"Prayer for Strength" by Rabindranath Tagore
About the Author
Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941)
Rabindranath Tagore was a renowned Indian poet, writer, composer, and philosopher. Born in Bengal, he played a significant role in shaping modern Indian literature and culture. Tagore was the first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, Gitanjali (Song Offerings).
He was a multifaceted genius who contributed to various fields, including poetry, short stories, plays, essays, and music. His literary works often focused on themes of spirituality, humanism, and patriotism. Apart from being a writer, he was also a social reformer and educationist, founding Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan to promote education based on Indian traditions and global knowledge.
Tagore’s influence extended beyond literature; he composed India’s national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and inspired many with his vision of a world united by love and understanding. His works continue to inspire generations worldwide, making him one of the greatest literary figures of all time.
Poem Text:
This is my prayer to thee, my Lord — strike,
Strike at the root of penury in my heart.
Give me the strength lightly to bear my joys and sorrows.
Give me the strength to make my love fruitful in service.
Give me the strength never to disown the poor or bend my knees before insolent might.
Give me the strength to raise my mind high above daily trifles.
And give me the strength to surrender my strength to Thy Will with love
Poem Analysis:
The poet implores God to make his heart strong enough to bear joys and sorrows. He also prays to grant him the strength to help the poor and to make his mind free from everyday issues. At last, he prays to his Lord to give him strength to submit his whole being to His Will.
Glossary:
- Penury: Extreme poverty; (here) hardheartedness, lacking love and compassion.
- Fruitful: Bearing abundant fruit; producing results.
- Insolent: Disrespectful, rude.
- Might: Power.
- Trifles: Things of little value or significance.
- Thee: You (old use).
- Disown: To not own.
- Thy: Your (old use).
- Surrender: To yield; to give up.
Line-by-Line Explanation of the Poem "Prayer for Strength" by Rabindranath Tagore
1. "This is my prayer to thee, my lord—strike, strike at the root of penury in my heart."
The poet begins by addressing God and offering a heartfelt prayer.
He asks God to remove the "penury" (poverty) in his heart. Here, "penury" does not refer to material poverty but rather a lack of kindness, love, and compassion.
He wants God to eliminate selfishness and fill his heart with generosity and empathy.
2. "Give me the strength lightly to bear my joys and sorrows."
The poet prays for strength to handle both happiness and sorrow with ease.
He does not want to be overwhelmed by joy or crushed by sorrow but instead remain balanced in both situations.
This reflects the spiritual idea of equanimity—staying calm and steady in all circumstances.
3. "Give me the strength to make my love fruitful in service."
The poet asks for strength to turn his love into meaningful actions.
He believes that love should not just be a feeling but should manifest as service to others.
This shows his commitment to selflessness and helping humanity.
4. "Give me the strength never to disown the poor or bend my knees before insolent might."
He prays for courage to always stand by the poor and needy.
He seeks the strength to never ignore or abandon those who are suffering.
Additionally, he asks for the strength to resist oppression and not surrender before the arrogant or powerful forces in society.
5. "Give me the strength to raise my mind high above daily trifles."
The poet asks for wisdom to rise above petty concerns and trivial matters.
He wants to focus on greater and more meaningful aspects of life rather than being distracted by minor or materialistic issues.
6. "And give me the strength to surrender my strength to thy will with love."
Finally, the poet prays for the ultimate strength—to surrender himself completely to God’s will.
This means he seeks the ability to trust God and accept whatever comes his way with love and faith.
He does not want to rely solely on his own power but rather submit to the divine purpose with humility and devotion.
Summary of the Poem "Prayer for Strength"
The poem Prayer for Strength by Rabindranath Tagore is a heartfelt plea to God for inner strength and moral courage. The poet does not ask for wealth, power, or material success but instead prays for the ability to endure life’s joys and sorrows with dignity. He seeks strength to serve others selflessly, support the poor, and resist oppression. He also asks for wisdom to rise above trivial concerns and the humility to surrender to God’s will with love and faith. The poem reflects deep spirituality, humanism, and the poet’s commitment to moral values.
Central Idea of the Poem
The central idea of Prayer for Strength is the poet’s desire for moral and spiritual strength rather than material wealth or power. He emphasizes compassion, resilience, selfless service, and devotion to God. The poem teaches that true strength lies in helping the weak, standing against injustice, maintaining inner peace, and surrendering to divine will with love and faith. Through this prayer, Tagore highlights the importance of virtue, humility, and dedication to humanity.
Thinking About the Poem – Answers
1. Why does the poet want God to strike at his heart?
The poet asks God to strike at his heart to remove the "penury" (poverty) of love and compassion. He wants his heart to be filled with kindness and selflessness rather than selfishness and greed.
2. What does the poet want the strength for?
The poet wants strength to endure both joys and sorrows, to serve others with love, to support the poor, to resist oppression, to rise above trivial matters, and to surrender to God’s will with faith and love.
3. How can love be made meaningful in one’s life?
Love becomes meaningful when it is expressed through actions—by helping others, serving humanity, and showing kindness and compassion rather than just feeling love in words or emotions.
4. What should be our attitude towards the poor?
We should never ignore or disown the poor. Instead, we should support and help them with kindness and empathy, treating them with respect and dignity.
5. What does ‘bend my knees’ signify?
"Bend my knees" signifies submission or surrender. The poet prays for the courage not to bow before arrogance, oppression, or unjust power but to stand firm with dignity and righteousness.
Poetic Devices in "Prayer for Strength" by Rabindranath Tagore
1. Repetition
The phrase "Give me the strength" is repeated multiple times to emphasize the poet’s earnest plea to God.
The word "strike" is also repeated for emphasis.
2. Metaphor
"Strike, strike at the root of penury in my heart"
"Penury" (poverty) here is a metaphor for a lack of love and compassion rather than material poverty.
"Make my love fruitful in service"
Love is metaphorically compared to a fruit-bearing tree, implying that love should lead to meaningful actions.
3. Alliteration
"Give me the strength lightly to bear my joys and sorrows."
The repetition of the 's' sound creates a rhythmic effect.
"Bend my knees before insolent might."
The repetition of 'b' sound adds to the musical quality of the poem.
4. Symbolism
"Bend my knees before insolent might" symbolizes submission to unjust power, which the poet prays to resist.
"Raise my mind high above daily trifles" symbolizes spiritual growth and detachment from worldly distractions.
5. Imagery
The poet uses vivid mental pictures to make his prayer more powerful:
"Strike at the root of penury in my heart" – creates an image of a deep-rooted issue being removed.
"Make my love fruitful in service" – paints an image of love growing and bearing fruit.
6. Personification
"Strike, strike at the root of penury in my heart."
"Penury" is personified as something that has roots, which can be struck and removed.
7. Anaphora
The repeated use of "Give me the strength" at the beginning of multiple lines is an example of anaphora, which enhances the poem’s prayer-like quality.
8. Parallelism
The structure of several lines follows a similar pattern:
"Give me the strength lightly to bear my joys and sorrows."
"Give me the strength to make my love fruitful in service."
"Give me the strength never to disown the poor or bend my knees before insolent might."
This makes the poem more rhythmic and impactful.