Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come

Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come

Rabindranath Tagore, the renowned Indian poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate, had a profound understanding of life, death, and the eternal cycle of existence. His words often reflected a deep spiritual insight and a sense of interconnectedness with the universe. One of his most famous quotes, "Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come," encapsulates his belief in the continuity of life beyond death.

In Tagore's philosophy, death is not the end but a transition to a new phase of existence. Just as the setting sun gives way to the darkness of night, only to be followed by the dawn of a new day, so too does death mark the end of one life but the beginning of another. The light that is extinguished with death is not the essence of the individual but merely the physical form that housed it. The soul, the true source of light and life, continues on its journey, unbound by the limitations of the material world.

Tagore's words offer solace to those who fear the finality of death, reminding them that it is not an extinguishing of their essence but a transformation into a higher state of being. Just as the lamp is put out to make way for the dawn, so too does death make way for the soul to transcend the earthly realm and embrace a new reality. It is a reminder that death is not to be feared but accepted as a natural part of the cycle of life.