Gitanjali · Chapter
LXXXV explained
The chapter reflects on the warriors who, upon leaving their master's hall, appear poor and helpless, yet upon returning, they have shed their weapons and carry peace, having left the fruits of their life behind.
What happens
The chapter reflects on the warriors who, upon leaving their master's hall, appear poor and helpless, yet upon returning, they have shed their weapons and carry peace, having left the fruits of their life behind.
Themes in this chapter
Surrender and Egolessness
The warriors drop their weapons and leave behind the fruits of their life, embodying surrender and egolessness.
Freedom and Renunciation
The warriors renounce their arms and achievements, finding peace and freedom in returning to the master.
Characters to notice
- The Poet
Observes the journey of the warriors from and back to the master's hall.
- The Divine
Implied as the master whose hall the warriors serve and return to.
Key passages
“When the warriors came out first from their master’s hall, where had they hid their power? Where were their armour and their arms? They looked poor and helpless, and the arrows were showered upon them on the day they came out from their master’s hall.”
The warriors left the master's hall seemingly powerless, without armor or weapons, appearing poor and vulnerable as they faced attacks.
Highlights the initial state of apparent weakness and humility.
“When the warriors marched back again to their master’s hall where did they hide their power? They had dropped the sword and dropped the bow and the arrow; peace was on their foreheads, and they had left the fruits of their life behind them on the day they marched back again to their master’s hall.”
Returning to the master's hall, the warriors had abandoned their weapons, bore peaceful expressions, and left behind all worldly achievements.
Emphasizes the transformation from armed struggle to peaceful surrender.