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Let only that little be left of me whereby I may name thee my all.
Let only that little be left of my will whereby I may feel thee on every side, and come to thee in everything, and offer to thee my love every moment.
Let only that little be left of me whereby I may never hide thee.
Let only that little of my fetters be left whereby I am bound with thy will, and thy purpose is carried out in my life - and that is the fetter of thy love.
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| Gitanjali Poem no. 34 |
Summary
Here, the poet prays to God to take away all the baser and lower parts of his being. The poet prays to God that only that little part of him be left that would be devoted completely to God. Then he prays that only that small portion of his will be left which would allow him to see and feel God on every side, so that he could come to God in everything and offer his love and prayer to God at every step. He prays that only that part be left so that he is never able to hide from God.
He also prays that all his ties be taken away and only that part be left that would bound him to God, and his will so that God's purpose is carried out in the poet's life and this purpose be only tie of God's love.
Critical Analysis
Tagore here talks about God and his love and devotion for God from a new aspect. Here he prays to God to take away all that part of his material existence and let only that portion or part be left that would be completely and totally devoted to God. He wants God to take away all his material desire and all his worldly longings and yet have just so much that is needed to love and serve God. Tagore here, thus advocates that man should leave his worldly and material longings, desires and attachments but doesn't advocate complete asceticism, he does want to retain some part, and this part is necessary to maintain a relationship with God.
Tagore calls upon God to take away all that part of his material being, all that part of his will and that of his attachments and leave only that which is needed to love God. He thus prays that all that is evil and wicked be removed and only love and devotion be left.
Annotation
Left of me: all the material and worldly part of his life. Will: Man's will, his power of choosing or determining. Fetters: chains. Thy will: God's power. Thy purpose: God's intention.