Tagore’s Faith in ‘The Religion of Man’

Durgesh Ravande

The name of Rabindranath Tagore is rarest among the Indians who have left a lasting mark through their words and works. Poet by soul, he mesmerises the generations of readers, writers, thinkers, learners and field workers through his timeless perceptions and widespread actions. We meet him not only in his books but deeds that accompany us in the midst of challenging situations. On the other hand, philosophic Tagore is an added dimension to his multi-faceted personality. His deep-rooted, well-balanced philosophic views find faith in ancient Indian Philosophy.

Tagore’s introspections on the religion of man occur exactly when the world was facing military actions and devastations followed afterwards. The repressive methods continued to convert humanity into severity. Like a ‘messenger of humanity’ his religion of man strives to associate human with humanity through unconditional love for each other and utmost trust in the matter of fact that civilisation survives through harmonious means only. Hence, the political favouritism of those days was challenged with integrated, harmonious humanitarian ideals. His powerful speeches those days, delivered on various occasions, covey the message of world peace to powerful western countries damaging harmony of the world through their destructive programmes. It comes out of his faith in mankind which stands higher than anything in the world. The ancient as well as medieval Indian spirituality kept the essence of humanity alive through the preaching of principles of humanity leading ultimately for the realization of man’s religion. Tagore attempts unity of an individual with universe through all natural, non-violent ways. Hence, universal humanism emerges as a solution to the man-made problems and the most ethical practice to save the world from humiliation.

The wider and truer human self is found in nothing but human relationship maintained irrespective of all kinds of shadow identities. As Upanishada also speaks: ‘True satisfaction is found in the surrender of our individual self to the universal self.’ Rabindranath Tagore further treats religion and science not as two completely different forces but speaks aloud for a scientific religion as he believed in the matter of fact that religion can play the most effective role in developing a scientific attitude among the human beings world over.

Therefore, integrity among nature, science and religion can lead us on the path of universal harmony. Integrity with Nature is possible when we get completely lost in her company. Stating further, Tagore expects unification among the all positive sources in the world which can work in the end for a civilized and peaceful society. Some may criticise it as a false optimism but the growing tension among the different classes, an unstoppable internal conflict, and insecurity of life may find an abode of Tagore’s eternal beliefs for a comfortable and communicative life.

(The writer is associate professor in the department of English of KKM College, Manwath, Parbhani district).