Lakshman by Toru Dutt & Rabindranath Tagore's  Deeno Daan

Introduction

Toru Dutt, one of the earliest female poets writing in English from India, is known for her emotional depth, vivid imagery, and engagement with both Indian mythology and Western literary traditions. One of her most famous works is the poem "Lakshman", which is a poignant meditation on the theme of sacrifice, brotherhood, and the complexities of life and death. The poem is part of her posthumous collection Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan (1889), in which she sought to bring Hindu mythology and traditional Indian stories to an English-speaking audience.

In Toru Dutt’s “Sita”, the poet reshapes Sita and Lakshman not as distant mythic figures from the Ramayana, but as deeply human characters. Sita appears tender, sorrowful, and maternal — a woman wronged rather than an untouchable goddess — while Lakshman is softened into a compassionate presence, not just a symbol of duty. By isolating this episode of exile from the vast epic, Dutt creates an intimate, lyrical poem that moves beyond religious boundaries. Through this humanization, she gives the story a universal appeal, where themes of suffering, motherhood, injustice, and resilience can be felt by readers across cultures.

Summary of the Poem

Toru Dutt’s “Lakshman” retells the dramatic episode from the Ramayana when Sita hears Rama’s distant cry during their exile in the forest. Terrified that Rama is in danger, she urges Lakshman to rush to his aid. Lakshman, however, reassures her that no demon or force can harm Rama, whose strength is unmatched, and reminds her that he has been commanded to guard her.

But Sita, overcome by fear and desperation, misjudges him. In her agitation, she accuses Lakshman of cowardice, disloyalty, and even of secretly desiring Rama’s throne and his wife. These harsh accusations wound Lakshman deeply, yet he does not retaliate with anger. Instead, he accepts her words with sorrow, explaining that her grief has driven her to rashness. Out of duty to her wishes, he agrees to leave, though it means disobeying Rama’s command.

Before departing, Lakshman draws a protective circle — the famous Lakshman Rekha — around Sita’s hut, warning her not to step outside it under any circumstance. He entrusts her safety to the forest gods and then, with heavy heart and dauntless courage, strides away to find Rama.

Toru Dutt's Lakshman is a rich exploration of human suffering and devotion, set against the backdrop of Hindu mythology.

• Themes of Loyalty and Sacrifice: The central theme of the poem is Lakshman’s unwavering loyalty to his brother, Rama. He is portrayed as the ideal brother who sacrifices his own comfort and reputation to protect Rama’s command and Sita’s safety. Even when unjustly accused by Sita of cowardice and ambition, Lakshman suppresses his own hurt and continues to act with devotion and restraint. This ideal of brotherly loyalty and self-sacrifice is universal, transcending cultural boundaries.

• The Tragic Hero: Lakshman is presented not as a flawless epic warrior but as a deeply human figure. His silent suffering when Sita misunderstands him shows his emotional and spiritual anguish. Toru Dutt emphasizes the humanity behind the heroism, making Lakshman relatable as a character torn between duty, loyalty, and the pain of false accusations.

• Religious and Cultural Context: By drawing upon the Ramayana, Dutt places the poem firmly within India’s cultural and spiritual traditions. Yet she transforms the epic episode into a psychological drama. Instead of focusing only on divine power or heroic grandeur, she highlights the vulnerability of Sita and the dignity of Lakshman. In doing so, she invites readers—Indian and Western alike—into the emotional and moral depth of the Ramayana.

• Style and Language: The style of the poem blends Victorian literary influence with Indian themes. Dutt’s narrative stanzas are formal yet passionate, and her diction reflects both restraint and emotional intensity. Through vivid imagery of the forest, Sita’s agitation, and Lakshman’s quiet sorrow, she creates an atmosphere of tension and poignancy. The dialogue form enhances the drama, giving psychological depth to the characters.

Lakshman by Toru Dutt is a beautifully crafted reinterpretation of an epic tale. It blends Indian mythology with timeless themes of loyalty, sacrifice, human suffering, and misunderstanding. By humanizing the characters of Sita and Lakshman, Dutt universalizes their story, making it resonate with readers across cultures. Her mastery of English poetry allows her to capture the essence of Indian tradition while ensuring that its emotional and philosophical dimensions have universal appeal.

Introduction to Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) was a Bengali poet, novelist, playwright, philosopher, painter, and musician, widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of modern India. He became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his poetry collection Gitanjali (Song Offerings). Tagore reshaped Bengali literature, music, and art, blending traditional Indian culture with modernist ideas.

Beyond literature, he was also a social reformer and educator, founding Visva-Bharati University, and his compositions include the national anthems of both India (Jana Gana Mana) and Bangladesh (Amar Shonar Bangla). His universal humanism, lyrical mastery, and deep spirituality make him a truly global figure in literature and culture.

Summary of Deeno Daan by Rabindranath Tagore

Deeno Daan tells the story of a wealthy king who builds a magnificent temple of gold, hoping to honour God. Despite the grandeur of the temple, the finest hermit refuses to worship there. Instead, he sings to God beneath a tree, surrounded by devout followers whose joy and devotion far surpass the emptiness of the golden temple.

When the king confronts the hermit, he is angered to hear that God does not dwell in his lavish temple. The hermit explains that the temple, though glittering, is filled with arrogance and pride, not true devotion. God, the hermit says, is with the poor and suffering—those whom the king neglected during famine and distress. The temple is spiritually empty because it was built at the cost of human compassion.

In the end, the king exiles the hermit in anger. The hermit calmly responds, telling the king that now the truly devout—the ones who seek God in compassion and truth—should also be exiled, highlighting the king’s moral and spiritual failure.

Deeno Daan by Rabindranath Tagore: The Social Mentality and the Call for Compassion 

(There is No God in that Temple)

Deeno Daan critiques the shallow nature of material wealth and ostentation in society. It emphasizes that true worship is inseparable from compassion, humility, and care for the needy. Through this narrative, Tagore urges rulers and the privileged to prioritize the welfare of people over grand displays of piety, reminding readers that God is present where love and selfless service exist, not in gold or monumental buildings.

There is No God in the Temple': Rabindranath Tagore's Poem 'Deeno Daan' Goes Viral a Century Later

The Social Mentality in Deeno Daan

In Deeno Daan, Rabindranath Tagore critiques the prevailing social mentality that values wealth, power, and grand rituals over compassion and human welfare. The poem contrasts the king’s prideful golden temple with the hermit’s humble worship beneath a tree, surrounded by the genuinely devout.

Tagore shows that society often mistakes ostentation for piety, ignoring the needs of the poor while focusing on material displays of devotion. True spiritual life, he suggests, lies in empathy, selfless service, and care for the marginalized. The poem exposes the moral and spiritual blindness of those in power and urges a shift toward genuine compassion as the foundation of both social and religious life.

1. Superficial Charity and Social Apathy

The poem exposes shallow and performative charity. The king builds a magnificent temple of gold, hoping to honor God, while neglecting his subjects during a famine. Thousands of homeless and destitute people suffer, yet the king prioritizes his ostentatious project. The hermit tells the king that the temple is empty because it embodies arrogance and pride, not true devotion.

Tagore highlights that society often mistakes grandeur for piety. Material wealth and impressive structures cannot replace compassion and care for fellow humans. True devotion lies in serving and uplifting the poor, not in building monuments to display power.

2. The Need for Selfless Giving

Through the hermit, Tagore emphasizes that true charity and devotion are selfless. The hermit worships God under a tree, surrounded by the destitute, showing that spiritual richness comes from empathy, humility, and solidarity with the suffering. The poem suggests that giving must come from the heart, not for recognition, status, or pride.

3. Critique of Social Hierarchy and Arrogance

The poem also critiques the class divide. The king, despite his wealth and power, fails morally because he ignores the needs of the poor. The hermit’s words expose the moral blindness of those in power, reminding readers that true spirituality and goodness transcend social rank.

4. Spiritual Awakening and the Universal Brotherhood

Tagore conveys that God’s presence is found with the humble and compassionate, not in gilded temples. True devotion is expressed in care for others, empathy, and moral integrity. The hermit’s calm reply to the king’s fury demonstrates that the spiritually devout act beyond fear, status, or threat, aligning with universal values of truth, love, and justice.

5. The Role of the State and Society

Deeno Daan emphasizes the responsibility of leaders and society. The king’s failure to shelter his subjects during famine symbolizes the systemic neglect of the vulnerable. Tagore suggests that wealth and power are meaningful only when used to protect, uplift, and serve those in need.

Deeno Daan is a profound critique of superficial religiosity, social apathy, and arrogance. Using the story of the king, the hermit, and the devout poor, Tagore urges society to embrace selfless compassion, humility, and moral responsibility. The poem calls for a shift from hollow ritualism to genuine empathy, showing that God and true virtue dwell in acts of kindness and justice, not in gilded temples or displays of wealth.

References 

Humsamvet. “Rabindranath Tagore Death Anniversary: दीनो दान.” HumSamvet, 7 Aug. 2020, www.humsamvet.com/literature/rabindranath-tagore-death-anniversary-poem-deeno-daan-4019.

Mukherjee, Raka. “‘There Is No God in the Temple’: Rabindranath Tagore’s Poem ‘Deeno Daan’ Goes Viral a Century Later.” News18, 6 Aug. 2020, www.news18.com/news/buzz/there-is-no-god-in-the-temple-rabindranath-tagores-poem-deeno-daan-goes-viral-a-century-later-2762815.html.

NDTV. “Prime Time With Ravish Kumar: Remembering Rabindranath Tagore and His Views on Nationalism.” YouTube, 7 Aug. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf3hD2LB_HA.

Tagore, Rabindranath. “The Impoverished Gift | Countercurrents.” Countercurrents, 15 Mar. 2017, countercurrents.org/2017/03/the-impoverished-gift.

https://scroll.in/article/969579/there-is-no-god-in-that-temple-said-the-hermit-rabindranath-tagore-wrote-this-poem-in-1900