Sunayanī
Sunayanī is the name of the granddaughter of the speaker—presumably the author himself—in the poem "In the Eyes of a Peacock." While one might immediately assume the peacock is the primary symbol, that is not so. The speaker specifically points out that though his granddaughter is named Sunayanī, he calls her by the slight variation Śunāyanī "because she listens so well." This poem is actually about a poet writer racked with doubt over the importance of poetry in the grand scale of things. It is his little Sunayanī—the attentive and insightful listener—who reminds him of the value of poetry. Thus, she comes to symbolize the muse who not only inspires poetry, but gives it meaning and significance.
Song
The poem "Broken Song" asserts that a song is only complete when there is both a singer and a listener. This harmonious unity is compared to only hearing leaves rustling when the breeze shakes the limb. The unity must be perfectly complemented. This unity of song symbolizes the elements necessary for love in general. More specifically, the poem situates the harmonious union of the singer and the listener as a symbol for attaining a relationship with God.
The Conch
The title object of this poem is the familiar seashell, but its symbolism is derived from the way it was historically used. A perfectly formed conch shell is capable of producing a horn-like sound when blown into and this image resonates through heroic epics, including those in Indian literature. The opening image of the conch lying unused in the dirt infuses the poem as a call to action. The conch becomes the symbol of fighting against enemies, but not just in a warlike context. The conch is a symbol of the call to fight against personal setbacks as well rather than to give in to despair.
Airplanes
The poem "Flying Man" opens with a description of the airplane as a "Satanic machine" that enables man not just to fly, but to displace the essential nature of the sky. The sky is situated as being the last element conquered by humanity. The loud engines of planes, however, are out of place among the silent domain of the wind, birds, and the gods. The airplane becomes in this way a symbol of the overreaching arrogance of humanity, but also a symbol of its increasing lack of harmony with the rest of natural world.
Children
Throughout the verse of this poet, children are complex symbols. Not only do they symbolize innocence, but also an obliviousness to the questionable behavior of adults. They are not just symbols for a lack of corruption through experience, but represent that brief period of time when they have not yet even developed an interest in such experiences.
