On His Blindness

 Introduction

"On His Blindness" is a well-known sonnet written by John Milton.  John Milton is a famous English poet. The poem expresses his thoughts and emotions after losing his eyesight (दृष्टी). It follows the Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet form, with a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDECDE. The poem explores themes of faith, patience, and acceptance.  Milton reflects on his inability to use his poetic talent and wonders how he can still serve  God.

Background

John Milton became completely blind around 1652, at the age of 44. As a poet and scholar, he had devoted his life to literature and felt that his blindness was a great loss. During this time, he struggled with feelings of helplessness and questioned his purpose. "On His Blindness" captures these emotions and his realization that God values patience as much as active work.

Summary

The poem begins with Milton lamenting (शोक प्रकट करणे) his blindness, as he feels that he can no longer use his poetic talent to serve God. He worries that God might expect work from him even though he has lost his sight. However, the poem takes a turn when Patience, personified as a guiding force, reassures him that God does not require great deeds from everyone. Instead, those who accept their situation and trust in God’s plan also serve Him. The poem ends with the famous line: "They also serve who only stand and wait." This means that even those who are unable to perform active duties can still fulfill their purpose through faith and patience.

Analysis

1. Theme of Faith and Acceptance – The poem highlights Milton’s spiritual journey from doubt to acceptance. He realizes that service to God is not limited to active work but also includes inner faith and patience.
2. The Role of Patience – By personifying Patience, Milton presents it as a voice of wisdom that helps him understand God’s will.
3. Human Limitations vs. Divine Will – Milton initially struggles with the idea that he can no longer contribute through his poetry, but he learns that God does not expect more than what one is capable of giving.
4. Personal Reflection – The poem is deeply personal, as it reflects Milton’s own struggles with blindness and his efforts to find meaning in his life despite this challenge.

Conclusion

"On His Blindness" is a powerful poem that teaches the importance of faith, patience, and inner strength. It conveys the idea that one’s worth is not determined by outward achievements but by trust in a higher purpose. The poem remains inspiring, as it encourages people to accept life’s difficulties with grace and confidence in divine wisdom.

"On His Blindness" ही इंग्रजीतील सुप्रसिद्ध कवी जॉन मिल्टन यांनी लिहिलेली साॅनेट प्रकारातील कविता आहे. ही कविता त्यांनी अंधत्व आल्यावर लिहिली असून, त्यामध्ये त्यांनी आपल्या आयुष्याविषयीची चिंता व ईश्वरावरील विश्वास यांचे प्रकटन केले आहे. हे इटालियन (पेट्रार्कन) शैलीतील साॅनेट आहे आणि यामध्ये ABBAABBA CDECDE ही यमक योजना (rhyme scheme) आहे.

जॉन मिल्टन यांना १६५२ साली, वयाच्या ४४व्या वर्षी अंधत्व आले. साहित्य आणि काव्य लेखन हे त्यांचे जीवन होते, त्यामुळे दृष्टी गमावल्यावर त्यांना अतिशय नैराश्य आले. त्यांनी स्वतःच्या कार्यक्षमतेविषयी शंका घेतली आणि ईश्वर त्यांच्याकडून काय अपेक्षा करतो याचा विचार करू लागले. ही कविता त्यांच्या या मनःस्थितीचे प्रतिबिंब आहे.

कवितेच्या सुरुवातीस मिल्टन त्याच्या अंधत्वाबद्दल दुःख व्यक्त करतात. त्यांना असे वाटते की आता ते त्यांच्या प्रतिभेचा उपयोग करून ईश्वराची सेवा करू शकणार नाहीत. त्यांना भीती वाटते की ईश्वर त्यांच्याकडून कामाची अपेक्षा करत असेल आणि जर ते काही करू शकले नाहीत, तर त्याला उत्तर द्यावे लागेल.

मात्र, जेव्हा "Patience" (सहनशीलता) कवीला उत्तर देऊन टाकते. सहनशीलता त्यांना समजावते की ईश्वर केवळ कर्तव्याची अपेक्षा करत नाही, तर श्रद्धा आणि सहनशीलताही महत्त्वाची आहे. शेवटी, कवी म्हणतो की ईश्वरावर श्रद्धा ठेवणे आणि संयमाने त्याच्या कृपादृष्टीची वाट पाहणे हेही महत्त्वाचे आहे. हीही एक प्रकारे ईश्वराची सेवा आहे.

"On His Blindness" ही केवळ अंधत्वाबद्दलची कविता नाही, तर ती श्रद्धा, सहनशीलता आणि ईश्वराच्या योजनेवर विश्वास ठेवण्याचा संदेश देते. मिल्टन यांना कळते की शारीरिक कार्य करण्यास असमर्थ असणारे लोकही ईश्वराची सेवा करू शकतात. ही कविता आजही प्रेरणादायी आहे आणि संकटांचा स्वीकार कसा करावा हे शिकवते.