This article is a comparative study of the theme of Self-Realization in the novels To a God Unknown (1933) by John Steinbeck and The Serpent and the Rope (1960) by Raja Rao, in the light of the four stages or Ashramas of life and the four objects of life or Purusharthas as enunciated in the Hindu philosophy. The paper discusses how the protagonists, Joseph Wayne of To a God Unknown and Ramaswamy of The Serpent and the Rope attain Self-Realization. Both the protagonists realize the oneness of all beings and from the beginning their words and deeds embody this advaita principle. Joseph sacrifices his life not to perpetuate himself but to perpetuate life on earth by bringing down the life-giving water, the water of life. Likewise, Ramaswamy by fulfilling his familial and social commitments reaches his ultimate goal of reunion with the Great Soul through Jnana Yoga. Both of them identify their individual souls with the Supreme Soul in their own unique ways, within the ambit of their domestic and social environments. The protagonists are clearly portrayed as reaching the peak of Self-Realization with a neat framework of the ascending stages. This comparative analysis reveals that the novelists, Steinbeck and Raja Rao, though divided by locale, culture and religion, converge at a point at which both of them are influenced by the Indian advaitic philosophy. Besides their own textual references in their respective novels, the theme of man's reunion with the Absolute runs through both the novels quite conspicuously.

Introspection is a unique human characteristic. Ontological and teleological questions concerning the nature and purpose of being are raised variously and answered in the speculative and religious philosophies of both the eastern and western traditions. Literature too is an area of human expression wherein man has often tried to find answers to questions such as "Who am I?" and "What is my destiny?" The way two writers belonging to different countries, cultures and ethos have tried to answer the above questions, shows that though they may belong to different socio-cultural situations, their belief and weltanschauung are surprisingly similar. John Steinbeck and Raja Rao exhibit the oneness of human thoughts and endeavors, though in varying languages and fictional representations.

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