Was Beethoven inspired by the Bhagavad Gita?

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Lit Hum seems to think so, and they have a quote from Beethoven’s diary:

Blessed is the man who, having subdued all his passions, performeth with his active faculties all the functions of life, unconcerned about the event… Be not one whose motive for action is the hope of reward. Perform thy duty, abandon all thought of the consequence, and make the event equal, whether it terminate in good or evil; for such an equality is called yoga.

                         – A quote from the Bhagavad Gita that Beethoven wrote into his diary

Beethoven never really professed a leaning towards any one faith, but took a more eclectic approach.  It’s nice to think that some of the most revered musicians used sacred texts and religious scriptures as a springboard to their masterpieces.

Perhaps you’ll find an inspiration in the Gita too!

About jstueart

Jerome writes science fiction/ fantasy and queer fiction and has been published in many magazines and journals including The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Lightspeed, Fantasy, Tor.com, Strange Horizons. His first collection, The Angels of Our Better Beasts, was published in 2016 and was shortlisted for the Sunburst Award. His work was/is a finalist for the Eugie Award and the World Fantasy Award. He also makes art---acrylic paintings and small watercolor paintings. He holds a PhD in English and is currently working on an MA in Engaged Humanities and the Creative Life at Pacifica Graduate Institute. He lived for 10 years in the Yukon Territory, but now lives in Columbus OH.

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