# LXXXVIII explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The poet addresses the deity of a ruined temple, where worship has ceased and the divine presence is neglected. The old worshipper returns with longing, but offerings are no longer made. The deity remains in deathless neglect while new images are built and forgotten.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Pain of Separation and Longing

The old worshipper wanders with longing and hunger in his heart for the deity's favor.

### Death and Immortality

The deity remains in 'deathless neglect' while other images are carried to oblivion.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

The speaker who addresses the deity and describes the scene of neglect.

### The Divine

The deity of the ruined temple, unworshipped and neglected.

## Key lines

> Deity of the ruined temple! The broken strings of Vina sing no more your praise.

God of the abandoned temple, the broken instrument no longer plays songs in your honor.

_Opening lament for the loss of worship._

> Only the deity of the ruined temple remains unworshipped in deathless neglect.

Only the god of the ruined temple endures, forever ignored yet never dying.

_Final contrast between transient human creations and enduring divine neglect._

## Links

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