# XXVII explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The poet cries out for light in the darkness, yearning to kindle the flame of desire and love. Amidst storm and night, he senses the divine call to a love-tryst and urges his heart not to let the hours pass in vain.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Pain of Separation and Longing

The poet's desperate cry for light and the sense of being separated from the divine in the darkness.

### Divine Love and Devotion

The call to the love-tryst and the kindling of the lamp of love with life itself.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

The speaker who desperately seeks light and responds to the divine call in the darkness.

### The Divine

The wakeful lord who calls the poet to the love-tryst through the night.

## Key lines

> Light, oh where is the light? Kindle it with the burning fire of desire!

Where is the light? Ignite it with the intense fire of longing!

_The poet expresses urgent need for illumination through passionate desire._

> Ah, death were better by far for thee!

Death would be far better for you!

_The poet considers death preferable to living without the light of divine presence._

> Kindle the lamp of love with thy life.

Light the lamp of love using your very life as fuel.

_A final exhortation to sacrifice oneself for divine love._

## Links

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