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Nothing can be performed in isolation. All perform a good action, when one is performed, and when an evil action is performed, all perform it.
Professor Godbole explains the Hindu philosophy of unity in all things to Fielding after Aziz’s arrest, saying that, in his religion, everyone is a participant in Adela’s assault, including Adela herself. The concept of Advaita Vedanta claims that each living being is a manifestation of God, which means that everyone contains the same spirit. This concept is entirely alien to the individualistic Fielding, and contemplating it fatigues him, but it relates to other spiritual themes in the novel, like Mrs. Moore’s revelation that everything in the world chalks up to one singular “boum.” Interestingly, it also indirectly supports the theory that Adela may have met and fought with her own consciousness in the caves.
How indeed is it possible for one human being to be sorry for all the sadness that meets him on the face of the earth, for the pain that is endured not only by men, but by animals and plants, and perhaps by the stones? The soul is tired in a moment, and in fear of losing the little she does understand, she retreats to the permanent lines which habit or chance have dictated, and suffers there.
While love and understanding between all people is the goal of some English and Indians in A Passage to India, Forster and his characters are not always optimistic that this sort of unity is attainable. In this passage, Fielding reflects on how attempting to unify oneself with everyone means that you must feel everyone’s pain. He argues that this is simply too overwhelming for the human mind – it cannot withstand such crushing grief. In order to retain our sanity, humans must distance ourselves emotionally from everyone who is not in our inner circle, or the sorrows and agonies of the world would destroy us.
Infinite Love took upon itself the form of Shri Krishna, and saved the world. All sorrow was annihilated, not only for Indians, but for foreigners, birds, caves, railways, and the stars; all became joy, all laughter; there had never been disease nor doubt, misunderstanding, cruelty, fear.
Toward the end of the novel, Forster describes in detail the Hindu celebration of the birth of Krishna. At the celebration, Godbole and the Hindus of Chandrapore feel completely connected, whether to Mrs. Moore, to a wasp, or to one another. There is an overwhelming sense of joy and peace that permeates the gathering. However, this unification lasts only for the chapter – it is a respite from the tensions of the rest of the novel, but eventually, we must return to the dissolution of Aziz and Fielding’s friendship. Forster is fascinated by and attracted to the beautiful philosophy of Hinduism, but he is also not convinced by its promise of total unity.
