Line by line Bengali meaning of When my play was with thee by Rabindranath Tagore

When my play was with thee

By Rabindranath Tagore | Gitanjali (Song 97)

"When my play was with thee I never questioned who thou wert. I knew nor shyness nor fear, my life was boisterous."

খেলা যখন ছিল তোমার সনে, তখন কে তুমি তা কে জানিত। তখন ছিল না ভয়, ছিল না লাজ মনে, জীবন বহে যেত কলরবে।

Explanation: The poet looks back at his early spiritual life (or childhood). In those days, his relationship with God was like that of an innocent child playing with a friend. He never stopped to ask about God's true, majestic identity. Because they were "playmates," there was no formal reverence, shyness, or fear. His life was boisterous—full of loud, carefree, and pure joy.

"In the early morning thou wouldst call me from my sleep like my own comrade and lead me running from glade to glade."

ভোরবেলাতে ডাক দিয়ে ঘুম হতে, বন্ধু-সম নিয়ে যেতে আমায় বনে বনে।

Explanation: God used to wake him up gently in the morning, acting just like a comrade (a close companion). Together, they would run playfully through the forests and open spaces (glades). This beautiful imagery shows an intimate, joyful connection with the Divine through the beauty of the natural world.

"On those days I never cared to know the meaning of songs thou sangest to me. Only my voice took up the tunes, and my heart danced in their cadence."

সে-সব দিনে যে গান তুমি গাইতে, তার অর্থ আমি খুঁজিনি তো। কেবল আমার কণ্ঠ মেলাত সুর, আমার হৃদয় নেচে উঠত তালে।

Explanation: The "songs" of God represent the mysteries and rhythms of the universe. In his innocence, the poet didn't try to intellectually analyze or understand these deep spiritual meanings. He simply enjoyed life, imitating the divine tunes with his own voice and letting his heart dance thoughtlessly to the cadence (rhythm) of creation.

"Now, when the playtime is over, what is this sudden sight that is come upon me?"

এখন, যখন খেলার সময় ফুরিয়েছে, এ কী হঠাৎ দৃশ্য এল আমার সামনে?

Explanation: The "playtime" symbolizes the period of youthful ignorance and naive familiarity. Now that this phase has ended, the poet experiences a sudden spiritual awakening. The casual relationship vanishes, replaced by a shocking and profound realization of who God really is.

"The world with eyes bent upon thy feet stands in awe with all its silent stars."

সমস্ত জগৎ অবনত নয়নে তোমার চরণতলে, বিস্ময়ে স্তব্ধ হয়ে দাঁড়িয়ে আছে সমস্ত নীরব তারা নিয়ে।

Explanation: In this magnificent conclusion, the poet finally sees God in His true, Supreme, Universal form. He realizes that the entity he treated as a mere playmate is actually the Almighty Creator. The entire universe—including the infinite, silent stars—bows down in deep reverence and awe at the feet of the Divine. The poet’s perspective shifts from joyful intimacy to ultimate devotion and wonder.