Abhisar, The Tryst / Upagupta

by Rabindranath Tagore

Upagupta, the disciple of Buddha, lay asleep on the dust by the city wall of Mathura.

Lamps were all out, doors were all shut, and stars were all hidden by the murky sky of August.

Whose feet were those tinkling with anklets, touching his breast of a sudden?

He woke up startled, and the light from a woman’s lamp struck his forgiving eyes.

It was Vasavadatta the dancing girl, starred with jewels, clouded with a pale-blue mantle, drunk with the wine of her youth.

She lowered her lamp and saw the young face, austerely beautiful.

“Forgive me, young ascetic,” said the woman; “graciously come to my house. The dusty earth is not a fit bed for you.”

The young ascetic answered, “Woman, go on your way; when the time is ripe I will come to you.”

Suddenly the black night showed its teeth in a flash of lightning.

The storm growled from the corner of the sky, and the woman trembled in fear.

A Year had not yet passed.

It was evening of a day in April, in the Spring.

The branches of the wayside trees were full with blossom.

Gay notes of the flute came floating in the warm spring air from afar.

The citizens had gone to the woods, to the festival of flowers.

From the mid-sky gazed the full moon on the shadows of the silent town.

The young ascetic was walking in the lonely street, while overhead the love-sick koels uttered from the mango branches their sleepless plaint.

Upagupta passed through the city gates, and stood at the base of the rampart.

What woman lay in the shadow of the wall at his feet, struck with the black pestilence, her body spotted with sores, hurriedly driven away from the town?

The ascetic sat by her side, taking her head on his knees, and moistened her lips with water and smeared her body with balm.

“Who are you, merciful one?” asked the woman.

“The time, at last, has come to visit you, and I am here, Vasavadatta” replied the young ascetic.

The full poem is available on TagoreWeb (public domain source).

Line by Line Paraphrase of Abhisar, The Tryst / Upagupta

Original line (in bold letters)

Upagupta, the disciple of Buddha, lay asleep on the dust by the city wall of Mathura.

Paraphrase:

Upagupta, a follower of Lord Buddha, was sleeping on the bare ground near the walls of Mathura city.

Lamps were all out, doors were all shut, and stars were all hidden by the murky sky of August.

Paraphrase:

All lamps were extinguished, houses were closed, and even the stars were hidden by the cloudy August sky.

Whose feet were those tinkling with anklets, touching his breast of a sudden?

Paraphrase:

He suddenly felt a woman’s ankleted feet touching his chest.

He woke up startled, and the light from a woman’s lamp struck his forgiving eyes.

Paraphrase:

Startled, he woke up, and the light from a woman’s lamp fell on his calm and gentle eyes.

It was Vasavadatta the dancing girl, starred with jewels, clouded with a pale-blue mantle, drunk with the wine of her youth.

Paraphrase:

She was Vasavadatta, a famous dancer, decorated with jewels, wrapped in a pale-blue shawl, proud and intoxicated with her youth and beauty.

She lowered her lamp and saw the young face, austerely beautiful.

Paraphrase:

She brought the lamp closer and saw his young face, simple yet spiritually beautiful.

“Forgive me, young ascetic,” said the woman; “graciously come to my house. The dusty earth is not a fit bed for you.”

Paraphrase:

She politely apologized and invited him to her home, saying the dusty ground was not suitable for him to sleep on.

The young ascetic answered, “Woman, go on your way; when the time is ripe I will come to you.”

Paraphrase:

Upagupta calmly told her to go and said he would visit her when the right time came.

Suddenly the black night showed its teeth in a flash of lightning.

Paraphrase:

Suddenly lightning flashed brightly in the dark night.

The storm growled from the corner of the sky, and the woman trembled in fear.

Paraphrase:

Thunder roared in the sky, and the woman became frightened.

A year had not yet passed.

Paraphrase:

Less than a year later—

It was evening of a day in April, in the Spring.

Paraphrase:

It was a pleasant spring evening in April.

The branches of the wayside trees were full with blossom.

Paraphrase:

Trees along the road were covered with flowers.

Gay notes of the flute came floating in the warm spring air from afar.

Paraphrase:

Happy flute music was heard from a distance in the warm air.

The citizens had gone to the woods, to the festival of flowers.

Paraphrase:

People had gone to the forest to celebrate the flower festival.

From the mid-sky gazed the full moon on the shadows of the silent town.

Paraphrase:

The full moon shone over the quiet town.

The young ascetic was walking in the lonely street, while overhead the love-sick koels uttered from the mango branches their sleepless plaint.

Paraphrase:

Upagupta walked alone in the street while cuckoos cried sadly from mango trees.

Upagupta passed through the city gates, and stood at the base of the rampart.

Paraphrase:

He went out of the city and stopped near the wall.

What woman lay in the shadow of the wall at his feet, struck with the black pestilence, her body spotted with sores, hurriedly driven away from the town?

Paraphrase:

A diseased woman lay there, suffering from a terrible illness, covered with sores, and abandoned by the city people.

The ascetic sat by her side, taking her head on his knees, and moistened her lips with water and smeared her body with balm.

Paraphrase:

Upagupta sat beside her, gently cared for her, gave her water, and applied medicine to her wounds.

“Who are you, merciful one?” asked the woman.

Paraphrase:

She asked kindly who he was.

“The time, at last, has come to visit you, and I am here, Vasavadatta,” replied the young ascetic.

Paraphrase:

Upagupta revealed that he had come as promised and told her his name.

Moral of the poem

True love is compassion, not physical attraction.

Upagupta proves spiritual love is higher than worldly desire.

SECTION-WISE EXPLANATION WITH LITERARY DEVICES

Section 1 – The Midnight Meeting

(From “Upagupta, the disciple of Buddha…” to “…when the time is ripe I will come to you.”)

Explanation

Upagupta, a disciple of Buddha, is sleeping on the bare ground near the city wall of Mathura. The city is completely silent. All lamps are out, doors are shut, and the August sky is dark and cloudy. Suddenly, he feels ankleted feet touching his chest. He wakes up and sees Vasavadatta, a famous dancing girl, holding a lamp.

She is richly dressed, covered with jewels and a pale-blue mantle, and is proud of her youth and beauty. She politely invites him to her house, saying the dusty ground is unfit for him. Upagupta calmly refuses and tells her that he will visit her when the right time comes. This shows his spiritual discipline and self-control.

Literary Devices

Imagery

“lamps were all out”

“murky sky of August”

→ Creates a dark, mysterious atmosphere.

Symbolism

Lamp → Knowledge, spiritual light

Dark night → Ignorance, temptation

Metaphor

“drunk with the wine of her youth”

→ Youth compared to intoxicating wine.

Contrast

Ascetic simplicity of Upagupta

Luxurious life of Vasavadatta

Section 2 – Nature’s Warning

(From “Suddenly the black night…” to “…the woman trembled in fear.”)

Explanation

Suddenly lightning flashes and thunder roars. The storm seems violent and threatening. Vasavadatta becomes frightened. Nature appears to warn her about the dangers of pride and worldly pleasure.

Literary Devices

Personification

“black night showed its teeth”

“storm growled”

Onomatopoeia

“growled” – imitates thunder sound.

Symbolism

Storm → Future disaster in her life

Section 3 – Passage of Time

(“A year had not yet passed.”)

Explanation

This short line shows that only a brief time has passed. It prepares us for the sudden change in Vasavadatta’s life.

Literary Device

Foreshadowing

Hints at coming tragedy.

Section 4 – The Spring Festival Scene

(From “It was evening of a day in April…” to “…their sleepless plaint.”)

Explanation

It is a beautiful spring evening. Trees are full of blossoms. Happy flute music floats in the warm air. Citizens have gone to the forest to celebrate the flower festival. The full moon shines over the quiet town. Upagupta walks alone while cuckoos cry from mango branches.

This joyful atmosphere ironically contrasts with the tragic scene that follows.

Literary Devices

Imagery

“branches…full with blossom”

“full moon”

Auditory imagery

“gay notes of the flute”

“koels uttered”

Transferred Epithet

“Gay notes”

Gay is a human quality, transferred to notes

“Love-sick koels”

Lovers feel love-sick, not birds

“Sleepless plaint”

Sleeplessness belongs to birds, transferred to their cry

“Silent town”

People are silent, not the town

Symbolism

Spring → Youth, beauty, life

Moon → Silent witness

Contrast

Festive joy vs. human suffering

Section 5 – The Diseased Woman

(From “Upagupta passed through…” to “…hurriedly driven away from the town?”)

Explanation

Upagupta finds a woman lying near the city wall. She is suffering from a terrible disease. Her body is covered with sores, and she has been driven away by society. She is helpless and abandoned. This woman is Vasavadatta.

Literary Devices

Pathos

Creates sympathy for her suffering.

Contrast

Earlier: adorned with jewels

Now: covered with sores

Visual imagery

“body spotted with sores”

Symbolism

Disease → Fall of pride and beauty

Section 6 – The Act of Compassion

(From “The ascetic sat by her side…” to the end)

Explanation

Upagupta gently nurses her. He places her head on his knees, gives her water, and applies balm to her wounds. She asks who he is. He replies that the promised time has come and reveals his identity. His love is spiritual, not physical.

Literary Devices

Symbolism

Water & balm → Healing, mercy

Knees → Protection

Irony

Earlier she invited him in pride

Now he comes when she is helpless

Theme reinforcement

Compassion is true love.

Final Message

Through contrast, symbolism and transferred epithets, Tagore shows that:

✔ Beauty is temporary

✔ Pride leads to fall

✔ True love is compassion

✔ Spiritual values are superior to physical attraction

CRITICAL APPRECIATION

Title & Poet

The poem Upagupta (also titled Abhisar – The Tryst) is written by Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate. It reflects his deep spiritual vision and humanistic values.

Theme

The central theme is true love expressed through compassion.

Tagore contrasts physical attraction with spiritual love.

Other related themes include:

Transience of beauty

Pride and humility

Power of time

Buddhist philosophy of detachment and mercy

Plot & Structure

The poem is narrative in form and divided into two contrasting episodes:

First episode:

Vasavadatta invites Upagupta when she is young and beautiful.

He refuses politely.

Second episode:

She becomes diseased and abandoned.

Upagupta nurses her with compassion.

This two-part structure strengthens the contrast between:

Youth vs. decay

Pride vs. humility

Lust vs. love

Setting

First scene: Dark August night near Mathura wall

Second scene: Spring evening with festival atmosphere

The contrast in seasons symbolizes change in fortune.

Style & Language

Tagore’s language is:

✔ Simple

✔ Musical

✔ Rich in imagery

He uses:

Personification – “black night showed its teeth”

Transferred epithet – “gay notes”, “love-sick koels”

Symbolism – storm, lamp, spring, disease

Contrast – beauty vs. ugliness

The poem appeals to emotions and moral sense.

Moral Message

The poem teaches that:

True love is service.

Real beauty lies in compassion.

Spiritual values are eternal.

Conclusion

Upagupta is a powerful moral poem that glorifies human sympathy and spiritual love. Tagore successfully shows how time destroys physical beauty but compassion never fades.

CHARACTER SKETCHES

1. Upagupta

Upagupta is a true disciple of Buddha.

He represents spiritual discipline and compassion.

Qualities

✔ Detached:

He sleeps on bare ground, rejecting luxury.

✔ Self-controlled:

He refuses Vasavadatta’s invitation politely.

✔ Compassionate:

He nurses her when she is diseased.

✔ Patient:

He waits for the right time to meet her.

✔ Forgiving:

He shows no anger or pride.

Symbolic Role

Upagupta symbolizes:

Spiritual wisdom

Selfless love

Buddhist ideals

Conclusion

He is an ideal human being who proves that true love is service, not desire.

2. Vasavadatta

Vasavadatta is a famous dancing girl who represents worldly pleasure.

Qualities

✔ Beautiful & Proud:

She is adorned with jewels and proud of youth.

✔ Materialistic:

She lives in luxury.

✔ Overconfident:

She believes beauty gives her power.

✔ Humbled by fate:

Disease destroys her pride.

✔ Grateful:

She recognizes Upagupta’s kindness.

Symbolic Role

She symbolizes:

Temporary beauty

Human pride

Fragility of fortune

Conclusion

Her character shows that worldly beauty is short-lived and suffering teaches humility.

CHARACTER CONTRAST

Upagupta Vasavadatta

Spiritual Worldly

Simple life Luxurious life

Compassionate Proud

Self-controlled Pleasure-loving

Eternal values Temporary charm

Final Thought

Tagore presents a timeless truth:

Physical beauty fades,

but kindness remains immortal.

MODEL 10-MARK ANSWERS

Q1. “True love is compassion.” Discuss with reference to the poem Upagupta.

Answer:

Rabindranath Tagore’s Upagupta beautifully conveys the message that true love lies in compassion, not physical attraction. The poem presents two contrasting situations involving Vasavadatta and Upagupta.

In the first scene, Vasavadatta, a proud and beautiful dancing girl, invites Upagupta to her luxurious home. However, Upagupta politely refuses her invitation, saying he will come when the time is ripe. His refusal shows his spiritual discipline and detachment from worldly pleasures.

A year later, Vasavadatta is struck by a terrible disease and is abandoned by society. Upagupta finds her lying helpless near the city wall. He sits beside her, places her head on his knees, gives her water, and applies balm to her wounds. This act of nursing reflects his true love and compassion.

Through Upagupta’s selfless service, Tagore proves that real love is expressed through kindness and care, not physical desire. Thus, the poem powerfully teaches that compassion is the highest form of love.

Q2. Contrast the characters of Upagupta and Vasavadatta.

Answer:

Upagupta and Vasavadatta represent two opposing ways of life. Upagupta, a disciple of Buddha, lives a simple and spiritual life. He sleeps on bare ground, practices self-control, and rejects physical temptation. His calm nature and compassion make him an ideal human being.

Vasavadatta, on the other hand, is a famous dancing girl who enjoys luxury and is proud of her beauty. She is adorned with jewels and lives a life of pleasure. Her confidence in her charm shows her materialistic nature.

However, time changes her fate. She becomes diseased and is driven away by society. This suffering humbles her. In contrast, Upagupta remains unchanged and nurses her kindly.

Thus, the contrast between them highlights the superiority of spiritual values over worldly pleasures.

Q3. Discuss the role of nature and setting in Upagupta.

Answer:

Nature plays an important symbolic role in Upagupta. In the first scene, the dark August night with hidden stars reflects ignorance and temptation. The storm and lightning foreshadow coming disaster in Vasavadatta’s life.

In contrast, the second scene is set in spring. Blossoming trees, flute music, and the full moon create a joyful atmosphere. However, this happiness ironically contrasts with Vasavadatta’s tragic condition.

Through seasonal contrast, Tagore shows how time changes human fortune. Nature acts as a silent witness to human suffering and moral transformation. Thus, setting strengthens the emotional impact of the poem.

VALUE-BASED QUESTIONS

1. What moral values does Upagupta teach us?

Upagupta teaches us:

✔ Compassion

✔ Self-control

✔ Patience

✔ Kindness

✔ Service to humanity

He shows that helping the suffering is true love.

2. How does Vasavadatta’s life teach us humility?

Vasavadatta’s pride in beauty leads to her fall. Disease destroys her charm and status. Her suffering teaches that beauty and wealth are temporary, and humility is essential.

3. What social message does the poem convey?

The poem urges society to:

✔ Care for the sick

✔ Avoid judging people by appearance

✔ Practice humanity and kindness

4. How can we apply the message of the poem in daily life?

We should:

✔ Help the poor and sick

✔ Avoid pride

✔ Respect inner beauty

✔ Show kindness without expecting reward

ASSERTION–REASON MCQs

Assertion (A): Upagupta refuses Vasavadatta’s invitation.

Reason (R): He is devoted to spiritual life.

a) Both A and R are true and R explains A ✔

b) Both true but R does not explain

c) A true, R false

d) A false, R true

Assertion (A): Vasavadatta is driven away from the city.

Reason (R): She is suffering from a deadly disease.

✔ Correct option: a

Assertion (A): The spring setting contrasts with Vasavadatta’s misery.

Reason (R): Spring symbolizes joy and life.

✔ Correct option: a

Assertion (A): Upagupta nurses Vasavadatta.

Reason (R): He seeks physical pleasure.

Correct answer: c

(A is true, R is false)

Assertion (A): The storm foreshadows Vasavadatta’s future suffering.

Reason (R): Nature reflects human destiny.

✔ Correct option: a

EXAM TIP

For 10-mark answers:

Write intro + 3 body paragraphs + conclusion

Quote phrases (not full lines)

Connect with theme

LITERARY DEVICES – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q1. Identify the figure of speech in “black night showed its teeth.” Explain.

Answer:

Personification

The night is given human qualities of showing teeth, which makes the storm scene more vivid.

Q2. “Drunk with the wine of her youth” – Name the device and explain.

Answer:

Metaphor

Youth is compared to wine. Just as wine intoxicates, her youth makes her proud and careless.

Q3. Identify the transferred epithet in: “Gay notes of the flute.”

Answer:

Transferred epithet

The quality gay belongs to people, but it is transferred to notes.

Q4. “Love-sick koels” – What device is used? Explain.

Answer:

Transferred epithet

Love-sickness is a human emotion transferred to birds.

Q5. Name the figure of speech in “storm growled.”

Answer:

Personification + Onomatopoeia

The storm behaves like an animal.

“Growled” imitates sound.

Q6. Identify the device in “silent town.”

Answer:

Transferred epithet

Silence belongs to people, not to a town.

Q7. What device is used in “body spotted with sores”?

Answer:

Visual imagery

It creates a clear picture of suffering.

Q8. Identify the figure of speech in “full moon gazed.”

Answer:

Personification

Moon is given human action of gazing.

Q9. What device is used in “sleepless plaint”?

Answer:

Transferred epithet

Sleeplessness belongs to birds, transferred to their cry.

Q10. Find a metaphor from the poem and explain.

Answer:

“Wine of her youth”

Youth is compared to wine which intoxicates.

Q11. How is contrast used in the poem?

Answer:

The poet contrasts:

Youth vs disease

Beauty vs ugliness

Luxury vs simplicity

This highlights the theme that beauty is temporary.

Q12. Identify auditory imagery from the poem.

Answer:

“Gay notes of the flute”

“Koels uttered their plaint”

These appeal to the sense of hearing.

Q13. “Storm growled from the corner of the sky” – Explain symbolism.

Answer:

The storm symbolizes coming trouble in Vasavadatta’s life.

Q14. What device is used in “drunk with the wine of her youth”?

Answer:

Metaphor

Q15. Identify one example of symbolism from the poem.

Answer:

Storm → future suffering

Spring → youth & beauty

Disease → fall of pride

SHORT EXAM NOTE (3 marks)

Transferred Epithet:

It is a figure of speech where an adjective is shifted from its logical noun to another noun.

Example: “Gay notes” – gay belongs to people, not notes.