Beauty of thy Light, surround my life-

Beauty of the Light !

I have sacrificed longing and parted from grief,
I can bear thy delight. Dec 2022, Dec 2020

These lines are from Sri Aurobindo's poem "The Golden Light," where he describes his spiritual awakening and transformation
through the divine light.

Context and Analysis:

 "Beauty of thy Light, surround my life": This line expresses the poet's longing for the divine light to permeate every
aspect of his being. He seeks the light's beauty to envelop his life, transforming it into a radiant experience.
 "Beauty of the Light! I have sacrificed longing and parted from grief, I can bear thy delight": Here, the poet declares
his readiness to embrace the divine light. He has undergone a spiritual transformation, relinquishing his earthly desires and
sorrows. He is now prepared to bear the intense joy and illumination that the divine light brings.

Overall, these lines convey a deep spiritual yearning and the ultimate surrender to the divine. The poet's transformation from
a state of longing and grief to one of readiness to embrace the divine light signifies a profound spiritual awakening.

My Counutry !
In thy day of glory past A Beauteous halo circled round thy brow,
And worshiped as a deity thou wast. Dec 2020, Dec 2021, Dec 2019

These lines are from the poem "To India - My Native Land" by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio.

Context and Analysis:

 "My Country! In thy day of glory past": This line sets the stage by addressing the nation directly and acknowledging its
past glory. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and reverence for the country's historical significance.
 "A Beauteous halo circled round thy brow": This line visually depicts the country's former glory and prestige. The
"beauteous halo" symbolizes the nation's divine status and its position as a cultural and spiritual beacon.
 "And worshipped as a deity thou wast": This line further emphasizes the nation's former reverence. It suggests that the
country was not merely admired but also worshipped, indicating its profound influence and spiritual significance.

Overall, these lines paint a picture of India's glorious past, when it was revered and admired by the world. The poet uses vivid
imagery and powerful language to evoke a sense of pride and nostalgia for this bygone era.

These lines are from Henry Louis Vivian Derozio's poem "To India - My Native Land."

Context and Analysis:

 "My Country! In thy day of glory past": This line sets the stage for a nostalgic reflection on India's past glory. The poet is
addressing his country as if it were a person, expressing a deep sense of patriotism and admiration.
 "A Beauteous halo circled round thy brow": This line paints a vivid picture of India's past glory, describing it as a divine
entity adorned with a halo. The imagery suggests that India was once revered and respected by the world.
 "And worshiped as a deity thou wast": This line reinforces the idea of India's past greatness. It implies that India was not
only admired but also worshiped, indicating its cultural and spiritual significance.

Overall, these lines express a profound sense of nostalgia for India's glorious past. The poet laments the decline of the nation
and longs for the restoration of its former glory.

I am Indian, very brown, born in Malabar,

I speak three langauges, write in two, dream in one. Dec 2023, June2019, Dec 2018

These lines are from Kamala Das' poem "An Introduction."

Context and Analysis:

 "I am Indian, very brown, born in Malabar": Here, Kamala Das asserts her Indian identity, emphasizing her racial and
regional origins. The phrase "very brown" is a bold declaration of her identity, defying colonial notions of beauty and
superiority. By specifying her birthplace, Malabar, she connects herself to a specific cultural and historical context.
 "I speak three languages, write in two, dream in one": This line highlights the poet's multilingualism and the complex
interplay of languages in her life. She speaks three languages, writes in two, and dreams in her native language, suggesting
 the rich linguistic tapestry of her identity. This also reflects the influence of colonialism and the dominance of English in
India, as she writes in a language that is not her native tongue.
Overall, these lines celebrate the diversity and complexity of the poet's identity. They challenge the monolithic notion of
Indian identity and emphasize the multifaceted nature of cultural belonging.

These lines are from Kamala Das' poem "An Introduction".

Context and Analysis:
 "I am Indian, very brown, born in Malabar": This line establishes the poet's identity as an Indian woman, specifically
from the Malabar region of Kerala. The emphasis on her brown skin color is significant as it challenges colonial beauty
standards and asserts her pride in her indigenous identity.
 "I speak three languages, write in two, dream in one": This line highlights the poet's multilingualism and the complex
interplay of languages in her life. It suggests that while she can communicate and express herself in multiple languages, her
deepest thoughts and dreams are rooted in her native tongue.

Overall, these lines are a powerful assertion of the poet's identity as an Indian woman. They celebrate her cultural heritage,
linguistic diversity, and the richness of her inner world.

In Madurai City of temples and poets,

Who sang of cities and temples;
every summer
a river dries to a trickle
in the sand. June 2022

These lines are from A.K. Ramanujan's poem "A River".

Context and Analysis:

 "In Madurai City of temples and poets": This line sets the scene in the historical city of Madurai, renowned for its
numerous temples and rich literary tradition.
 "Who sang of cities and temples": This line refers to the poets of Madurai who have traditionally sung praises of the city
and its temples, particularly during the monsoon season when the Vaigai River overflows.
 "every summer a river dries to a trickle in the sand": This line contrasts the poetic idealization of the river with its harsh
reality. It highlights the stark contrast between the romanticized image of the river in flood and its desolate state during the
dry season.

Overall, these lines present a critique of the traditional poetic discourse that often overlooks the harsh realities of life.
Ramanujan's poem challenges the idealized portrayal of the Vaigai River and exposes the gap between poetic imagination and
lived experience.

A poet-rascal-clown was born,

The frightened child who would not eat or sleep,
a boy of meagre bone . Dec2023, June 2021, June 2020

These lines are from Nissim Ezekiel's poem "Background, Casually."

Context and Analysis:

 "A poet-rascal-clown was born": This line introduces the poet himself in a self-deprecating and ironic tone. He portrays
himself as a complex figure, combining the roles of a poet, a mischievous rascal, and a clown.
 "The frightened child who would not eat or sleep": This line reveals the poet's childhood anxieties and insecurities. He
describes himself as a timid and fragile child who struggled with basic needs like eating and sleeping.
 "a boy of meagre bone": This line emphasizes the poet's physical frailty and vulnerability. It suggests that he was a
physically weak child, perhaps due to malnutrition or illness.

Overall, these lines offer a candid and humorous self-portrait of the poet as a child. They highlight his unique personality
traits and his struggles with anxiety and physical weakness.
Life And Death
Life, death, - death, life; the words have led for ages
Our thought and consciousness and firmly seemed
Two opposites; but now long-hidden pages
Are opened, liberating truths undreamed.
Life only is, or death is life disguised, -
Life a short death until by Life we are surprised.

Analysis : Sir Aurobindo ranks among the prominent personalities of modern India. He was an adroit genius. He was a
political revolutionary, historian, educationist, philosopher, yogi and above all, a man of letters, his range is truly vast and
firm. He was a great poet. He was an extraordinary supple intellect, a breadth of mind so extensive that there is scarcely an
important field of human endeavour which escaped his notice. Clearly, he is not an easy poet to comprehend. The modernist
poets have consistently attacked his poetry. In terms of critical responses, no other poet has attracted as much attention as Sir
Aurobindo.

The poem is written in a unique style. It has a quatrain and a couplet. By putting double punctuation after the first “death” the
poet creates a kind of stream of consciousness. The poem becomes a thought. It is internal musings. The dash appears again
before the last line. Therefore, it sandwiches the poem, making the middle lines seem like an aside or a train of thought. The
last word in the first lines, “ages” rhymes with the last word in the third line “pages.” The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which is
iambic pentameter.

The poem is an attempt to reconcile two opposites, Life and Death. The two have been regarded as antinomies for ages, thus
shaping our thoughts; but now it has access to new wisdom. The very first line establishes this very notion. Our thoughts and
consciousness are deeply firmed on this binary. But now “long-hidden pages are opened” freeing truths which are never
dreamed before. The long hidden-truth is “Life only is, or death is life disguised.” “Life only is”asserts that there is no death at
all; everything is only life. If there is death at all, it is merely life disguised, i.e., life itself masquerading as death.

This will change our attitude to life. If there is no death at all, then all of us are immortal. And this would seem to go against
our normal experience. We do see people dying; they are, to all appearances, taken away from our midst forever. Perhaps,
they have passed from one kind of life to another. This is what the second half of the line implies. Death is life disguised; that
what appears to be death is another kind of life.

The poem contains a radical reversal of the relationship between life and death. Earlier, it was death which was sought to be
banished or redefined in terms of life. Now, the life that we consider to be the ultimate reality is itself seen as a sort of death, a
short one, until, we are surprised by another kind of life. If our visions were to expand, surely we might discover that eternity
which nestles in the bosom of time is what the poem says.

Bride of the Fire

Bride of the Fire, clasp me now close, -

Bride of the Fire!
I have shed the bloom of the earthly rose,
I have slain desire.

Beauty of the Light, surround my life, -

Beauty of the Light!
I have sacrificed longing and parted from grief,
I can bear thy delight.

Image of Ecstasy, thrill and enlace, -

Image of Bliss!
I would see only thy marvellous face,
Feel only thy kiss.

Voice of Infinity, sound in my heart, -

Call of the One!
Stamp there thy radiance, never to part,
O living sun.

'Bride of the Fire' is a poem written by Sri Aurobindo, an Indian philosopher, spiritual reformer, poet and a yogi. The poem has
a lot of spiritual significance. The poet invokes the God of Fire, Agni and asks him to embrace his life for eternal pleasure. Agni
is believed to be presiding deity of Vedas. The poet may also be refering to Sun God, Surya.
The poem has stanzas of four lines each. The follwoing is the stanza-wise summary:

Stanza one:
The poem invokes the God of Fire Agni and asks him to embrace him close. 'Bride of Fire' is the consort of fire ie Light. He says
that he is ready to renounce his life as he has 'shed the bloom of earthy rose'. 'Earthly rose' is 'mortal love'. He also says he has
no earthly desire so he is ready to renounce his life.

Stanza two:
The poet calls out to 'Light' which illuminates the earth. She is reffered to as 'Bride of Fire' as she is believed to be the consort
of Agni. He asks her to take him with her as he has now overcome grief and all the earthly emotions.

Stanza three:
The poet is enchanted by the fire and calls her 'Image of Ecstasy' and 'Image of Bliss'.

Stanza four:
The poet promises not to part with the God of Fire. He asks him to continue his radiance and light the world. He invokes Surya,
Sun God, who is also part of Agni, to accept him and embrace his life.

Critical Analysis of Poem “ Bride of Fire”

A few small fragments of those wrecks sublime
Which human eye may never more behold;
And let the guerdon of my labor be
My fallen country ! One kind wish from thee. Dec2023

Reference:-These lines are from the poem "To India - My Native Land" by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio Written in 1828,. In this poem,
Derozio laments the decline of India under British colonial rule and expresses his desire to salvage fragments of India's glorious past.

Explanation:- The line "A few small fragments of those wrecks sublime" refers to the remnants of India's past glory, which Derozio
compares to the fragments of a shipwrecked vessel. These fragments represent the cultural, historical, and spiritual heritage of India that has
been lost or obscured due to colonization.

The line "Which human eye may never more behold" emphasizes the poet's fear that these fragments of India's past may be forgotten or
lost forever. He expresses a sense of urgency to preserve and remember these fragments before they disappear completely.

The line "And let the guerdon of my labor be My fallen country! One kind wish from thee" expresses the poet's hope that his efforts to
preserve India's past will be rewarded with a kind wish from his beloved country. This line reflects the poet's deep love and patriotism for
India, even as he mourns its decline.

Conclusion:- In essence, these lines encapsulate Derozio's passionate plea for India's resurgence. He urges his countrymen to reconnect
with their glorious past and strive for a future filled with dignity and independence. His words continue to resonate, serving as a reminder of
the importance of preserving one's cultural heritage and fighting for national liberation.

That would thy beauty fin, oh fain rehearse,

My Love defend thee from oblivion's curse. Dec2023

Reference:- These lines are from Toru Dutt's poem "Our Casuarina Tree." Written in 1881, it expresses a deep love and nostalgia for her
childhood home and the casuarina tree that stood in its garden.

Explanation:- The lines "That would thy beauty fain, oh fain rehearse, May Love defend thee from Oblivion's curse" convey the
poet's desire to immortalize the tree's beauty and significance. She acknowledges the inevitable passage of time and the threat of oblivion,
which could erase the tree's existence from memory. However, she expresses the hope that the power of love and remembrance will protect
the tree from fading into obscurity.

The use of the word "fain" emphasizes the poet's earnest wish to celebrate the tree's beauty. She longs to describe its unique qualities, its
graceful form, and its ability to evoke strong emotions. By invoking the power of love, she seeks to ensure that the tree's memory will
endure, even as generations pass.

She prays that the tree will be protected from the forces of oblivion, ensuring that its beauty and significance will endure.

These lines reveal the deep emotional connection that the poet shares with the casuarina tree. It represents not only a physical object but also
a symbol of her childhood memories, family, and cultural heritage. By seeking to preserve the tree's memory through her poetry, the poet
hopes to ensure that her own legacy will also live on.

Conclusion:- In conclusion, these lines capture the essence of Toru Dutt's love for her homeland and her desire to immortalize its beauty
through her art. Her poem serves as a timeless tribute to the casuarina tree and a testament to the enduring power of human memory and
imagination.

Thy golden light came down into my feet;

My earth in now thy playfield and thy seat. Dec2023, June 2024

These lines are from Sri Aurobindo's poem "The Golden Light." This poem is a profound expression of a spiritual awakening and a union
with the divine.

In these specific lines, the poet describes a transformative experience where divine light descends upon him, illuminating his physical body
and elevating his consciousness. The phrase "Thy golden light came down into my feet" signifies a grounding of the divine energy into the
physical plane. This infusion of divine light into his feet symbolizes a transformation of his earthly existence.

The subsequent line, "My earth is now thy playfield and thy seat," conveys a sense of cosmic consciousness. The poet's earthly realm,
once a separate entity, now becomes a stage for the divine play, a place where the divine manifests and operates. This line suggests a
profound realization of the divine presence in all aspects of existence, including the mundane.

In essence, these lines capture a mystical experience where the boundary between the individual self and the divine is dissolved. The poet's
physical body becomes a vessel for the divine, and the earthly plane becomes a sacred space for divine manifestation.
I resemble everyone but myself and sometimes see in shop-windows,
despite the well known laws, of optics the portrait of a stranger. Dec2023
These lines are from A.K. Ramanujan's poem "Self-Portrait." In this poem, Ramanujan explores the complexities of identity and the elusive
nature of the self.

The lines "I resemble everyone but myself" convey a sense of both belonging and alienation. Ramanujan suggests that he shares physical
and psychological traits with others, blurring the lines between individual identities. However, he also feels distinct from others, as if he is an
outsider looking in.

The image of seeing a stranger's portrait in a shop window, despite the laws of optics, adds to this sense of disorientation. This visual
paradox highlights the discrepancy between the self that one perceives and the self that is perceived by others. It suggests that our self-
perception may not always align with how others see us. (The subsequent lines, "and sometimes see in shop-windows, despite the well-known
laws of optics, the portrait of a stranger," delve deeper into this theme. The poet describes a surreal experience of seeing a stranger's reflection in a
shop window, despite the laws of optics dictating that he should see his own image. This paradoxical experience further underscores the poet's
struggle to reconcile his perceived self with his external appearance.)

Overall, these lines delve into the complexities of self-identity and the tension between individuality and collective identity. Ramanujan's
poetic exploration invites readers to contemplate their own sense of self and the ways in which it is shaped by both internal and external
factors.

Fishermen's broken sacks by the river Let even starlight slip out From their weak roofs.
A temple stands frail and still In the distance, as though lost in reverie. Dec2023

These lines are from a poem titled "A Village in the Mist" by the Indian poet Kamala Das. The poem paints a vivid picture of a rural Indian
village, capturing its simplicity, poverty, and spiritual aura.

The first two lines, "Fishermen's broken sacks by the river / Let even starlight slip out," highlight the impoverished condition of the village.
The broken sacks symbolize the fragility and vulnerability of the fishermen's livelihood. The image of starlight slipping out of these broken
sacks suggests a sense of loss and deprivation, as even the celestial light cannot fully penetrate the harsh realities of their existence.

The last two lines, "A temple stands frail and still / In the distance, as though lost in reverie," shift the focus to the spiritual dimension of the
village. The temple, though worn and weathered, stands as a symbol of faith and hope. Its stillness and reverie suggest a timeless quality, a
sense of peace amidst the chaos of everyday life.

Overall, the poem evokes a sense of both beauty and hardship, capturing the essence of rural India. It highlights the resilience of the human
spirit, which persists even in the face of adversity. The imagery of the broken sacks and the weathered temple creates a poignant contrast
between the material and the spiritual, inviting the reader to contemplate the deeper meaning of existence.

Life only is, or death is life disguised- Life is short death until by life we are surprised.
June24, June23

These lines are from Sri Aurobindo's poem "Life and Death." In this poem, Aurobindo delves into the profound interconnectedness of life
and death, challenging conventional perceptions of these two states.

The first line, "Life only is, or death is life disguised," suggests that death is not a finality but rather a transformation, a continuation of life in
a different form. It implies that death is a necessary stage in the evolution of consciousness, a transition to a higher plane of existence.

The second line, "Life is short death until by life we are surprised," emphasizes the transient nature of physical life. It suggests that life, as
we commonly experience it, is a limited and often painful existence. However, there is a deeper, more profound dimension of life that can
surprise us, a life that transcends the limitations of the physical body and the constraints of time and space.

In essence, these lines offer a spiritual perspective on life and death, suggesting that true life is eternal and that death is merely a gateway to a
higher reality. Aurobindo's poetry invites us to contemplate the deeper meaning of existence and to embrace the transformative power of
both life and death.