# XCV explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The poet reflects on the mystery of birth and the familiarity of the world, expressing a love for life that extends to death, likening it to a child finding consolation in the mother's other breast.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and Immortality

The poet expresses love for death as well as life, seeing the unknown as familiar in death.

### Beauty of the Ordinary and Nature

The imagery of a bud opening in the forest at midnight and the mother's breast highlights the beauty in natural, ordinary experiences.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

Reflects on the moment of entering life and the familiarity of the world.

### The Divine

Referred to as the inscrutable without name and form, taking the poet in its arms in the form of the mother.

## Key lines

> I was not aware of the moment when I first crossed the threshold of this life.

I did not notice the instant I entered this world.

_Opening reflection on the unconscious beginning of existence._

> And because I love this life, I know I shall love death as well.

Since I cherish living, I am certain I will also cherish dying.

_Expression of acceptance and love for both life and death._

> The child cries out when from the right breast the mother takes it away, in the very next moment to find in the left one its consolation.

A child protests when moved from the mother's right breast, only to be comforted by the left one.

_Metaphor for finding comfort in change, from life to death._

## Links

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