On His Blindness
On His Blindness composed by John Milton
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent, which is death to hide,
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He, returning chide;
‘Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?’
I fondly ask : but Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, ‘God doth not need
Either man’s work, or His own gifts; who best
Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best; His state
Is kingly : thousands at His bidding speed,
And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.’
‘On His Blindness’ कविता का हिंदी अनुवाद
Stanza 1. (Lines 1 to 8)
जब मैं विचार करता हूं कि मेरी आंखों की दृष्टि मेरे आधी उम्र से पहले इस अंधकार में और विस्तृत दुनिया से कैसे चली गई और एक काव्य प्रतिभा जिसको छुपाना मृत्यु के समान है मुझ में बेकार पड़ी हुई है यद्यपि मेरी आत्मा उस काव्य प्रतिभा के साथ मेरे ईश्वर की सेवा करने को तथा अपने जीवन के सच्चे लेखेजोखें को प्रस्तुत करने को बहुत अधिक उत्सुक हैं। कहीं ऐसा ना हो कि ईश्वर मुझे डांटे या फटकारे। क्या ईश्वर दिवा परिश्रम की आशा रखता है जिसके आंखों की दृष्टि को छीन लिया गया हो ? मैं मूर्खता पूर्वक पूछता हूं।
Stanza 2. ( Lines 8 to 14)
लेकिन धैर्य बड़बड़ा हट को रोकता है और जल्द ही उत्तर देता है ईश्वर को न तो मनुष्य के कार्य की आवश्यकता है और न ही अपने द्वारा दिए गए उपहारों की। जो सबसे अच्छी तरह उसके साधारण कष्टों को सहन करता है वही उसकी सर्वोत्तम सेवा करता हैं। उसकी अर्थात ईश्वर की अवस्था राजा की तरह होता है । हजारों उसकी आज्ञा पर बिना आराम किए भूमि तथा महासागर में उपस्थित रहते हैं। वे भी उसकी सेवा करते हैं जो केवल खड़े रहते हैं और अपनी बारी का इंतजार करते हैं।
Central Idea of the poem ‘On His Blindness’
The central idea of the poem ‘On His Blindness’ composed by John Milton is that – this poem is a personal sonnet of John Milton. It shows that the ways of God are just. The poet losses his eyesight at the age of forty-four. The loss of his eyesight worries him very much. He can not use his poetic talent in the active service of God. He complains that God cannot expect any service from him when He has taken away his eyesight. Soon he realizes his mistake. He feels that God does not want any service for His gifts. Thousands of angles work for Him on land and ocean without rest. The only service to God is to bear patiently all the misfortunes. Thus the complete dedication to the will of God is the best service to Him.
Explanation with reference and context of some important stanza of the poem ‘On His Blindness’
When I consider …………… chide
Reference – This stanza has been taken from the poem ‘On His Blindness’ composed by John Milton.
Context – In these lines the poet expresses his sorrow on the loss of his eyesight.
Explanation – John Milton becomes blind at the age of forty-four. This world appears to him dark and full of troubles. God gave him the talent of composing poetry. But the poet is sad because he can not use this poetic gift. The poet feels that if the talent is kept hidden, it is like to death. So he is anxious to serve God by that talent. In this way he will be able to present before God a true account of his life.
His state is …………………. wait.
Reference – This stanza has been taken from the poem ‘ On His Blindness’ composed by John Milton.
Context – In these lines the poet expresses his firm belief in the greatness of God.
Explanation – The poet says that God is the lord of lords and king of kings. He is all powerfull. He has thousands of angles who are always ready to follow His orders. They are present over land and ocean without taking rest. Further the poet says that the only service to God is to wait dutifully at His feet. Thus the complete dedication to the will of God is the best service to Him.