Introduction to “Guerdon” by Sarojini Naidu
“Guerdon,” a short but evocative poem by Sarojini Naidu, reflects her characteristic blend of lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and symbolic richness.
The word guerdon means reward or recompense, and Naidu uses this idea to explore the delicate, often unseen exchanges between human beings—particularly the rewards of affection, kindness, and emotional connection.
Known as the “Nightingale of India,” Naidu wrote poetry that celebrated love, longing, sacrifice, and the spiritual grace that accompanies human relationships. In “Guerdon,” she expresses how even small gestures of love can be priceless gifts, offering comfort and joy far beyond material rewards. Through gentle imagery and musical language, the poem captures the profound value of emotional generosity and the quiet beauty of heartfelt bonds.
Stanza wise Summary the Poem “Guerdon” :
Stanza.1:
To field and forest
The gifts of the spring,
To hawk and to heron
The pride of their wing;
Her grace to the panther,
Her tints to the dove……
For me, O my Master,
The rapture of Love!
Explanatory Word-Meanings:
To field….spring =the poetess prays to God to endow the forests and fields with the gift of spring. To hawk…..wing =hawk and heron should be proud of their wings. They should be endowed with strong wings. Her grace….to the panther =the panther should always be graceful. Her tints….dove =the dove should be given the gift of different colours. For me…..of Love! =but for herself, the poetess prays to God to give her the gift of love which will bring her inner joy and the spiritual happiness.
Paraphrase:
The poetess expresses the breadth of her compassion. She asks God to bless every element of creation with gifts suited to its nature. She wishes the fields and forests to be adorned with the radiant charm of spring. She prays that the hawk and heron may receive powerful wings, the panther the elegance befitting its form, and the dove a plumage of varied, captivating hues. For herself, she seeks only the ecstatic joy of love.
Stanza.2:
To the hand of the diver
The gems of the tide,
To the eyes of the bridegroom
The face of his bride;
To the heart of a dreamer
The dreams of his youth……
For me, O my Master,
The rapture of Truth!
Explanatory Word-Meanings:
To the hand…tide = God should give the gift of gems to the divers. To the hand = achieve. The divers = those who go into the bottom of the sea to find the gems. Gems = precious stones. Tide = here it refers the sea. To the eyes…bride = the gift of the beautiful bride should be given to the bridegroom. To the heart… I youth = sweet dreams should be gifted to the youth. For me…Truth! = but for herself she demands the rapture of truth.
Paraphrase:
By revealing the generosity within her heart, she asks God to bestow blessings upon different beings—objects, humans, and animals alike. She prays that divers may receive the treasure of precious gems. She wishes that the bridegroom, who longs for a beautiful bride, may be granted one. Since the young prefer to linger and roam in the realm of dreams, she asks that they be gifted with sweet dreams. But the poetess herself finds fulfillment in the ecstasy of truth, and therefore requests from God only the divine gift of truth’s rapture.
Stanza.3:
To priests and to prophets
The joy of their creeds
To kings and their cohorts
The glory of deeds;
And peace to the vanquished
And hope to the strong……
For me, O my Master,
The rapture of Song!
Explanatory: Word-Meanings:
To the priests…creeds = she prays to God to bestow the gift of religions to the priests and prophets. The priests = one who performs religious ceremonies, a religious minister. Prophets = foretellers. Creeds = faiths, religions. To kings…deeds = she prays to God to bestow the gift of joy of victory to the kings and the warriors. Cohorts = bands of warriors. The glory = here it refers joy. Deeds = refers for victories. And peace….vanquished = she prays to God that the defeated should be given the boon of peace. Vanquished = defeated. And hope…strong = the gift of hope should be given to the strong and victorious. For me…of Song! = but for herself she demands the gift of song.
Paraphrase:
She asks God to bestow the blessings of faith upon priests and prophets. She wishes that kings and their armies may receive the joy that comes with triumph, and that those who have been defeated may be granted the solace of peace. She prays that the powerful and victorious be gifted with renewed hope. But for herself, she seeks only one thing from God—the gift of song, the source of her own delight.
Critical Appreciation of the Poem “Guerdon”:
Introduction:
Guerdon is a sweet and lyrical poem of Mrs. Sarojini Naidu. It is the last poem in the part of The Bird of Time entitled Songs of Life. In this poem the poetess shows the generosity of her heart. She also shows her spirit of selflessness. Her religiosity and patriotism are also apparent here. The dreams of various things cherished in her heart are given a lyrical expression on this earth and demands of God the rapture of Love, Truth and Song.
Development of Thought:
The poetess beseeches God to bestow fitting blessings upon all beings—objects, creatures, and people alike. She asks that fields and forests be adorned with the radiant beauty of spring. She wishes the hawk and heron to feel pride in their wings, the panther to move with unending grace, and the dove to always carry soft, lovely hues.
For herself, she seeks the ecstasy of love. She implores God to grant precious jewels to the divers, and to offer a beautiful bride to the waiting bridegroom. She asks that young people be blessed with sweet and gentle dreams. Yet again, for herself, she desires the rapture of truth.
She prays that God grant deep faith to priests and prophets, and joy in victory to kings and soldiers. Those who fall in defeat, she asks God to comfort with peace. She requests hope for the strong and triumphant—but for herself, above all else, she asks God for the sacred gift of song.
Diction, Language and Style:
The poem uses remarkably simple language. Its vocabulary is clear, expressive, and easily accessible to an average reader. The verses flow with natural spontaneity and a gentle elegance, reflecting the poet’s romantic spirit.
The poem is arranged in three sections, each containing eight lines, and a single central idea runs through all three. The poet places special emphasis on the words Love, Truth, and Song. Qualities such as brevity, personal expression, emotional intensity, musical rhythm, and a sweet, melodious diction are all evident throughout the piece.
