Gitanjali · Chapter
XVII explained
The poet explains his apparent neglect of worldly duties and social expectations, revealing that he is deliberately waiting only for love to surrender himself completely into the hands of the divine.
What happens
The poet explains his apparent neglect of worldly duties and social expectations, revealing that he is deliberately waiting only for love to surrender himself completely into the hands of the divine.
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
- Surrender and Egolessness
The poet's entire focus is on giving himself up into the hands of love, letting go of all other pursuits.
- The Pain of Separation and Longing
The waiting and the omissions suggest a deep longing for union with the beloved.
Characters to notice
- The Poet
The speaker who is waiting for love to surrender himself.
- The Divine
The beloved 'his hands' into which the poet wishes to give himself up.
Key passages
“I am only waiting for love to give myself up at last into his hands.”
My sole purpose is to surrender completely to love when the moment comes.
This line is repeated as a refrain, emphasizing the poet's singular devotion.
“They come with their laws and their codes to bind me fast; but I evade them ever, for I am only waiting for love to give myself up at last into his hands.”
People try to constrain me with rules and obligations, but I always escape because I am reserved for love alone.
The poet contrasts societal expectations with his spiritual priority.
