Write the substance and explanation of the poem entitled The Flute

Write the substance and explanation of the poem entitled The Flute-Player of Brindaban.

Ans.

Substance to the Poem

The music of Lord Krishna’s divine flute has greatly enchanted the poetess’ heart. It has stirred her emotions. On hearing the sweet and magical music of the divine flute, the poetess will follow the flute player of Brindaban wherever he goes. After giving up all earthly loves and worldly attachments which have enslaved her, she will wander like a homeless bird and will follow the magical flute of Shri Krishna. She will go to Indra’s garden where beautiful flowers bloom forever and immortal streams flow constantly. She will go to Yama’s cart wrapped in darkness where there is not a ray of light. Heeding to Krishna’s subtle flute call she will go from where the melody comes. While going to meet her lover, she will not care for the obstacle on her way. She will empty out the sector of Krishna’s magical flute and satisfy extreme thirst of her heart.

Explanations

(1) Still must I like a homeless bird

Wader, forsaking all

The earthly loves and wordly lures

That held my life in thrall,

And follow, follow, answering

The magical flute call.

Reference to the Context: These lines have been extracted from the song entitled The Flute-Player of Brindaban, written by Sarojini Naidu.

Here the poetess expresses her overwhelming emotions for her lover, Lord Krishna. She wants to develop spiritual union with her lover. Having given up the earthly love and worldly lures, she aspires to follow her divine lover.

Explanation: The poetess’ heart is highly moved by the sweet and haunting music of his matchless flute. After giving up all the glittering externals of life that lure everybody, she will follow her divine lover. The poetess believes that to be one with God, one should avoid being worldly and materialistic. In her opinion worldly love or human love is conditional, but God’s love is unconditional. So she wants to liberate herself from worldly bondage in order to find out her lover. She will wander like a homeless bird and will follow the magical call of Shri Krishna.

Critical Comments: 1. The worldly charm does not allow one to be one with God.

2. Worldly love is conditional, whereas God’s love is unconditional.

3. The poetess’ moving from spiritual yearning to the realization that fulfilment lies in answering the magical flute call.

(2) To Indra’s golden-flowering groves.

Where streams immortal flow.

Or to sad Yama’s silent Courts

Engulfed in lampless woe,

Where’er thy subtle flute I hear

Beloved I must go!

Reference to the Context: As above. The poetess who is a devotee and beloved, is highly enchanted by the musical notes of Krishna’s divine flute. Under great fascination of magical tune, she thinks to follow her lover Lord Krishna.

Explanation: The poetess cannot resist or control her overwhelming emotions on hearing the magical tune of Lord Krishna’s divine flute. Having given up all the worldly enticements and attachments, she will go in search of her lover, Krishna. Following the magical flute call, she will go to heaven in Indra’s Kingdom. She will pass through the garden of heaven where golden flowers bloom round the year. She will see the river of crystal clear water flowing incessantly. She will see Yama’s silent court enveloped in darkness. In Yama’s court there is not ray of light. Heeding to Lord Krishna’s subtle flute she will go from whence the music comes.

Critical Comments: Golden-flowering groves: When Krishna went to Swarga to carry off the Parijat tree, a fight ensued, in which Krishna was victorious, and he went off with the tree.

(3) No peril of the deep or height

Shall damunt my winged foot;

No fear of time-conquered space.

Or light untravelled route

Impede my heart that pants to drain

The nectar of thy flute !

Reference to the Context: As above. The poetess greatly aspires to make union with her lover. She is curious to find out her lover, Lord Krishna. She is ready to face every heavy odds on her way while following the magical tune of Krishna’s divine flute.

Explanation: The poetess is aware of the fact that worldly enticements. and attachments are the greatest bondage in the way of spiritual union with her lover. She also knows that human love is conditional. She thinks that she will follow her lover through every thick and thin. No obstacles can hinder her way. Neither deep oceans nor high mountains can create any barrier in her meeting with Lord Krishna. She will try to get her destination with sharp movement. Without caring for time-unconquered space or pitch dark routes where light never shines she will go searching for the Lord. She will empty out the nectar of Krishna’s magical flute and quench the thirst of her heart.

Critical Comments: True love is born of the marriage of true minds that admits no impediments and ultimately culminates in the complete identification of the lover and the beloved.