UP Board Solutions Class 12 English Chapter 3 On His Blindness

About the Poet

John Milton was born in London in 1608. He passed M. A. from Cambridge in 1632. He devoted himself to the study of classics, art, modern language and literature. Generally his writings are autobiographical. He lost his eye-sight at the age of 44 in 1652. Some of his famous works are : Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, Samson Agoniste, etc. He died in 1674.

About the Poem

‘On His Blindness’ is a personal sonnet expressing grief over his premature blindness. It is a complaint to God for this injustice. The poet was unable to use his poetic talent in the service of God. The poet soon realizes the supremacy of God and gets consolation.

Central Idea [2010, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]

About the Poem

This sonnet of Milton expresses his grief over his premature blindness. He thinks he will not be able to use his poetic talent in the service of God. But soon he realizes that the best service to God is to bear the misfortunes and sufferings of life. These are given us by God to test our patience. So we should have faith in God.

(मिल्टन इस sonnet में समय से पूर्व अपने अन्धे हो जाने पर दुःख प्रकट करता है। वह सोचता है कि वह अपने कविता के गुण को भगवान् की सेवा में प्रयोग नहीं कर सकेगा। किन्तु शीघ्र ही वह अनुभव करता है कि भगवान् की सबसे अच्छी सेवा जीवन के कष्टों एवं आपदाओं को सहन करना है। ये हमें भगवान् द्वारा हमारे धैर्य की परीक्षा करने के लिए दी गई हैं। इसलिए हमें भगवान् में विश्वास रखना चाहिए।)

Explanations (With Meanings & Hindi Translation)

Question 1.
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; [2014, 18]

Answer:
Word-meanings:
consider = विचार करना think;
light = आँखों का प्रकाश eye-sight;
is spent = खो गई is lost;
ere = पहले before;
half my days = आधा जीवन half of my life;
wide = व्यापक large;
talent = कविता करने का गुण poetic talent;
which is death to hide = जिसे मृत्यु छीन सकती है which can be taken away by death alone;
lodged = है, पड़ा है lying;
soul more bent = अधिक उत्सुक हूँ more willing या eager;
therewith = उस उपहार से with it;
Maker = रचयिता God;
true account = सही हिसाब real work;
lest = कहीं ऐसा न हो कि in order that not;
returning = मृत्यु के बाद after death;
chide = बुरा-भला कहना scold.

(जब मैं (कवि) सोचता हूँ कि मैं अपने आधे जीवन से पूर्व ही अन्धा कैसे हो गया और यह संसार मेरे लिए अँधेरा तथा विशाल हो गया (तब मुझे दुःख होता है)। मेरे पास एक गुण है (कविता करने का), जो मृत्यु तक मेरे पास रहेगा, उसे मैं (अन्धा होने के कारण) प्रयोग में नहीं ला सकूँगा। यद्यपि मेरी तीव्र इच्छा है कि मैं अपनी उस योग्यता से अपने ईश्वर की (कविता के द्वारा प्रशंसा करके) सेवा करूँ और मृत्यु के बाद भगवान् के समक्ष इस संसार में अपने कार्यों का सही लेखा-जोखा प्रस्तुत कर सकूँ। कहीं ऐसा न हो कि भगवान् मुझे मृत्यु के बाद डाँटे (कि मैंने कविता लिखकर उसकी सेवा क्यों नहीं की)।)

Reference: This stanza is an extract from John Milton’s poem ‘On His Blindness’.
[ N.B. : The above reference will be used for all the explanations of this poem. ]

Context: In these lines the poet expresses his grief over his premature blindness. But soon he realizes that he should not complain against God because God neither needs man’s work nor His own gifts.

Explanation: In this opening stanza we note that Milton is very much grieved when he thinks why he has become blind before half of his age. This world has become very wide and dark for him. God has given him a poetic talent which nobody can take away. But it is lying useless with him because in the absence of sight he cannot write poetry to praise God. This internal conflict highlights the deep spiritual struggle of a devout poet who feels helpless due to his physical limitation. He wants to serve his Creator by using his talent and present a true account of his life so that God does not rebuke him after death.
In simple words: The poet is deeply saddened by losing his eyesight before even reaching middle age, making his world dark and vast. He feels anxious because his God-given poetic talent is lying useless, and he fears God's disapproval if he cannot present a worthy account of his life's work.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining this stanza, clearly define the metaphor of 'light' as eyesight and 'talent' as poetic ability, as these are key terms examiners look for.

Question 2. ‘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; [2012, 16, 17, 18]
Answer:
Word-meanings : denied = मना कर दिया refused; fondly = मूर्खता से foolishly; patience से = धैर्य power of endurance; to prevent = टाल देना, रोकना to stop; murmur = शिकायत complaint; mild = हल्का light; yoke = जुआ अर्थात् कष्ट sufferings.

( मैं (मैं कवि ) मूर्खता से पूछता हूँ कि क्या भगवान् मुझसे पूरे दिन मेहनत कराना चाहता है, जबकि मेरी आँखों की रोशनी चली गई है अर्थात् मैं अन्धा हो गया हूँ। किन्तु तुरन्त मेरे इस विरोध (शिकायत) को रोकने के लिए धैर्य उत्तर देता है, “भगवान् को न तो मनुष्य के कार्य की आवश्यकता है और न अपने उपहारों की । जो व्यक्ति बिना सन्देह, शिकायत या प्रश्न किए हुए भगवान् के दिए कष्टों को सहन करते हैं वे भगवान् की सर्वोत्तम सेवा करते हैं।” )

Context : In these lines the poet expresses his grief over his premature blindness. But he is sad thinking that the talent of composing poems is lying useless with him although he is eager to serve God.

Explanation : In this stanza we note poet’s complaint to God and realization of his mistake. He foolishly asks if God is so unjust that He expects a blind man to write poems. But soon patience checks him and tells him that God neither wants to take work from any man nor He has any need of the gifts given by Him. God has given punishment to man for his sins in the form of light sufferings. So the man who cheerfully bears the ‘misfortunes of life and takes them as the will of God, serves Him best. Thus the poet realizes that he should not complain against God. John Milton beautifully illustrates how true devotion lies in silent submission to the divine will.

(इसे पद्यांश में हम कवि की भगवान् के प्रति शिकायत तथा अपनी भूल का अनुभव करते हैं। वह मूर्खता से पूछता है कि क्या भगवान् इतना अन्यायी है कि वह एक अन्धे आदमी से भी कविता लिखने की आशा करता है। किन्तु तुरन्त धैर्य उसे रोकता है और उसे बताता है कि भगवान् न तो किसी व्यक्ति से काम लेना चाहता है। और ने उसे अपने द्वारा दिए हुए उपहार चाहिए। भगवान् ने मनुष्य को उसके पापों के लिए दण्ड हल्के कष्टों के रूप में दिए हैं। इसलिए वह मनुष्य जो जीवन के कष्टों को प्रसन्नतापूर्वक सहन करता है और उन्हें भगवान् की इच्छा के रूप में मानता है वह ही भगवान् की सबसे अच्छी सेवा करता है। इस प्रकार कवि यह अनुभव करता है कि उसे भगवान् के विरुद्ध शिकायत नहीं करनी चाहिए।)

Comments : In this stanza the poet has personified patience.
In simple words: The poet foolishly asks if God expects hard work from a blind man, but his patience quickly reminds him that God does not need human work or gifts. Those who bear life's small troubles calmly and accept God's will are the ones who serve Him best.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining this stanza, highlight the personification of 'Patience' and emphasize the theme of complete submission to God's will to secure maximum marks.

Question (3). 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.
Answer:
Word-meanings: thousands = हजारों देवदूत (thousands of angels); state = दशा, स्थिति (position); bidding = order; speed = do immediately; post = out से घूमना-फिरना (move speedily).

(भगवान् की स्थिति राजाओं जैसी है। हजारों देवदूत उसकी आज्ञा पर बहुत तेजी से पृथ्वी पर भी और समुद्र पर भी लगातार घूम-फिर रहे हैं। वे व्यक्ति भी भगवान् की सेवा करते हैं जो शान्ति से खड़े रहते हैं और अपनी बारी की प्रतीक्षा करते हैं अर्थात् जो बिना शर्त के स्वयं को भगवान् की इच्छा के प्रति समर्पित कर देते हैं।)

Context: Milton became blind before half of his age. So he was very grieved. He thinks that the gift of poetry given by God is lying useless with him. He makes a protest against God. But soon he realizes his mistake. He comes to know that unconditional surrender to the will of God is the best service to Him.

Explanation: In this concluding stanza the poet says that the position of God is like kings. Thousands of angels are running continuously over land and ocean. They do not take rest and travel from one place to another. They convey the message of God to the people everywhere at His order. The sufferings and misfortunes of life are given to us by God as a test. This highlights the poet's ultimate realization that true devotion lies in silent resignation and patience. So the best service to God is to bear these sufferings without any complaint.

(इस अन्तिम पद्यांश में कवि कहता है कि भगवान् की स्थिति राजाओं के समान है। हजारों देवदूत पृथ्वी पर भी और समुद्र पर भी लगातार घूम रहे हैं। वे आराम भी नहीं करते और एक स्थान से दूसरे स्थान तक यात्रा करते हैं। वे भगवान् का सन्देश उसकी आज्ञा पर प्रत्येक स्थान पर लोगों तक पहुँचाते हैं। जीवन के कष्ट और विपत्तियाँ भगवान् के द्वारा हमें परीक्षा के तौर पर दी गई हैं। इसलिए भगवान् की सबसे अच्छी सेवा इन कष्टों को बिना कोई शिकायत किये हुए सहन करना है।)

Comments: The last line of this stanza has become proverbial and is often quoted.
In simple words: God is like a supreme king who has countless angels to carry out His commands across the world. Therefore, those who cannot actively serve Him but patiently accept His will and wait for their turn are also serving Him truly.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining this stanza, make sure to highlight the famous concluding line as it represents the core philosophical resolution of the poem.