Gitanjali · Chapter
LXXXIX explained
The poet resolves to abandon loud, worldly speech and instead embrace quiet, heartfelt song.
What happens
The poet resolves to abandon loud, worldly speech and instead embrace quiet, heartfelt song. He withdraws from the busy market of life at midday, allowing flowers to bloom out of season and bees to hum lazily. After long striving between good and evil, he now responds to a sudden, inexplicable call from his divine playmate to enter a state of playful, seemingly useless inconsequence.
Themes in this chapter
Surrender and Egolessness
The poet submits to the master's will, abandoning noisy words and the strife of good and evil for a quiet, surrendered life.
Freedom and Renunciation
The poet takes 'untimely leave' in the middle of work, choosing freedom from worldly obligations and embracing a seemingly useless, playful existence.
Characters to notice
- The Poet
The speaker who decides to speak only in whispers and murmurs, leaving the world's busy market for a divine call.
- The Divine
Referred to as 'my master' and 'playmate of the empty days,' who draws the poet's heart toward him.
Key passages
“No more noisy, loud words from me—such is my master’s will. Henceforth I deal in whispers.”
I will no longer speak loudly or forcefully, because my master desires quiet. From now on, I communicate only in soft, gentle tones.
The poet renounces assertive speech in favor of humble, quiet expression.
“But I have my untimely leave in the middle of the day, in the thick of work.”
Yet I am granted an unexpected departure right in the midst of my busiest hours.
The poet's withdrawal from worldly activity comes at an unusual and inconvenient time, emphasizing the divine call's priority over human schedules.
“Full many an hour have I spent in the strife of the good and the evil, but now it is the pleasure of my playmate of the empty days to draw my heart on to him; and I know not why is this sudden call to what useless inconsequence!”
I have long struggled between right and wrong, but now my divine companion, who delights in empty, playful moments, pulls my heart toward him. I do not understand why I am suddenly called to this seemingly pointless activity.
The poet contrasts his past moral striving with the present mysterious, joyful call to abandon purpose and embrace divine play.