RABINDRANATH TAGORE IN DEPRESSION

Tagore’s Bio

From Gitànjàli

The entire Sky is covered with Sun and Stars / The Universe is full of Souls . / Amongst it I have sung my song . For this , astonishingly my heart has been awakened.’. —- Tagore

“Learning Never Exhausts Mind ” – – – Leonardo da Vinci

Nobel Laureate Indian Poet and Writer Rabindranath Tagore was a great personality and statesman of India as well as in the World . He traveled almost all the important places of this country and aboard, Sometimes more than one time . His childhood days spent in captivity with the firm vigilance of the servants. But he had to practice wrestling everyday in the home. A wrestler was appointed to teach them and he practiced it with his co- wrestler . His physique was bold and steady. Even he was a good looking man. What we see in the picture ,it is his old age photo.

HIS DAILY ROUTINE:

Writing works is not easy done . It is to be done for a long time . Rabindranath was early riser . After morning walk , being refreshed he used to start his writing until bath . After getting lunch , he took rest a bit . Then again he starts writing . Sometimes, people, friends ,students came to visit him in the evening. Music, drama was his most favorite . Occasionally, he ,along with his family members and relatives, friends, even students used to engage in rehearsal of any drama which was written by him like Shyama , Chitrangada ,Bisarjan etc. Besides, when he got the responsibility to look after their Zamindari of East Bengal (now Bangladesh), he had to go there. So, a lot of duties he did .
But this celebrated poet led a lonely life and suffered from frequent bouts of depression – he confessed in a letter to his son, Rathindrana Nath Tagore by his father R. N. Tagore.
In a new biography, eminent Historian , Sabyasachi Bhattacharjee says one of his worst spells of depression came in 1914 , a year after he won Noble Prize in literature.

Multi – talented Tagore


It is known to all that Tagore was a multi – talented writer. He died in 1941 for infection in the Kidney after a major operation by Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy ,the erstwhile Chief Minister of Bengal. Throughout his life Rabindranath enriched the Bengali literature. He wrote in all spheres of literature and also other faculties of fine arts . He composed four thousands poems ,above two thousands songs , 100 and above short stories, dramas , novels, essays, more than two thousands paintings and so on.

TRAGIC INCIDENT IN TAGORE’S LIFE:


It is very tragic that he lost his daughters, son ,wife and father when he was only 45 to 50 years old. So it is very unfortunate for him being detached from the dearest and nearest all these family members. Naturally, he became isolated due to tremendous loss of the son and daughters.

As a result, he was not in a good state of mind for some time. Though he overcame this clouds and started his regular works.

According to the biography, he suffered from bouts in depression that time. In January, 1915 Tagore again speaks of a break down, deep depression, but in February he claimed to have been healed in the solitude of the boat he inhabited on the banks of Padma river in Shilaidaha in Bangladesh – says historian Sabyasachi Bhattacharji in his book ” Rabindranath Tagore: An Interpretation “.

Rabindranath Tagore also wrote in his biography “Jibansmriti ” and “Chelebela ” that he struggled with loneliness from childhood.

” I was very lonely – that was the special feature of my childhood – I was very lonely. I saw my father seldom : he was away a great deal . I was kept in charge of the servants of the home after my mother died ,” — Tagore wrote to a confidant.

Biographer quotes Tagore as having written to a friend that he would sometimes ” pass many months absolutely alone without speaking , till my own voice grew thin and weak through lack of use .” The poet’s loneliness was due to ” disappointment with the support he received from his people , especially the Bengali people , a sense of loneliness in has life as an institution in his life as an institution – builder in a society , and a mindset that was hostile , or at best apathetic .

His memorable song ‘ Ekla Chalo Re ‘ ( If They Answer Not To Thy Call , Walk Alone’ ) was written in 1905 , when he has been distracted in depression.

THE GITA : A MUST- READ BOOK

THE GITA is our holy book – the must read book of Hindus . Anyone irrespective of caste creed and religion can read this valuable words of wisdom . The  spiritual seekers can enrich and enlighten their lives with the knowledge of Gita. 
As a book of scripture, the Bhagavadgita has assumed a position of universal interest. Its teachings have gained appreciation not only in India, but far beyond its borders. I think almost all the God – seekers are aware of this book like Bible and Koran. The is oldest amongst them.  

       WHY GITA IS GREAT ?It’s very difficult to explain its greatness and the highest esoteric doctrines in a small piece of writing . It’s the essence of Vedas . It’s language is so sweet and placid that man can easily understand it after a small practice. Actually, if we read this holy book with utmost devotion, we can be enriched with the knowledge of higher thoughts on spiritual upliftment.

THE GITA AS A MUST GUIDE BOOK

 Gita is the guide book of Hindus who are interested in pursuing the spiritual growth in life. Only one book can change your life if you have to achieve the truth. We know that the Truth is God and the God is Truth. In Gita , the truth of life is being delivered by Sri Krishna as it’s said, ” Sri Krishna Ubacha “. The thoughts in Gita are so deep that none can arrive at their end even after constant study throughout a life – time. Everyday they exhibit new facets of Truth , and therefore they remain ever fresh and new . When scrutinized with a concentrated mind , when attentively read between the two lines , possessed of faith and reverence, every verse of the Gita will clearly appear as full of the deepest mystery.   It will be not unjust to say that the manner in which the Gita describes the virtues, glory and secret of God , is hardly found in any other scriptures of the world .

WHY I AM TELLING SO ?

For in any other books , the teachings are generally mixed up , more or less , with worldly subjects , but the Gita uttered by the God Himself is such an incomparable book that not a single word will be found in it , which is devoid of some spiritual import.  To be continued …# ‘ Mandir ‘# ‘ Winds touch me’# ‘Rabi Thakurer Gaan# ‘The Gospel of Swami Vivekananda and Inspired Talks ‘ # Swami Vivekananda and Narada Sutra# Greens Are Not Safe# Kabita And MeRabindranath Tagore an

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8 comments

  1. DEBASIS NAYAK · November 25Completely agree sir!
    A must read wisdom for all.

His memorable song ‘ Ekla Chalo Re ‘ ( If They Answer Not To Thy Call , Walk Alone’ ) was written in 1905 , when he has been distracted in depression.

” His mind was in turmoil caused not only by the partition of Bengal but also by his failure to gain the attention and support of the mainstream nationalist leaders in the anti – partition, ” – writes Sabbyasachi Bhattacharya .

6 thoughts on “RABINDRANATH TAGORE IN DEPRESSION

  1. There is a fundamental reason for all human beings to experience depression during the entire period of their mortal existence. The man may enjoy the ability called imagination but the imaginative power cannot overcome the reality of hsi dependent existence. From conception, to death, the man needs input of energy from an external source.
    The practices such as meditation may uplift man but won’t uplift the man from the demands of performing the vital function called cellular respiration. The practice called breath control does not give the freedom to get rid of the function called respiration.
    The imaginative power of Tagore was indeed superb and at the same time he became more susceptible to the mood change called depression for he may have recognized the fact of conditioned existence more intensely than the average person who barely uses the faculty of imagination.
    You cannot be well grounded and take off on a flight of imagination at one and the same time.

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