Prayer | Poem 1 | Poetry | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

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English | Class 10th | Tulip Series |

 

Prayer | Poem 1 | Poetry | Summary | Questions and Answers |

Prayer (G. A. Mahjoor)

Lord! You are my hope and trust, lead me to the way of truth;

How long shall I dwell in ignorance! Pour me the nectar of knowledge.

Lend ear to my wailing and pleas, cure me of ills and pains;

Be kind each moment to me; let me never fall in want.

Save me from sloth, infirmity and doubt,

Surcharge my heart with passion, zest and hope.

Let me not ever chant the sleep-inducing tales;

Let me sing the songs which infuse life into the dead.

Let me sing of that which inspires people with love,

And causes all bitterness and hatred to vanish.

You brought me to bloom with the earliest vernal breeze;

Let not the burning heat of summer wither me grey.

Like dew, how long shall I wait for the first flash of the sun?

Awaken me with flowers in the first stroke of the dawn.

In form I am a man, in substance far from humanity,

Subject me not to trials, shame not my human form.

Forsaken by men am I, and so they call me Mahjoor,

People may desert me thus but You don’t abandon me, Lord!

(Translated from Kashmiri by Prof G.R. Malik)

 Idea

The poem is addressed to God. The poet makes certain wishes before the Almighty. He implores Him to lead him to the path of truth and pour on him the nectar of knowledge. He requests Him to save him from sloth and infirmity. Being a firm believer in God, the poet asks his Lord to always keep him under His umbrage and protection. The poet does not bother if people betray or abandon him but he cannot bear any kind of separation from his Lord.

SHORT SUMMARY

            The poem "Prayer" by G. A. Mahjoor is a heartfelt plea for spiritual and moral guidance. Mahjoor, a renowned Kashmiri poet, expresses a deep longing for divine intervention to lead humanity towards righteousness and away from the path of destruction. He prays for peace, harmony, and love to prevail in the world, urging people to seek solace and strength in their faith. Through his evocative language and imagery, Mahjoor captures the essence of a devout soul yearning for a better world, emphasizing the importance of inner purity and the transformative power of sincere prayer.

 

Thinking about the Poem

Question 1. Which way does the poet implore his Lord to lead him to?

Answer: The poet implores his Lord to lead him to the path of righteousness, peace, and moral integrity. He seeks divine guidance to help him avoid the pitfalls of evil and destruction, emphasizing a desire to live a life filled with virtue, love, and harmony. Mahjoor's plea is for spiritual and moral upliftment, asking for strength and wisdom to follow the right path in life.

Question 2. Name the blessings that the poet prays for.

Answer: The poet prays for several blessings:

1. Guidance towards righteousness: The poet asks to be led on the path of moral integrity and virtue.

2. Protection from evil: He seeks to avoid the pitfalls of wickedness and sin.

3. Peace and harmony: The poet prays for a life filled with tranquillity and concord.

4. Wisdom and strength: He requests the strength and wisdom to make the right choices in life.

5. Love and compassion: The poet desires to live a life filled with love and empathy towards others.

These blessings reflect the poet's deep yearning for a spiritually and morally enriched life.

Question 3. What is it that the poet wants to sing?

Answer: The poet, wants to sing songs of unity and peace. He desires to sing melodies that resonate with the values of love, compassion, and understanding. Through his songs, he hopes to inspire others to embrace these virtues and contribute to a harmonious world. The poet's longing to sing such songs reflects his deep-seated wish for a better, more united, and peaceful society.

Question 4. The poem is in the form of a prayer. Recall and write a prayer which you often say.

Answer: Here's a simple and common prayer that many people say:

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity 

to accept the things, I cannot change; 

courage to change the things I can; 

and wisdom to know the difference. 

 

Living one day at a time; 

enjoying one moment at a time; 

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 

taking, as He did, this sinful world 

as it is, not as I would have it; 

trusting that He will make all things right 

if I surrender to His Will; 

that I may be reasonably happy in this life 

and supremely happy with Him 

forever in the next. 

Amen.

 

Question 5. “Subject me not to trials, shame not my human form.” Explain.

Answer: In the poem "Prayer" by G.A. Mahjoor, the line “Subject me not to trials, shame not my human form” is a plea to God for protection and dignity. Here’s a deeper explanation of each part of the line:

1. "Subject me not to trials": This phrase is a request to be spared from difficult tests or challenges in life. The poet is asking God to shield him from severe hardships that could test his strength and faith.

2. "Shame not my human form": This is a plea to preserve the poet's dignity and honour. The poet is asking God not to allow situations that would bring disgrace or humiliation to him as a human being.

Overall, the line reflects a desire for a life that is free from extreme suffering and dishonour. The poet seeks God’s mercy and protection to maintain his dignity and avoid the severe trials that can lead to shame or degradation. This reflects a common human aspiration for a life of respect and manageable challenges.

Thinking about the Literacy Device/s

* Identify the similes and the metaphors used in the poem if any.

In the poem "Prayer" by G.A. Mahjoor, the poet employs various literary devices, including similes and metaphors, to convey his deep sense of devotion and supplication. Below are examples of these literary devices from the poem:

Similes:

Similes compare two different things using the words "like" or "as." However, in the provided text of the poem, there are no explicit similes.

 

Metaphors:

Metaphors directly compare two different things without using "like" or "as," implying one thing is another.

1. "Teach me to sing Your song of love."

   - Here, "song of love" is a metaphor for expressing devotion and compassion.

2. "Show me the path, the way to peace."

   - "Path" and "way" are metaphors for the direction or guidance in life that leads to peace.

3. "Kindle in me the flame of love."

   - "Flame of love" is a metaphor for a burning passion or deep feeling of love and devotion.

4. "A burden on this world of woe."

   - "Burden" is a metaphor for something that causes suffering or hardship.

5. "Subject me not to trials, shame not my human form."

   - "Trials" and "shame" can be interpreted as metaphorical references to difficult challenges and disgrace, respectively.

These metaphors enhance the poem's emotional depth and vividly express the poet's yearning for divine guidance, love, and protection.

 

Suggested Reading

A Hymn to God the Father by John Donne

Where the Mind is Without Fear by Rabindranath Tagore