LitAide

"Leave this chanting" is a poem is the 11th poem in Rabindranath Tagore's famous collection, Gitanjali  (Song Offerings). The spiritual poem argues for the attainment of God's divinity by doing our work with sincerity, probably emphasizes karmayoga.  According to Tagore, God lives not in temples, nor is it the right way to find him through the religious customs. The essence of fulfilling our work or duties is the only path through which one can connect with the supreme being. God is not impressed with being offered with "flowers and incense" or praying in a "holy mantle" i.e. fine clothes, or engaging in religious practices like counting beads. To receive his blessings, one has to be ready to work without complaining about any discomforts. Common people like tillers, labourers, who work with honesty receive grace from the almighty. Tagore is clearly against religious dogmas and superficial practices to attain God.  Explanation The speaker addresses...

"Obituary" is a poem written by a twentieth century Indian was an Indian poet and scholar of Indian literature and linguistics.  In this poem, the speaker writes about his father, who recently died. He notes how his father led a very ordinary life, having no notable achievements and financial success. The poet sheds light on the lives of ordinary people who struggle all their lives, just to survive. Their identity remains same from their birth to death, despite trying to make a name for themselves. Still they like the speaker's father have nothing but debts to pass to the next generation, living in the same old "leaned" house for decades. The speaker stoicaly mentions his father's "several spinal discs, rough, some burned to coal" after his cremation. He also insinuates that passing of not just assets, but responsibilities and customs to their sons, as the son has to take cremated ashes of the father and immerse it into the holy river. The son, it ...