Samaj by Rabindranath Tagore PDF
Title: Samaj (Society),
Author: Rabindranath Tagore,
Genre: Bengali Novel,
Format: PDF, PDF Size: 4MB,
Rabindranath Tagore wrote the Hindu-Socio novel Samaj (Society).
Introduction
The novel ‘Samaj’ (Society) was written by Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate poet of Bengali literature. In this book, he provides a meticulous description of various aspects of the social system of India. He observes that in our country, due to excessive attention to the rules and customs of Hindu society, the higher, independent aspects of humanity have been neglected.
Poet Rabindranath Tagore deeply understood the various regulations, activities, and religious principles of Hindu society. By strictly enforcing everything from social customs to the rigid dictates of religious principles, the result has been that our social system has become increasingly rigid and inflexible, while religious principles have become lax. It is evident that the foundation of religious principles has been gradually eroded by anger, hatred, greed, delusion, and falsehood.
Through sin and virtue, through rise and fall, our humanity is progressively established. What we gain independently is our true gain. What we receive unjustly from others is not truly ours. The strength we accumulate by traversing through dust and mud, through blows and conflicts, overcoming falls and defeats, is the strength that remains with us throughout our lives.
It is possible to present a perfectly spotless account of one’s life to the Hindu deities without ever setting foot on the ground, remaining instead on a pure, white, soft bed—but what kind of account is that? A beautiful ledger, without any blemishes or calculations. There are no entries for income, expenditure, or balance, lest there be any complications with fractions or small amounts. Perfect completeness is not for human beings, because completeness implies an end. Man is not complete within this life alone. Even those who do not believe in the afterlife will acknowledge that the potential for human progress does not end within a single lifetime.
Development of Humanity:
If human life were to conclude in childhood, then such incompleteness as is found in humans would not be found anywhere else in the entire animal kingdom. If our existence ends in this immature, faltering life, then we are indeed utterly weak and inferior; there is no doubt about that. But our delayed development, our flaws, our sins, are ushering in a distant future, and thus we are winning. For the ox at the oil press, blindfolded and yoked, it lives its life performing a specific, defined task—turning in a small, circular path marked by the footsteps of its predecessors, crushing mustard seeds to extract oil. Every moment and every drop of oil can be accounted for. But he who must lead humanity towards immeasurable development must discard such petty calculations.
The poet Rabindranath Tagore has beautifully analyzed social life in various ways in his book Samaj (Society). In this book, he has included several stories, each based on social life. Any changes that have occurred within society have been brought about without reason. When Guru Gobind and Chaitanya somewhat loosened the caste system in this caste-ridden country, they did not do so through logic, but through strength of character.
Description of Society:
The author Rabindranath Tagore, in discussing society, has beautifully presented in this book that the main strength of society is morality. When that strength is gone, no one will fear it for long. A society that forgives falsehood and hypocrisy, that knowingly turns a blind eye to semi-hidden misconduct, whose rules lack any moral basis or logical consistency, is utterly weak. If all the beliefs of society were firm, if it regulated all its activities according to that unwavering faith, then it would be very difficult to transgress it. Those who rely on scriptures instead of good sense are weak, because they have no logic on their side—society does not run according to scriptures. He has compared this to crossing the ocean.
The stories included in this book are: Acharer atyacgar (The Tyranny of Customs), Samudra Yatra (Sea Voyage), Bilaser Fans (The Noose of Luxury), Nakaler Nakal (The Humiliation of Imitation), Prachya O Pratichya (East and West), Ojogya Bhakti (Unworthy Devotion), Chitti patra (Letters), etc.
Regarding Bankim Chandra’s Genius:
He has spoken of Bankim Chandra. Bankim Chandra, through his genius, was able to effectively bridge the gap between East and West in Bengali literature. This philosophy of synthesis has become established in the heart of Bengali literature, awakening its creative power. Those in modern India who will manifest human greatness, who will usher in a new era, will possess a natural magnanimity in their character so that the East and the West will not be in conflict or cause distress in their lives. The East and the West will achieve success together within them.
From this perspective, it can be said that the main reason Rammohan Roy was able to assimilate Western thought was that the ideas of the West did not overwhelm him; he had no weakness in his own character. He gathered external elements while standing firmly on his own foundation. That is why he emphasized English education.
The Wealth of India:
The wealth of India was not unknown to him, and he had made it his own. For this reason, he possessed both the principles and the standards to judge whatever he received from wherever he received it. He did not foolishly sell himself out and fill his hands without understanding the true value of things.
Conclusion:
Samaj (Society) is the very impressive novel in Bengali literature. Rabindranath Tagore’s novel ‘Samaj’ (Society) will undoubtedly be received as a unique book by readers. Therefore, the PDF link for the book ‘Samaj’ is provided below on this webpage. Readers can collect the PDF file of the novel from this webpage and read it online.