Gitanjali · Chapter
LVI explained
The poet reflects on the divine's joy in him, describing how the King of kings has come down to share wealth and beauty, culminating in a perfect union of love.
What happens
The poet reflects on the divine's joy in him, describing how the King of kings has come down to share wealth and beauty, culminating in a perfect union of love.
Themes in this chapter
Divine Love and Devotion
The chapter celebrates the intimate love between the divine and the poet, where the King of kings becomes a lover.
Surrender and Egolessness
The poet acknowledges being a partner in divine wealth, reflecting surrender to divine will.
Characters to notice
- The Poet
The speaker who experiences divine joy and union.
- The Divine
The lord of all heavens who descends to the poet as a partner and lover.
Key passages
“Thus it is that thy joy in me is so full. Thus it is that thou hast come down to me.”
Your joy in me is complete, and so you have descended to me.
The poet expresses the fullness of divine joy and the divine's condescension.
“Thou hast taken me as thy partner of all this wealth.”
You have made me a co-owner of all your riches.
The poet acknowledges being made a partner in divine abundance.
“In my heart is the endless play of thy delight. In my life thy will is ever taking shape.”
Your endless joy plays in my heart, and your will continuously manifests in my life.
The poet describes the constant presence of divine joy and purpose.
“And for this, thou who art the King of kings hast decked thyself in beauty to captivate my heart.”
For this reason, you, the supreme ruler, have adorned yourself with beauty to win my heart.
The divine's beauty is a means to capture the poet's love.
“And for this thy love loses itself in the love of thy lover, and there art thou seen in the perfect union of two.”
Your love merges completely with the love of your devotee, and in that perfect union, you are revealed.
The ultimate union of divine and lover is where true vision occurs.