Poems By Toru Dutt's 'Lakshman', and Rabindranath Tagore's 'Deeno Daan'

 Poems By Toru Dutt's 'Lakshman', and Rabindranath Tagore's 'Deeno Daan'

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This blog is par of thinking activity assigned by Megha Ma'am. 

Toru Dutt:

   Toru Dutt (1856-1877) was a notable Indian poet, novelist, and translator, remembered for her contributions to English literature during the 19th century. Born in Bengal into a prominent Brahmin family, she received a rich education, which was rare for women at the time. Her literary works often reflect her deep appreciation for both Indian culture and European literature. Toru Dutt is best known for her poetry, particularly her collection A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields and her unfinished novel Bianca, or the Young Spanish Maiden. She wrote in English, French, and Bengali, bridging cultures through her literature.

Her poems often explore themes of love, nature, and nostalgia, and they frequently draw upon Indian mythology and landscapes. One of her most famous poems, "Lakshman," reflects her nuanced portrayal of Sita from the Ramayana, offering a perspective that differs from traditional depictions. Tragically, her life was cut short at the age of 21 due to illness, but her work has continued to inspire generations of readers and writers. Toru Dutt is celebrated as one of the first Indian women writers in English, and her legacy remains significant in the field of literature.

Summary of the poem :

  ‘Lakshman’ is a mythological poem written by Toru Dutt and published in 1882. It is a ballad that features a conversation between Sita and Lakshman, based on a scene from the Ramayana. In the poem, Sita is determined to protect her husband, Rama, who might be in danger. The poem focuses on a brief part of the dialogue between Sita and Lakshman, and Dutt uses her choice of words to show Sita's hidden fears and worries. The background of the poem is that Sita is enchanted by a beautiful golden deer and wants its skin to decorate her hut.

Summary of the poem :

In the poem Lakshman, based on the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana, there’s a dramatic scene where Sita and Lakshman have a heart-wrenching conversation in the forest. The poem shows Sita as a real person, someone with human feelings, rather than the divine figure people usually imagine. Here, she has worries and fears, just like anyone else would in such a situation.

The story begins when a demon named Maricha disguises himself as a golden deer to trick Ram and Sita. The demon knows that Sita would want the deer and that Ram, caring for her, would go after it. Once Ram goes deeper into the forest to catch this “deer,” Maricha, while in disguise, cries out loudly, making it sound like Ram is in serious trouble. Sita hears this and immediately feels scared, thinking Ram is hurt and needs help.

She turns to Lakshman, her brother-in-law, and begs him to leave and go help Ram. Lakshman, however, hesitates. Before Ram left, he told Lakshman to stay and protect Sita, knowing that the forest was full of dangers. Lakshman is torn; he doesn’t want to leave Sita unprotected, as per Ram’s instructions, but he also doesn’t want to ignore her pleading.

Seeing that Lakshman won’t go, Sita’s worry turns into frustration and anger. She begins to question Lakshman’s loyalty, even accusing him of not caring about his brother’s safety or her own. She wonders if he secretly wants something bad to happen to Ram so he can keep her all to himself. These accusations are painful and unfair, but they reveal Sita’s fear and helplessness in that tense moment. Lakshman, feeling cornered and helpless himself, is forced to make a tough choice: should he listen to Sita, or follow Ram’s orders? He’s hurt by her accusations, but he understands that she’s only saying these things because she’s so worried for Ram.

This scene shows the complex bond between Sita and Lakshman, bringing out a mix of respect, duty, and pain. Through their conversation, we see not only the struggles they face individually but also the strong traditions and loyalties that guide them. The poem explores these emotions and shows how each of them, in their own way, feels trapped by duty, love, and worry.

Do you think the character of Sita portrayed by Toru Dutt in her poem Lakshman differs from the ideal image of Sita presented in The Ramayana?

In Toru Dutt’s poem Lakshman, Sita’s character is shown in a way that makes her feel incredibly real and relatable, almost like a woman we could meet in everyday life. Unlike the traditional image of Sita as a divine, perfect wife in the Ramayana, Dutt’s Sita is filled with human emotions—fear, anxiety, anger, and desperation. Through her words and actions, we see a woman who is deeply in love with her husband, scared for his safety, and struggling to trust her surroundings.

The poem starts with Sita in a state of panic. She hears cries in the forest that sound like her husband Ram calling for help. Worried that he might be in danger, she immediately asks her brother-in-law, Lakshman, to leave their shelter and go to Ram’s rescue. Her words are filled with urgency:

"Hark! Lakshman! Hark, again that cry!

It is, − it is my husband’s voice!

Oh hasten, to his succor fly,

No more hast thou, dear friend, a choice."

From this opening, we get a sense of her intense love and concern for Ram. Sita isn’t thinking calmly or rationally; she’s so focused on saving her husband that she forgets the dangers around her and insists Lakshman act immediately. This is where Dutt shows us a side of Sita that’s human—someone who worries, panics, and pleads like anyone else might.

Her concern quickly turns into fear and even anger when Lakshman hesitates. She doesn’t understand why he isn’t running to help Ram, and her mind begins to create its own reasons. Driven by worry, she starts accusing Lakshman of having selfish motives. She even suggests that maybe he secretly wants Ram’s power and perhaps even her, thinking:

“…one brother takes

His kingdom, − one would take his wife!

A fair partition!”

These harsh words reveal Sita’s underlying fears. In ancient society, a woman’s well-being was often tied to her husband’s presence, and here, Sita is terrified at the thought of being left alone. Her accusations may sound extreme, but they reflect the fear and vulnerability of a woman who feels powerless and unprotected. Dutt’s Sita isn’t the calm, idealized wife who silently endures; she’s someone who speaks up, questions, and, when desperate, even lashes out.

In many ways, Sita’s suspicions also connect with the traditional view of women’s dependence on men for security. At the time, a widow might be expected to marry her brother-in-law, whether she wanted to or not. Dutt’s Sita seems aware of this, which adds another layer to her accusations. It’s as if, in her moment of panic, she sees herself as vulnerable to being controlled by the men around her.

But rather than react with anger, Lakshman feels hurt and helpless. He is loyal to Ram and respects Sita deeply, so her accusations sting him. Yet, he understands her desperation and chooses not to retaliate. Before leaving, he draws the famous protective line around their shelter, the Lakshman Rekha, saying:

"He said, and straight his weapons took

His bow and arrows pointed keen,

Kind, − nay, indulgent, − was his look,"

This shows that despite Sita’s outburst, Lakshman remains calm and caring, focused on protecting her even as he leaves.

Ultimately, Dutt’s portrayal of Sita is far from the idealized image of the loyal, serene wife we often see in the Ramayana. Here, she is very human—a loving but worried wife, a woman who feels scared and helpless, and someone who isn’t afraid to speak up when she feels threatened. Dutt brings out Sita’s humanity, making her someone we can understand and relate to. Through this portrayal, we see a Sita who, despite her mystical origins, is deeply grounded in earthly fears and emotions, making her a powerful and unforgettable character.

Watch the video below:

  In this video, you can watch an exciting scene where Ram chases a golden deer that magically turns into the demon Marich. Marich pretends to be hurt, using a false voice to trick Sita into thinking Ram is in danger. This leads to a tense conversation between Sita and Laxman, where Sita worries about Ram.

You'll also see the Laxmanrekha scene, where Laxman draws a protective line around their home and warns Sita not to cross it. Finally, the video shows the dramatic Sitaharan scene, where Sita is kidnapped by Ravana. Don't miss this important part of the Ramayana!

What type of social mentality does Rabindranath Tagore present in the poem Deeno Daan?

Rabindranath Tagore:

    Rabindranath Tagore was a famous Indian poet, writer, and musician born on May 7, 1861, in Kolkata, India. He came from a well-known Bengali family and was the youngest of thirteen children. Tagore showed a love for art and literature from a young age and began writing poetry when he was just a child.

He is best known for his collection of poems called Gitanjali, which means "Song Offerings." In 1913, he became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for this work. Tagore’s poetry often explores themes of nature, spirituality, love, and the connection between humanity and the divine.In addition to poetry, Tagore wrote plays, short stories, essays, and songs. He was also a talented musician and composed many songs that are still popular today in Bengali culture. Tagore founded a school called Santiniketan, where he promoted education that emphasized creativity and nature.

He was not only a literary figure but also a social reformer who advocated for Indian independence and cultural pride. Tagore passed away on August 7, 1941, but his legacy continues to inspire people around the world with his beautiful words and ideas about humanity.

"Deeno Daan":

'Deeno Daan' (The Imprisonment Gift) by Rabindranath Tagore is a powerful story that explores the complexities of human nature, social hierarchies, and the balance between power and compassion. The poem shows a confrontation between a king and a hermit about true devotion and worship. The king believes that his grand temple is proof of his faith, but the hermit represents Tagore's belief that true spirituality lies in helping those in need, not in building monuments to one's pride.

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Social Mentality in Tagore's "Deeno Daan":

In his poem Deeno Daan , Rabindranath Tagore presents a critical perspective on social mentality, especially the tendency to value wealth and material grandeur over compassion, empathy, and respect for human dignity. Through a conversation between a king and a hermit, Tagore questions the meaning of true devotion and exposes the flaws in a society that equates power and luxury with righteousness.

The story unfolds with the king proudly introducing his grand temple to the hermit, believing that his wealth reflects his devotion to God. The king feels entitled to the hermit’s admiration, expecting that the temple’s magnificence speaks for his generosity. However, the hermit’s response challenges this notion:

“There is no god in that temple,” said the hermit.

"The bejewelled idol on a bejewelled throne,

You say it’s empty?”

The hermit is not claiming that God doesn’t exist; instead, he argues that true divinity is absent where compassion and humanity are neglected. Tagore uses this moment to question the social mindset that equates material wealth with spiritual fulfillment. The hermit’s perspective implies that true worship of God cannot be achieved by simply building a grand temple, especially if those in power overlook the needs of the poor and suffering.

In response, the king becomes defensive and questions the hermit’s spirituality, accusing him of being “godless.” To the king, the temple he built is proof of his devotion. He says, “A bejewelled idol on a bejewelled throne…,” reflecting the societal belief that a grand structure filled with luxury is inherently sacred. But the hermit criticizes this mindset, suggesting that the king’s pride has clouded his understanding of true spirituality.

The poem continues with the hermit recounting a recent tragedy:

“The year when the fires

Raged and rendered twenty thousand subjects

Homeless, destitute; when they came to your door

With futile pleas for help…”

These lines reveal that the king ignored his people’s cries for help after a devastating fire. Instead of aiding his suffering subjects, he poured his wealth into constructing the temple. The hermit’s story implies that the king’s devotion is hollow because he failed to address the basic needs of his people. This critique reflects a social mentality that values the appearance of piety and prestige over genuine acts of kindness and responsibility. Tagore emphasizes that true devotion is not in a temple built from gold, but in helping others.

The hermit’s words convey a deeper lesson on human dignity and the importance of compassion. He argues that God left the king’s temple to be with the suffering poor, saying:

“At that moment god left

To join the poor in their shelter beneath the trees.”

Through this, Tagore suggests that God resides not in magnificent structures, but among those who suffer and are in need. The hermit implies that if society truly valued human dignity, people in positions of power, like the king, would focus on helping others rather than building lavish monuments to their own status.

This message is still relevant today, especially when we see modern examples where material wealth is prioritized over the well-being of people. For instance, large-scale religious structures or monuments are sometimes built with substantial resources, while poverty and displacement affect countless individuals in surrounding areas. This pattern of valuing symbols over substance mirrors the king’s actions in the poem and the social mentality Tagore critiques.

Finally, Deeno Daan calls into question the societal value placed on wealth as the ultimate indicator of worth. Through the humble hermit, Tagore argues for a mindset that treasures simplicity, humility, and kindness over luxury and grandeur. The poem highlights that true respect for human dignity arises not from displays of wealth, but from actions rooted in compassion and empathy. In Deeno Daan, Tagore’s portrayal of the king and the hermit challenges us to reconsider what we value as a society, urging us to recognize that real spirituality is found in our compassion and connection with others, especially the less fortunate.

You can also visit this slideshare, which is made by our classmates:

'Lakshman' by Toru Dutt, 'Deeno Daan' by Rabindranath Tagore, and 'To a Hero-Worshipper' by Sri Aurobindo.pdf from Department of English

Thank you for visit 😀