Poems by Toru Dutt (Lakshman), Sri Aurobindo (To a Hero-Worshipper), R. Tagore (Dino Daan)
This blog is a response to an assignment given by Megha Ma'am from the Department of English at MKBU. It explores three poems, where I have addressed the questions posed as part of the task.
Q-1: Write a critical note on ‘Lakshman’ by Toru Dutt.
Answer :
Toru Dutt’s poem “Lakshman” retells a famous episode from the Ramayana, centering on Sita’s abduction and the golden deer incident. The poem unfolds mainly through a tense dialogue between Sita and Lakshman. When Ram pursues the golden deer, its dying cry—mimicking Ram’s voice—makes Sita fear for his safety. Lakshman, however, confident in Ram’s strength, does not believe he is in any real danger.
Dutt reshapes the traditional character portrayals in her version. Lakshman, often shown as hot-tempered, appears calm and patient, while Sita, usually gentle, becomes forceful and accusatory. In her fear, she lashes out at Lakshman, even going so far as to accuse him of secretly wishing for Ram’s death so he could claim her—an accusation deeply unjust, given Lakshman’s lifelong sacrifices for his brother.
Though wronged and wounded by her words, Lakshman remains composed. He is caught in a moral dilemma: follow Ram’s command to guard Sita, or obey Sita’s desperate demand to aid Ram. Ultimately, he forgives her harshness, understanding that her accusations spring from fear and anxiety rather than malice.
By portraying Lakshman with patience, strength, and compassion, the poem shifts focus onto his inner conflict. He is aware of the tragic consequences unfolding yet powerless to stop them, making his role both central and profoundly moving.
Q.2 Can it be said that the dialogues between Sita and Lakshman in the poem Lakshman through light upon the perspective of gender? Explain.
Answer :
Sita’s Role and Voice:
Sita, usually remembered in tradition as gentle, submissive, and devoted, takes on a more assertive and confrontational voice in this poem. Out of fear for Ram’s safety, she challenges Lakshman and even questions his loyalty. Her words are sharp, and she does not hesitate to accuse him of selfish motives. This shift highlights the emotional vulnerability placed upon women in patriarchal contexts—they are often dependent on male protection, which makes them anxious, suspicious, and quick to react when security feels threatened.
Lakshman’s Response:
Lakshman represents the traditional masculine ideal of self-control, patience, and reason. Though wronged by Sita’s accusations, he suppresses anger and responds with calm restraint. His silence and forgiveness reflect the masculine expectation of endurance and sacrifice, particularly in family and duty-bound relationships.
Gender Dynamics in the Dialogue:
Sita’s emotional, anxious, and accusatory tone reflects how women were often depicted as governed by emotion rather than reason.
Lakshman’s calm, rational, and forgiving stance reinforces the cultural expectation of male authority and restraint.
At the same time, Sita’s voice asserts agency—she is not passive but insists on her will being followed, which complicates the simple binary of submissive woman versus commanding man.
Underlying Tension:
The harshest accusation—Sita suggesting Lakshman wishes for Ram’s death to possess her—touches on the idea of female chastity and male desire. Her suspicion reflects the cultural anxiety surrounding women’s vulnerability and the need for constant protection of their honor.
In conclusion, the dialogue illuminates gender perspectives by showing Sita as a woman caught in fear and vulnerability, asserting her emotions in ways that hurt Lakshman, while Lakshman embodies patience, duty, and restraint associated with masculine ideals. The contrast between Sita’s emotional urgency and Lakshman’s rational calmness reveals how gender roles and expectations are deeply woven into the moral and emotional fabric of the poem.
Q-2. What type of social mentality does Rabindranath Tagore present in the poem Deeno Daan?
Answer :
Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “Deeno Daan” (The Alms of the Poor) explores questions of power, compassion, and human dignity, urging us to reflect on the way society functions. Through the interaction between a king and a hermit, Tagore exposes the moral flaws behind authority and charity, drawing attention to social inequality. The poem insists that every human being, regardless of wealth or poverty, possesses intrinsic worth. It criticizes a society that glorifies material success and status, creating divisions among people.
Tagore, one of India’s greatest poets, came from a distinguished Bengali Brahmin family. Deeply engaged with literature, music, and the arts, his works often express spiritual and humanist values. In “Deeno Daan,” he conveys his unease with organized religion, showing how it often neglects people’s real needs. The poem presents a conflict where a priest tells the king that God is not confined to the magnificent temple the king has constructed, but lives instead among the poor. This confrontation reveals how rulers often invest wealth in monuments of power while ignoring human suffering.
Ultimately, Tagore’s message is that divinity resides in compassion, humility, and solidarity. God, he suggests, is found in the company of the oppressed rather than in symbols of grandeur. The beggar’s simple gift of alms demonstrates genuine equality, while the king’s lavish offerings remain empty, unable to bridge the gulf between rich and poor. The poem questions the belief that wealth determines value, showing instead that small, sincere acts of kindness carry greater spiritual meaning than extravagant but hollow displays that maintain social hierarchies.
References :
Barad, Dilip. Tagore - Deeno Dan - the Impoverished Gift. blog.dilipbarad.com/2020/08/tagore-deeno-dan-impoverished-gift.html. Accessed 16 Sept. 2025.
MEENAKSHI, T. and KY PUBLICATIONS. “SITA- THE PROTECTED THREAT: A READING OF TORU DUTTS’S POEM ‘LAKSHMAN.’” Research Journal of English Language and Literature (RJELAL), vol. Vol.4, no. Issue 2, season-01 2016, pp. 900–01. www.rjelal.com/4.2.16C/900-903%20MEENAKSHI%20T.pdf.
रवीन्द्र नाथ टैगोर | कविता | दीनों दान | राष्ट्रवाद बनाम मानवता. 2020, youtu.be/RrmrfkWIiEY?si=iYtYw4UvMfKwDYKv. Accessed 16 Sept. 2025.
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