Breaking, Burning, and Becoming: An Islamic Reading of Donne’s “'Better my Heart Three-Parsoned God” and Tagore’s “Aguner Parasmoni”

Abstract

This paper explores the spiritual longing and the quest for purification in John Donne’s “Batter My Heart, Three-Personed God” and Rabindranath Tagore’s “Aguner Parasmani”. Despite their distinct religious contexts—Christianity and Hinduism—both poets express deep vulnerability in confronting evil and seek divine intervention for spiritual transformation. The analysis highlights how both poets use powerful metaphors of fire and physical transformation to depict inner cleansing. An Islamic perspective is incorporated to critique and contextualize their respective views on evil, repentance, and divine purification, offering a cross-religious insight into the human struggle for spiritual purity.