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On the Shores of Eternity: Poems from Tagore on Immortality and Beyond
To realize that death is an illusion, you either have to be very sophisticated or very simple. Tagore was both. I am awed by his use of language, pure crystals of wise innocence. Every word is personal, every word is universal. Those who met Tagore during his eighty years described him as one of the greatest souls of our age; Einstein considered him a sage. From what we learn in these poems, he certainly lived his own words. He kissed the infinite, he was not afraid to lose everything. And in this book, he allows us to approach death not with dusty words but with a silence that washes the soul.
--From the Introduction by Deepak Chopra
In this hauntingly beautiful volume, Deepak Chopra presents new English versions of poems by Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, a lifelong source of inspiration for Chopra and the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
When Tagore writes, "Death, my death / Whisper to me! / For you alone have I kept watch day after day," romantic ecstasy surges through every word. For Tagore the soul was more real than any object, and he sang of death as a joyful voyage home to the eternity from which we sprang. In these poems we experience a dramatic alternative to the fearful Western view of death. Through the magic of Tagore's lyricism we begin to understand that by becoming familiar with death, and watching it grow closer, we can come to live fully in the present moment. As Tagore tells us so eloquently, "If you weep because the sun has gone out / Your tears may blind you to the stars."
--From the Introduction by Deepak Chopra
In this hauntingly beautiful volume, Deepak Chopra presents new English versions of poems by Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, a lifelong source of inspiration for Chopra and the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
When Tagore writes, "Death, my death / Whisper to me! / For you alone have I kept watch day after day," romantic ecstasy surges through every word. For Tagore the soul was more real than any object, and he sang of death as a joyful voyage home to the eternity from which we sprang. In these poems we experience a dramatic alternative to the fearful Western view of death. Through the magic of Tagore's lyricism we begin to understand that by becoming familiar with death, and watching it grow closer, we can come to live fully in the present moment. As Tagore tells us so eloquently, "If you weep because the sun has gone out / Your tears may blind you to the stars."
- GenresPoetrySpirituality
93 pages, Hardcover
First published November 16, 1999
62 people want to read
About the author
Rabindranath Tagore
2,608 books4,281 followersAwarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 "because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West."
Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore (রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী) in the original Bengali are now available at these third-party websites:
http://www.tagoreweb.in/
http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr....
Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore (রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী) in the original Bengali are now available at these third-party websites:
http://www.tagoreweb.in/
http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr....
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 13, 2008
As much as I love Chopra, a translator of poetry he is not. Avoid this translation of Tagore poetry. It will neither endear Tagore to you, nor will it do so for poetry. In fact, if you're new to poetry, it will turn you off.
January 29, 2020
I will share an excerpt from the "Note to the Reader" to illustrate exactly what's wrong with this book...
"Sometimes I have added a new interpretation, introduced rhyme and meter, or substituted metaphors that are more meaningful to our lives today. At other times I inserted an original phrase or two. I also consulted my Bengali friends so they could reassure me that this modern version of the poems not only reflected the mind of Tagore but also portrayed the worldview of one of our most profound wisdom traditions---the Vedic philosophy that spawned the consciousness and genius of Tagore."
If Tagore was such a genius - and he was - then I am at a loss as to why Chopra felt the need not only to tinker with "new interpretations" of the original poems, but to add his own "original phrases". As someone who has read other translations of Tagore, I am at a loss as to why someone would be compelled to do such a thing, as Tagore's work is neither abstruse nor outdated. Perhaps Chopra should've written his own book of poetry.
Also, the translations/interpretations simply aren't very good. True lovers of poetry will not find much inspiration here. Most of the poems are only 2 lines in length, and lack any poetic sensibility.
On the positive side, I thought the introduction was well written. In it, Chopra discusses some Eastern philosophies on death, and how differently Easterners tend to view the subject than Westerners. He also gives a brief, but beautiful, scientific perspective on the nature of death. Why he chose to write about Death is not thoroughly explained and seems strangely incongruous with the halfhearted, inarticulate poetry that follows. If the poems had been left alone, perhaps whatever point Chopra was trying to make about "eternity" and "death" could have been made. As is, this book does not rise above a 1-star rating, in my opinion.
"Sometimes I have added a new interpretation, introduced rhyme and meter, or substituted metaphors that are more meaningful to our lives today. At other times I inserted an original phrase or two. I also consulted my Bengali friends so they could reassure me that this modern version of the poems not only reflected the mind of Tagore but also portrayed the worldview of one of our most profound wisdom traditions---the Vedic philosophy that spawned the consciousness and genius of Tagore."
If Tagore was such a genius - and he was - then I am at a loss as to why Chopra felt the need not only to tinker with "new interpretations" of the original poems, but to add his own "original phrases". As someone who has read other translations of Tagore, I am at a loss as to why someone would be compelled to do such a thing, as Tagore's work is neither abstruse nor outdated. Perhaps Chopra should've written his own book of poetry.
Also, the translations/interpretations simply aren't very good. True lovers of poetry will not find much inspiration here. Most of the poems are only 2 lines in length, and lack any poetic sensibility.
On the positive side, I thought the introduction was well written. In it, Chopra discusses some Eastern philosophies on death, and how differently Easterners tend to view the subject than Westerners. He also gives a brief, but beautiful, scientific perspective on the nature of death. Why he chose to write about Death is not thoroughly explained and seems strangely incongruous with the halfhearted, inarticulate poetry that follows. If the poems had been left alone, perhaps whatever point Chopra was trying to make about "eternity" and "death" could have been made. As is, this book does not rise above a 1-star rating, in my opinion.
April 5, 2021
If you're interested in Tagore and death, you'll enjoy this collection. The whole book can be read in 15 minutes.
Here's my blog, which includes several of the poems, many of which are only two lines' long:
https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/...
Here's my blog, which includes several of the poems, many of which are only two lines' long:
https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/...
May 19, 2024
There is beauty and profundity here, to be sure, but the reader needs to be aware (as I was not when I began reading) that the contents here are -free- translations of the Tagore originals by Deepak Chopra. A skeptical reader may be forgiven for wondering how much of what lies in these pages is Tagore and how much Chopra... (Hence, only 4 stars from me)
January 19, 2023
"Put out the light when you wish
I will know your darkness and love it."
The couplets and monostiches were some of my favorites. This is definitely a collection that feels lost in translation, though, and at times the meaning teeters on sanctimony.
I will know your darkness and love it."
The couplets and monostiches were some of my favorites. This is definitely a collection that feels lost in translation, though, and at times the meaning teeters on sanctimony.
January 28, 2020
"Light reading" Long intro short book.
January 9, 2023
loved this book. the last poem really stood out to me, a reminder that everything works out in the end.
“if you weep because the sun has gone out, you may be blinded to the stars.”
“if you weep because the sun has gone out, you may be blinded to the stars.”
August 21, 2023
as a fellow bengali, I love Tagore but Chopra did take too many liberties with the translation that I did not completely love
June 23, 2016
"Poems that embraces death in all the mystery of it"
A nice collection of poems from the Nobel prize winner Tagore - poems that embraces death in all the mystery of it. I treasured also the introduction (written by Deepak Chopra), which is a nice addition that adds value to the collection, not only with useful information but itself as an inspiring self-sufficient piece. Nice read.
A nice collection of poems from the Nobel prize winner Tagore - poems that embraces death in all the mystery of it. I treasured also the introduction (written by Deepak Chopra), which is a nice addition that adds value to the collection, not only with useful information but itself as an inspiring self-sufficient piece. Nice read.
August 31, 2014
How incredibly beautiful! This was the suggestion of a library patron, and I'm so glad he told me to check it out. This was one of the most beautiful collections of poetry that I have read in a very long time. 5 out of 5!
February 8, 2024
Beautiful collection of poems by Tagore. Each bring about detailed analysis of death and beyond. It’s a perfect piece that brings about comfort to the souls extensive search for something outside of itself. It offers perspective and closure. It offered me a sense of security.
October 16, 2012
Out Standing,,, I would love to meet the Venerable Tagore.
August 1, 2013
very inspirational...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews