# XVII explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The poet explains his apparent neglect of worldly duties and social expectations, revealing that he is deliberately waiting only for love to surrender himself completely into the hands of the divine.

## Themes in this chapter

### Surrender and Egolessness

The poet's entire focus is on giving himself up into the hands of love, letting go of all other pursuits.

### The Pain of Separation and Longing

The waiting and the omissions suggest a deep longing for union with the beloved.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

The speaker who is waiting for love to surrender himself.

### The Divine

The beloved 'his hands' into which the poet wishes to give himself up.

## Key lines

> I am only waiting for love to give myself up at last into his hands.

My sole purpose is to surrender completely to love when the moment comes.

_This line is repeated as a refrain, emphasizing the poet's singular devotion._

> They come with their laws and their codes to bind me fast; but I evade them ever, for I am only waiting for love to give myself up at last into his hands.

People try to constrain me with rules and obligations, but I always escape because I am reserved for love alone.

_The poet contrasts societal expectations with his spiritual priority._

## Links

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