A personal-political inquiry into the unexpected intersections of faith and ideology.
This project is both an academic investigation and a personal exploration into the complex relationship between ancient Indian religious philosophy and modern political thought. From Vedas to Marx traces a journey that begins in a home where myth and medicine coexisted; a childhood shaped by the Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, and scientific rationalism, and culminates in a deep dive into Indian Communism’s interaction with spiritual tradition.
Through interviews, case studies, and field observations - from temples in New York to family conversations in New Jersey; this work examines how religious teachings on duty, selflessness, and collective harmony intersect with Marxist ideas of labor, class, and equality. With case studies on Kerala’s CPI(M), the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency, and the Bhakti movement, the research frames India’s ideological terrain as one where contradiction, convergence, and coexistence all play out.
Rather than seeking resolution, this project embraces tension. It proposes two speculative governance models - one that synthesizes Vedic and Marxist ideals into an Indic Communism, and one that rejects both in favor of secular liberalism; inviting reflection on what India's future might hold when tradition and revolution are both at the table.
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Type: Research & Theoretical Analysis
Focus: Religion, Political Theory, Indian Philosophy, Field Research
Key Themes: Dharma, Duty, Class, Spirituality, Ideology, Coexistence -
India’s socio-political identity has long been shaped by ancient religious philosophies. Yet, modern political frameworks like Marxism; historically rooted in materialism and atheism, have gained substantial ground in the same society. This project asked:
“Can the spiritual teachings of the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita align with the socio-political vision of Communism in India?”
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While religious and Marxist ideologies seem contradictory, both advocate for societal duty, equality, and moral order; albeit through different lenses. The lived experience of Indian communities reveals surprising overlaps in belief systems, shaped more by context than doctrine.
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Phase 1: Personal Reflection & Framing
Childhood experiences navigating religious faith and scientific skepticism
Formation of inquiry based on lived ideological contradictions
Phase 2: Literature & Contextual Study
Textual analysis of the Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, and Marxist theory
Historical review of Indian communism (CPI(M), Naxalites, Bhakti Movement)
Phase 3: Field Research
Location 1: Hindu Temple in Flushing, NY – interviews with spiritual leaders and community members
Location 2: Family home in NJ – intergenerational dialogue on faith and politics
Stakeholders: Priests, relatives, public voices with ideological insights
Phase 4: Synthesis & Ideation
Mapping ideological intersections and divergences
Designing speculative governance models
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What moral overlaps exist between Vedic teachings and Marxist values?
How do Indian citizens internalize conflicting ideological narratives?
Can an Indic Communist framework integrate both traditions?
What would a state look like that rejected both?
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Concept 1: Indic Communist Government
Combines Vedic values (dharma, balance, duty) with Marxist goals (equity, labor rights, collectivism)
Emphasizes shared moral foundation: collective wellbeing, justice, and spiritual-social harmony
Concept 2: Secular Liberal-Capitalist Model
Rejects both Vedic and Marxist structures
Embraces democratic individualism, market-driven growth, and minimal state interference
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Developed a nuanced, multi-perspective understanding of ideological coexistence in India
Sparked critical conversations around identity, belief, and governance
Revealed a need for frameworks that embrace contradiction rather than erase it
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Cultural Analysis
Political Philosophy
Qualitative Research
Interview Methods
Systems Thinking
Ideological Mapping
Speculative Governance Design