Gitanjali 50
I had gone a-begging from door to door in the village path, when thy golden chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous dream and I wondered who was this King of all kings!
My hopes rose high and methought my evil days were at an end, and I stood waiting for alms to be given unasked and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust.
The chariot stopped where I stood. Thy glance fell on me and thou camest down with a smile. I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. Then of a sudden thou didst hold out thy right hand and say “What hast thou to give to me?”
Ah, what a kingly jest was it to open thy palm to a beggar to beg! I was confused and stood undecided, and then from my wallet I slowly took out the least grain of corn and gave it to thee.
But how great my surprise when at the day’s end I emptied my bag on the floor to find a least little grain of gold among the poor heap. I bitterly wept and wished that I had had the heart to give thee to my all.
Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali or Song-Offerings: A Divine Offering of Philosophy and Spirituality
By Arun Kumar Ghosh
Introduction
The Nobel prize winner in literature for 1913, Rabindranath Tagore, the brilliant light of Indian literature, offers collections of poems which are inextricably connected to the feeling of spirituality and philosophical thinking called – Gitanjali or Song Offerings. This work reflects Tagore’s search for the soul or the atman, the parts of man, and relationships between the finite and the infinite, which is the fundamental belief system of the Upanishads.
Gitanjali and Its Philosophical Framework
In order to penetrate Tagore’s Gitanjali, one cannot overlook the impressions of the Upanishads evolving in his mind. The Upanishads are texts considered the beginning of Hinduism and are devoted to the description of the individual self and its union with the Brahman. One significant motif in Gitanjali is self-abandonment, allowing people to embrace the deity, closely connected with the Upanishadic dictum ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ or ‘Thou art That’Tagore captures this longing for divine union in verses such as.
"Thou hast made me infinite, such is thy pleasure. This is the only prayer of my life—I want the mercy of the infinite."
Here, Tagore encapsulates a fundamental philosophical inquiry: the struggle of the individual against the universe. This soul in its pure aspect is limitless but in the life process becomes fettered to the body. This antagonism is observed in Tagore’s spirituality, attempting to escape physical existence to achieve divinity.
The Poetics of Surrender
A prominent theme within Gitanjali is the concept of surrender. Tagore’s poetry exudes an understanding that true spirituality comes from letting go—yielding the individual will to a higher power. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a profound recognition of the limitations of the self and the boundless nature of the cosmos.
"I would be the sacrifice for the love of the world, and so the world will be my offering."
Here, Tagore elucidates the beauty of selfless love and devotion. The act of surrender becomes transformative, allowing the finite to merge with the infinite. Surrendering to the divine nurtures individual spirituality and cultivates a deeper connection with humanity.
The Nature of Reality
Tagore's philosophical inquiry extends into the nature of reality itself. In Gitanjali, he contemplates the transient nature of life and the enduring essence of the soul. Through his poetry, he reflects on the impermanence of worldly experiences while acknowledging the divine's pervading presence.
"The road I travel is a solitary path, yet behind me the sound of drumming beats like a heart in the universe."
This captures the paradox of human existence—a solitary journey that reverberates with a collective heartbeat. The solitude of the soul amid life’s myriad experiences hints at a deeper truth: each individual’s journey is also the journey of the collective.
Poetry as a Spiritual Experience
One cannot discuss Gitanjali without acknowledging Tagore’s belief in the transformative power of poetry itself. For Tagore, poetry is not just an art form; it is a spiritual experience—a way to connect with the divine. His verses serve as an invocation, prying open the locked doors of perception, inviting readers to enter a sacred space of introspection and communion.
"The light that is my eye, which looks out upon the world, is not my own. It is the light of the world, which I share with thee."
This recognition signifies the interconnectedness of all souls while suggesting that art, particularly poetry, serves as a mirror reflecting the divine light within everyone.
Conclusion: The Testament of Infinite Connection
In conclusion, Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali stands as a testament to deeply philosophical thoughts rooted in Upanishadic references and unique spirituality. It conveys the essence of the finite self's yearning for connection with the infinite, advocating for a profound surrender to the divine. Through love, connection, and self-discovery, Tagore articulates the eternal quest for understanding the relationship between humanity and the divine.
His poetry is more than mere expression—it is a spiritual offering, an invocation to transcend individuality's boundaries and embrace the universality of existence. Through Tagore’s words, we are reminded of our place within the cosmos and the divine love that consistently envelops us, urging us toward our own spiritual awakenings.
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