'Lakshman' by Toru Dutt, 'Deeno Daan' by Rabindranath Tagore, and 'To a Hero-Worshipper' by Sri Aurobindo.pdf

These three poems are very interesting and informative in academic.

1. ‘Lakshman’ a Poem
by Toru Dutt
Prepared By - Rahul Desai
Nanda Chavda
Reshma Bilakhiya

2. Table of Content
1.About Toru Dutt
2.Introduction of Poem
3.Major Themes
4.Summary of the Poem
5.Symbolism
6.Impact on Literary Tradition
7.Cultural Significance
8.Conclusion

3. About Toru Dutt
●Toru Dutt was a poet, novelist, essayist, translator and
polyglot. She was an outstanding pioneer in the history of
Indian literature.
●In the sphere of Indo-English poetry the era of
Renaissance may be termed as the ‘Age of Dutts’ because
the age was dominated by the two sisters Toru and Aru and
renowned poetical man Romesh Chandra Dutt.
●Toru Dutt's work connects Indo-Anglian literature to that of
France, highlighting the importance of considering cultural
contexts when exploring 19th-century women's poetry.
●“When the history of the literature of our country comes to
be written, there is sure to be a page in it dedicated to this
fragile exotic blossom of song” (Dutt xxvii). This sentence is
Edmund Gosse's famous final flourish to his memoir of
Toru Dutt, which introduced her posthumous volume
Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan, published in
1882.

4. Major Works of Toru Dutt

5. Poem
https://allpoetry.com/lakshman
● Click on the link and recite the full poem

6. Introduction of The Poem
●‘Lakshman’ is a mythological poem written by Toru Dutt
and published in 1882.
●It is a ballad in the form of a dialogue between Sita and
Lakshman, based on a scene from the Ramayana.
●In the poem, Sita is determined to save her husband,
Rama, who may be in danger. The poem focuses on a
small section of the dialogue between Sita and Lakshman,
and Dutt uses her diction to highlight Sita's latent fears
and anxieties.
●The poem's background is as follows: Sita is fascinated by
the beauty of a golden deer and wants to get its skin to
decorate her hut.

7. Major Themes
1.Failure :-
The poem depicts a moment of failure for all three characters in the
Ramayana. For example, when Rama is afraid to leave Sita alone in the
dangerous forest to kill a golden deer for her, she accuses Lakshman of
being disloyal to his brother and delaying his help.
2.Loyalty :-
Lakshman has devoted himself to his brother Rama since childhood and
has served him and Sita endlessly.
3.Positivity :-
The narrator talks to nature and himself, expressing that even though
they are surrounded by ill omens, he knows that his brother is safe and
that Ram is the strongest under the sky.

8. Continue…
●Duty vs. Emotion :-
Duty :-
The concept of “duty” is a deep sense of unwavering loyalty
and commitment to one’s brother, Ram, where he readily
accepts and embraces his responsibility to protect him in the
face of danger.
Emotion :-
His constant vigilance, unwavering focus on guarding Rama,
and immediate response to any potential threats exemplify
his unwavering sense of duty. The poem sometimes depicts
Lakshman’s thoughts, revealing his commitment to his role as
protector and his determination to fulfill it.

9. Summary of the Poem
●Based on a story from the Ramayana.
●Rama is deceived by a golden deer, which is actually a
demon.
●The demon mimics Rama’s voice, calling for help.
●Sita panics and asks Lakshman to investigate, though
Lakshman knows Rama is invincible.
●Sita accuses Lakshman of plotting against Rama and
wanting to marry her.
●Lakshman, deeply hurt, agrees to leave but draws a
protective line (Lakshman Rekha).
●He blesses Sita and prays for her safety before departing
with sorrow.

10. Key Symbolic Elements
●Lakshman's vigilance :-
His constant watchfulness over Sita represents the protective
instinct of a devoted brother, even when his actions are
misconstrued.
●Sita's doubt :-
Her suspicion towards Lakshman symbolizes the potential for
misunderstanding and the vulnerability of a woman in a
challenging situation.
●The forest setting :-
The wild, untamed environment represents the dangers and
uncertainties faced by the characters during their exile.
●Lakshman's unwavering loyalty :-
Despite Sita's doubts, his resolute commitment to Ram
underscores the strength of his brotherly bond.

11. Impact on Literary Tradition


❏Bridge Between Western and Eastern
Literature
- Merging of styles and themes from both
traditions.
❏Contribution to Indian English Literary
Movement
- Pushes boundaries of poetic expression
and cultural representation.
❏Influence on Subsequent Poets and
Writers
- Inspires future generations to explore
their cultural narratives.

12. Cultural Significance
❏Reflection of Indian Mythology
-Draws upon the epic tale of the
Ramayana.

❏Exploration of Values
-Emphasis on duty (Dharma),
loyalty, and familial bonds.

❏Representation of Ideal Hero
- Lakshman as a model of
devotion and sacrifice in South
Asian culture.

13. Conclusion
●In the poems of Toru Dutt, the human emotions are seen and felt in a
superlative degree. This poem belongs to Hindu mythology as it has
background to the incident of abduction of Sita by Ravan. Lakshman is
sent forcefully by Sita to aid ram who is supposedly to be shouting but
it was not Ram but Ravan’s ally. Hence whole poem is based on Hindu
mythology. Amid cries of Sita stance of Lakshman is essential to know.
He was following his duty and knew the reality of both Ram and the
forest hence he was right there. But how he felt from the venomous
words of Sita is something went unnoticed which poet has brought
into highlight.

14. Citations
●A. Chapman et al. "INTERNATIONALISING THE SONNET: TORU DUTT'S “SONNET –
BAUGMAREE”." Victorian Literature and Culture, 42 (2014): 595 - 608.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1060150314000163.
●T. Meenakshi. SITA- THE PROTECTED THREAT: A READING OF TORU DUTTS’S POEM
“LAKSHMAN”. Published in 2016. 2395-2636. Accessed 17 August 2024.
http://www.rjelal.com/4.2.16C/900-903%20MEENAKSHI%20T.pdf
●https://ourguruji.in/2023/12/16/critical-appreciation-of-lakshman-toru-dutt/

●https://www.tau.ac.il/~itamarez/works/books/Even-Zohar_1990--Polysystem%20studies.
pdf

●Sharma, Dr. Ambika. “Reflections of the Indian Epic The Ramayana and its Impact on
Indian English Literature.”https://www.allstudyjournal.com/article/1082/5-12-4-777.pdf.

15. ‘Deeno Daan’ a poem by
Rabindranath Tagore

16. ❏Rabindranath Tagore(Gurudev)was a prominent
Indian poet, philosopher, musician, and writer.
(May 7, 1861 -August 7, 1941).
❏Belonged to a distinguished Bengali Brahmin
family and was the youngest of thirteen children.
❏From an early age, he showed a keen interest in
literature, music, and the arts. In 1883, he married
Mrinalini Devi, and together they had five
children.
❏ His family provided crucial support and inspired
many themes in his literary works, making them
an integral part of his creative journey.

Rabindranath Tagore

17. ❏He was a multifaceted personality and made significant
contributions to various fields. Besides his literary
works, Tagore was a leading figure of the Bengal
Renaissance, which was a cultural, social, and
intellectual movement in Bengal during the late 19th
and early 20th centuries.

❏Tagore was the first non- European to be awarded the
Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his book of poems,
"Gitanjali.”

18. Tagore’s major Works

❏ Gitanjali
❏ The Home and the World
❏The Postmaster
❏Chitrangada
❏Kabuliwala

❏Raktakarabi
❏Sadhana
❏Shesher Kobita
❏ Gora
❏Chokher Bali

19. ❏His writing style is renowned for its lyrical beauty, emotional depth,
and philosophical insights. His works often explore themes such as
love, nature, spirituality, human relationships, and the complexities of
life.

❏Tagore's poetic language and use of metaphors are some of the
distinguishing features of his writing.

❏He was not only a prolific poet but also a versatile writer who excelled
in various literary forms, including short stories, novels, plays, and
essays. Tagore's writing often reflects his deep connection to nature
and his profound understanding of human emotions, making his
works universally relatable and timeless.
❏His writing
style

20. Poem
Click on the link to Recite full poem

https://countercurrents.org/2017/03/the-impoverished-gift/

21. ❏“There is no God in that temple”
❏"Deena Dan: The Imprisonment Gift" by Rabindranath Tagore is a captivating
narrative that delves into the profound complexities of human nature, societal
hierarchies, and the interplay of power and compassion.

Theme and Essence of the Poem
❏ The poem presents a confrontation between a king and a sage about true
piety and worship. The king believes that his lavish temple is a testament to
his devotion. The sage, however, represents Tagore's belief that true
spirituality is about helping the needy, not building monuments of pride.


"Deeno Daan: The Imprisonment Gift"

22. Summary of the Poem’s Narrative
1. Setting the Scene: Narottama, a saint, rejects the king’s temple
and prays under a tree, drawing devotees.
2. The King's Challenge: The king confronts the sage about his
refusal to worship in the expensive temple.
3. Crisis of Conscience: The sage reveals the king's neglect of his
subjects during a drought, leading to the death of 20,000 people
while the temple was built.
4. The King's Wrath: Angered, the king banishes the sage, who
peacefully accepts, stating that where God has been abandoned, the
devout should also leave

23. Critical Analysis
Tagore critiques materialism and superficial worship:
- True worship: It is not in wealth but in humble acts of kindness.
- Royal pride: The king's temple is a manifestation of ego, not
devotion.
- Social responsibility: Power and wealth come with moral
obligations toward the welfare of others.

Conclusion
"The Impoverished Gift" serves as a profound reminder of Bhakti
(devotion) and the ethical obligations that come with power and
wealth. Tagore's insistence that God resides with the poor offers a
narrative that challenges readers to rethink the significance of their
gifts and actions in relation to the marginalized.

24. ‘To a Hero-Worshipper' a
poem by Sri Aurobindo

25. Sri Aurobindo

●Original name is Aurobindo Ghose.
●Sri is also spelled as Shri.
●Born on 15th August 1870, in Calcutta,India.
●Died on 5th December 1950, in Pondicherry.
●Sent to England at age 7; graduated from
Cambridge with expertise in Greek and Latin.
●Gained insights into Western civilization and
modern scientific thought.
●Returned to India in 1893, studying Sanskrit,
Bengali literature, Philosophy, and Political
Science.
●A multifaceted figure: freedom fighter, poet,
scholar, yogi, maharishi and philosopher.
●And was a founder of Sri Aurobindo Ashram .

26. His Works
Beyond “The Life Divine,” his major works includes,
●Essays on Gita (1922)
●Collected Poems and Plays (1942),
●The Synthesis of Yoga (1948),
●The Human Cycle (1949),
●The Ideal of Human Unity (1949),
●Savitri : A Legend and a Symbol (1950), and
●On the Veda (1956)

27. Writing Style
●Form: Free verse with varied sentence structures and
enjambement.
●Language: Rich imagery and metaphors, nature and
mythological references.
●Tone: Reflective, oscillating between self-doubt and subtle
confidence.
●Influences: Western Romantic poets (Byron, Wordsworth,
Shelley, Keats) mixed with Indian cultural elements.
●

28. ●Click on the link and recite the full poem

https://auromaa.org/sri-aurobindo-ru/workings/sa/37_02/0024_e.htm

Poem

29. Summary
Stanza 1:
●The speaker feels their poetry is misunderstood and seen as meaningless.
●They compare themselves to famous Western poets like Byron and Shelley,
feeling their own work lacks their power and depth.
●The speaker says they are only repeating old Indian traditions, not creating
something new or powerful.
Stanza 2:
●The speaker looks at nature but doesn’t find deep messages or lessons in it.
●They compare themselves to a nightingale that sings naturally, without thinking
about why, just expressing beauty for its own sake.

30. Critical Analysis
●Insecurity: Speaker feels their poetry is less impactful than
Western poets'.
●Cultural Tension: Conflict between Indian heritage and Western
standards.
●Purpose of Art: Poetry valued for its beauty, not for having a
moral or deeper meaning.
●Nature’s Role: Nature appreciated for its aesthetic qualities, not
hidden messages.
●Instinctive Creation: Art is seen as a natural, spontaneous
expression.

31. Conclusion
●The speaker reflects on feeling inadequate compared to famous
Western poets but embraces their unique connection to Indian tradition.
●They reject the idea that poetry must always carry deep messages,
instead valuing the simple expression of beauty.
●Through the nightingale metaphor, the poem highlights the natural,
instinctive quality of artistic creation, where beauty is enough in itself.
●Ultimately, the speaker accepts that their poetic voice may not be grand
or prophetic but is still valuable for its authenticity and connection to
nature.

32. Citations
●Sri Aurobindo. to a Hero-Worshipper,
auromaa.org/sri-aurobindo-ru/workings/sa/37_02/0024_e.htm. Accessed 09 Sept.
2024.


●“Sri Aurobindo.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 17 Aug.
2024, www.britannica.com/biography/Sri-Aurobindo. Accessed 09 Sept. 2024.