Q1 of 24 Page 136

“A slumber did my spirit seal,” says the poet. That is, a deep sleep ‘closed off’ his soul (or Mind). How does the poet react to his loved one’s death? Does he feel bitter grief? Or does he feel a great peace?

Although the death of his loved one has left the poet paralyzed and without any human fears, his reaction cannot be termed ‘bitter grief’ as towards the end of the poem it has been observed that the poet feels her presence in the earth’s nature i.e. rolled round in earth’s diurnal course with rocks, stones and trees. However, it can also not be said that the poet is experiencing great peace of mind. Thus, the poet’s feelings seem to be uncertain in this situation.


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1

The text you read is a travelogue where the author, Vikram Seth, talks about his visit to two sacred places in Kathmandu.

Imagine that you were with Vikram Seth on his visit to Pashupatinath temple, and you were noting down all that you saw and did there, so that you could write a travelogue later.


Record in point form:


- What you see when you reach the Pashupatinath temple


- What you see happening inside the temple


-What you do when inside the temple.


- What you see outside the temple


-What your impressions are about the place.

 2

Here is your diary entry when you visited Agra. Read the points and try to write a travelogue describing your visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal. You may add more details.

January 2003 - rise before dawn - take the Shatabdi Express at 6.15 am from Delhi- meet a newly married couple on train - talk about Himachal Pradesh - get off the train - enter the once-grand city, Agra - twisted alleys - traffic dense-rickshaws, cars, people - vendors selling religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices and sweets - go to the Taj Mahal - constructed entirely of white marble - magical quality - colour changes with varying of light and shadow - marble with gemstones inside - reflection of the Taj Mahal in the pond - school-children, tourists - tourist guides following people.

 2

The passing of time will no longer affect her, says the poet. Which lines of the poem say this?

 3

How does the poet imagine her to be, after death? Does he think of her as a person living in a very happy state (a ‘heaven’)? Or does he see her now as a part of nature? In which lines of the poem do you find your answer?