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

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

Hello readers,

This blog is written as part of an assignment from Megha Ma'am in the Department of English at MKBU. In it, I discuss two poems, Lakshman and Deeno Daan, where I have answered the questions given as part of the task.

Q-1: Write a critical note on ‘Lakshman’ by Toru Dutt.

Toru Dutt's poem Lakshman retells a well-known moment from the Ramayana, focusing on Sita’s abduction and the golden deer scene. The poem centers on a tense conversation between Sita and Lakshman. When Ram goes after the golden deer, it cries out in his voice as it dies, making Sita fear that Ram is in danger. However, Lakshman, confident in Ram’s strength, doesn't believe he’s in trouble, but Sita becomes anxious.

In Dutt’s retelling, the characters appear a little different from their usual portrayals. Lakshman, who is often known for his quick temper, is shown as calm and patient, while Sita, who is typically gentle, becomes upset and says things that deeply hurt Lakshman. She even goes so far as to accuse him of wanting Ram to die so he could marry her, which is unfair given all that Lakshman has sacrificed for Ram.

In this version, Lakshman takes on a more central role. He is caught between two tough choices: either follow Ram’s command to stay and protect Sita or leave to help Ram as Sita demands. Even after hearing Sita’s cruel accusations, Lakshman remains composed and chooses to forgive her, understanding that her words come from a place of fear.

Although Lakshman is hurt by Sita’s words, he doesn’t let it affect him. He knows she’s acting out of worry, so he accepts the pain without responding in anger. The poem portrays Lakshman as a compassionate and strong character, aware of the situation but unable to change it, which adds to the tragedy of his role.

Q-2. What type of social mentality does Rabindranath Tagore present in the poem Deeno Daan?

In Deeno Daan (The Alms of the Poor), Tagore touches on themes like power, compassion, and human dignity, pushing us to think about how society works. Through a conversation between a king and a hermit, the poem highlights the moral questions surrounding authority and charity, while pointing out the inequalities in society. Tagore emphasizes that every person, whether rich or poor, has a natural dignity. He critiques how society often values wealth and status, creating a divide between people.

Tagore, one of India’s most famous poets, came from a prominent Bengali Brahmin family. His love for literature, music, and art shaped his writings, which often express spiritual and humanistic ideas. In Deeno Daan, Tagore shows his discomfort with institutionalized religion, suggesting it often misses the true needs of people. In the poem, a priest tells the king that God lives among the poor, not in the grand temple the king has built. This exposes how wealth is often used to display power, while the needs of the poor are ignored.

The message Tagore conveys is that true divinity is found in compassion and unity. God, according to the poem, is with the oppressed, not in grand symbols of wealth and power. The beggar’s small act of giving highlights human equality, while the king’s lavish donations fail to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. The poem challenges the idea that wealth defines a person’s worth, showing that small, sincere actions are more meaningful than large, empty gestures that only reinforce social divisions.

Both Lakshman and Deeno Daan explore deep human relationships. While Lakshman focuses on the conflict between duty and personal feelings, Deeno Daan raises questions about charity when it’s motivated by power rather than genuine compassion. Both poems encourage us to reflect on loyalty, responsibility, and the true meaning of generosity.