Where the mind is without fear
Poem
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action;
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
About the Poet
Where the Mind is Without Fear is a thought-provoking poem by Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian writer. He was born on 7th May 1861 and died on 7th August 1941. Tagore was a poet, philosopher, novelist, playwright, painter, and educationist, often described as the “Gurudev of India.” It is one of the best poems in the anthology Gitanjali, which was published in 1912 and won the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. Where the Mind is Without Fear is the 35th poem in Gitanjali. In 1901, he founded a school at Santiniketan, which later grew into Visva-Bharati University. Beyond literature and education, he composed over 2000 songs, including: Jana Gana Mana the National Anthem of India and Amar Sonar (Bangla) the National Anthem of Bangladesh.
Q&A
Q1. What does Tagore mean by “the mind is without fear and the head is held high”? Do you think freedom from fear is essential for progress? Why or why not?
Ans: Rabindranath Tagore’s line “the mind is without fear and the head is held high” conveys his vision of an ideal nation. Meaning. “The mind is without fear” — People should live without fear, oppression, discrimination, ignorance, or restrictions. “The head is held high” — Symbolizes dignity, self-respect, and equality. Every individual should feel valued, not bowed down by poverty, inequality, or suppression. Is freedom from fear essential for progress? Yes. Freedom from fear is essential for genuine progress because: It encourages creativity and innovation — people dare to think differently. It promotes equality — a fearless society ensures that everyone, regardless of background, can speak up and participate. It strengthens democracy — citizens can question authority and demand justice without fear. It builds confidence — individuals with dignity can work towards personal and national growth. Without freedom from fear, progress may be only material or outward, but not true progress of the mind and spirit.
Q2. The poet says “knowledge is free.” In today’s world, how far do you think this dream has been achieved? Give examples.
Ans: In today’s world, Tagore’s idea that “knowledge is free” means education should be open to all without barriers of class, caste, or wealth. This dream is partly achieved through:
- Free schools
- Public libraries
- Online resources and platforms
- Learning through academies, YouTube, and Wikipedia
Q3. This poem is both patriotic and universal in its appeal. In what ways can its message go beyond India and apply to the whole world?
Ans: Tagore’s poem Where the Mind is Without Fear is deeply patriotic because it expresses his dream of a free and enlightened India. Yet, his ideas go far beyond national boundaries and speak to the entire world. His call for:
- A land where people live without fear
- A life of dignity
- Access to free knowledge
- is not just India’s need but humanity’s. Every society aspires to remove divisions of class, caste, race, and religion the “narrow domestic walls” so that people can live in harmony.
Q4. What are the “narrow domestic walls”?
Ans: They refer to divisions created by:
- Caste
- Class
- Religion
- Region
- Prejudice These walls still exist in modern times as communal conflicts, economic inequality, and political divisions.
Tagore’s Contrast:
- Reason = clear stream → clarity, scientific thinking, progress
- Habit = dreary desert → outdated customs, stagnation Tagore wants a nation guided by reason, not blind tradition.
Q5. How is the poem both patriotic and universal?
Ans: The poem is patriotic because it expresses Tagore’s dream for a free and enlightened India, but universal because its values apply to all humanity:
- Freedom from fear
- Equality
- Access to knowledge