Shanti and Second Birth: S. Radhakrishnan on Literature, Art and Spiritual Values

Radhakrishnan, as a visionary educationist in his writings, has been a chief votary of the ideal of Gyanam -Vigyanam sahitam, meaning wisdom and the sciences go together. This paper investigates the thoughts of S. Radhakrishnan on how literature and art give a second birth in the spirit through wisdom. He holds that great works of literature and art give a spiritual birth regarded as a second birth in Indian culture. Once born in the vision of the spirit, Buddhi, that is, intelligence, works on the light of spirit, spiritual value or truth, stabilizing the mind, a zone of thoughts and feelings. A stable mind thus becomes divine by spiritual insight and vision. Literary compositions and arts born out of this state lend a person in Shanti tranquillity, a clear and pure mind capable of spiritual vision. Thus, writers and artists create the minds of the people and the nation.