# LXIV explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The poet repeatedly asks a maiden with a lamp to lend him light, but she explains she is on a journey to float, dedicate, or join her lamp with others, leaving him in darkness.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Pain of Separation and Longing

The poet's repeated plea for light and the maiden's departure highlight a sense of separation and unfulfilled longing.

### Spiritual Journey and Self-Realization

The maiden's progression from floating the lamp to dedicating it to the sky and joining a carnival of lamps symbolizes a spiritual quest.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

The speaker who stands in darkness and asks the maiden for light.

### The Divine

Implied as the ultimate recipient of the maiden's lamp offerings.

## Key lines

> My house is all dark and lonesome⁠—lend me your light!

My home is dark and empty—please share your light with me.

_The poet's cry for illumination and companionship._

> I have come to the river to float my lamp on the stream when the daylight wanes in the west.

I came to the river to set my lamp afloat at sunset.

_The maiden's initial purpose for her lamp._

> I have come to dedicate my lamp to the sky.

I came to offer my lamp to the heavens.

_The maiden's second, more spiritual intention._

> I have brought my light to join the carnival of lamps.

I brought my light to take part in a festival of lights.

_The maiden's final purpose, merging her light with many others._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gitanjali_se/chapters/lxiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gitanjali_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gitanjali_se/chapters