Tagore’s Critique of Materialistic Spirituality

Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore, February 1940

Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore, February 1940

Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “Deeno Daan” beautifully captures the essence of spirituality and critiques the disconnect between outward displays of religious grandeur and genuine spiritual values. The poem emphasizes compassion, love, truth, and peace as the true foundations of a divine home.

The contrast between the opulent temple and the suffering of the subjects during a drought serves as a powerful commentary on the hypocrisy of those who claim religious devotion while neglecting the needs of their fellow human beings. The irony in the king’s devotion to material wealth over spiritual values is highlighted, adding depth to the narrative.

The poem’s conclusion, with the king exiling the saint and the saint urging the king to banish the devout as well, adds a touch of irony and prompts introspection on the true meaning of devotion.

Tagore’s ‘Deeno Daan’ prompts readers to reflect on the interplay between materialism and religious practices, emphasizing the significance of compassionate action in the face of human suffering. The poem’s timeless themes challenge conventional understandings of spirituality, inviting thoughtful consideration of the deeper meanings behind religious rituals. Overall, ‘Deeno Daan’ serves as a powerful and enduring piece that encourages introspection on the true meaning of devotion and the role of materialism in shaping religious values.

 
“There is no god in that temple”, said the Saint.
The King was enraged;
“No God? Oh Saint, aren’t you speaking like an atheist?
On the throne studded with priceless gems, beams the golden idol,
And yet, you proclaim that’s empty?”
“It’s not empty; It’s rather full of the Royal pride.
You have bestowed yourself, oh King, not the God of this world”,
Remarked the saint.
The King frowned, “2 million golden coins
Were showered on that grand structure that kisses the sky,
I offered it to the Gods after performing all the necessary rituals,
And you dare claim that in such a grand temple,
There is no presence of God”?
The Saint calmly replied, “in the very year in which, twenty million of your subjects were struck by a terrible drought;
The pauperized masses without any food or shelter,
came begging at your door crying for help, only to be turned away,
they were forced to take refuge in forests, caves, camping under roadside foliages, derelict old temples;
and in that very year
when you spent 2 million gold to build that grand temple of your’s,
that was the day when God pronounced:
“My eternal home is lit by everlasting lamps,
In the midst of an azure sky,
In my home the foundations are built with the values:
Of Truth, Peace, Compassion and Love.
The poverty stricken puny miser,
Who could not provide shelter to his own homeless subjects,
Does he really fancy of giving me a home?”
That is the day God left that Temple of yours.
And joined the poor beside the roads, under the trees.
Like emptiness of the froth in the vast seas,
Your mundane temple is as hollow.
It’s just a bubble of wealth and pride.’
The enraged King howled,
“oh you sham cretin of a person,
Leave my kingdom this instant’.
The Saint replied calmly,
“The very place where you have exiled the Divine,
Kindly banish the devout too”.
–Rabindranath Tagore

“To explain God after merely reading the scriptures is like explaining to a person the city of Banaras after seeing it only in a map.” Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna

Comments

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  2. Thank you for your sound advice on Tagore’s critique of materialistic spirituality.

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