A collection of quotes from Gitanjali of Rabindranath Tagore with explanation.
Life of my life, I shall ever try to keep my body pure, knowing that thy living touch is upon all my limbs.
I shall ever try to keep all untruths out from my thoughts, knowing that thou art that truth which has kindled the light of reason in my mind.
I shall ever try to drive all evils away from my heart and keep my love in flower, knowing that thou hast thy seat in the inmost shrine of my heart.
And it shall be my endeavor to reveal thee in my actions, knowing it is thy power gives me strength to act.
Rabindranath Tagore
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Explanation of above
I shall ever try to keep all untruths out from my
thoughts" - The speaker pledges to always strive to banish falsehoods and
deceit from their mind. This indicates a commitment to honesty and integrity in
their thoughts.
"knowing that thou art that truth" - The speaker
acknowledges that the ultimate truth, often associated with divinity or the
divine presence, resides within them or is represented by a higher power.
"which has kindled the light of reason in my mind"
- The truth, symbolized as a guiding light, has ignited the flame of
rationality and understanding within the speaker's mind. This suggests that
embracing truth leads to enlightenment and clarity of thought.
Overall, this line encapsulates themes of truth, spiritual
awareness, and the pursuit of enlightenment, which are central to Tagore's
philosophy and poetry.
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"I shall ever try to drive all evils away from my
heart" - The speaker pledges to continuously strive to rid their heart of
all negativity and wickedness. This could include negative emotions such as
hatred, jealousy, greed, and anger, as well as harmful intentions or actions.
"and keep my love in flower" - Here, "love in
flower" symbolizes the blossoming or flourishing of love within the
speaker's heart. Love is depicted as a delicate, beautiful flower that needs
nurturing and protection. This implies a commitment to cultivating and
preserving feelings of love and compassion.
"knowing that thou hast thy seat in the inmost shrine
of my heart" - The speaker is aware that a divine presence resides in the
deepest, most sacred part of their being. This divine presence is often
interpreted as God, the Divine, or the Higher Self. By acknowledging this, the
speaker recognizes the importance of aligning their thoughts, feelings, and
actions with divine principles.
Symbolism:
- Heart: Represents the core of the speaker's being, where emotions, intentions, and spirituality converge.
- Evils: Symbolize negative thoughts, emotions, and actions that obstruct spiritual growth and inner peace.
- Love: Symbolizes positive emotions, compassion, and spiritual connection.
- Flower: Represents beauty, growth, and the delicate nature of love and spirituality.
- Inmost shrine: Symbolizes the deepest, most sacred part of the self, where the divine presence resides.
Overall, this passage conveys a commitment to spiritual
purification, nurturing love, and recognizing the divine within oneself. It
reflects themes of inner transformation, devotion, and the pursuit of spiritual
enlightenment.