Gitanjali · Chapter
LXXXII explained
The poet reflects on the infinite patience of the divine, contrasting it with human haste and poverty of time.
What happens
The poet reflects on the infinite patience of the divine, contrasting it with human haste and poverty of time. He acknowledges giving his time to every demanding person, leaving the divine altar empty, yet finds at day's end that there is still time.
Themes in this chapter
Divine Love and Devotion
The poet's longing to offer time to the divine, yet feeling distracted by worldly claims.
The Pain of Separation and Longing
The poet fears being shut out from the divine presence, but finds hope in the remaining time.
Characters to notice
- The Poet
The speaker who laments his own lack of time and the emptiness of the divine altar.
- The Divine
The lord in whose hands time is endless and who waits patiently.
Key passages
“Time is endless in thy hands, my lord. There is none to count thy minutes.”
You have infinite time, and no one measures your moments.
Opening contrast between divine eternity and human urgency.
“We have no time to lose, and having no time we must scramble for a chances. We are too poor to be late.”
We are so pressed for time that we must grab every opportunity, and cannot afford to be delayed.
Human condition of scarcity and haste.
“And thus it is that time goes by while I give it to every querulous man who claims it, and thine altar is empty of all offerings to the last.”
So I spend my time on every complaining person who demands it, and your altar remains bare until the very end.
The poet's regret over misplaced priorities.
“At the end of the day I hasten in fear lest thy gate be shut; but I find that yet there is time.”
At day's end I rush, afraid your gate might be closed, but discover there is still time left.
A hopeful resolution: divine patience allows for last-minute devotion.