# The Tryst and the Shadow Self explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The poet sets out alone for a divine tryst but finds himself accompanied by his own ego, which follows him noisily and shamelessly. He feels ashamed to approach the divine presence with this unworthy companion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Surrender and Egolessness

The poet struggles with his own ego ('my own little self') that follows him, preventing pure surrender at the divine door.

### The Pain of Separation and Longing

The poet's desire for a solitary tryst with the divine is thwarted by his ego, deepening the sense of separation.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

The speaker who seeks a solitary meeting with the divine but is burdened by his own ego.

### The Divine

The lord to whose door the poet wishes to come, representing the sacred tryst.

## Key lines

> I came out alone on my way to my tryst. But who is this that follows me in the silent dark?

I set out by myself to meet you, but someone is following me even in the quiet darkness.

_The poet's solitary journey is interrupted by an unwanted presence._

> He is my own little self, my lord, he knows no shame; but I am ashamed to come to thy door in his company.

This follower is my own ego, which is shameless, and I feel embarrassed to approach you with it.

_The poet identifies the intruder as his own ego and expresses shame at bringing it before the divine._

## Links

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