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Lord of the Rings: A "God Speaks" Interpretation		Essay Pages The Three Paths Knowledge and Ignorance Perception Maya Sanskaras Karma Philosophy Science Metaphor
Introductory note by the writer "I'm leaving this in its original rambling form. It's better that way. You don't want to nail down spiritual metaphor. Better to stay fresh and unsure and always guessing. Otherwise it turns into dogma and kills the path rather than inspiring it."   (Chris Ott)

A "God Speaks" interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy "Lord of the Rings" by Chris Ott

In "Lord of the Rings", Frodo Baggins represents the advanced seeker who is (at the beginning of the story) initiated to the 6th plane by the perfect master, represented by Galdolf. This happens when the ring (representing the 6th plane) is handed over to Frodo and it sets the story into motion. Gandolf must now do 'everything' to see that Frodo successfully reaches the 7th plane, and he pushes the world aside (Orks, Sorcerers, and even whole Empires) for this single momentous event. Nothing else matters, but everything then orbits around this one event. Thus the story is one about God Realization and the relationship between the ripe-for-realization aspirant and the deeply concerned attending perfect master. Let me explain the symbolism of this ring Frodo is handed. On the sixth plane, mind is all but wiped out. As Meher Baba explains in "God Speaks", there are no thoughts on the 6th plane, only feelings. The only thought that could be said to remain (vestige of mind) on the 6th plane is a single thought (or perception) that still continues to bind the seeker, and that is the experience or thought of God. He sees God in everything and in everyone, but not in himself. This final unitary experience of the 6th plane is symbolized in the trilogy by the single ring (symbolizing perfect unity or God in the sacred symbol of a perfect gold circle). The perfect circle represents God in sacred geometry. The gold is the alchemical metal or substance that is shapable by the gold-smith but as substance is immutable and does not tarnish or fade. Frodo represents the seeker or advanced aspirant of the 6th plane. At the explanation of the master Gandolf, Frodo has to throw this final ring (the one that 'rules them all and in the darkness binds them') into the fires of the crack of doom in Mordor to be burned up. After this event of destruction of the final vestige of mind (which is the whole story basically), Frodo is permanently wounded and finally travels to the West, the land of the elves, where there is immortality. This of course represents liberation after a short period in the body as a God Realized mukta. After destroying the ring, having both been stabbed and losing his finger in the final fight with Gollum, Frodo is deeply and permanently wounded. These wounds symbolize the fact that those who survive realization and stay in their body are ruined physically and mentally, like a blown fuse that has received too great a charge. Describing this state, Meher Baba writes: I still nurse the wound of separation within me - it has left me broken. (Meher Baba, from his ghazal, "The Beloved's Face") The melting of the golden ring in the fire of Mordor from which it was forged is also symbolic. Shankara (the Indian philosopher that Baba said was a minor incarnation of the Avatar) said that the merger of Atman and Brahman (soul and Oversoul) at the point of God realization is like when you throw salt into water and it dissolves and becomes ubiquitous. Thus this ring being dissolved in the original fire from which it was created is an apropos mystical symbol of the merging of Atman with Brahman. It also symbolizes the total annihilation of the mind (man-o-nash). What are we to make of the other rings that are ruled by the one ring that Frodo destroys. Remember that the legend about the ring says "One ring that rules them all [all the other rings] and in the darkness binds them." The other three rings represent the three worlds (mental, subtle, and gross). The phrase "in the darkness binds them" represents the fact that the one ring which rules the others (the experience of God) is a secret that men do not know. It is hidden from ordinary experience. No one knows about this high state but the sages and the adept students (like the members of the inner circle of the fellowship of the ring). So why is the ring seen as evil in the story? The ring represents mind, that controls the world like a tyrant. As Bhau says, 'the mind is Satan' in the sense that mind (ignorance) is Maya that tempts, and leads to desire, evil, etc. Now why do so many 'men' want the power of the ring in the story? This is the desire of yogis who want to have the supernatural powers of the subtle planes, such as miracles, as well as the power inherent in knowledge on the 5th and 6th plane. The man on the 6th plane of course holds great power for he can control the emotions of the 5th planer who can control the thoughts of the 4th planer who can then do anything the 6th planer wants. Who are the Orks and bad men who lead them? That is obvious. They are the stupid evil people of the world along with their leaders. Who are the Hobbits? They represent the humble honest seekers. They are an older race than the race of men, representing that they are older souls. These humble true seekers are the only ones who can bypass the planes without being tempted to enjoy them and become enslaved by the sights and powers of the planes, but faithfully serve their master. Incidentally, one should recall that Gollum was apparently some kind of 'hobbit' many centuries past. But this was from a relatively primitive time, much like the time of cave men. This was from an earlier age in the evolution of the hobbits when they were not the polite old souls that they are at the start of the trilogy. This fact is meant to show just how 'ancient' the hobbits really are. They are old souls. Frodo is the advanced yogi of the 6th plane. Frodo goes through endless agony, the agony of the 6th plane where one is tormented by separation from God by the site of God (This is expressed in the film by Frodo's seeing Mordor and Sauron seeing him when he dons the ring). He must be rid of this terrible torment, the torment of the 6th plane. Gandolf is the Avatar or perfect master, who in fact is guiding Frodo in every way, though often from afar, orchestrating all the events necessary for the central event to be accomplished, the God realization of the aspirant. Tom Bombadil, first described in "The Hobbit," represents God unmanifest (God in the Beyond State). He is aloof to the concerns of the world. His "yellow boots" represent that he is not connected with the Earth directly. The yellow is of course the color of the sun. God in the Beyond State (when unmanifest) has no connection to the Earth, yet sustains it like the sun sustains the Earth. Tom Bombadil is a person in the story, though hidden in a deep but very bright wood. The fact that he is a person represents that he is the personal state of God, God the Father. Now the all seeing eye of Sauron represents Brahman, the unattributed state of God, or the Beyond Beyond state of God. Why is He depicted as evil? In a way this is never stated in Lord of the Rings. He is only evil in the sense that he sees all and makes all happen. And of course the world is rife with war and suffering. This principle of God as benignly mischievous (though also innocent) is expressed in Baba's description of himself as "saitan" or the mischievous chicken. This is the sense in which Baba repents for creating the Universe. The great wars and all the heroism in the story are of course only distractions to keep the evil forces of Maya occupied while Frodo destroys the ring and achieves mukti. All the witches and powers they encounter are like nothing compared to the power of the ring, the lava of the crack of doom, and the eye of Sauron. When Frodo puts on the ring he becomes invisible to the world (does not see illusion) but Sauron sees Frodo and knows exactly where he is. This symbolizes that the 6th plane can be expressed not just by man seeing God in everything, but also in God seeing only the aspirant. For these two are in fact one and the same. For the aspirant is just as much the beloved as he is the lover. Thus when he experiences the 6th plane he and Sauron see each other. Though there is a great sense of separation and divide. Now to get to the 7th plane Frodo must destroy the ring (final vestige of mind) and to do so he must cross a great barren land. This is described in "God Speaks" as the great crevasse between the 6th and 7th plane, that the yogi cannot cross himself. Frodo cannot cross this barren waste land himself. He collapses. Interestingly it is Sam (a very enigmatic symbolic character) that 'carries' Frodo across the last portion of the great divide between the 6th and 7th plane. Frodo gets part way on his own power, like Saint Francis got part way to the 7th plane prior to realization. The fact that Sam does this carrying of Frodo near the end implies that Sam symbolizes something deeper than simply the perfect disciple of a yogi. Sam does not simply represent another soul in the story. Sam represents a principle or attribute of God. To understand the symbolism of Sam we must consider Gollum also. What does Gollum represent? Remember that Frodo is accompanied by both Gollum and Sam right to the precipice. Gollum and Sam are always at each other's throats, and one wishes to harm Frodo and the other to protect him. Let's think about Gollum for a minute. Gollum is not exactly bad. He is damaged. We might think of him as one who did not have the benefit of a Gandolf to warn him of the dangers of the ring. He was also an ignorant and primitive man originally, with very crude character. But mostly he had no master. Yet he is not really bad. We, of course, always pity him and strangely like him. Perhaps he is the yogi who has travelled without a master into the planes and become very lost. But there is another way of thinking about Gollum, as a complementary principle to Sam. A discussion of Gollum is as difficult as that of Sam. For in reality, it is Gollum that takes the ring into the flame. It may be that Sam and Gollum (one residing in connubial bliss at the end, and the other being happily burned up and destroyed at the end) are in fact principles... or attributes of God. Sam and Gollum are clearly portayed as opposite, and if they are intended to represent principles of God's working, they are principles at odds and totally opposite. They are always battling for control of Frodo, Sam to do good for Frodo, and Gollum to do him harm. They may represent karma, or they may represent something else, perhaps duality itself. But it should not be overlooked that it is not the good of these two principles that succeeds in accomplishing the final act of annihilation, but the bad (Gollum biting off Frodo's finger, and thus the ring). Baba once said to one who thanked him for the good times, "Thank me only for the bad." Thus this may be something about bad things being spiritually beneficial, bad luck, etc. For instance Upasni had a string of bad luck that brought him to Sai Baba. Sam and Gollum seem to be principles, and not souls. There is one particularly compelling interpretation of Sam and Gollum, however, that I wish to describe here. Here Gollum is the ego. More specifically he is Frodo's ego. The ego is necessary in the final act of surrender. And in that final act of surrender the ego is destroyed. So the ego is necessary to the very end. This is represented in the story by Gollum following Frodo, trying to trick him, and quite interestingly leading him to the crack of doom. It is Gollum that bites off the finger and destroys the ring. He leaps with it smilingly into the flames. It is Gollum that actually surrenders. This is said to be the final purpose and roll of the ego. We need the ego to surrender, for there must be someone to surrender. In support of this interpretation one ought to note Gollum's personality. For one he is constantly talking, to others and to himself. In fact he quickly squeals to the Orks upon interrogation. He can control neither his tongue nor his thoughts. Note also that Gollum is continually at war within himself... he is good... he is bad. Back and forth he is convinced and innocently tormented. What he wants is to own the ring... own the mind. It is "precious" to him, just as our identity is so precious to us. Note still that Gollum is old and beaten in the Lord of the Rings. He is quite spent and beaten, a ruined old being. Even Gandolf makes mention of this to Frodo who is worried about Gollum, and asks Frodo to take some pity on him. He says, "He still may have a role to play yet." So Gollum tags along right to the end. But note too that near the end, Gollum (the ego) intermittently and increasingly calls Frodo "the master." But he never quite trusts Frodo and surrenders to him. This indecision, beginning to trust Frodo, is very interesting. It shows how defeated Frodo's ego has really become, how near death it is. This idea of Gollum as Frodo's ego is incredibly poetic and interesting to inquire into. Who is leading whom? Of course Frodo is trying to obey the command of Gandolf (the perfect master). Yet he needs the aid of Sam (who I still have not interpreted). Yet Gollum is "leading the way" toward the crack of doom as he "knows the way." Gollum, however, would never choose such a course. He is forced to follow-lead Frodo who is now listening only to Gandolf. This needing the enemy is very intersting... Frodo needs his ego to lead him, yet Frodo is following the destination described by Gandolf, and Gollum is leading only where he is told to lead. This is how the ego begins to see Frodo (who is now the fortunate slave of his master Gandolf) as "the master" and to trick-lead him. This is all very dangerous of course, and the ego (Gollum) even gets Frodo caught up in a spider-web of Maya (the spider is personified as a female, i.e. Maya). Note too that Frodo never prays to God, he never even begs the master to do the quest for him. He alone can do it, and Gollum comes along. This leaves only Sam to interpret. He may be wisdom, the good friend, the perfect disciple, the conscience, the spirit (if we conceive of spirit as apart from soul, as Baba sometimes alludes). He may be Frodo's inner voice. He may simply be a story device. Without Sam there would be no dialogue to carry this portion of the story. But I doubt such. It is too significant that Sam "carries" Frodo across the waste land (seemingly representing the crevasse between the 6th and 7th plane). Sam might also represent duty. He might represent karma yoga. He might be "the friend" in some very deep mystical sense I can't unravel. But the earlier interpretation of Sam representing "goodness" in duality and Gollum representing "badness" seems to be undermined by the much better consideration of Gollum as the ego. Finally, we must take some note of the fact that Gollum is quite bad in a lot of ways. In "God Speaks" Meher Baba calls the ego the "false, miserable, evil self." Certainly Gollum is false in that he can't be trusted, he is miserable of course as anyone can see, and he is evil. One thing that Sam is not is the soul. This is totally impossible. The soul cannot be designated as a friend. Soul is unified and identical with Brahman. If anything is "soul" it is Sauron. Without jumping too quickly to a conclusion about Sam's symbolism, consider some attributes of Sam. Sam does not trust Gollum and always attempts to warn Frodo about Gollum. When he can't get through to Frodo, he tries to find ways to protect Frodo anyway. Note that Sam is not just well intentioned. Sam is extremely intuitive. Sam, for instance, has the intuition to bring along a rope on the quest. The 'rope' is significant symbolically... very significant. There is a story of Baba fetching a rope in Portofino, Italy to save his followers caught on the rocks that lead down to the sea. Also, Shankara (who is said to be a minor incarnation of Vishnu) used the rope as the analogy for change in consciousness, the rope being mistaken for a snake until one realizes that it was a rope all along. But in addition, Sam intuits that Gollum is up to no good. Sam has no way to logically infer any of these things. So we can rightly say that Sam is decidedly an intuitive nature, not a rational or mental nature. Sam is also deeply devoted. His is all bhakti, devotion, and work, karma yoga. He refuses to leave the side of Frodo, choosing to attempt to swim to Frodo's departing boat even though he cannot swim. Sam is sort of stupid intellectually. But obviously he has deep correct intuitions that Frodo lacks. From these observations I feel tempted to interpret Sam as Frodo's deeper intuitions. Meher Baba speaks a lot about intuition. Basically he says two things. First, intuition is the accumulation of wisdom gathered from experiments made over many lives. Second, intuition is God's own voice speaking internally. It is the voice of wisdom and inspiration. Real intuition (not just the ego pretending to be intuition) is always wise, always inspired, and knows things immediately without having to ponder through laborious discursive judgments. It simply "knows" what is best in each moment, and acts spontaneously. It leads when listened to and will attempt to lead even when it is not. It is the voice of God within. This is what Sam is. He is Frodo's intuition, his guiding inner voice, his internal guide, his conscience. He is the best of friends, totally loyal to the cause of serving Frodo his master. So note that there are two that call Frodo their master. Gollum does intermittently, though he is confused and wants also to kill Frodo and obtain the ring. Gollum is weakening near the end though. Even Gollum begins to suspect for moments that Frodo is indeed the master. He would never, however, knowingly surrender his existence or that of the ring. That must be a stupid blind act of providence - biting off the finger and falling into the crack of doom with the ring (mind), destroying both himself (ego) and the ring (mind) in one fell swoop of utter stupidity. Sam on the other hand also calls Frodo his master, but never wavers in this. He truly serves Frodo. This speaks of the fact that the mind and ego do not serve the aspirant too well at the final junctures of the journey. They are necessary, and have their place, but they are apt to mislead and deceive. Only the intuition (the heart if you will) can be trusted near the end. And Frodo does not quite see this. None of us do about our egos. Gollum (the ego) makes arguments to persuade Frodo. Sam never does. Sam simply begs Frodo to listen. So this is the heart and mind, thought and intuition, personified by Sam and Gollum. But there is something worthy of noting here. Sam does nothing at the very last instant. Sam cannot, for instance, take the ring and toss it into the flame. Only the ego can do this, Gollum. This is said in spiritual literature. The ego is necessary for this final step of surrender. But also note that, for a short time, Sam (intuition) carries the ring around his neck for Frodo. Sam, of course, gives it back to Frodo when demanded. This, no one in the story but Sam can ever do. Even Bilbo cannot do this, but leaves it at the door at the command of Gandolf, who himself cannot lift it. Sam appears to have no agenda but to serve in whatever enterprise his master is caught up in, and in this case it is the destruction of the ring, and he is quite aware of this. Sam may not be a logician, but we cannot call him stupid. He understands perfectly well the mission that he and Frodo are on. In fact he has come along precisely because he is afraid that Frodo cannot complete the mission without him. He is worried for Frodo like a mother for a child. And he finds that his place is with Frodo. Of course this is all expressed without argument, and Sam's simple nature always wins Frodo's heart in the end. Interestingly, Frodo compliments Sam along the way, making Sam proud of his accomplishments. Frodo is coming to trust and appreciate and love his intuition. There is also a funny dynamic between Frodo and Gollum (ego) in that Frodo is under the misguided impression that Gollum can be tamed and domesticated and redeemed. Gollum loves to play into it and partly believes this himself. Sam is never so fooled. He knows quite unequivocally that Gollum is irredeemably nasty and disingenuous and out for himself. He knows that Gollum has it in for Frodo and will lead to no good. Sam has no way to know that Gollum has a final role to play in the quest, even a leading roll. Frodo, however, knows this for Gandolf has suggested this to him. It is in deference to the wisdom of Gandolf that Frodo is slow to judge Gollum and quick to compassion for him. It should also be noted that, had Frodo prematurely done away with Gollum (the ego), the quest would never have been accomplished. Thus by following the master (Gandolf) everything works out okay in the end. Now why Sam inherits the house and marries I believe is a pure story device. This creates a double love-interest (the other between Aragorn and Arwen) and ties the story like a nice bow. It may also mark the beginning of the age of intuition, but that is stretching things as this story is said to take place at the end of the third age and not the age of men in which we live. Though this is worth some consideration in light of when the story was actually written, and the fact that Baba was in the body. In addition, the story refers to the four ages (or yugas), described in the story as 'races'. And the story is about the beginning of the Kali Yuga, or the world of the race of men. The establishing of the world of men may represent the time of Zoroaster about 5000 years ago, when cities and agriculture were first developed. One should also consider the meaning of "The Hobbit," a story that takes place about 60 years prior to the greater adventure in "The Lord of the Rings." In this story, Bilbo is younger and goes through the spiritual path at the direction of his master, Gandolf. Deep in a cavern he achieves the 6th plane. But like a mast, he remains entranced by the ring (the 6th plane) and very attached and at the beginning of "The Lord of the Ring" he is quite stuck there. At the urging of his master Gandolf Bilbo gives the experience of the 6th plane to Frodo, symbolized in his passing the ring to him. As Meher Baba explains, a 6th plane man can raise another up to his level. But Bilbo would not do so without the urging of his master Gandolf. This is not only for Frodo's benefit, but also for Bilbo's. We should recall that at the end of the long trilogy, both Bilbo and Frodo pass with Gandolf over the great Ocean to the western world of immortality. "...to die to self to have eternal life" (Saint Francis) So Both Bilbo and Frodo are both liberated at the end, both quite ravaged by their long journey, very resigned to whatever is happening at this point. Finally, one should note that the whole world of Maya in the story (the shire and other lands) is benefited by this great duo-adventure. Who are the other characters such as Strider and others? They really don't matter. They are the back-story, the world of men. These various incidents are actually incidental and the characters add mere color to the story, just as the battle details in the Bagavadgita are mere window dressing for the central event between Krishna and Arjuna. Thus the story ("The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings") is a kind of Bagavadgita or Mahabarata for our time, a deep symbolic story of God Realization told in the form of an epic British poem. It should be noted that the one thing that was present in this advent that was not at the time of Mohammed is the British and American empirical power and dominance. The western world has never in the past been initiated into the sacred eastern tradition. In this advent Meher Baba has given the west (especially England and the United States) some new Vedas of its own, in its own language of English. One is of course "God Speaks" by Avatar Meher Baba and another may perhaps be "The Lord of the Rings" told through the inspired imagination of the scholar-poet-mystic J.R.R. Tolkien. One might be alternatively tempted to interpret Frodo's journey as one of crossing the dangerous travail of the 4th plane (the plane of power). This juncture on the path is described by Meher Baba as the "dark night of the soul." However, there are many problems with this interpretation and I think it is wrong. First of all, Frodo is not "tempted" to use the powers of the ring to achieve anything. In fact the ring makes Frodo quite powerless. The only power the ring has is to make him invisible (invisible to the world) and for him to see Mordor and Sauron. The temptation is to have this experience and escape the material world. But it comes with a price, for it exposes him to Sauron's gaze and makes Sauron visible to him... which carries a torment and for some reason puts him at risk. The ring cannot do any other magic. Also, there is no mention by Gandolf of Frodo "falling" if he uses the ring. Rather it is said that Middle Earth will fall if he does not destroy it. This would make no sense with the 4th plane interpretation. In addition, Baba does not mention anything like the perfect master using all his skill to help the 4th planer. This seems to be kept in check by the 5 perfect masters through the vehicle of people on the 5th plane who can keep the 4th planer's mind in check. At no time does Frodo wrestle with a temptation to wield ring-powers to gain desires. Nor does anyone check and restrain his thoughts in this regard. If anything he is tempted to have the experience that apparently brings with it great pain and danger. Compare this to Baba's description of Moses being on the 6th plane but being afraid to see God face-to-face. God must appear to Moses in the form of the burning Bush. Thus this account by Meher Baba seems to uphold the view that the 6th plane experience of 'seeing God face-to-face' is a frightening and unnerving experience... not simply blissful. In view of these points, I think it makes very little sense that this great story is about the travail of the 4th plane (between the subtle and mental). Such a travail would not warrant the great events in the story, and would not be worthy of an epic. They would also not warrant the ending where Frodo and Bilbo go to the land of immortality. Frodo's injuries would also have no meaning. The ring is not really a "ring of power." Rather it is a ring of "perception" or "ultimate consciousness." This is expressed very clearly in the story. All its references refer to "seeing" and not to invoking magical influences. The invisibility. The "seeing" of Mordor. The "being seen" by Sauron. The "being seen" by the Ring Wraiths. The "seeing" the ring Wraiths. On the 6th plane, one sees the arch-angels. This may be what these Wraiths are and why Frodo is put in contact with them when he puts on the ring. Why they are portrayed as evil I don't know. However, in Christian mythology (that might have some baring on the Christian mysticism of Tolkien) some angels are bad. I don't think that's what it is though. I think these impressions simply are too much for Frodo to handle, and the fire of these images threatens his ego, symbolized by being stabbed by the Wraiths with an occult sword. The journey through the 4th plane is not an epic, but a problem for the hierarchy and the aspirant. On the 4th plane the person is keenly tempted to use powers selfishly to create anything he wants. Lord of the Rings is not about any such temptation. It is about a torment of getting rid of the false self (Gollum and the ring). It is far more terrifying for the 6th planer than the experience of the 4th planer... even though it is far less dangerous (actually not dangerous at all). In the 4th plane one is really getting a foothold on the real spiritual path... the world of mind. Obviously Frodo is getting off the path, not onto it. He is destroying mind and finding God. Nothing else could warrant such an epic. And as keen as Baba was at warning about the danger of the 4th plane, this was not his central theme (but merely an aspect of the larger theme that required remark). Thus I doubt that Baba would have read an epic poem about the 4th plane 3 times... more than any other book as far as I know. This he would clearly reserve for a story of what he took to be the only event of any lasting significance, God Realization. Note also that when Frodo puts on the ring, he is immediately powerless. Even his invisibility gives him no control over events. This is the opposite of the experience of the 4th plane, which wields all power. Tolkien began writing the back story during WWI (thus before Baba's Avatarhood, under Sai Baba). He began writing the "Lord of the Rings" however, in the 1930's when Baba was well into his mission on Earth and had already traveled to England. "JRR Tolkien began writing The Lord of the Rings between 16 and 19 December 1937." This means that Baba had already been to England at least 3 times. He had also already written his missing book. He finished the book in 1949, a few years before Meher Baba wrote "God Speaks." LOTR was published in 1954, almost contemporaneous with "God Speaks." The third book actually came out in 1955, the same year as "God Speaks."

About Sauron

Remember an important line in LOTR. Gandolf says to Saroman (a very nasty power-seeker), "There is only one Lord of the Rings, and he does not share power." This is a very important line. Note the word "Lord" is in the term "Lord of the Rings." If Sauon does not share power, and yet is not God, then we must consider J.R.R. Tolkien a worshipper of the devil. For not even a fundamentalist Christian could say that the devil does not share power with God. Thus Sauron must indeed be the Supreme Ruler or Lord of the Universe. There is absolutely and unequivocably no mention in either the Hobbit or LOTR of God in any other sense. Not even Tom Bombadil does this. Does this mean Tolkien was an atheist? Of course not. Sauron must absolutely be Brahman (creator, sustainer, and destroyer in one). There is no other. There is no sharing of power, not even with sorcerers like Saroman. Sauron ("The Lord of the Rings") is the absolute power of the universe in LOTR. The story is named for him. If he is the devil, then it is like calling one's epic "Satan." If Tolkien has done so, then there ought to be some off-shoot concept to balance this, such as a deity. But Tolkien decidedly leaves this out. Thus Sauron must absolutely represent Brahman and there is no other reasonable interpretation... except to claim that Tolkien was decidedly evil and Baba also. Sauron is Brahman. Now consider the phonetics. Think of these two words: saitan (mischievous chicken) and brahman (the Supreme Reality). These are very close phonetically.

About Saruman (the bad white wizard)

Why Saruman's name is so close I do not understand. Obviously he is not the Avatar as the Avatar never attacks nature or promotes evil or seeks power or anything for himself. If there is a devil it is Saruman. I just think he represents the power-elite of the ignorant establishment, that comes to be a kind of demigod (somebody who is very important or highly revered and is treated like a god). The name "Saruman" has the word "man" in it. For the Christian mystic this would seem to signify (taking the word Sauron into account) a kind of false prophet or man posing as a god or as God. I don't think that he represents any "particular" person. No one in the story does. Rather he seems to represent those who (upon seeking power for themselves) come to obtain the status of gods over men, and do wicked things. All cruel and inhumane and unwise rulers from all periods could be seen to be manifestations of the principle embodied in Saruman.

Light

Frodo is given a small light by an elf queen (or witch) that he uses near the end. This is some minor tool given to the aspirant by a yogi or advanced seeker. But it is of minor consequence. We have many minor spiritual aids. Every bit of help is money in the bank, but no amount of gathering up of minor tricks and miracles, nor insights, nor powers, can replace the endurance of the journeyer. It must be won at any cost. Everything in the story of "LOTR" is in service of a single deed.

Conclusion

The world reads the story and is taken in by the sites and the might. They barely feel the hidden inner meaning of the story, let alone know of its explicit symbolism. They read the wars and the happenings and are taken in. But the deeper aspects penetrate their subconscious. They receive immediate inspiration and direction.