The ways of Shantih as described by TS Eliot in The Waste Land

TS Eliot in his treatment of the central theme of The Waste Land may be regarded as a defender of the moral imagination. In the poem, we find references to The Waste Land of the fisher king, King Oedipus, and of biblical wasteland. the soldiers of Fisher King ravished the nun of the chapel perilous said to continue the Holy Grail. For this reason, the king became impotent and his land suffered from famine. the king hopes that one day a knight would go to the chapel perilous and his sin would be washed. King Oedipus unwillingly killed his father and married his mother. For this sex crime, his land suffered from epidemic and famine. and it is mentioned in the Bible that the land of MS became Barren and dry or account of the idolatry of the dwellers.

Due to sins of sex and fire of lust and hatred and evils of material Civilization and lack of faith and devotion, the modern world also has become a waste land. The modern waste landers are spiritually dead. The poet describes their means of The Spiritual rebirth through the reference to an event in ancient Indian history. When India passed through a great crisis, drought and famine compelled people to pray to God for divine help.

God spoke to them in thunder and uttered Da Da Da indicating to them the three-fold way of deliverance and spiritual salvation.

First Da is Dutta which means "to give". It does not imply charity or money for the relief of the poor .it means giving oneself to a spiritual way of life or to surrender to a higher purpose. It is only by such dedication, by such giving itself over to a noble cause, that humanity has progressed.

II Da is the Dayadhuam, means to sympathize. it is an emotional bond of union between individuals or between the individual and society. Sympathy means going over to others or spiritual harmony with others, and this is essential for spiritual salvation. modern humanity is self-centered is living within a limited world of his or her own in complete isolation from others. We must come out of the prison of self, symbolized by the turning of the key, and realize our Oneness with others. It is only in the night during sleep and when our conscious self is sleep.

The third Da is Damayata meaning "self-control" and discipline. discipline does not mean the loss of freedom rather it makes the journey of life easier and more smooth. the poet compares this control to the movement of a Boat under an expert captain. The boat of life must sail without fear of wind but with the guidance of an expert controlling hand.

He has also learned that absolute detachment is necessary for spiritual salvation. These are the principal he had collected and he hopes to save himself by following them in life. In the end, he reminds humanity of the teachings of the Upanishads. it is in this alone the absolute Peace peace his first understanding can be achieved:

Datta. Dayadhuam. Damayata
Shanthih Shantih Shantih 

Thus TS Eliot gives his own personal impression. His prescription of the three remedies may seem of the cry of a madman but this is the only way of gaining spiritual peace and bliss. The poet believes that man's salvation is possible if each individual looks after his own self-purification

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