Gitanjali · Chapter
XCII explained
The poet contemplates the end of life and the loss of earthly sight, yet finds that the thought of death breaks the barrier of moments and reveals the divine world's true treasures—the lowliest and meanest things that were once spurned and
What happens
The poet contemplates the end of life and the loss of earthly sight, yet finds that the thought of death breaks the barrier of moments and reveals the divine world's true treasures—the lowliest and meanest things that were once spurned and overlooked.
Themes in this chapter
Death and Immortality
The poet meditates on the end of life and the eternal perspective gained through death.
Beauty of the Ordinary and Nature
The poet recognizes the rare value of the lowliest seat and meanest life, which were previously overlooked.
Characters to notice
- The Poet
Reflects on mortality and the transient nature of earthly life.
- The Divine
The poet sees the divine world through the light of death.
Key passages
“I know that the day will come when my sight of this earth shall be lost, and life will take its leave in silence, drawing the last curtain over my eyes.”
I am aware that eventually I will die and lose all perception of this world.
The poet acknowledges the inevitability of death.
“When I think of this end of my moments, the barrier of the moments breaks and I see by the light of death thy world with its careless treasures.”
Contemplating my death shatters the illusion of time and reveals the divine world's freely given treasures.
Death provides a transcendent perspective.
“Let me but truly possess the things that I ever spurned and overlooked.”
May I truly appreciate the humble things I once ignored or rejected.
The poet desires to value the overlooked aspects of life.