Class 10 English Solution New Course | Unit 4 Leave This Chanting And Singing -II

Unit 4

Reading II

Leave This Chanting And Singing by Rabindranath Tagore

About the Poem

The poem 'Leave This Chanting And Singing' by Rabindranath Tagore was written in 1910. It is the 11th poem in the collection Gitanjali, which was first published in 1912. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to leave behind their religious rituals and instead focus on living a life of service to others. Tagore believed that true spirituality is found in the everyday world, not in the isolation of a temple or monastery. In the poem, Tagore celebrates the lives of humble laborers and expresses his rejection of the ascetic way of life. The poem holds a universal appeal, resonating with readers from all walks of life.

The poem was written in the early 20th century, during a time of great social and political change in India. It is a powerful example of Tagore's commitment to social reform, and his belief that religion should be a force for good in the world. The poem suggests the reader to think critically about their religious beliefs. It is a reminder that God is not to be found in empty rituals, but in the everyday world of work and service to others. The themes of the poem include the pursuit of true spirituality beyond rituals, the unity and equality of all beings, the importance of active engagement with the world, the rejection of superficiality in religious practices, and the recognition of the divine in everyday life.

Stanza-Wise Summary

Stanza 1: The speaker questions the purpose of traditional rituals and urges the listener to open their eyes and see that God is not confined to a closed temple. He encourages a deeper understanding of spirituality beyond external practices.

Stanza 2: The speaker suggests that God is present in the everyday activities of ordinary people, such as tilling the ground and breaking stones. He emphasizes that God is found in both favorable and challenging circumstances, and his presence can be seen in the dust-covered garments of those who work.

Stanza 3: The speaker advises the listener to discard the trappings of holiness and descend to the level of ordinary people. He questions the notion of deliverance and suggests that the divine is already bound to creation and shares in the struggles and bonds of humanity. Stanza 4: The speaker urges the listener to abandon passive meditation and external offerings like flowers and incense. He challenges the fear of getting one's clothes stained or tattered, suggesting that it is insignificant compared to standing with God in the toil and sweat of labour.

A. Find the words from the poem which have the following meanings.

a. a small piece of glass or stone threaded with others to make a necklace.........

beads

b. to prepare and use land for growing crops.........

tile

c. a piece of clothing .........

garment

d. a layer of something that covers a surface .........

mantle

e. the state of being rescued from danger, evil or pain..........

deliverance

f. a substance that produces a pleasant smell when you burn it .........

incense

g. covered with marks.........

stained

h. hard unpleasant work that makes you very tired.........

toil

B. Find the modern equivalents of the following archaic words used in the poem.

a. dost - do

b. thou -you

c. thine-yours

d. thy-your

C. Answer the following questions.

a. Who is the poem addressed to?

The poem is addressed to those who engage in chanting, singing, and telling beads in a temple with closed doors.

b. What does the speaker advise people?

The speaker advises people to abandon traditional forms of worship such as chanting, singing, and performing rituals. Instead, the speaker suggests that people should recognize the divine presence in everyday life, in the hard work of farmers and laborers.

c. Where do people try to find the god?

People try to find the god in temples and other places of worship, as indicated by the reference to a "lonely dark corner of a temple with doors all shut."

d. Where, according to the speaker, does the god actually reside?

According to the speaker, the god actually resides among ordinary people engaged in everyday work, such as farmers and pathmakers.

e. How can people have a glimpse of the god?

People can catch a glimpse of the god by recognizing the divine presence in everyday life, by opening their eyes and seeing the god in the work of others.

f. Why can't the god rescue people?

The speaker suggests that the god cannot rescue people from their troubles because the divine is bound up in the same struggles as human beings, taking on the "bonds of creation" along with everyone else.

g. What does the speaker ask people to do in the last stanza?

In the final stanza, the speaker asks people to abandon their meditations, leave aside their flowers and incense, and join the god in the toil and sweat of everyday work. He suggests that people should not be afraid to become dirty or stained in the process, but rather should meet the god where he is.

Grammar II

A. Match the following imperative sentences with their functions.

a. Kindly tell me where the bus park is.-vii. making a request

b. Go straight and take the first turn on your right.-i. giving direction

c. Cook the rice in medium heat until it turns tender.-vi. giving instruction

d. Please join us on the tour.- viii. making an invitation

e. Don't feed the animals in the zoo!- ii. warning

f. Wear warm clothes.- iv. giving advice

g. Put your hands up!-iii. making a command

h. Get out of here at once. - v. making an order

i. Let's go for a walk. - ix. suggesting

B. Change the following imperative sentences into negative.

a. Turn left at the junction.

Don't turn left at the junction.

b. Please open the door.

Please, don't open the door.

c. Let him tell a story.

Don't let him tell a story.

d. Put out the light.

Don't put out the light.

e. Let's play a friendly football match.

Let's not play a friendly football match.

f. Please help the man get out of well.

Please, don't help the man get out of well.

g. Instruct the people about how they should work.

Don't insturct the people about how they should work.

Writing Il

B. Write a set of rules and regulations for the visitors in the following places. You may use the expressions given below.

......... is/are ........(not) allowed to .......... strictly prohibited / forbidden to ......., can/cannot ........ is/are required / expected to ....., must /must not ......

a. A Set of Library Rules and Regulations:

- Food and drinks are not allowed inside the library.

- Mobile phones must be put on silent mode and calls must be taken outside the library.

- Visitors are not allowed to make loud noises or engage in disruptive behavior.

- Borrowed books must be returned on or before the due date.

- Visitors must handle library materials with care and report any damages.

- Smoking and the use of tobacco products are strictly prohibited inside the library.

- Visitors must not engage in any activities that are not related to academic or research purposes.

- Visitors are required to show their library cards or identification upon request.

b. A Set of Hospital Rules and Regulations:

- Visitors must not bring in any food or drinks without the permission of the hospital staff.

- Smoking and the use of tobacco products are strictly prohibited inside the hospital.

- Visitors must not disturb or interfere with the medical treatment of patients.

- Visitors are required to follow the hospital's visiting hours and limit their stay to a reasonable amount of time.

- Visitors must not take photographs or videos without the permission of the hospital staff.

- Visitors must not bring in any weapons, illegal drugs, or other prohibited items into the hospital premises.

- Visitors must not engage in any activities that are disruptive to the hospital's operations or to the well-being of patients.