THE INDIAN MENTALITY AND CULTURE IN MIRCEA ELIADE’S WORK

Abstract

The origins of the Indian civilization are estimated around 1500 BC., when the intensive migration of Indo-European peoples of the North Caucasus Mountains is identified. The Indian religion was polytheistic, founded on the belief in deities who personified a series of events and natural phenomena and asserted the survival of the soul and spirit after death, finally resulting in the individual’s intimate union with the Universe. A noteworthy aspect is that the Hindu religion, the oldest religion on earth, was not created by anyone, it has evolved from culture and thought of peoples over the centuries. The Scriptures say that it is “the Sanatana Dharma, the eternal law”. The literature grants us a lot of details about the Indian spiritual condition, but the literature has no history of its own, simply because the Indians did not produce a history of their literature. The texts, if written, were changed over time and therefore no record of the original writing survived; thus it was impossible to determine the existence of literary trends. Their mindset introduces us into a pessimistic conceptual universe and worldview, catalyzed by a fine psychological understanding of the human nature suffering and weaknesses. The Indian woman marries not only her husband but his entire family, because Indian organizational model has it that all family members shall live under one roof. She was destined to sacrifice from birth. Thus the desire to immigrate to Britain begins to appear, as Britain is a country that can provide equal opportunities for all, irrespective of the caste or gender, thus generating a generational and spiritualconflict.