

1. Browning and Concept of Vedanta
Department of English
Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic
Studies, Barla, Raisen (MP)
(How to Analyze the Text -4)
Prof. O. P. Budholia
Dr. Naveen K Mehta

2. Vedanta and English Poetry
 In creating literature, Bharat (India) always
influenced the world literature. It was
because Indo-Aryan sages recognized so
clearly the power of personal vision, the
strength of an apostolic succession of living
teachers that in ancient India higher
knowledge was always transmitted by word
of mouth (Shruti) because written scrolls
remained with certain limitations.

3. Browning and Vedanta
 The poetry of Robert Browning can also be
studied in the light of Vedantic philosophy of
India.
 Robert Browning in his famous dramatic poem
Paracelsus used the Vedantic philosophy of
Atman through the metaphor of " the
imprisoned splendour.”
 He was one of the many like Tennyson,
Wordsworth and Shelley to be influenced by
Vedanta and Indian mystical thought.
 The Atman is the imprisoned splendour. The
Katha Upanishad brings in to being that even
the Unmanifest can be realized by those who
are accustomed to enquire into subtle truth by
means of their sharp and subtle buddhi.

4. Browning' s Text of Paracelsus
 For the sake of comparison or the influence of Vedanta,
here are a few lines from Browning's Paracelsus:
 "Nature is a light and by looking at Nature in her own light
we will understand her visible nature; invisible nature may
become visible if we acquire the power to perceive her
invisible light.“
 With the light of God as pure consciousness the whole
universe is lightened. Therefore, it is described as the
light of all lights.
 In Islamic Sufi mysticism, the word for this infinite light is
noor, which is a recurring theme in their literature.
 St John's Gospel describes this light as “The true light,
which lighteth every man that cometh in to world.”
 This great light is hidden in darkness due to which we fail
to comprehend it.
 Therefore in his poem, Paracelsus, Robert Browning
describes this light as the “Imprisoned Splendour.” It's a
wonderful expression!

5. Matter and Spirit
 Our Self is effulgent by Nature. It's a splendour,
but imprisoned. What a photon(a light
quantum)?
 It's a splendour imprisoned in a piece of matter
(body). When we release it from its gross
covering, we see it's dazzle.
 Physics describes in two forms: bottled up
energy and released energy.
 Matter is bottled up energy. When we break
matter, we get released energy. Similarly, we
are all bottled up Self.
 When we penetrate into ourselves through the
of philosophical reasoning , the imprisoned

6. Science and Spirituality
 Spirituality and science are intertwined in
their origin as both are the reflection of the
divine power in their purest and refined form.
 All the concepts given in Browning’s
Paracelsus are in conformity with the energy
concept of science that states flow of energy
goes on eternally changing its forms and
same is the case with our spiritual essence.
 Browning’s thought must be examined in
depth and in width, as power and as
knowledge.

7. Conclusion
 Thus, the text contains innumerable
meanings in its coded symbols.
 The only thing we as a student can do is
to deconstruct the text for the following
literary motifs: the interdisciplinary
analysis of the text and bringing its
universal validity.
 Text is the only source for the motifs of
research-oriented studies.

8. Assignment
 Dear All the Students,
Points given in the previous slides are open
for discussion, for these points bring in to
being suggestive pattern only. The mutual
discussion, and suggestion, questioning will
bring the real purpose of online learning……..

9. THANKS
For Any Doubt
Contact on Mobile/E-mail to:
Prof. O. P. Budholia
or
Dr. Naveen K Mehta