ABSTRACT

This essay examines the concept of the inner being in Christian and Hindu religio-philosophical discourse. The terms Atman in Hinduism and soul in Christianity both pertain to the immaterial aspect or essence that is believed to exist within a living being. While these terms are used interchangeably within the cultural context of India, it is essential to recognize that they carry distinct meanings and connotations. Using mimetic literary criticism based on a comparative analysis of Andrew Marvell's A Dialogue between the Soul and the Body and Adi Shankara's Tattvabodha, this essay uncovers the similarities and differences between these ideas. The study shows that the concept of soul is different from that of Atman, and that using these terms interchangeably can lead to misinterpretations and distortions of both traditions. The essay highlights the importance of employing accurate terminology to correctly convey philosophical and theological concepts, and stresses the importance of cultural sensitivity and mutual respect in inter-faith discussions.

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Keywords: Andrew Marvell, Adi Shankara, soul, Atman, Tattvabodha, Advaita Vedanta

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Cite Article (APA):

Mukhopadhyay, S. (2023). Dualities and Convergences: A Comparative Examination of Soul and Atman in Marvell and Shankara. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 7(7), 639-644. https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2023.70749​

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