Summary: A sea of foliage | Gul Mohar Class 7: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

About the Poet

Toru Dutt (1856–1877) was one of the first Indian poets to write in English and French. Though she died very young, she left behind beautiful poetry that reflected her love for nature, Indian traditions, and the world around her. Her most famous work is Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.

Detailed Summary (Stanza-by-Stanza Explanation)

Stanza 1

A sea of foliage girds our garden round,
But not a sea of dull unvaried green,
Sharp contrasts of all colours here are seen;

Explanation:
The poet describes the garden as being surrounded by a "sea of foliage" (dense leaves and greenery). However, it is not plain or dull green. Instead, it is full of sharp contrasts and many colours, which makes it beautiful and lively.

Stanza 2

The light-green graceful tamarinds abound
Amid the mango clumps of green profound,
And palms arise, like pillars grey, between;
And o'er the quiet pools the seemuls lean,
Red-red, and startling like a trumpet's sound.

Explanation:
The garden is filled with light-green tamarind trees, surrounded by darker green mango trees. Tall palm trees rise like grey pillars, giving structure to the view. By the quiet pools, the bright red seemul (silk-cotton) flowers lean over the water, their colour as bold and striking as the sound of a trumpet.

Stanza 3

But nothing can be lovelier than the ranges
Of bamboos to the eastward, when the moon
Looks through their gaps, and the white lotus changes
Into a cup of silver. One might swoon
Drunken with beauty then, or gaze and gaze
On a primeval Eden, in amaze.

Explanation:
The poet says that the most beautiful sight is the bamboo groves in the east, especially when the moonlight filters through them. At that moment, the white lotus in the pond seems to turn into a shining silver cup. This beauty is so overwhelming that one feels faint (“drunken with beauty”) or stands amazed, as though gazing at the original paradise—Eden.

Moral / Message

The poem celebrates the richness and diversity of nature. It reminds us that true beauty lies in variety—contrasting colours, shapes, and moods. Toru Dutt shows how nature can inspire wonder, peace, and even a spiritual feeling, like being in paradise. The message is to admire and respect the beauty of the natural world around us.

Vocabulary Table

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