Tagore was born into a wealthy family in the Bengali city of Calcutta during British colonial rule. Immensely talented, he would become a distinguished writer, educator, playwright, composer, social reformer, and philosopher. As a poet, Tagore is a master, having been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913–the first non-European to be given this honor. Along with Mahatma Gandhi, Tagore is considered to be the foremost intellectual and spiritual advocate for India’s liberation from imperial rule.

Originally compiled by Rev. Herbert Vetter, this expanded edition of The Heart of God includes 25 additional poems and a foreword by Tagore scholar Bashabi Fraser, who describes the profound wisdom of Tagore’s writings and the lasting importance of this beautiful collection, along with a moving Preface by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Albert Schweitzer. Like the Psalms of David, these simple prayers transcend time and speak directly to the human heart.