Leave
this Chanting and Singing
Gitanjali
11
Rabindranath Tagore (1861 –1941)
Leave this chanting and
singing and telling of beads! Whom dost thou worship in this lonely dark corner
of a temple with doors all shut? Open thine eyes and see thy God is not before
thee!
He is there where the
tiller is tilling the hard ground and where the path-maker is breaking stones.
He is with them in sun and in shower, and his garment is covered with dust. Put
off thy holy mantle and even like him come down on the dusty soil!
Deliverance? Where is
this deliverance to be found? Our master himself has joyfully taken upon him
the bonds of creation; he is bound with us all for ever.
Come out of thy
meditations and leave aside thy flowers and incense!
What harm is there if
thy clothes become tattered and stained? Meet him and stand by him in toil and
in sweat of thy brow.
Introduction:
This lyric presents Rabindranath
Tagore’s criticism of empty religious rituals and his belief in finding God
through work, service, and human life. Tagore says that God cannot be found
merely by chanting prayers, singing hymns, counting rosary beads, or sitting in
a dark corner of a temple. He advises people to open their eyes and look for
God among the farmers and labourers who work hard in the fields and on the
roads.
About the Poet – Rabindranath
Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore
(1861–1941) was a great Indian poet, writer, philosopher, and social reformer.
He was the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for
Gitanjali. His writings focus on humanity, spirituality, nature, freedom, and
universal brotherhood. He also composed “Jana Gana Mana,” the National Anthem
of India. Tagore believed that God could be found through love, service, and
honest work, rather than through empty religious rituals. This idea is clearly
reflected in the present lyric.
Tagore believes that God lives
among ordinary working people. He shares their hardships and works with them
under the sun and rain. Therefore, man should remove the “holy mantle” of false
religious pride and join the labourers in their work. God is not separate from
human life; He is present in everyday work and human relationships.
Tagore also questions the idea
of deliverance or salvation through renunciation. He asks, “Deliverance? Where
is this deliverance to be found?” According to him, even God has willingly
accepted the “bonds of creation” and remains connected with human beings.
Therefore, man should not try to escape from worldly responsibilities. True
salvation is not achieved by running away from life but by accepting life,
performing one's duties, and serving humanity.
Critical
Analysis
The lyric strongly criticizes
the mechanical and superficial religious practices followed by people who
believe that God can be reached only through rituals, meditation, prayers, and
temple worship. Tagore does not reject spirituality; rather, he rejects religion
without action and compassion.
His philosophy emphasizes work,
love, service, and human relationships. The farmer and the labourer become
symbols of honest and meaningful work. Tagore suggests that God is present
wherever people sincerely work and contribute to creation. Thus, instead of
seeking salvation through isolation and renunciation, human beings should
participate actively in life.
The idea of “bonds of
creation” is especially important. God Himself is connected with His creation,
so human beings cannot achieve true freedom by escaping from their
responsibilities. Tagore believes in salvation through love and action rather
than renunciation.
Important
Terms / Annotations
- Chanting: Reciting religious verses, shlokas, or
mantras as prayer.
- Telling of beads: Counting the beads of a rosary
while praying.
- Holy mantle: The outer appearance or symbolic
garment of a religious person.
- Deliverance: Liberation or freedom of the soul.
- Bonds of creation: The responsibilities and
relationships connected with the act of creation.
- Meditation: Deep religious contemplation or
concentration.
- “Sweat of thy brow”: Hard physical work and labour.
Conclusion
The central message of the
lyric is that God is not found through empty rituals but through sincere work,
love, service, and participation in human life. Tagore rejects escapism and
teaches that the path to spiritual fulfilment lies in accepting our responsibilities
and working with others. Thus, the poem presents a humanistic and practical
philosophy of spirituality.
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