Teachings of Bhagavad Gita In Arun loshi's The Last Labyrinth

Abstract

Arun Joshi, an outstanding Indian English novelist has focused on very sensitive layers of human being in his novels. The Last Labyrinth novel reflects the teachings of Bhagavad Gita by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the battle of Kurukshetra to resolve his inner confusions. The Last Labyrinth is a story of state of mind of the people facing human predicaments; it is a story of labyrinth of life. The protagonist of the novel Som Bhaskar cuts his life with faithless, doubtful, rational, and possessive attitudes. He performs all his actions with attachment. He is a man tossed between rational personality of his father and unshakable faith in Krishna of his mother. To search the happiness, a materialistic happiness, he moves from one place to another, from Mumbai to Lal Haweli Benaras and finally to the mountains to grab the shares of Aftab Rai's company, from one woman to another. He seems entrapped with his strong sensuous desires to attain Bhautik Shukh in life. On the other hand there is Gargi who has been projected as an embodiment of faith in God. In her opinion, the life of those who run behind material happiness throughout their life is meaningless. She advises Som to start believing in God, to give up all his vanity, ahnkara. Gargi's character reflects human efforts to reach at the highest goal of the life and it is to know the Self. Som goes here and there in search of satisfaction, relief from restlessness but a little boy teaches how to be free from all panic of life. The panda, Vasudev teaches how to have faith in God. All characters of the story leads us towards the ultimate truth in one or other way. Everywhere in the story we find teachings of Bhagavad Gita, the real principles of life.