Electron by Aurobindo Ghosh
Electron is a manuscript poem by Sri Aurobindo in which he explains the electron in scientific terms and how it behaves in the real world.
Text of the Poem
Electron
The electron on which forms and worlds are built,
Leaped into being, a particle of God.
A spark from the eternal Energy spilt,
It is the Infiniteโs blind minute abode.
In that small flaming chariot Shiva rides.
The One devised innumerably to be;
His oneness in invisible forms he hides,
Timeโs tiny temples of eternity.
Atom and molecule in their unseen plan
Buttress an edifice of strange onenesses,
Crystal and plant, insect and beast and man,โ
Man on whom the World-Unity shall seize,
Widening his soul-spark to an epiphany
Of the timeless vastness of Infinity.
Summary of Electron
The poem Electron reveals Aurobindoโs understanding of scientific temper and the danger of entire reliance on science in the current society. The poet begins by bringing out the characteristic feature of an electron.
Aurobindo acknowledges that it is the foundation upon which everything is built. He claims it is a negative particle located inside an atom. However, this negative particle has an impact on everything. He goes on to say that this negative particle has โleaped into being, a particle of God,โ implying that it is now considered equal to God, the Supreme Power. Lord Shiva, who travels in a โsmall flaming chariot,โ is mentioned by Aurobindo. He claims that it is the substance rather than the size that is important. Similarly, an atom, despite its modest size, may support a massive and intimidating structure. Such is its sway.
Furthermore, it has an effect on everything, including โcrystal and plant, insect and beast and man.โ Finally, Aurobindo concludes that the boundaries of this minuscule particle are dispersed throughout โthe timeless vastness of Infinity.โ
Take note of how the phrases โleaped into being, a particle of Godโ and โflaming chariotโ where โShiva ridesโ are used to compare the electron to all potential nuclear energy.
Literary Form
Personification:
• The electron on which forms and words are built,
Leaped into a being, ………………….
• Atom and molecule in their unseen plan
Alliteration:
โข A spark from the eternal Energy spilt,
โข Timesโs tiny temples to eternity.
โข Widening his soul-spark to an epiphany