WHERE THE MIND IS WITHOUT FEAR

This poem in this selection has been taken from his English ‘Gitanjali’. Tagore had deep religious roots and his work reflects profound humanism. He was both a patriot and a global citizen. In the poem, ‘Where the Mind Is without Fear’, Tagore sketches a moving picture of the nation he would like India to be.

A nation where everyone within the fold of the brotherhood is free to hold up one’s head high and one’s voice can be heard without having any apprehension or fear of oppression or forced compulsion. 

He talks about a nation where the knowledge is not restricted by narrow ideas and loyalties! The British rule had robbed India of its pride and dignity by reducing it to a ruined nation. The India of Tagore’s dream is a country where her people hold their heads high with their pride in knowledge and strength born of that knowledge where all countrymen must come out of the age-old philosophy of constricted loyalties of caste, creed and religion. Prejudice and superstitious which narrow the mind and divide people should be a thing of the past.

It should be a nation where the words of truth come out from the depths of the heart and are spoken out courageously in the open for the world to hear. People should work for perfection in the clear light of reason leaving aside all superstitious rituals, beliefs and narrow-mindedness. 

 It should be a nation where everyone is free to toil and work hard for anything they desire either for their own or for the good of the nation. Everyone is encouraged to strive tirelessly till they attain full satisfaction in reaching their goals and perfection. 

It should be a nation where blind superstitious habits of thought and action have not put out the light of reason. Where people’s mind should not dwell in the mistakes of the past nor be possessed by it. On the other hand they should be led by the power of reasoning to be focused on the future by applying logical thought and action. Tagore’s only prayer to the Supreme Ultimate is leading the nation to such an ideal state of heaven. It is only by the universality of outlook and an abiding passion for the realization of great human ideals that India will achieve her true freedom. This way alone she will realize her destiny.

About the Poet

Rabindranath Tagore is to Indians what Shakespeare is to the English.

He founded Shanti Niketan which promotes a different philosophy of teaching. A few of his famous works are Geetanjali, Kabuliwala, etc. He won Nobel Prize for Literature for his work “Geetanjali”.

Where the Mind is Without Fear

Introduction

Poem

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;

Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever- widening thought and action……..

Into the heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

EXPLANATION WITH REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;

Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection.

Word meanings

1. Fragments- pieces

2. Head is held high- self respect

3. Domestic- pertaining to family.

4. Striving – try hard, motivated.

5. Tireless - without getting tired

The poet draws a picture of free India. He dreamt of a country with no boundaries. Tagore prays for the welfare of the country. The poet prays to God that there should be an atmosphere of fearlessness.

Knowledge should be free for all. The country should not be divided into creed and caste. People should speak the truth and be fearless and God blessed to have a perfect life. They should not get tired of working.

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever- widening thought and action..

Into the heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Word Meanings

Stream: river

Dreary: dull

Reason: intellect

Dead habit: old customs

Desert – dry area of land

Awake- to get up from sleep

Explanation:

The poet prays to God that Indians should be logical & progressive in thoughts & actions. They should have the power to reason out the bad and useless customs by guiding people. God should make India and the world a paradise.

Central Idea

This poem is a reflection of the poet’s good and ideal nature. He has utmost faith in God. He prays to God with all his heart that He should guide the countrymen to work hard, speak the truth and take the country forward with a logical approach. Rabindranath Tagore aspires to see the country and his people to be in peace and prosper. He loves his country a lot and wishes for its welfare and growth.