Discuss the significance of the grass as a central symbol in Jayanta Mahapatra’s poem “Grass.” How does this symbol contribute to the themes of grief and the passage of time?

In Jayanta Mahapatra's poem "Grass," the grass serves as a potent and multifaceted symbol that anchors the themes of grief and the passage of time. The grass is depicted as both a persistent and a transformative force, growing amidst the decay and suffering that pervades the speaker's experience. This dual nature of grass as both enduring and ephemeral reflects the tension between the permanence of nature and the transient nature of human life.

The grass symbolizes the cycle of life, where decay and growth are intertwined. It grows even in the "cracked earth of years," suggesting that life continues despite the hardships and the passage of time. This imagery underscores the idea that, while grief and suffering are inevitable parts of existence, they are also integral to the process of renewal and healing. The grass, therefore, becomes a metaphor for resilience and continuity, a quiet yet powerful presence that witnesses and survives the ravages of time.

Moreover, the grass represents the quiet acceptance of the inevitable passage of time. It "turns the ground beneath [the speaker's] feet," indicating that time moves on, regardless of human grief. The speaker's interaction with the grass—sometimes carrying his grief alongside it—reflects a negotiation with time and mortality. The grass, in its unyielding yet gentle persistence, mirrors the slow, almost imperceptible passage of time that eventually leads to healing, even if it means that one must let go of the past.

In conclusion, the grass in Mahapatra's poem is a central symbol that encapsulates the themes of grief and the passage of time. It serves as a reminder of nature's enduring presence and its ability to offer solace, even as it quietly witnesses the inevitable changes that time brings. Through this symbol, Mahapatra weaves a narrative of resilience, renewal, and the subtle, ongoing transformation that is inherent in the human experience.