What is the relevance and meaning of the Sanskrit words, i.e., Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyata? (MEG 102) (T.S. ELIOT: THE WASTE LAND (III)

These lines are the final words of T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," and they are written in Sanskrit. They are significant because they suggest a possible solution to the problems and fragmentation that are depicted throughout the poem.

The three Sanskrit words, Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyata, are part of a Vedic hymn that is traditionally recited at the end of rituals. The words can be translated as "give," "sympathize," and "control," respectively. The speaker of the poem is suggesting that these three values are important for society to function properly.

In the context of the poem, the Sanskrit words serve as a kind of conclusion or moral message. After depicting a world that is broken and fragmented, the speaker suggests that society can be restored by following the values of generosity, empathy, and self-control. The words suggest that the problems of modern society can be solved through a return to traditional values and religious ritual.

The use of Sanskrit is also significant because it suggests the influence of Eastern thought and spirituality on Eliot's work. This reflects a larger trend in modernist literature, as writers turned to non-Western sources for inspiration and meaning in the face of the devastation of World War I and the breakdown of traditional values.