The Bhagavad Gita in the Hispanic World: A Fusion of Horizons and the Subjective Reader

Abstract

The philosophical depth of the Bhagavad Gita has historically demonstrated a unique capacity to transcend geographical and linguistic boundaries, asserting the global relevance of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). From the haunting citations in modern cinema (Oppenheimer) to the rhythmic resonance in Philip Glass’s opera Satyagraha, the Gita continues to serve as a cornerstone for global intellectual and spiritual movements. This paper traces the specific genealogical journey of the Gita’s philosophy into the Hispanic world, beginning with the seminal English translations by Charles Wilkins and Edwin Arnold. It further examines how these ideas were mediated through the Spanish translations of the Theosophical Society, specifically the influential work of Federico Roviralta Borrell.

The core of this study analyses the profound impact of the Gita on the Mexican revolutionary leader Francisco I. Madero. By examining Madero’s Manual Espírita (1911), this research demonstrates how the concepts of Dharma, Karma, and the immortality of the soul—extracted directly from the Gita—formed the moral and philosophical backbone of Madero’s political and spiritual convictions. Ultimately, this paper argues that Madero’s interpretation represents a significant moment in the global reception of Indian thought, where the Gita’s teachings were utilised to navigate the complexities of revolution and governance in a Latin American context.

Keywords: Bhagavad Gita, Indian Knowledge System, Francisco I. Madero, Manual Espírita, Charles Wilkins, Edwin Arnold, Federico Roviralta Borrell, Theosophy, Spanish Translation, Karma, Dharma.