Baul and vaishnavism in tagore’s understanding

“In the infinite dualism of death and life there is a harmony. We know that the life of a soul which is finite in its expression and infinite in its principle, must go through the portals of death in its journey to realise the infinite.”- Rabindranath Tagore The entire fabric of Tagore’s poetry is woven with the threads of Baul tradition and Vaishnava philosophy. Bauls and Vaishnavas share some common beliefs because the most significant influence on the Bauls has been that of Vaishnavism. In these two sects the dominant note is love. Next to Vaishnavism, Rabindranath was greatly influenced by the Bauls. Many of his later writings had an influence of Vaishnava Philosophy and Literature. In Bhanusimher Padaboli, one can trace his literary concepts having an influence of Vaishnava lyrics. On the other hand, in many of his plays such as Prayaschitta (1909), The Post Office (1912), Phalguni(1916) and songs we find the influence of Bauls. Both the tradition preach that God resides within man and the simplest way to achieve God is by love. Tagore was mesmerized by their ideas of achieving God. Thus, Tagore never welcomed Emancipation through sainthood. He was against the traditional conception of emancipation or Mukti because according to him Mukti lies in love. According to him love is the highest virtue. The faith of love which Tagore gets from the Vaishnavas is strengthened by the songs of the Bauls.