Gitanjali · Chapter
XXIII explained
On a stormy night, the poet anxiously awaits the arrival of a beloved divine presence, peering into the darkness and wondering about the path the divine must travel to reach him.
What happens
On a stormy night, the poet anxiously awaits the arrival of a beloved divine presence, peering into the darkness and wondering about the path the divine must travel to reach him.
Themes in this chapter
The Pain of Separation and Longing
The poet's sleepless night and anxious waiting express deep longing for the divine beloved.
Divine Love and Devotion
The stormy night is framed as a journey of love, with the poet's devotion shown through his vigil.
Characters to notice
- The Poet
The speaker who waits and watches through the stormy night.
- The Divine
The beloved friend journeying through the storm.
Key passages
“Art thou abroad on this stormy night on thy journey of love, my friend?”
Are you out in this stormy night traveling for love, my friend?
The poet addresses the divine directly, imagining a love-driven journey through the storm.
“Ever and again I open my door and look out on the darkness, my friend!”
Again and again I open my door and gaze into the darkness, my friend!
The poet's repeated action shows his restless anticipation.
“I wonder where lies thy path! By what dim shore of the ink-black river, by what far edge of the frowning forest, through what mazy depth of gloom art thou threading thy course to come to me, my friend?”
I wonder where your path is! Along what dark riverbank, past what distant forest edge, through what tangled depths of darkness are you making your way to reach me, my friend?
The poet vividly imagines the difficult and mysterious route the divine must take.