Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my teacher Mrs. Bindhu

Samuel, who gave me the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on
the topic:
“How Rabindranath Tagore has used nature to symbolize the passage of time,
the cycle of life, and create an atmosphere that mirrors the events in the poem
'Abhisara - the Tryst'

I would also like to extend my gratitude to our Principal Prof. Dr. Shirley Stewart
for providing me with all the facility that was required.
Thirdly, I thank my parents and friends who treasured me for my hard work,
encouraged me, and helped me a lot in finalizing this project within the limited
time frame.

I am extremely grateful to all those who have contributed to all the information
that has come to use in this project. I would also like to thank all my supporters
who have motivated me to fulfill my project before the timeline.
Last, but not least, I would like to thank the almighty for making everything
possible for me till the end.
Index
 Introduction

“Abhisara – The Tryst” by Rabindranath Tagore is a thought-provoking and

deeply moving poem that brings to life themes of compassion, faith, and harsh
realities of human existence.

We are all aware of how much a fan of nature Tagore was as it is evident in his
poems. Tagore’s love of Nature was extremely subtle. For him, the wide-open
skies, spaciousness, and tranquility of the countryside symbolized freedom. The
vast Nature caught hold of his imagination as a boy when he was confined to the
four walls of the house and looked longingly at the world of Nature outside the
railings of his veranda with a sense of wonder and mystery.
In no way different, Tagore has brought in this same love towards nature in his
poem “Abhisara”.

He has used Nature beautifully to symbolize the passage of time, and the cycle
of life, and to create an atmosphere that mirrors the events in the poem. Let us
explore how he has done so.
 Body of the essay

In the poem “Abhisara” or “The Tryst”, Tagore narrates the story of Upagupta, a
Buddhist monk, and Vasavadatta, a dancing girl of Mathura.
Upagupta was a Buddhist monk who lived in the 3rd Century BCE. He was the
spiritual teacher of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka. Vasavadatta is referred to as a
young and beautiful dancing girl of Mathura who is “drunk with the wine of her
youth” that is, she enjoys her life filled with luxury and pleasure.

Upagupta is introduced who values spiritual growth over worldly comforts. He

declines an invitation from Vasavadatta, a luxurious and beautiful dancer,
showing that he values inner peace and wisdom more than superficial
pleasures.
A year later, Upagupta finds Vasavadatta sick with smallpox and banished from
the city, her beauty and wealth gone, highlighting the impermanence of worldly
pleasures.
In contrast, Upagupta remains compassionate, sits by her side, and comforts her
thereby fulfilling his promise to visit her in her time of need. This illustrates that
true kindness and compassion shine when someone is in need, not at their best.
Nature's ever-changing beauty is a powerful symbol for exploring the concept of
the passage of time in literature, art, and storytelling because it inherently
embodies the concepts of growth, change, and cyclic events.

The changing of seasons is one of the most common natural symbols of time
passing. Spring represents birth and renewal, summer represents youth and
vibrancy, autumn represents maturity and harvest, and winter symbolizes aging
and dormancy. Each season can be used to evoke different stages of life or the
progression of time.

Tagore never failed to give life to his poems via the use of nature. His Poetic
prowess shines through his masterful integration of nature into beautiful verses,
where he artfully weaves the natural world into detailed patterns of feelings and
spiritual thoughts. The vibrant hues of nature's beauty and the ever-turning
cycles of life are prevalent in his words.

The poem mirrors a range of natural elements – the murky sky of August, the
blossoming trees in spring, the flash of lightning, the thundering storm, the
silent town under the full moon, the plaintive calls of the love-sick koels from
the mango branches, and the warm spring air carrying the notes of a flute.
Some of them with their significance include:

 The sky: The sky is described as "murky" and "full of clouds." This suggests
the uncertainty of the future and the sense of foreboding that the
protagonist is feeling.
 The moon: The moon is described as "full" and "bright." This suggests the
fullness of life and the hope that the protagonist is still holding on to.
 The trees: The trees are described as "blossoming." This suggests the
promise of new beginnings and the possibility of a new life for the
protagonist.
 The wind: The wind is described as "sighing." This suggests the sadness
and longing that the protagonist is feeling.
 The water: The water is described as "flowing." This suggests the passage
of time and the inevitability of change.
 The flowers: The flowers are described as "fragrant." This suggests the
beauty and sweetness of life, even amid sorrow.
 The birds: The birds are described as "singing." This suggests the hope and
joy that are still possible, even in the darkest of times.

The natural elements in the poem also mirror the cyclical nature of the phases
of life, love, and human emotions and the changing circumstances of the
characters. The murky sky and the thundering storm when Upagupta declines
Vasavadatta’s invite, and the calm, spring-filled evening when he finally comes to
her aid are significant references. The blooming trees, the full moon, and the
koels’ calls add to the serene yet lonely atmosphere of the town where these
profound human interactions unfold.
However, in just a year, Vasavadatta is portrayed as a smallpox victim, her beauty
now scarred by the disease. The contrast starkly illustrates the transient nature
of youth and satirizes physical attractiveness. This shift in her fate symbolizes the
impermanence of life.

Tagore’s vivid use of imagery in signifying the passage of time and changing
seasons is also notable as the poem begins on a murky August night and moves
to a blossoming April evening. It also reflects human emotions portrayed as the
changes in Vasavadatta’s life from her first meeting with Upagupta to their
second encounter.

The theme of timing is very prevalent in the poem. When Vasavadatta first
approaches Upagupta, he tells her that the time isn’t right. But when she’s in
need, he tells her that the time has come. This shows that there’s a right time
for everything, and it’s not always when we expect it.
 Conclusion

Tagore, through his rich use of language and vivid descriptions, paints a colorful
canvas of contrasting scenes that stick in the reader’s mind.
The poem takes us on an emotional rollercoaster with its beautifully crafted
poetic narrative that leaves the reader with deep reflections on life, faith, and
humanity.
The interplay between the natural world and human emotions adds depth and
resonance to the poem's themes of love, longing, and anticipation.
The poem also shines a spotlight on the impermanence of worldly pleasures and
beauty and emphasizes the importance of inner spiritual strength.
Hence, Rabindranath Tagore has given a mesmerizing reference to nature to
symbolize time's passage, and the cycle of life, and mirrors the poem's
atmosphere wisely using his rich and evocative descriptions.
 Bibliography

1. Onlinefreenotes.com https://onlinefreenotes.com/abhisara-the-tryst-isc-
11/
2. Englicist.com https://englicist.com/topics/the-tryst
3. chatGPT https://chat.openai.com/
4. bard https://bard.google.com/
5. Slothskill.com https://slothskill.com/