In Light Of India

Although this book deals with some interesting themes about India, I have felt obliged to read it for an exam, so I cannot give it a higher score.

It is important to note that the book presents valuable insights into the culture, history, and society of India. However, my personal interest in the subject matter may have been limited due to the exam-oriented nature of my reading.

One phrase that stands out to me is: "Criticism can only unfold in a society that conceives of freedom as a common good for all citizens." This statement highlights the importance of a free and open society in which different views and opinions can be expressed and debated.

Overall, while this book may not have been the most engaging read for me, it does offer some interesting perspectives on India that may be of value to others.

I was really eager to know more about his personal experiences of living in India.

Rather than just focusing on the country's religious history, which is of course very important and interesting, I wanted to hear about the day-to-day life, the interactions with the locals, the unique cultural events he participated in, and the challenges he faced while living there.

How did he adapt to the different way of life? What were the most memorable moments for him? These are the kinds of details that would give me a more vivid and comprehensive understanding of his time in India.

I believe that his personal experiences would offer a unique perspective and add a new dimension to my knowledge of this fascinating country.

One of the most beautiful books I've read is "In Light of India".

This remarkable work captures the essence of India in a truly bewitching manner. As an Indian, it has been an eye-opening experience to see my culture, my people, and its potential future illuminated through the pages of this irresistible read.

Paz's approach to the topic is highly analytical, and his command of language is simply breathtaking. He delves deep into the fabric that makes India, revealing hidden aspects and nuances that even someone like me, who grew up in India and thought I understood its traditions on the surface, was completely unaware of.

Reading "In Light of India" has left me feeling nostalgic, as it has tethered me closer to my ancestry. It has also deepened my love for India, as I attempt to understand it more fully. However, at the same time, it has left me fearful for how fragile India is.

This book serves as a reminder of the rich and complex history and culture of India, and the need to preserve and protect it for future generations. It is a must-read for anyone interested in India or in understanding different cultures and perspectives.

Even through the filter of translation from Spanish to English, Octavio Paz writes remarkably well.

As soon as I read a few lines in the second-hand bookshop, I was immediately drawn to take In Light of India home with me. Paz is primarily renowned as a poet, having won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1990.

He held several diplomatic posts for Mexico, with most of his assignments taking him to Asia, particularly India and Japan. His first posting as a junior diplomat was to India in 1951, via Paris. On the ship journey, he encountered an extraordinary assortment of people. Some of them might now be regarded as on the periphery of history, such as a Maharajah, the widow of the sculptor Brancusi, a group of Polish nuns, WH Auden’s brother, the author Santha Rau and her husband, who was a former aide-de-camp to General Douglas McArthur. I mention this because long-haul economy air travel nowadays never presents such opportunities. The world has truly changed since the 1950s.

Paz makes it clear that this is not a memoir but an essay. One of its directions is to compare his home country, Mexico, to India. I find broad-ranging comparisons somewhat pointless and found myself yawning through these parts. However, for students of the period, both countries were on the verge of something new. He does offer an interesting critique of capitalism and individualism in relation to their value for national development.

Paz wrote this essay many years after he had moved on, in the 1990s, and he passed away a few years later.

The most fascinating parts of this work are Paz’s lucid explanations of the caste system. By the time I learned about caste as a teenager, it was seen as a deeply evil system of control. What is far more interesting than that is that, despite its rigidity, it was not a class system, as I had initially learned. It may have reinforced poverty and wealth and concentrated them, but the overall impression I got was that it was a social system with a longevity of up to 3000 years. Even the Moghuls couldn’t disrupt it.

Castes are part of the Hindu hierarchical system, but the basis of their order is neither money nor power, but rather a religious notion. Another point of interest is that in the cycle of reincarnation, Brahmins are considered higher because they have been born as humans twice, bestowing superiority. Of course, it’s impossible to verify one’s reincarnations. More likely, social control by a few is a more compelling reason for the caste system. But with everyone in their own caste, there is a sense of belonging. For a moment, the world of order almost convinced me.

However, there are exceptions. The Dalit do not have a caste and are outside the system, unprotected by its cultural norms. The sadhus, those gangly, ropey, wizened figures seen all over India, ash-covered and unkempt, who choose to leave their caste and seek another path to enlightenment, are also outside the system. But they are considered “sacred men” on a mission.

Despite his clear explanations, there was nothing romantic about the system of social order. I can only view it as an outsider.

The next most interesting part is the adoption of Hindi as the official language for the new India. I didn’t know that Urdu, which was not just a language spoken in the west and now Pakistan, was rejected, even though it was the most commonly spoken of the ancient living offshoots of Hindi. Hindi, or high Hindi, was barely spoken and was exceeded in use by half a dozen other languages. Even English had a greater claim to be used as a governing language. High Hindi needed adaptation to become a living language like Urdu. Hindustani, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Bengali, Marathi, Oriya, and Bihari were all widely spoken in the regions. As I understand it, Hindi, Hindustani, and Urdu are all derived from Sanskrit, just as French, Italian, and Spanish are derived from Latin.

When Hindi was adopted, Urdu was spurned, which disappointed the Muslim population among whom it was widely spoken. But Hindi had to be fashioned into a working language from various elements. It was not an easy task.

Paz, even in the 1990s, was aware of the rise of nationalism in India. He saw the BJP as a party that would disrupt the notion of India as a successful combination of disparate parts. Contemporary India is defined by Hindu nationalism. It’s ironic to think that many of the sites we visit in India as tourists are of Moghul origin.

Here is my favorite thought from the book: “…ancient India had no notion of history. Time is a dream of Brahma. It is maya: an illusion.”

I was supposed to travel to India in March for a work trip, which, unfortunately, was cancelled. Having very little knowledge about the country, I decided to look for some books to fill the gap. In Prospect Magazine's FiveBooks feature, Pankaj Mishra listed Octavio Paz's In Light of India as one of the five books in his intro kit to India. He described it as the most accessible and stimulating introduction to India that one can read. The book is also significant as it offers a unique perspective that is rarely found in books about India, which are mostly written by Europeans and Americans. Paz comes from a society with a similar experience to India in dealing with conservative colonialism and then constructing a modern nation state.

India is a study in contrasts, as Paz slowly helps to unpack. It has modernity and antiquity, luxury and poverty, sensuality and asceticism, and much more. Paz, a poet, writes beautifully, describing his initial impressions of Bombay and Delhi in evocative and lyrical language. The section on Religion, Castes and Languages was very illuminating, explaining some of the fundamental factors that have shaped India. The section on A Project of Nationhood delved into the challenges of Indian statehood. Paz's observations were sharp, such as his comment on why Christianity failed to take root in countries like China and India. The section on The Full and the Empty, on Indian art and poetry, was a bit of a struggle for me as I'm not much of a poetry reader. Overall, I found Paz's book to be a thought-provoking and decent introduction to India, although I didn't find it as accessible as Mishra did. I had to re-read some passages to understand Paz's thoughts. This was probably because Paz's book was not a straightforward narrative but an attempt to distil his own impressions and conclusions about India, requiring reading on multiple levels.

This book has truly changed my perspective on India.

It has opened my eyes to a whole new world and made me realize just how unique and fascinating this country is.

After reading this book, I have a strong desire to visit India in the future.

The vivid descriptions and engaging stories within its pages have inspired me and filled me with a sense of adventure.

I long to experience the rich culture, the beautiful landscapes, and the warm hospitality that India has to offer.

This book has been a wonderful introduction to a country that I now can't wait to explore for myself.

It has shown me that there is so much more to India than meets the eye, and I am excited to discover all of its hidden treasures.

I believe that visiting India will be an unforgettable experience that will broaden my horizons and enrich my life.

So, thanks to this book, I have a new goal - to one day set foot in India and create memories that will last a lifetime.

This book is truly amazing.

Reading about India through the words of Octavio Paz has been an entirely different kind of experience for me.

His frequent references to Mexico and Mesoamerican civilization bring out some really interesting comparisons and revelations.

His perspective on India is not only completely fascinating but also unique, which makes it impossible for me to put this book down.

Moreover, the way he writes is like pure art.

It is so captivating and engaging that I find myself completely immersed in his words.

I am now eager to read some other works by him to further explore his unique writing style and perspectives.

I believe that each of his books will offer a new and exciting journey of discovery.

Overall, this book has been a wonderful introduction to the works of Octavio Paz and has left me with a deep appreciation for his talent as a writer.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring different cultures and perspectives through the power of literature.

He captures my feelings on India so well. It's truly remarkable how he manages to put into words the essence and allure of this vibrant country.

India is a land of contrasts, with its rich history, diverse cultures, and breathtaking landscapes. It has always held a special place in my heart, and to see someone else express those same emotions is both validating and exciting.

I can't wait to add my favorite quotes later. These quotes will surely further enhance the description and give others a deeper understanding of my connection with India.

Each quote will be like a precious gem, shining a light on a particular aspect of this wonderful country that has touched my soul.

Whether it's the beauty of the Taj Mahal, the chaos of the streets, or the warmth of the people, these quotes will bring it all to life.

I'm looking forward to sharing this journey with you and hope that you too will fall in love with India through my words and the quotes that I'll add.