Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore (Metaphysical Poem)

Gitanjali

by Rabindranath Tagore

(Metaphysical Poem)

 

Gitanjali is a metaphysical poem, not in the sense of the 17th century metaphysical English poetry, but in the literal sense. It is metaphysical because it deals with the world beyond and hereafter. For the term ‘metaphysical’ means beyond (meta) physical. Gitanjali indulges in philosophical speculation, mystical moorings and transcendental peace. It elaborately treats Death and God. It is metaphysical in its abstract character, emotional apprehension of thought which may be transmuted into the imagery of dreams, logical beauty, didactic mind, intensity, ethical content, divine love. Gitanjali is without the conventional far-Seventeenth century metaphysical verse of England. Tagore’s Gitanjali can be called a mystical-cum-metaphysical poem. It is metaphysical because it is concerned with the meta world. The poet is convinced of the continuity of life and he feels that man should be content with what God has given him. Man touches the fringes of divinity in the created thigs. That should be sufficient to send him into raptures of joy. One of the things through which God manifests himself is his melody. He is a flute player sitting in a boat and he waits for man to join him. His music is like a holy stream that rushes on overcoming all obstacles. Even the stones are moved by it. Man cannot get peace away from God. He must keep his body chaste and make his heart a citadel of God and his life a love-tryst with God. Life is like a flower which is offered to Him before it withers. There should be no delay in one’s total surrender to Him. He is the bearer of our burdens and one should leave everything to His will. One need not approach Him with ornaments, ostentation or ritual. He also serves His humanity. The service to the poor and the needy is a service to God.

Deliverance can be found in true detachment and karma yoga, in doing one’s duty without longing for the fruit of it. One need not renounce the world, what is needed is constant prayer and bhakti’, pure heart and complete surrender before God. Man’s happiness lives in singing God’s glory.

There are many diverse ways to reach God. But the simplest and easiest is the one by love. Love is the highest virtue. It is above all codes and rules. The beloved feels forlorn and longs for Him. The soul of men will feel most desperate if she does not meet her bridegroom, God. She waits for Him like the night with its starry vigil. The fragrance of spiritual experience comes from within the soul. The moment of spiritual illumination comes. One should watch for Him and wait for Him. He will come flooding our eyes with his light. He will come like a dream from darkness. He can be easily won over and not by scholarship or austerity. Beautiful is this world but more beautiful is detachment. It is not with rose petals that one attains the spiritual goal. It is with the sword of detachment, by cutting asunder all petty things of life, being solely devoted to Him, filled with all-consuming love, one can reach Him. All Nature is His manifestation. Everything changes, but Death does not change. It comes and comes. Hence man should hasten to reach his Maker because man is a part of God. Soul should not bear separation from God. Death is the last fulfilment of life. It is inevitable and man has to surrender himself before it in all his totality, when death strikes, all that man has ignored or spurned earlier will appear more valuable. So, love well while you are alive. Yet one should be ready when the summons comes from God without any bitter feelings as life is one breast of the mother and death the other. The soul dispossessed of all the worldly goods will reach God in a sweeter manner.

All the above discussion is sufficient to prove the metaphysical and mystic nature of Gitanjali. Gitanjali is not a metaphysical poem in the traditional sense of the 17th century metaphysical poetry of Donne and his school. It is metaphysical in the literal sense, because it deals with what is beyond the physical. Life is like a flower and therefore should be offered to God before it withers. Deliverance can be found in detachment from worldly desires, not in the renunciation of world but by its acceptance through Karma Yoga. All Nature is God’s manifestation. Man is a part of God. Death is the last fulfilment of life.