Aurobindo Ghosh as a Poet (a mystic, lyrical & love poet)

Aurobindo Ghosh as a Poet 

📄Table of Contents:-

1) Introduction: Sri Aurobindo Ghosh. 2) Various aspects of Aurobindo's poetry.    1. Aurobindo As a mystic poet    2. Element of Symbolism in Aurobindo's poetry    3. Philosophical Element in Aurobindo's poetry    4. Aurobindo As a Poet of Love    5. Aurobindo as a Lyrical Poet. 3) Conclusion. 4) Read More in Indian Literature in English.

📃 Introduction : Aurobindo Ghosh:-

It is no exaggeration to say that Aurobindo Ghosh was one of the greatest personalities of modern India. He was an outstanding figure from India in the world of English literature. Not only he was a nationalist, who contributed in the early phase of freedom struggle, but a philosopher, a yogi, a guru also and above all an excellent poet. 

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A proper and comprehensive evaluation of Sri Aurobindo's work is not possible without taking into account all the aspects of his versatile genius. Being a great spiritual person, his poetry is marked by a distinction of dealing with abstract properties and having a range that is wide enough to include every aspects of life.

SRI AUROBINDO GHOSH
Born	August 15, 1872, Kolkata
Died	December 5, 1950, Puducherry
Profession	Philosopher, poet, freedom fighter
Philosophy	Integral Yoga, Evolutionism, Supermind, intermediate zone
Nationality	Indian
Education	University of Cambridge
Influences	Spiritualism, Indian philosophy
Students	Auroville, Mirra Alfassa
Founded	Sri Aurobindo ashram
Notable Works	Savitri, The life devine

Now, let's have a look at the various aspects of Aurobindo's poetic genius.

✒️Various aspects of Aurobindo's poetry :-

We can roughly discuss Aurobindo's poetry and his poetic style under following heads :-

   1. Aurobindo As a mystic poet

   2. Element of Symbolism in Aurobindo's poetry

   3. Philosophical Element in Aurobindo's poetry

   4. Aurobindo As a Poet of Love

   5. Aurobindo as a Lyrical Poet.

Okay, now without any further delay let's discuss these characteristics or aspects of Aurobindo's poetry in a detailed manner :-

1) Aurobindo as a mystic poet :-

Ghosh was a great modern Indian philosopher. His poetry is full of mysticism. It evolved through  a series of his personal experiences at Alipur jail, at Baroda and some other later at Pondicherry. His early poetry and spiritual as well as mystic experiences gave birth to his later poetry which is mystic. 

His later poetry is more mature and ripe than his early poetry. For example his poems - invitation, the rishi, the birth of sin, and to the sea are concerned with ultimate human problems. His six poems which include transformation and ahana are known for its mysticism.

2) Element of Symbolism in Aurobindo's poetry :-

In Aurobindo's several poems we find symbolism. In The bird of fire, the bird symbolises the soul's aspiration of divine consciousness. Fire is a symbol of divine love on its higher plane and strong desire or passion on its lower plane. In his masterpiece savitri, savitri symbolises the divine love and victory of divine love over the darkness of death.

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3) Philosophical Element in Aurobindo's poetry :-

Aurobindo Ghosh's work is greatly influenced by Indian philosophy. His poems compiled in the 'Last poems' are philosophical in thought and substance. His poems Savitri, the synthesis of yoga, the human cycle etc. are philosophical in nature. The following lines of one of the poem of his Last poems describe the indian philosophy of rebirth-

"I saw my soul a traveller through time,

From life to life the cosmic ways it trod."

4) Aurobindo as a Poet of Love :-

Aurobindo Ghosh, a multifarious man, was master of several kinds of literature. He was a Poet, a dramatist, a prose writer, a critic, a philosopher, a saint and so on. He composed poems on various themes like God, life, death, love etc. But many of his poems take love as their main theme. In most of his poems he talks of the magic and sweetness of love. 

His love theme poems are matchless gems of love poetry of indian english writings. These love poems are beautiful examples of sensuousness. In these poems, Sri aurobindo has used such vivid words and made scenes so lively that reader feels as if he is a part of them. The reader is thrilled by every shade of passion of love. His picturesque quality is excellent.

These lines from savitri, an unparalleled love poem, give a glimpse of Aurobindo's portrayal of love :-

"She brought flower symbol of her offered life,
Thus were they in each other lost a while,
Then drawing back from their long ecstasy's trance."

5) Aurobindo as a Lyrical Poet :-

Although, Aurobindo is criticized for lack of lyrical quality in his poems, but some of his poems do possess this element. Though this may not be in that degree as Sarojini Naidu's or Tagore's poem have, we find a variety of lyrics in his poems. His lyrical note in some of poems reminds us of Keats and Shelley. His poem 'Songs of Lystilla' shows the lyrical and musical elements. His several poems and songs have sweet music and melody.

📃Conclusion :-

Thus, Aurobindo is undoubtedly a great versatile poet. His poetry seeks to create new counciousness and express new vision. He was a skillful craftsman who master the use of blank verse. His poetic achievements are exceptional.

💡 Read More in Indian Writings in English:-

1. Character Sketch of Maya in Cry the Peacock.
2. Concept of Rasa in Natyashastra.
3. Aurobindo Ghosh as a Poet.
4. Discuss various Themes of Geetanjali.
5. Theme of Savitri.
6. Character Sketch of Maya.
7. Discuss Anita Desai as a Novelist.