Ecological Consciousness in Tagore's Pedagogy, Poetry and Philosophy

Abstract: Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) was a legendary Bengali poet, philosopher and educator who learned mostly from his own experiences rather than through formal education. From his childhood in rural Bengal, he developed a deep affinity with nature which is reflected throughout his literary works. This paper explores the ecological consciousness manifested in Tagore’s educational experiments, poetic imagination and philosophical reflections. His work demonstrates a sustained effort to harmony between humans and the natural world at a time when colonial modernity promoted alienation from ecological life. This article examines how Tagore’s pedagogical experiments at Santiniketan, his poetic representations of nature and his philosophical essays collectively articulate an eco-centric worldview. The study focuses on three types of being or sattva: Prakatisatta (the being of nature), Manabsatta (human consciousness) and Paramsatta (supreme consciousness) to show how these concepts promote a holistic vision of ecological ethics. The study concludes that Tagore’s eco‑centric consciousness remains a compelling model for ecological humanism today. Keywords: Eco-centrism, Being of Nature, Pedagogy, Rabindranath Tagore, Santiniketan