LONG QUESTIONS (ABHISARA)
Question [Link] the lines: “The young ascetic answered, ‘Woman, go on your way:
When the time is ripe I will come to you.’” in the context of the poem Abhisara: The Tryst by
Rabindranath Tagore.
Answer-
These lines are spoken by Upagupta, the young ascetic, in the first half of Rabindranath
Tagore’s poem Abhisara: The Tryst. The context is his first encounter with Vasavadatta, the
celebrated dancing girl of Mathura, who finds him sleeping alone under the city wall on a
stormy night in August.
Vasavadatta, proud of her beauty and fame, offers Upagupta shelter and comfort,
expecting him to be drawn toward her. As someone used to admiration and attention, she
likely assumes her beauty will tempt the young ascetic. However, Upagupta remains
detached and serene, and gently refuses her offer. He says, “Woman, go on your way:
When the time is ripe I will come to you.” These words reflect his spiritual discipline,
foresight, and compassion.
Upagupta’s response is not a harsh rejection, but a calm and respectful redirection. The
phrase “go on your way” symbolizes Vasavadatta’s current path — one of material
pleasures, pride, and worldly success. His assurance that he will come to her “when the
time is ripe” foreshadows a future moment — not of romantic union, but of spiritual service
and selfless care.
Later in the poem, the roles are reversed. Vasavadatta is afflicted by disease (most likely
smallpox), abandoned by society, and left outside the city to die. It is then, in the peaceful
spring season, that Upagupta returns and says, “The time, at last, has come to visit you,
and I am here.” He nurses her with kindness, applying balm and giving her water, fulfilling
his earlier promise — not out of desire, but from genuine compassion.
Thus, this line serves as a powerful symbol in the poem. It represents the ascetic’s deep
understanding of time, destiny, and spiritual purpose, while also highlighting the central
theme of transience of youth and the permanence of love expressed through service.
Tagore uses this moment to contrast superficial attraction with true, selfless care, making
these lines one of the most significant in the poem.
Question [Link] and contrast the two parts of the poem Abhisara: The Tryst by
Rabindranath Tagore.
Answer-
Rabindranath Tagore’s poem Abhisara: The Tryst is divided into two contrasting yet
thematically linked parts that highlight the changing circumstances of life and the eternal
values of compassion, humility, and spiritual strength. The two halves of the poem are set
in different seasons, moods, and emotional tones, but are connected by the same
characters — Upagupta, the young ascetic, and Vasavadatta, the proud dancing girl of
Mathura.
The first part of the poem takes place in the monsoon month of August, marked by
darkness, storm, and restlessness. Here, the young ascetic Upagupta is found sleeping on
the dusty ground near the city wall. Vasavadatta, at the height of her beauty and fame, is
described as proud and graceful. Drunk with the wine of her youth, she tries to tempt
Upagupta by offering him shelter and company. However, he gently refuses, saying, “When
the time is ripe, I will come to you.” This part shows the contrast between worldly allure and
spiritual detachment. Vasavadatta represents youth, pride, and sensual pleasure, while
Upagupta stands for discipline, humility, and inner strength.
The second part of the poem takes place during the peaceful season of spring, symbolising
healing and redemption. However, the situation has drastically changed. Vasavadatta,
once adored for her beauty, is now stricken by an epidemic (likely smallpox), disfigured,
and abandoned by society. She lies outside the city walls, helpless and alone. It is at this
moment that Upagupta returns, saying, “The time, at last, has come to visit you, and I am
here.” True to his word, he nurses her back with care and kindness, applying balm to her
sores and offering her water. In this part, the proud dancing girl becomes vulnerable, and
the ascetic’s compassion becomes her source of hope and comfort.
The contrast between the two parts lies in the change of seasons (storm vs. spring),
emotional tone (pride vs. humility), and circumstances (youth vs. decay). However, there is
also a deeper connection between the two halves, shown through Upagupta’s constancy
and the fulfillment of his quiet promise. The poem thus highlights the transience of beauty
and pride, and the eternal value of selfless love and service.
In conclusion, the two parts of the poem mirror the cyclical nature of life — from youth to
decay, from pride to repentance — and celebrate the power of spiritual grace over physical
allure. The poem is a moving reminder that true beauty lies not in outward charm, but in
compassion and sacrifice
