# LXXXIII explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The poet offers his sorrow as a personal gift to the Divine, contrasting it with external wealth and fame that come from the Divine, and finds reward in the grace received in return.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Pain of Separation and Longing

The poet's tears of sorrow are transformed into a personal offering, highlighting the intimate connection between suffering and devotion.

### Surrender and Egolessness

The poet acknowledges that wealth and fame come from the Divine, while his sorrow is his own, yet he surrenders it as an offering.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

The speaker who weaves a chain of pearls from tears and offers his own sorrow to the Divine.

### The Divine

Addressed as 'Mother', the recipient of the poet's offering of sorrow and the source of grace.

## Key lines

> Mother, I shall weave a chain of pearls for thy neck with my tears of sorrow.

I will create a precious offering for you from my own grief.

_The poet transforms his sorrow into a devotional gift._

> Wealth and fame come from thee and it is for thee to give or to withhold them. But this my sorrow is absolutely mine own, and when I bring it to thee as my offering thou rewardest me with thy grace.

Material blessings are yours to bestow or withhold, but my sorrow is uniquely mine; offering it to you brings me your grace.

_The poet distinguishes between external gifts from the Divine and his personal suffering, which becomes a means of receiving grace._

## Links

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