[Gutenberg 7164] • Gitanjali

How is this book unique?

Original but the word for offering, anjali, has a strong devotional connotation, so the title may also be interpreted as "prayer offering of song".

Some poems involve themes related to nature, but here, too, the spiritual is subtly present,as in this poem (no. 57):

Light, my light, the world-filling light, the eye-kissing light, heart-sweetening light!

Ah, the light dances, my darling, at the centre of my life; the light strikes, my darling, the chords of my love; the sky opens, the wind runs wild, laughter passes over the earth.

The butterflies spread their sails on the sea of light. Lilies and jasmines surge up on the crest of the waves of light.

The light is shattered into gold on every cloud, my darling, and it scatters gems in profusion.

Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf, my darling, and gladness without measure. The heaven's river has drowned its banks and the flood of joy is abroad.