This is a beautiful poem where Tagore touches upon subjects that we're familiar with from many of his other poems.
Deliverance is not for me in renunciation. I feel the embrace of freedom in a thousand bonds of delight.
Thou ever pourest for me the fresh draught of thy wines of various colours and fragrance, filling this earthen vessel to the brim.
My world will light its hundred different lamps with thy flame and place them before the altar of thy temple.
No, I will never shut the doors of my senses. The delights of sight and hearing and touch will bear thy delight.
Yes, all my illusions will burn into illumination of joy, and all my desires ripen into fruits of love.
I love the metaphor of the earthen vessel being filled with the draught of the colours and fragrance, a recurring element in his poems. Sample: 'This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life'. The crux of this poem is one that Tagore often speaks about; the need to see, experience, live and love and not renounce. He is scornful of meditation and remarks "But I meanwhile, with hungry eyes that can't be satisfied, shall take a look at the world in broad daylight." The final line of this poem is a beautiful, fitting conclusion.
8 comments:
I like you, love the last line. Beautiful.
This is such a refreshing change from hearing and reading that renunciation and meditation is the true form of worship isn't it? Good choice! :)
Veens, Vaishnavi - Indeed :) Thank you and I'm glad you both liked the poem!
I thank you so much for letting me know of your features on the work of Tagore-I am now a follower of your blog and will come back and read your posts soon-
Glad to know you are into Indian Literature, I'm currently hosting a Midnight's Children Read-along and wonder if you would like to join us?
http://bibliojunkie.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/midnights-children-read-along-week-2-19-to-25-november-2010/
we will be delighted if you could! :)
Mel U - Thanks for following and I look forward to seeing you here for our weekly Tagore posts :)
Bibliojunkie - Thanks a lot for posting this! I'd love to join in, but I'm worried if it's a little late. I've commented on your post :)
Kals, if you can finished 300 pages by next weekend, you are still on par with our intended progress! ;)
That's a tough challenge. Hmm..I'll see :)
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