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Summary: A taste of spiritual honey from a giant of world literature
Review: "Gitanjali" is a collection of prose poems by Indian author Rabindranath Tagore. The Dover Thrift Edition contains an introductory note on the life of Tagore, who lived from 1861 to 1941. According to this note, Tagore, who wrote poetry in Bengali, translated "Gitanjali" himself into English. The Dover edition also contains a 1912 introduction by William Butler Yeats.This English version of "Gitanjali" is a series of prose poems that reflect on the interrelationships among the poet/speaker, the deity, and the world. Although Tagore had a Hindu background, the spirituality of this book is generally expressed in universal terms; I could imagine a Christian, a Buddhist, a Muslim, or an adherent of another tradition finding much in this book that would resonate with him or her. The language in this book is often very beautiful. The imagery includes flowers, bird songs, clouds, the sun, etc.; one line about "the riotous excess of the grass" reminded me of Walt Whitman. Tagore's language is sensuous and sometimes embraces paradox. Like Whitman and Emily Dickinson, he sometimes seems to be resisting traditional religion and prophetically looking towards a new spirituality. A sample of Tagore's style: "I surely know the hundred petals of a lotus will not remain closed for ever and the secret recess of its honey will be bared" (from section #98). As companion texts for this mystical volume I would recommend Jack Kerouac's "The Scripture of the Golden Eternity" and Juan Mascaro's translation of the Dhammapada.
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Summary: Exquisite Verse
Review: Although this book cannot be considered genuine poetry the way it is -- the author admitted himself that he had translated the Bengali verse into English prose -- it is still among the most poetic and sweetest lyrics that we have in English today; what one migh call a "prose poem". These verses seem innocent, fresh, full and full of wonder -- spirituality at its best. Most of the songs in the book are religious in nature, but so tender that they are almost ecstatic. Rabindranath is totally naked here -- there is a vulnerability and a sincerity of emotion that is genuinely touching. The poet seems to see the whole world with the eyes of a child, full of inexpressible wonder and ineffable sweetness. It is as though Rabindranath has unconvered the art of seeing the sacred in everyone and everything. This is one of the greatest collections of poetry that I have ever seen. Each poem almost brought me to tears -- I can see why it affected Yeats so much. This volume is a rare and radiant jewel.
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Summary: A must have for any poet or poetry lovers library
Review: As I read this book I folded my favorite pages back only later did I realize that I should have folded back the ones that did not touch me as they are fewer. This book is my personal favorite.
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Summary: Collection of Profound yet simple verses
Review: Each of these verses have to be carefully assimilated. Though the choice of words is simple and elegant, the meaning conveyed is very profound and relevant to life and religion. A must read collection.
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Summary: lovely plethora of Indian wisdom
Review: Gitanjali is a sweet collection of poems and songs from Nobel Prize winning poet Rabindranath Tagore. These are songs that touch on love, faith, truth, life in general. Tagore has written from the heart. The wisdom contained in these works is startling. This is Eastern poetry that is a wonder to behold. Tagore embraces the personal as well as the universal. He encourages his people to transcend. I refer to this book variably over the years. Its alluring beauty has not faded in any way.
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Summary: Religious Epiphany
Review: Gitanjali is quite an emotional and spritual awakening. The poem is written in "vers libre" or as ignorant people like to call it "free verse". This free verse turned me aside at first but this use of vers libre actually allows for a freedom of writing. Tagore also uses such symbolism as lotus flowers to express his feelings about pride and how he despises pride. It is a spiritual epiphany because it shows you the consequences of Hindu law and India's social system. At the end of the book the reader is enlightened to know that God is not in a church or temple but he lives on in man's souls. Tagore also expresses the unapreciated beauty of India and its beauty of culture. I highly recommend this if you are especially in need of spiritual and emotional uplifting.
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Summary: Religious Epiphany
Review: Gitanjali is quite an emotional and spritual awakening. The poem is written in "vers libre" or as ignorant people like to call it "free verse". This free verse turned me aside at first but this use of vers libre actually allows for a freedom of writing. Tagore also uses such symbolism as lotus flowers to express his feelings about pride and how he despises pride. It is a spiritual epiphany because it shows you the consequences of Hindu law and India's social system. At the end of the book the reader is enlightened to know that God is not in a church or temple but he lives on in man's souls. Tagore also expresses the unapreciated beauty of India and its beauty of culture. I highly recommend this if you are especially in need of spiritual and emotional uplifting.
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Summary: Such Beautiful and Original Poems
Review: Gitanjali, by the great Indian Nobel Prize-winning-poet Rabindranath Tagore, is a beautiful collection of spiritual prose-poems. It is extrememly interesting when read from a Christian perspective. The poems are all written to one transcendant God and are almost all somewhat Biblical in their phrasings and images. The poems celebrate the absolute joy of being created: "I have had my invitation to this world's festival, and thus my life has been blessed." They also celebrate the many simple joys of life. Some poems of Gitanjali are apt explanations of the "problem of pain." Tagore's assertation that God's spirit is not most evident in a worship service but in the way man reacts to others is very important. The primary thing expressed by Tagore is exactly the same thing expressed by Christianity: love for God and love for humanity should be central to life. I do not know much about Rabindranath Tagore's life. I have only read some of his poetry. Though it comes from a vastly different world-view from that of my own, much of the thought he expresses is similar to my own, and it enlightens my own. Tagore's language is also so moving and beautiful. Gitanjali is a masterpiece which I would like to see read more often.
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Summary: Sublime verse..
Review: Gives a glimpse into the Nobel laureate's soul and his depth of feeling. The best verse I've read in my life...immensely moving !
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Summary: pure devotion, pure poetry
Review: How often do you find pure devotion to God with no trace of dogma? Pure devotion is what you will find in Gitanjali. Tagore didn't do dogma. It just wasn't in him.
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