o The introduction reveals the basic connection:
It describes how myths are embedded in the consciousness, in
the soul, and have therefore manifested in similar ways throughout
the world. Ancient Indian myths are perhaps the earliest examples
of these world myths, while Star Wars is merely among the most
contemporary. The correlations are many, and they will all be
explored throughout the book. I look at George Lucas' major influences,
from Flash Gordon to Joseph Campbell, and how Indian tales form
the central core around which his series is modelled.
o In Chapter One, I elaborate on the story
of Rama as well as that of the Pandavas. In addition, I outline
the chronology of events in Star Wars and show overlapping themes
and points of similarity and difference.
o Chapter Two explains "the Force,"
showing its correlation with both Maha-Maya (God's external energy
of illusion) and Yoga-Maya (God's internal positive spiritual
energy), since The Force has both bad and good dimensions. I
will also compare the Force to various manifestations of shakti
and to Brahman, the impersonal aspect of the Supreme, for there
is much similarity in these concepts. Students of Indian religion
will balk at the East-Indian ideas Lucas freely uses when constructing
his idea of the Force.
o The Third Chapter will explain the underlying
message of the Star Wars films, especially its idea that light
and dark aspects of reality can be analogized with Nature vs.
Machine paradigms. Each film in the Star Wars series offers food
for thought regarding the "organic as opposed to the mechanic,"
and our Third Chapter will look at them all.
o Perhaps most importantly, in the Fourth
Chapter, I will show that just as Star Wars takes place in deep
space, most of the battles in the Ramayana take place in sophisticated
aircrafts, and Arjuna, too, in the Mahabharata, is said to engage
in many battles while in outer space. The Vimana shastras show
that ancient India somehow knew of elaborate aircraft and boasted
an awareness of advanced technology. While I point out that much
of this may be relegated to the realm of fantasy, it is indeed
curious that ancient texts engage these very Star Wars-like ideas.
o The Fifth Chapter will elaborate on Yoda's
relationship with Luke Skywalker, which is essentially a Guru-Disciple
relationship. I will explain their interaction in terms of Indian
texts and show how the teacher/pupil dynamic is nowhere as developed
as in India. I will also show parallels between India's system
of yoga and that which is taught by the Jedi knights.
This will lead into an examination of kshatriya dharma, for the
the Jedi knight concept is obviously an extrapolation of the
codes of India's warrior caste.
o The Afterword will sum up the religious
components of the film series and explore spiritual elements
in many other similar films. In conclusion, I will show that
ancient Indian traditions were well ahead of their time, and
even today have much to offer the world.