Karma, Moksha and Gandhian Ethics: A Philosophical and Ethical Inquiry into R.K. Narayan’s Malgudi Novels

Abstract This paper examines how R. K. Narayan integrates the philosophical concepts of Karma, Moksha, and Gandhian ethics within his Malgudi novels. Using a multidisciplinary approach combining Vedantic philosophy, Gandhian thought, and moral humanism, it analyzes The Guide, The Vendor of Sweets, and Waiting for the Mahatma. The study argues that Narayan reinterprets traditional Indian philosophy within the context of modern society, presenting self-realization as a result of ethical action in everyday life. His characters—ordinary yet flawed individuals—struggle between material desires and spiritual ideals. Raju’s transformation in The Guide, Jagan’s detachment in The Vendor of Sweets, and Sriram’s moral awakening under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi in Waiting for the Mahatma illustrate journeys shaped by Karma and guided by Gandhian values. Ultimately, the paper concludes that Narayan portrays liberation (Moksha) not as an escape from life but as a moral and spiritual evolution achieved through righteous action, making Malgudi a powerful site for exploring Indian philosophical thought in everyday existence. Keywords: R.K. Narayan, Malgudi, Karma, Moksha, Gandhian Ethics, The Guide, Vedantic Philosophy, Moral Humanism.