Gitanjali · Chapter
XVI explained
The poet reflects on having received life's invitation and fulfilled his role at the world's festival, now asking if the time has come to see the divine face and offer silent salutation.
What happens
The poet reflects on having received life's invitation and fulfilled his role at the world's festival, now asking if the time has come to see the divine face and offer silent salutation.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional peak occurs when the speaker surrenders to "glad humiliation" and "dim delight," abandoning the…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Death and Immortality
The poet contemplates the end of his worldly participation and the transition to a silent, eternal meeting with the divine.
- Surrender and Egolessness
The poet's readiness to offer silent salutation reflects a humble surrender after fulfilling his duty.
Characters to notice
- The Poet
The speaker who has played his part at life's feast and now seeks divine audience.
- The Divine
The one whose face the poet longs to see and to whom he offers silent salutation.
Key passages
“I have had my invitation to this world’s festival, and thus my life has been blessed.”
I have been called to participate in the celebration of life, and that has been a blessing.
The poet acknowledges the gift of existence as an invitation to a grand celebration.
“Now, I ask, has the time come at last when I may go in and see thy face and offer thee my silent salutation?”
Now I wonder if it is finally time to enter your presence and greet you in silence.
The poet seeks permission to transition from worldly action to divine communion.
