Rabindranath Tagore's 'Where the Mind is Without Fear'

Poem Background

• The poem "Where The Mind is Without Fear" is a translation of the original Bengali poem "Chitto Jetta bhoyshunyo" by Rabindranath Tagore.

Original Publication

• The Bengali poem was published in 1910 as part of Tagore's collection of poems, "Gitanjali".

English Translation

• Tagore translated the poem into English in 1911 at William Rothenstein's request.
• The English translation was published in 1912 by the Indian Society of London as poem No.35 in "The English Gitanjali".

Public Reading

• Tagore read the English translation aloud at a meeting of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta in 1917, where it was known as "Indian Prayer".

Popularity

• The poem is commonly found in textbooks.
• The original Bengali poem, "Chitto Jetha Bhoyshunyo", is popular among liberals in Bangladesh.

Poem Overview

• "Where The Mind is Without Fear" is a poem by Rabindranath Tagore, originally written in Bengali as "Chitto Jetha Bhoyshunno".
• The poem has 11 lines, not divided into stanzas, but rather into meaningful sections for easier understanding.

Idealized Vision of India

• The poet envisions an India where citizens are bold and confident, living without fear.
• Knowledge should be accessible to all citizens, regardless of race or class.
• The poet advocates for unity among India's regions and people, fighting together against common enemies.

Truth and Self-Perfection

• The poet encourages citizens to always speak the truth, without deception, and strive for self-perfection.
• He uses the metaphor of a water stream to represent the path to self-perfection, unobstructed by obstacles.

Critique of Superstition

• The poet laments that the "stream of reason" is lost in the "sand of habit", implying that Indians do not question their superstitions using logic.
• He wants citizens to break free from habitual superstitions and think critically.

Appeal to God

• The poet addresses God directly, asking for guidance to broaden the thoughts and actions of Indian citizens.
• He envisions an India transformed into a heaven, where citizens are free, if they follow a path guided by reason and truth.

Analysis of the Poem

• The first line of the poem, "Where the mind is without fear, and the head is held high", refers to the freedom from fear inculcated by British rule, and the poet's vision of India where people live dignified lives.
• The poet sees freedom as a state where the mind is fearless and the head is respected and held high.
• The line "Where knowledge is free" suggests that independence will allow people to learn and become independent, which was restricted under British rule.

Critique of British Rule

• The British adopted the "divide and rule" strategy, creating rivalries among different sections of society.
• The term "narrow domestic walls" refers to barriers built based on race, religion, caste, and faith, as well as superstitions that ruled the community.

The Poet's Vision

• The poet wants people to live with complete and honest intent, as implied by the line "Where words come out from the depth of truth".
• Everyone should strive for perfection, or the status of an ideal country, as indicated by the personified term "tireless striving".
• The poet envisions a country where reason is unclouded, honorable, honest, and free of corruption, as described by the metaphor "clear stream of reason".
• He criticizes societal evils like irrational customs that defy logic and reason, referred to as "dreary desert sand of dead habit".

The Poet's Plea

• In the last three lines, the poet asks the Almighty to guide and support him in his quest for independence.
• He wants his fellow citizens to be encouraged by their noble thoughts and actions.
• Freedom is likened to heaven, and God is referred to as the Father, with the poet asking Him to awaken His people and help them reach this glorious place.

Explore the background and translation of Tagore's famous poem, originally written in Bengali as 'Chitto Jetha Bhoyshunyo', and its publication in English as part of the Gitanjali collection. Learn about the poet's work and its significance.