# XV explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The poet declares his purpose is solely to sing songs for the divine, occupying a humble corner in the divine hall. He describes his life as useless and purposeless except for breaking into tunes, and asks to be called to sing during silent worship at midnight and when the morning harp is tuned.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Love and Devotion

The poet's entire purpose is to sing songs for the divine, expressing devotion through music.

### Surrender and Egolessness

The poet accepts a corner seat and a useless life, surrendering his will to the master's command.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

The speaker who offers his songs to the divine, acknowledging his own uselessness and corner seat.

### The Divine

The master who owns the hall and commands the poet's singing.

## Key lines

> I am here to sing thee songs. In this hall of thine I have a corner seat.

My sole purpose is to sing for you, and I occupy a humble place in your presence.

_The poet emphasizes his humble role and dedication to singing for the divine._

> my useless life can only break out in tunes without a purpose.

My life, which seems purposeless, finds expression only through spontaneous music.

_The poet sees his life as having no worldly function, only musical outpouring._

## Links

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