Philosophical Parallels Between Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and Indian Spiritual Traditions

Abstract

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist follows Santiago, a shepherd, on a quest for treasure that evolves into a profound journey of self - realization, echoing themes of destiny and interconnectedness. Though steeped in Western mysticism, the novel’s philosophy aligns strikingly with Indian traditions such as Vedanta, Yoga, and Buddhism. This paper examines these parallels, drawing from the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Buddhist teachings to explore concepts like the Soul of the World as Brahman, personal legend as Svadharma, and alchemy as a metaphor for moksha. Through this lens, The Alchemist emerges as a universal spiritual allegory transcending cultural boundaries.