# LXXIX explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The poet expresses a deep longing for the divine, preferring the pain of separation over forgetfulness, and acknowledges that worldly gains and pleasures are empty without the divine presence.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Pain of Separation and Longing

The entire poem is a meditation on the sorrow of not meeting the divine, with repeated pleas to remember the absence.

### Surrender and Egolessness

The poet accepts his lowly state and the emptiness of worldly achievements, surrendering to the divine will.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

The speaker who yearns for the divine and feels the sorrow of separation.

### The Divine

The absent yet longed-for presence that the poet fears missing in this life.

## Key lines

> If it is not my portion to meet thee in this life then let me ever feel that I have missed thy sight⁠—let me not forget for a moment, let me carry the pangs of this sorrow in my dreams and in my wakeful hours.

If I cannot see you in this life, let me always be aware of your absence and never forget the pain of missing you.

_The poet chooses conscious sorrow over obliviousness to the divine._

> As my days pass in the crowded market of this world and my hands grow full with the daily profits, let me ever feel that I have gained nothing⁠—let me not forget for a moment, let me carry the pangs of this sorrow in my dreams and in my wakeful hours.

Even as I accumulate worldly gains, let me feel they are worthless without you.

_Worldly success is meaningless without spiritual connection._

> When my rooms have been decked out and the flutes sound and the laughter there is loud, let me ever feel that I have not invited thee to my house⁠—let me not forget for a moment, let me carry the pangs of this sorrow in my dreams and in my wakeful hours.

In times of celebration and joy, let me remember that you are not present.

_Earthly festivities are hollow without the divine guest._

## Links

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