William Blake and the Bhagavad Gītā

Abstract

The article "William Blake and the Bhagavad Gītā" by William Wall explores potential parallels between the mystical poetry of English visionary William Blake and the spiritual themes found in the Bhagavad Gītā. The article examines Blake’s possible exposure to Hindu philosophy through contemporary translations and evaluates claims of Eastern influence on his concepts such as the "spectre," "Vala," and his vision of the Self. While highlighting similarities, Wall remains cautious about asserting direct derivation, urging a more contextual understanding of influence versus coincidence.