4.2 Harvest Hymn - Class 8 - Poorvi (New)

Author: Sarojini Naidu

Textbook: Poorvi

Genre: Poem / Hymn of Praise

Summary

A Harvest Hymn is a devotional poem celebrating the divine forces of nature that provide abundance during the harvest season. The voices of men, women, and the entire community praise the gods—Surya, Varuna, and Prithvi—for their kindness and generosity. The farmers hail Surya, the lord of the morning, for nurturing crops with his radiance, and they honour Varuna, the rain god, for sending showers and sustaining life. They also praise Prithvi, the Earth, as a benevolent mother who nourishes and supports all creatures. The hymn presents gratitude for the prosperity of the valleys, fields, and fruits yielded during harvest. It acknowledges the divine as both the beginning (Seed) and the end (Scythe) of life’s cycle, symbolising creation and culmination. Through rhythmic verses, the poem reflects the cultural spirit of rural India, where harvest is celebrated with songs, hymns, and offerings. It conveys reverence, joy, and unity, teaching the importance of gratitude towards nature and divine powers that sustain life.

Character Sketch

• The Farmers / Villagers

  • Hardworking, deeply connected to nature.

  • Grateful and reverent towards divine forces like the Sun, Rain, and Earth.

  • Express devotion through hymns, garlands, and offerings.

  • Represent rural India’s faith in divine blessings for prosperity.

• Surya (the Sun God)

  • Described as “Lord of the lotus, lord of the harvest.”

  • Symbol of radiance, energy, and life-giving warmth.

  • Nurtures crops and ensures abundance.

• Varuna (the Rain God)

  • Merciful and generous, sender of showers and dew.

  • Represents sustenance, fertility, and growth.

• Prithvi (the Earth)

  • Symbol of motherhood, provider of food and shelter.

  • Seen as “sweet and omnipotent mother.”

  • Source of manifold gladness for all beings.

Themes

Poetic Devices

Title Justification

The title A Harvest Hymn is justified as the poem is a devotional song sung in praise of divine powers during the harvest season. It combines the joy of abundance with gratitude, offering thanks for the prosperity of crops. The term “hymn” reflects the poem’s religious and celebratory tone, while “harvest” underlines its focus on nature’s bounty and rural life.

One-Mark Questions

1. Who is praised as the ‘lord of the harvest’ in the poem? Answer: Surya, the Sun God, is praised as the ‘lord of the harvest’ for nurturing crops with radiance.

2. Why do the farmers hail Varuna in the hymn? Answer: Farmers hail Varuna because he sends rain and dew, sustaining crops and ensuring fertility of the land.

3. How is the Earth described in the poem? Answer: The Earth, or Prithvi, is described as a “sweet and omnipotent mother,” symbolising nurturing and motherhood.

4. What does the imagery of ‘Seed and Scythe’ symbolise? Answer: The imagery of ‘Seed and Scythe’ symbolises the divine’s role as both creator and destroyer, marking the cycle of life.

5. What offerings do the farmers bring as tribute to the gods? Answer: The farmers bring songs, garlands, fruits, and grains as tribute, showing their gratitude towards the gods.

Three-Mark Questions

1. How does the poem highlight the importance of Surya? Answer: The poem highlights Surya as the source of radiance, warmth, and energy. Farmers acknowledge him as the nurturer of crops and prosperity of fields. His role in transforming sowing into harvest symbolises the life-giving power of the Sun.

2. What role does Varuna play in the harvest cycle? Answer: Varuna plays the role of sending rains and dew that fertilise soil and sustain crops. His mercy is acknowledged as essential for rich harvests. The farmers express gratitude for his nourishment and generosity.

3. Why do the women hail Prithvi in the poem? Answer: Women hail Prithvi as the “sweet and omnipotent mother” who provides fertile land, supports crops, and nurtures all life. She is revered for her blessings that ensure gladness, food, and shelter for humankind.

4. What is the significance of communal voices in the hymn? Answer: The hymn includes voices of men, women, and all voices to signify unity. This collective devotion reflects the cultural practice of celebrating harvest together as a community. It emphasises joy, harmony, and shared gratitude.

5. How does the poet create the joyous atmosphere of harvest? Answer: The poet creates joy by describing singing, garlands, and offerings made to gods. The repetition of praise lines reflects celebratory tone. References to prosperity, abundance, and divine blessings show harvest as a time of happiness and reverence.

Value-Based Question

Q. What moral or emotional lesson does the poem A Harvest Hymn convey to students? Answer: The poem conveys the lesson of gratitude and respect towards nature and divine forces that sustain life. It teaches that abundance and prosperity come from collective effort and blessings of natural elements like the Sun, Rain, and Earth. Students learn to value harmony, respect the environment, and celebrate life’s blessings with humility and unity.

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