Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not (Song 63) by Rabindranath Tagore (Poem, Summary & Analysis)

 

Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not (Song 63) by Rabindranath Tagore (Poem, Summary & Analysis) 

Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not. Thou hast given me seats in homes not my own. Thou hast brought the distant near and made a brother of the stranger.

I am uneasy at heart when I have to leave my accustomed shelter; I forget that there abides the old in the new, and that there also thou abidest.

Through birth and death, in this world or in others, wherever thou leadest me it is thou, the same, the one companion of my endless life who ever linkest my heart with bonds of joy to the unfamiliar.

When one knows thee, then alien there is none, then no door is shut. Oh, grant me my prayer that I may never lose the bliss of the touch of the one in the play of the many.

Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not. Thou hast given me seats in homes not my own. Thou hast brought the distant near and made a brother of the stranger.

 

Summary

The poet believes that having a connection with God is enough. With God by your side, everything goes well, and you thrive in all areas of life. The poet is deeply grateful to God for His blessings. It's through God's kindness that the poet is no longer a stranger; people recognize him, and God’s mercy has closed the gap between him and others.

Though the poet fears death, thinking of it as the soul leaving its familiar home (the body) for an unknown place, he is reminded that nothing is truly new. The poet reflects on the idea of oneness with God, who is everywhere and in everything. This belief helps him see that even in the new, the old remains, and God is always with him. The poet realizes that God is his eternal companion, not just in this life but in the next one as well. Life is continuous, and God binds his heart to the unknown with joy.

The poet recognizes that fear of the unknown comes from ignoring the divine. Once a person understands oneness and the cycle of life, nothing will feel strange or unfamiliar. The poet prays for divine wisdom, asking God to remove the fear of the unknown and open every path. He also prays to never lose the joy of God's presence, which makes him aware of God's omnipresence in all forms and shapes.

 

Analysis

Tagore's mysticism shines through in this poem, which explores themes of reincarnation and unity. The poet no longer fears death or feels disconnected from the world. He believes that God is always by his side, guiding him through life and beyond. With God as his eternal companion, nothing seems strange or unfamiliar. The constant renewal of life is a reflection of God's presence, and the poet senses divine grace in every transformation.

God's blessings, according to Tagore, offer wisdom and connect him with everything through love and understanding. As he writes:

"When one knows thee, the alien there is none, then no door is shut. Oh, grant me my prayer that I may never lose the bliss of the touch of one in the play of the many."

This expresses the idea that God is everywhere, and knowing Him means there are no barriers between the poet and the world. Every door is open, and nothing remains unknown. Tagore is deeply grateful to God for this sense of peace and belonging.

Tagore's belief in God's omnipresence is clear. God is always with him, with every person, in life and in death. If one is in touch with God's presence, the world becomes familiar and open. There are no obstacles, as God's power flows through everything and everyone. The poet prays that even as he engages with the world, he will never lose the joy of feeling God's touch, who is the force behind it all.