{"id":3288,"date":"2013-07-13T01:47:13","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=3288"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:47:13","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:47:13","slug":"23-book-10-canto-3-the-debate-of-love-and-death-vol-02-savitri-1951","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/02-other-editions\/01-savitri\/02-savitri-1951\/23-book-10-canto-3-the-debate-of-love-and-death-vol-02-savitri-1951","title":{"rendered":"-23_Book 10 Canto 3 The Debate of Love and Death.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\n

<\/p>\n

CANTO THREE<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

THE DEBATE OF LOVE AND DEATH<\/font> <\/b> <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\t\t <\/td>\n\n

\n

A SAD destroying cadence the voice
\nsank; <\/font>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\nIt seemed to lead the advancing
\nmarch of Life <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nInto some still original Inane. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut Savitri answered to almighty
\nDeath: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n"O dark-browed sophist of the
\nuniverse <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWho veilst the Real with its own
\nIdea, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHiding with brute objects Nature's
\nliving face, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMasking eternity with thy dance of
\ndeath, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast woven the ignorant Mind
\ninto a screen <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd made of Thought error's
\npurveyor and scribe, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd a false witness of mind's
\nservant sense. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAn aesthete of the sorrow of the
\nworld, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nChampion of a harsh and sad
\nphilosophy <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast used words to shutter out
\nthe Light <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd called in Truth to vindicate a
\nlie. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA lying reality is falsehood's
\ncrown <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd a perverted truth her richest
\ngem. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO<\/font>
\nDeath, thou speakest Truth but Truth that slays, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI answer to thee with the Truth
\nthat saves. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA traveller new-discovering
\nhimself, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOne made of Matter's world his
\nstarting-point, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe made of Nothingness his
\nliving-room <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd Night a process of the eternal
\nlight <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd death a spur towards
\nimmortality. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGod wrapped his head from sight in
\nMatter's cowl, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis consciousness dived into
\ninconscient depths, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll-knowledge seemed a huge dark
\nNescience; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nInfinity wore a boundless zero's
\nform. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis abysms of bliss became
\ninsensible deeps, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEternity a blank spiritual Vast. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n


\n <\/font>Page 252<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnnulling an original nullity, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Timeless took its ground in
\nemptiness <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd drew the figure of a universe, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat the spirit might adventure
\ninto Time <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd wrestle with adamant Necessity <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd the soul pursue a cosmic
\npilgrimage. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA spirit moved in black immensities <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd built a Thought in ancient
\nNothingness; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA soul in God's tremendous Void was
\nlit,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nA secret labouring glow of nascent fire.<\/p>\n

\nIn Nihil's gulf his mighty Puissance wrought; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nShe swung her formless motion into
\nshapes,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nMade Matter the body of the Bodiless.<\/p>\n

\nInfant and dim the eternal Mights awoke.<\/p>\n

\nIn inert Matter breathed a slumbering Life.<\/p>\n

\nIn a subconscient Life Mind lay asleep; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIn waking Life it stretched its
\ngiant limbs<\/P><\/p>\n

\nTo shake from it the torpor of its drowse; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nA senseless substance quivered into
\nsense,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nThe world's heart commenced to beat, its eyes to see.<\/p>\n

\nIn the crowded dumb vibrations of a brain<\/p>\n

\nThought fumbled in a ring to find itself,<\/p>\n

\nDiscovered speech and fed the new-born Word<\/p>\n

\nThat bridged with spans of light the world's ignorance.<\/p>\n

\nIn waking Mind, the Thinker built his house.<\/p>\n

\nA reasoning animal willed and planned and sought; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe stood erect among his brute
\ncompeers,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nHe built life new, measured the universe,<\/p>\n

\nOpposed his fate and wrestled with unseen Powers,<\/p>\n

\nConquered and used the laws that rule the world,<\/p>\n

\nAnd hoped to ride the heavens and reach the stars,<\/p>\n

\nA master of his huge environment.<\/p>\n

\nNow through Mind's windows stares the demi-god<\/p>\n

\nHidden behind the curtains of man's soul; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe has seen the Unknown, looked on
\nTruth's veilless face; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA ray has touched him from the
\neternal Sun; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMotionless, voiceless in foreseeing
\ndepths,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nHe stands awake in Supemature's light<\/p>\n

\nAnd sees a glory of arisen wings<\/p>\n

\nAnd sees the vast descending might of God.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

Page  253<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n  
\nO Death, thou lookst on an
\nunfinished world <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAssailed by thee and of its road
\nunsure, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPeopled by imperfect minds and
\nignorant lives, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd sayest God is not and all is
\nvain. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHow shall the child already be the
\nman? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBecause he is infant, shall he
\nnever grow? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBecause he is ignorant, shall he
\nnever learn? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn a small fragile seed a great
\ntree lurks, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn a tiny gene a thinking being is
\nshut; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA little element in a little sperm, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt grows and is a conqueror and a
\nsage. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen wilt thou spew out. Death,
\nGod's mystic truth, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDeny the occult spiritual miracle? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nStill wilt thou say there is no
\nspirit, no God? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA mute material Nature wakes and
\nsees; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe has invented speech, unveiled a
\nwill. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSomething there waits beyond
\ntowards which she strives, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSomething surrounds her into which
\nshe grows: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo uncover the spirit, to change
\nback into God,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nTo exceed herself is her transcendent task. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIn God concealed the world began to
\nbe,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nTardily it travels towards manifest God: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOur imperfection towards perfection
\ntoils,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nThe body is the chrysalis of a soul: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe infinite holds the finite in
\nits arms, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTime travels towards revealed
\neternity. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA miracle structure of the eternal
\nMage, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMatter its mystery hides from its
\nown eyes, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA scripture written out in cryptic
\nsigns, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAn occult document of the All-Wonderful's
\nart. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll here bears witness to his
\nsecret might, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn all we feel his presence and his
\npower. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA blaze of his sovereign glory is
\nthe sun, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA glory is the gold and glimmering
\nmoon. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA glory is his dream of purple sky. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA march of his greatness are the
\nwheeling stars. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis laughter of beauty breaks out
\nin green trees, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis moments of beauty triumph in a
\nflower; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe blue sea's chant, the rivulet's
\nwandering voice<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAre murmurs falling from the Etemal's harp. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Page 254<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThis world is God fulfilled in
\noutwardness.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nHis ways challenge our reason and our sense; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nBy blind brute movements of an
\nignorant Force,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nBy means we slight as small, obscure or base<\/p>\n

\nA greatness founded upon little things,<\/p>\n

\nHe has built a world in the unknowing Void.<\/p>\n

\nHis forms he has massed from infinitesimal dust; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHis marvels are built from
\ninsignificant things.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nIf mind is crippled, life untaught and crude,<\/p>\n

\nIf brutal masks are there and evil acts,<\/p>\n

\nThey are incidents of his vast and varied plot,<\/p>\n

\nHis great and dangerous drama's needed steps; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe makes with these and all his
\npassion-play,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nA play and yet no play but the deep scheme<\/p>\n

\nOf a transcendent Wisdom finding ways<\/p>\n

\nTo meet her Lord in the shadow and the Night: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAbove her is the vigil of the
\nstars; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWatched by a solitary Infinitude<\/P><\/p>\n

\nShe embodies in dumb Matter the Divine,<\/p>\n

\nIn symbol minds and lives the Absolute.<\/p>\n

\nA miracle-monger her mechanical craft; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMatter's machine worked out the
\nlaws of thought,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nLife's engines served the labour of a soul: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe mighty Mother her creation
\nwrought,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nA huge caprice self-bound by iron laws,<\/p>\n

\nAnd shut God into an enigmatic world: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nShe lulled the Omniscient into
\nnescient sleep,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nOmnipotence on Inertia's back she drove,<\/p>\n

\nTrod perfectly with divine unconscious steps<\/p>\n

\nThe enormous circle of her wonder-works.<\/p>\n

\nImmortality assured itself by death; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe Etemal's face was seen through
\ndrifts of Time.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nHis knowledge he disguised as Ignorance,<\/p>\n

\nHis Good he sowed in Evil's monstrous bed,<\/p>\n

\nMade error a door by which Truth could enter in,<\/p>\n

\nHis plant of bliss watered with Sorrow's tears.<\/p>\n

\nA thousand aspects point back to the One; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nA dual Nature covered the Unique. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn this meeting of the Etemal's
\nmingling masques, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis tangle-dance of passionate
\ncontraries <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Page 255<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nLocking like lovers in a forbidden
\nembrace <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe quarrel of their lost identity, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn this wrestle and wrangle of the
\nextremes of Power <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEarth's million roads struggled
\ntowards deity. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll stumbled on behind a stumbling
\nGuide, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYet every stumble is a needed pace <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOn unknown routes to an unknowable
\ngoal. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll blundered and straggled towards
\nthe one Divine. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs if transmuted by a titan spell <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe eternal powers assumed a
\ndubious face: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIdols of an oblique divinity,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nThey wore the heads of animal or troll,<\/p>\n

\nAssumed ears of the fawn, the satyr's hoof,<\/p>\n

\nOr harboured the demoniac in their gaze.<\/p>\n

\nA crooked maze they made of thinking mind,<\/p>\n

\nThey suffered a metamorphosis of the heart,<\/p>\n

\nAdmitting Bacchant revellers from the Night<\/p>\n

\nInto its sanctuary of delights,<\/p>\n

\nAs in a Dionysian masquerade.<\/p>\n

\nOn the highways, in the gardens of the world<\/p>\n

\nThey wallowed oblivious of their divine parts,<\/p>\n

\nAs drunkards of a dire Circean wine<\/p>\n

\nOr a child who sprawls and sports in Nature's mire.<\/p>\n

\nEven wisdom, hewer of the roads of God,<\/p>\n

\nIs a partner in the deep disastrous game: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nLost is the pilgrim's wallet and
\nthe scrip,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nShe fails to read the map and watch the star.<\/p>\n

\nA poor self-righteous virtue is her stock<\/p>\n

\nAnd reason's pragmatic grope or abstract sight,<\/p>\n

\nOr the technique of a brief hour's success<\/p>\n

\nShe teaches, an usher in utility's school.<\/p>\n

\nOn the ocean surface of vast Consciousness<\/p>\n

\nSmall thoughts in shoals are fished up into a net<\/p>\n

\nBut the great truths escape her narrow cast; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nGuarded from vision by creation's
\ndepths,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nObscure they swim in blind enormous gulfs<\/p>\n

\nSafe from the little sounding leads of mind,<\/p>\n

\nToo far for the puny diver's shallow plunge.<\/p>\n

\nOur mortal vision peers with ignorant eyes,<\/p>\n

\nIt has no gaze on the deep heart of things. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/P><\/p>\n


\nPage 256<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOur knowledge walks leaning on
\nError's staff,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nA worshipper of false dogmas and false gods,<\/p>\n

\nOr fanatic of a fierce intolerant creed<\/p>\n

\nOr a seeker doubting every truth he finds,<\/p>\n

\nA sceptic facing Light with adamant No<\/p>\n

\nOr chilling the heart with dry ironic smile,<\/p>\n

\nA cynic stamping out the god in man; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nA darkness wallows in the paths of
\nTime<\/P><\/font><\/p>\n

\nOr lifts its giant head to blot the
\nstars,<\/p>\n

\nIt makes a cloud of the interpreting mind<\/p>\n

\nAnd intercepts the oracles of the Sun.<\/p>\n

\nYet Light is there; it stands at Nature's doors: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt holds a torch to lead the
\ntraveller in.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nIt waits to be kindled in our secret cells; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt is a star lighting an ignorant
\nsea, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA lamp upon our poop piercing the
\nnight. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs knowledge grows Light flames up
\nfrom within: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is a shining warrior in the
\nmind, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAn eagle of dreams in the divining
\nheart, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAn armour in the fight, a bow of
\nGod. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen larger dawns arrive and
\nWisdom's pomps <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCross through the being's dim,
\nhalf-lighted fields; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPhilosophy climbs up Thought's
\ncloud-bank peaks<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAnd Science tears out Nature's occult powers,<\/p>\n

\nEnormous jinns who serve a dwarf's small needs,<\/p>\n

\nExposes the sealed minutiae of her art<\/p>\n

\nAnd conquers her by her own captive force.<\/p>\n

\nOn heights unreached by mind's most daring soar,<\/p>\n

\nUpon a dangerous edge of failing Time<\/p>\n

\nThe soul draws back into its deathless Self; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMan's knowledge becomes God's
\nsupernal Ray.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nThere is the mystic realm whence leaps the power<\/p>\n

\nWhose fire burns in the eyes of seer and sage; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nA lightning flash of visionary
\nsight,<\/P><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt plays upon an inward verge of
\nmind: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThought silenced gazes into a
\nbrilliant Void.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nA voice comes down from mystic unseen peaks: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nA cry of splendour from a mouth of
\nstorm,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nIt is the voice that speaks to night's profound,<\/p>\n

\nIt is the thunder and the flaming call. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Page 257<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAbove the planes that climb from
\nnescient earth,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nA hand is lifted towards the Invisible's realm,<\/p>\n

\nBeyond the superconscient's blinding line<\/p>\n

\nAnd plucks away the screens of the Unknown; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nA spirit within looks into the
\nEternal's eyes. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt hears the Word to which our
\nhearts were deaf, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt sees through the blaze in which
\nour thoughts grew blind; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt drinks from the naked breasts of
\nglorious Truth, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt learns the secrets of eternity. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThus all was plunged into the
\nriddling Night, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThus all is raised to meet a
\ndazzling Sun. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n0 Death, this is the mystery of thy
\nreign. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn earth's anomalous and tragic
\nfield <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCarried in its-aimless journey by
\nthe sun <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMid the forced marches of the great
\ndumb stars, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA darkness occupied the fields of
\nGod, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd Matter's world was governed by
\nthy shape. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy mask has covered the Eternal's
\nface, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Bliss that made the world has
\nfallen asleep. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAbandoned in the Vast she slumbered
\non: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAn evil transmutation overtook <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHer members till she knew herself
\nno more. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnly through her creative slumber
\nflit <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFrail memories of the joy and
\nbeauty meant <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nUnder the sky's blue laugh mid
\ngreen-scarfed trees <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd happy squanderings of scents
\nand hues, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn the field of the golden
\npromenade of the sun <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd the vigil of the dream-light of
\nthe stars, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAmid high meditating heads
\nof-hills, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOn the bosom of voluptuous
\nrain-kissed earth <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd by the sapphire tumblings of
\nthe sea. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut now the primal innocence is
\nlost <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd Death and Ignorance govern the
\nmortal world <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd Nature's visage wears a greyer
\nhue. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEarth still has kept her early
\ncharm and grace, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe grandeur and the beauty still
\nare hers, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut veiled is the divine
\nInhabitant. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe souls of men have wandered from
\nthe Light – <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd the great Mother turns away her
\nface. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe eyes of the creatrix Bliss are
\nclosed <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Page 258<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd sorrow's touch has found her in
\nher dreams.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAs she turns and tosses on her bed of Void,<\/p>\n

\nBecause she cannot wake and find herself<\/p>\n

\nAnd cannot build again her perfect shape,<\/p>\n

\nOblivious of her nature and her state,<\/p>\n

\nForgetting her instinct of felicity,<\/p>\n

\nForgetting to create a world of joy,<\/p>\n

\nShe weeps and makes her creatures' eyes to weep; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nTesting with sorrow's edge her
\nchildren's breasts,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nShe spends on life's vain waste of hope and toil<\/p>\n

\nThe poignant luxury of grief and tears.<\/p>\n

\nIn the nightmare change of her half-conscious dream,<\/p>\n

\nTortured herself and torturing by her touch,<\/p>\n

\nShe comes to our hearts and bodies and our lives<\/p>\n

\nWearing a hard and cruel mask of pain.<\/p>\n

\nOur nature twisted by the abortive birth<\/p>\n

\nReturns wry answers to life's questioning shocks,<\/p>\n

\nAn acrid relish finds in the world's pangs,<\/p>\n

\nDrinks the sharp wine of grief's perversity.<\/p>\n

\nA curse is laid on the pure joy of life: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nDelight, God's sweetest sign and
\nBeauty's twin,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nDreaded by aspiring saint and austere sage,<\/p>\n

\nIs shunned, a dangerous and ambiguous cheat,<\/p>\n

\nA specious trick of an infernal Power<\/p>\n

\nIt tempts the soul to its self-hurt and fall.<\/p>\n

\nA puritan God made pleasure a poisonous fruit,<\/p>\n

\nOr red drug in the market-place of Death,<\/p>\n

\nAnd sin the child of Nature's ecstasy.<\/p>\n

\nYet every creature hunts for happiness,<\/p>\n

\nBuys with harsh pangs or tears by violence<\/p>\n

\nFrom the dull breast of the inanimate globe<\/p>\n

\nSome fragment or some broken shard of bliss.<\/p>\n

\nEven joy itself becomes a poisonous draught,<\/p>\n

\nIts hunger is made a dreadful hook of Fate.<\/p>\n

\nAll means are held good to catch a single beam,<\/p>\n

\nEternity sacrificed for a moment's bliss: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nYet for joy and not for sorrow
\nearth was made<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAnd not as a dream in endless suffering Time.<\/p>\n

\nAlthough God made the world for his delight,<\/p>\n

\nAn ignorant Power took charge and seemed his Will<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage 259<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd Death's deep falsity has
\nmastered Life.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAll grew a play of Chance simulating Fate. <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n      A
\nsecret air of pure felicity<\/P><\/p>\n

\nDeep like a sapphire heaven our spirits breathe; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOur hearts and bodies feel its
\nobscure call, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOur senses grope for it and touch
\nand lose. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf this withdrew, the world would
\nsink in the Void, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf this were not, nothing could
\nmove or live. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA hidden Bliss is at the root of
\nthings. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA mute Delight regards Time's
\ncountless works: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo house God's joy in things Space
\ngave wide room,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nTo house God's joy in self our souls were born.<\/p>\n

\nThis universe an old enchantment guards; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIts objects are carved cups of
\nWorld-Delight <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhose charmed wine is some deep
\nsoul's rapture-drink: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe All-Wonderful has packed heaven
\nwith his dreams,<\/P><\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe has made blank ancient Space his
\nmarvel-house; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe spilled his spirit into Matter's
\nsigns: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis fires of grandeur bum in the
\ngreat sun, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe glides through heaven shimmering
\nin the moon; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe is beauty carolling in the
\nfields of sound; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe chants the stanzas of the odes
\nof Wind; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe is silence watching in the stars
\nat night; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe wakes at dawn and calls from
\nevery bough,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nLies stunned in the stone and dreams in flower and tree. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOven in this labour and colour of
\nIgnorance,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nOn the hard perilous ground of difficult earth,<\/p>\n

\nIn spite of death and evil circumstance
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA
\nwill to live persists, a joy to be.<\/p>\n

\nThere is a joy in all that meets the sense,<\/p>\n

\nA joy in all experience of the soul,<\/p>\n

\nA joy in evil and a joy in good,<\/p>\n

\nA joy in virtue and a joy in sin: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIndifferent to the threat Of karmic
\nlaw, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nJoy dares to grow upon forbidden
\nsoil, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIts sap runs through the plant and
\nflowers of Pain: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt thrills with the drama of fate
\nand tragic doom,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nIt tears its food from sorrow and ecstasy,<\/p>\n

\nOn danger and difficulty whets its strength;<\/font><\/p>\n


\n <\/font>Page 260<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt wallows with the reptile and the
\nworm<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAnd lifts its head, an equal of the stars; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt shares the fairies' dance, dines
\nwith the gnome: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt basks in the light and heat of
\nmany suns,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nThe sun of Beauty and the sun of Power<\/p>\n

\nFlatter and foster it with golden beam; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt grows towards the Titan and the
\nGod. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOn earth it lingers drinking its
\ndeep fill, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThrough the symbol of her pleasure
\nand her pain, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf the grapes of Heaven and the
\nflowers of the Abyss, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf the flame-stabs and the
\ntorment-craft of Hell <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd dim fragments of the glory of
\nParadise. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn the small paltry pleasures of
\nman's life, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn his petty passions and joys it
\nfinds a taste, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA taste in tears and torture of
\nbroken hearts, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn the crown of gold and in the
\ncrown of thorns, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn life's nectar of sweetness and
\nits bitter wine. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll being it explores for unknown
\nbliss, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSounds all experience for things
\nnew and strange. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLife brings into the earthly
\ncreature's days <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA tongue of glory from a higher
\nsphere: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt deepens in his musings and his
\nArt, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt leaps at the splendour of some
\nperfect word, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt exults in his high resolves and
\nnoble deeds, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWanders in his errors, dares the
\nabyss's brink, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt climbs in his climbings, wallows
\nin his fall. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAngel and demon brides his chamber
\nshare, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPossessors or competitors for
\nlife's heart. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo the enjoyer of the cosmic scene <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis greatness and his littleness
\nequal are, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis magnanimity and meanness hues <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCast on some neutral background of
\nthe gods: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Artist's skill he admires who
\nmade the plan,<\/P><\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut not for ever endures this
\ndanger game: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nBeyond the earth, but meant for
\ndelivered earth,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nWisdom and joy prepare their perfect crown: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nTruth superhuman calls to thinking
\nman.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAt last the soul turns to eternal things,<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn every shrine it cries for the
\nclasp of God.<\/p>\n

\nThen is there played the crowning Mystery, <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Page 261<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\nThen is achieved the longed-for
\nmiracle. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nImmortal bliss her wide celestial
\neyes <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOpens on the stars, she stirs her
\nmighty limbs; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTime thrills to the sapphics of her
\namour song<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAnd Space fills with a white beatitude.<\/p>\n

\nThen leaving to its grief the human heart,<\/p>\n

\nAbandoning speech and the name-determined realms,<\/p>\n

\nThrough a gleaming far-seen sky of wordless thought,<\/p>\n

\nThrough naked thought-free heavens of absolute sight,<\/p>\n

\nShe climbs to the summits where the unborn Idea<\/p>\n

\nRemembering the future that must be<\/p>\n

\nLooks down upon the works of labouring Force,<\/p>\n

\nImmutable above the world it made.<\/p>\n

\n. In the vast golden laughter of Truth's sun<\/p>\n

\nLike a great heaven-bird on a motionless sea<\/p>\n

\nIs poised her winged ardour of creative <\/p>\n

\nOn the still deep of the Eternal's peace.<\/p>\n

\nThis was the aim, this the supernal Law,<\/p>\n

\nNature's alloted task when beauty-drenched<\/p>\n

\nIn dim mist waters of inconscient sleep,<\/p>\n

\nOut of the Void this grand creation rose,<\/p>\n

\nFor this the Spirit came into the Abyss<\/p>\n

\nAnd charged with its power Matter's unknowing Force,<\/p>\n

\nIn Night's bare session to cathedral light<\/p>\n

\nIn Death's realm repatriate immortality.<\/p>\n

\nA mystic slow transfiguration works.<\/p>\n

\nAll our earth starts from mud and ends in sky,<\/p>\n

\nAnd Love that was once an animal's desire,<\/p>\n

\nThen a sweet madness in the rapturous heart,<\/p>\n

\nAn ardent comradeship in the happy mind,<\/p>\n

\nBecomes a wide spiritual yearning's space.<\/p>\n

\nA lonely soul passions for the Alone,<\/p>\n

\nThe heart that loved man thrills to the love of God,<\/p>\n

\nA body Is his chamber and his shrine.<\/p>\n

\nThen is our being rescued from separateness; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAll is itself, all is new-felt in
\nGod: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA Lover leaning from his cloister's
\ndoor<\/P><\/p>\n

\nGathers the whole world into his single breast.<\/p>\n

\nThen shall the business fail of Night and Death: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWhen unity is won, when strife is
\nlost <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\n

Page 262<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd all is known and all is clasped
\nby Love<\/P><\/p>\n

\nWho would turn back to ignorance and pain?<\/p>\n

    
\nO Death, I have triumphed over thee within; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI quiver no more with the assault
\nof grief,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nA mighty calmness seated deep within<\/p>\n

\nHas occupied my body and my sense: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt takes the world's grief and
\ntransmutes to strength,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nIt makes the world's joy one with the joy of God.<\/p>\n

\nMy love eternal sits throned on God's calm; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFor Love must soar beyond the very
\nheavens<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAnd find its secret sense ineffable; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt must change its human ways to
\nways divine,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nYet keep its sovereignty of earthly bliss.<\/p>\n

\nO Death, not for my heart's sweet poignancy<\/p>\n

\nNor for my happy body's bliss alone<\/p>\n

\nI have claimed from thee the living Satyavan,<\/p>\n

\nBut for his work and mine, our sacred charge.<\/p>\n

\nOur lives are God's messengers beneath the stars; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nTo dwell under death's shadow they
\nhave come<\/P><\/p>\n

\nTempting God's light to earth for the ignorant race,<\/p>\n

\nHis Love to fill the hollow in men's hearts,<\/p>\n

\nHis bliss to heal the unhappiness of the world.<\/p>\n

\nFor I the Woman am the force of God,<\/p>\n

\nHe the Etemal's delegate sole in man.<\/p>\n

\nMy will is greater than thy law, 0 Death; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMy love is stronger than the bonds
\nof Fate: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOur love is the heavenly seal of
\nthe Supreme.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nI guard that seal against thy rending hands.<\/p>\n

\nLove must not cease to live upon the earth; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFor Love is the bright link twixt
\nearth and heaven,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nLove is the far Transcendent's angel here; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nLove is man's hen on the Absolute."<\/P><\/p>\n

\nBut to the woman Death the god replied,<\/p>\n

\nWith the ironic laughter of his voice<\/p>\n

\nDiscouraging the labour of the stars: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"Even so men cheat the Truth with
\nsplendid thoughts. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThus wilt thou hire the glorious
\ncharlatan Mind, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo weave from his Ideal's gossamer
\nair <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA fine raiment for thy body's nude
\ndesires <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd thy heart's clutching greedy
\npassion clothe? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPage 263<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nDaub not the web of life with magic
\nhues: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMake rather thy thought a plain and
\nfaithful glass<\/P><\/p>\n

\nReflecting Matter and mortality,<\/p>\n

\nAnd know thy soul a product of the flesh,<\/p>\n

\nA made-up self in a constructed world.<\/p>\n

\nThy words are large murmurs in a mystic dream.<\/p>\n

\nFor how in the soiled heart of man could dwell<\/p>\n

\nThe inarticulate grandeur of thy dream-built God,<\/p>\n

\nOr who can see a face and form divine<\/p>\n

\nIn the naked two-legged worm thou callest man?<\/p>\n

\nO human face, put off mind-painted masks: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe animal be, the worm that Nature
\nmeant; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAccept thy futile birth, thy narrow
\nlife.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nFor truth is bare like stone and hard like death; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nBare in the bareness, hard with
\ntruth's hardness live."<\/P><\/p>\n

\nBut Savitri. replied to the dire God: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"Yes, I am human. Yet shall man by
\nme,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nSince in humanity waits his hour the God,<\/p>\n

\nTrample thee down to reach the immortal heights,<\/p>\n

\nTranscending grief and pain and fate and death.<\/p>\n

\nYes, my humanity is a mask of God: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe dwells in me, the mover of my
\nacts,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nTurning the great wheel of his cosmic work.<\/p>\n

\nI am the living body of his light,<\/p>\n

\nI am the thinking instrument of his power,<\/p>\n

\nI incarnate Wisdom in an earthly breast,<\/p>\n

\nI am his conquering and unslayable Will.<\/p>\n

\nThe formless Spirit drew in me its shape; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIn me are the Nameless and the
\nsecret Name."<\/P><\/p>\n

\nDeath from the incredulous Darkness sent its cry: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"0 priestess in Imagination's
\nhouse,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nPersuade first Nature's fixed immutable laws<\/p>\n

\nAnd make the impossible thy daily work.<\/p>\n

\nHow canst thou force to wed two eternal foes ?<\/p>\n

\nIrreconcilable in their embrace<\/p>\n

\nThey cancel the glory of their pure extremes: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAn unhappy wedlock maims their
\nstunted force.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nHow shall thy will make one the true and false?<\/p>\n

\nWhere Matter is all, there Spirit is a dream: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIf all are the Spirit, Matter is a
\nlie, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPage 264<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd who was the liar who forged the
\nuniverse?<\/P><\/p>\n

\nThe Real with the unreal cannot mate.<\/p>\n

\nHe who would turn to God must leave the world,<\/p>\n

\nHe who would live in the Spirit, must give up life; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe who has met the Self, renounces
\nself.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nThe voyagers of the million routes of mind<\/p>\n

\nWho have travelled through Existence to its end,<\/p>\n

\nSages exploring the world-ocean's vasts,<\/p>\n

\nHave found extinction the sole harbour safe.<\/p>\n

\nTwo only are the doors of man's escape,<\/p>\n

\nDeath of his body Matter's gate to peace,<\/p>\n

\nDeath of his soul his last felicity.<\/p>\n

\nIn me all take refuge, for I, Death, am God."<\/p>\n

\nBut Savitri replied to mighty Death: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"My heart is wiser than the
\nReason's thoughts,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nMy heart is stronger than thy bonds, 0 Death.<\/p>\n

\nIt sees and feels the one Heart beat in all,<\/p>\n

\nIt feels the high Transcendent's sunlike hands,<\/p>\n

\nIt sees the cosmic Spirit at its work; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIn the dim Night it lies alone with
\nGod. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy heart's strength can carry the
\ngrief of the universe <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd never falter from its luminous
\ntrack, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIts white tremendous orbit through
\nGod's peace. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt can drink up the sea of
\nAll-Delight <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd never lose the white spiritual
\ntouch, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe calm that broods in the deep
\nInfinite." <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe said, "Art thou indeed so
\nstrong, O heart, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO soul, so free? And canst thou
\ngather then <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBright pleasure from my wayside
\nflowering boughs, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYet falter not from thy hard
\njourney's goal, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMeet the world's dangerous touch
\nand never fall? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShow me thy strength and freedom
\nfrom my laws." <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut Savitri answered, "Surely I
\nshall find <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAmong the green and whispering
\nwoods of Life <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nClose-bosomed pleasures, only mine
\nsince his, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOr mine for him, because our joys
\nare one. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd if I linger. Time is ours and
\nGod's, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd if I fall, is not his hand near
\nmine? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll is a single plan; each wayside
\nact <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDeepens the soul's response, brings
\nnearer the goal." <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPage 265<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nDeath the contemptuous Nihil
\nanswered her: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n"So prove thy absolute force to the
\nwise gods, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBy choosing earthly joy! For self
\ndemand <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd yet from self and its gross
\nmasks live free. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen will I give thee all thy soul
\ndesires, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll the brief joys earth keeps for
\nmortal hearts. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnly the one dearest wish that
\noutweighs all, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHard laws forbid and thy ironic
\nFate. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy will once wrought remains
\nunchanged through Time, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd Satyavan can never again be
\nthine." <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut Savitri replied to the vague
\nPower: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n"If the eyes of Darkness can look
\nstraight at Truth,<\/P><\/p>\n

\nLook at my heart and, knowing what I am,<\/p>\n

\nGive what thou wilt or what thou must, O Death.<\/p>\n

\nNothing I claim but Satyavan alone."<\/p>\n

\nThere was a hush as if of doubtful fates.<\/p>\n

\nAs one disdainful still who yields a point,<\/p>\n

\nDeath bowed his sovereign head in cold assent: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"I give to thee, saved from death
\nand poignant fate <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhatever once the living Satyavan <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDesired in his heart for Savitri. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBright noons I give thee and
\nunwounded dawns, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDaughters of thy own shape in heart
\nand mind, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFair hero sons and sweetness
\nundisturbed <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf union with thy husband dear and
\ntrue. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd thou shalt harvest in thy
\njoyful house <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFelicity of thy surrounded eves. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLove shall bind by thee many
\ngathered hearts. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe opposite sweetness in thy days
\nshall meet <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf tender service to thy life's
\ndesired <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd loving empire over all thy
\nloved, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTwo poles of bliss made one, O Savitri. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nReturn, O child, to thy forsaken
\nearth." <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut Savitri replied, "Thy gifts
\nresist. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEarth cannot flower if lonely I
\nreturn." <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen Death once more sent forth his
\nangry cry, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs chides a lion his escaping prey: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n"What knowst thou of earth's rich
\nand changing life<\/P><\/p>\n

\nWho thinkst that, one man dead, all joy must cease?<\/p>\n

\nHope not to be unhappy till the end: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Page  266<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFor grief dies soon in the tired
\nhuman heart; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSoon other guests the empty
\nchambers fill.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nTransient painting on a holiday's floor<\/p>\n

\nTraced for a moment's beauty love was made.<\/p>\n

\nOr if a voyager on the eternal trail,<\/p>\n

\nIts objects fluent change in its embrace<\/p>\n

\nLike waves to a swimmer upon infinite seas."<\/p>\n

\nBut Savitri replied to the vague God,<\/p>\n

\n"Give me back Satyavan, my only Lord.<\/p>\n

\nThy thoughts are vacant to my soul that feels<\/p>\n

\nThe deep eternal truth in transient things."<\/p>\n

\nDeath answered her, "Return and try thy soul!<\/p>\n

\nSoon shalt thou find appeased that other men<\/p>\n

\nOn lavish earth have beauty, strength and truth,<\/p>\n

\nAnd when thou hast half forgotten, one of these<\/p>\n

\nShall wind himself around thy heart that needs<\/p>\n

\nSome human answering heart against thy breast,<\/p>\n

\nFor who, being mortal, can dwell glad alone?<\/p>\n

\nThen Satyavan shall glide into the past,<\/p>\n

\nA gentle memory pushed away from thee<\/p>\n

\nBy new love and thy children's tender hands,<\/p>\n

\nTill thou shalt wonder if thou lov'dst at all.<\/p>\n

\nSuch is the life earth's travail has conceived,<\/p>\n

\nA constant stream that never is the same."<\/p>\n

\nBut Savitri replied to mighty Death: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"0 dark ironic critic of God's
\nwork, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou mockst the mind and body's
\nfaltering search <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor what the heart holds in a
\nprophet hour <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd the immortal spirit shall make
\nits own. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMine is a heart that worshipped,
\nthough forsaken, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe image of the god its love
\nadored, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI have burned in flame to travel in
\nhis steps. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAre we not they who bore vast
\nsolitude <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSeated upon the hills alone with
\nGod ? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy dost thou vainly strive with
\nme, 0 Death, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA mind delivered from all twilight
\nthoughts, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo whom the secrets of the gods are
\nplain? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor now at last I know beyond all
\ndoubt, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe great stars bum with my
\nunceasing fire <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd life and death are both its
\nfuel made. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Page 267<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nLife only was my blind attempt to
\nlove: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEarth saw my struggle, heaven my
\nvictory; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll shall be seized, transcended;
\nthere shall kiss<\/P><\/p>\n

\nCasting their veils before the marriage fire<\/p>\n

\nThe eternal bridegroom and eternal bride.<\/p>\n

\nThe heavens accept our broken flights at last.<\/p>\n

\nOn our life's prow that breaks the waves of Time<\/p>\n

\nNo signal light of hope has gleamed in vain."<\/p>\n

\nShe spoke; the boundless members of the god<\/p>\n

\nAs if by secret ecstasy assailed<\/p>\n

\nShuddered in silence as obscurely stir<\/p>\n

\nOcean's dim fields delivered to the moon.<\/p>\n

\nThen lifted up as by a sudden wind<\/p>\n

\nAround her in that vague and glimmering world<\/p>\n

\nThe twilight trembled like a bursting veil. <\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n     Thus with
\narmed speech the great opponents strove.<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAround those spirits in the glittering mist<\/p>\n

\nA deepening half-light fled with pearly wings<\/p>\n

\nAs if to reach some far ideal Mom.<\/p>\n

\nOutlined her thoughts flew through the gleaming haze<\/p>\n

\nMingling bright-pinioned with its lights and veils<\/p>\n

\nAnd all her words like dazzling jewels caught<\/p>\n

\nInto the glow of a mysterious world<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOr tricked in the rainbow shifting
\nof its hues<\/p>\n

\nLike echoes swam fainting into far sound.<\/p>\n

\nAll utterance, all mood must there become<\/p>\n

\nAn unenduring tissue sewn by mind<\/p>\n

\nTo make a gossamer robe of beautiful change.<\/p>\n

\nIntent upon her silent will she walked<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOn the dim grass of vague unreal
\nplains,<\/p>\n

\nA floating veil of visions in her front,<\/p>\n

\nA trailing robe of dreams behind her feet.<\/p>\n

\nBut now her spirit's flame of conscient force<\/p>\n

\nRetiring from a sweetness without fruit<\/p>\n

\nCalled back her thoughts from speech to sit within<\/p>\n

\nIn a deep room in meditation's house.<\/p>\n

\nFor only there could dwell the soul's firm truth: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nImperishable, a tongue of
\nsacrifice, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt flamed unquenched upon the
\ncentral hearth <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhere bums for the high house-lord
\nand his mate <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

<\/P><\/p>\n


\n                                                                             
\nPage 268<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe homestead's sentinel and
\nwitness fire<\/P><\/p>\n

\nFrom which the altars of the gods are lit.<\/p>\n

\nAll still compelled went gliding on unchanged,<\/p>\n

\nStill was the order of these worlds reversed: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe mortal led, the god and spirit
\nobeyed<\/P><\/p>\n

\nAnd she behind was leader of their march<\/p>\n

\nAnd they in front were followers of her will.<\/p>\n

\nOnward they journeyed through the drifting ways<\/p>\n

\nVaguely companioned by the glimmering mists; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nBut faster now all fled as if
\nperturbed <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEscaping from the clearness of her
\nsoul. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA heaven bird upon jewelled wings
\nof wind <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBorne like a coloured and embosomed
\nfire, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBy spirits carried in a pearl-hued
\ncave, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOn through the enchanted dimness
\nmoved her soul. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDeath walked in front of her and
\nSatyavan, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn the dark front of death, a
\nfailing star. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAbove was the unseen balance of his
\nfate<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

Page 269<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\t\t\t <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CANTO THREE   THE DEBATE OF LOVE AND DEATH     A SAD destroying cadence the voice sank; It seemed to lead the advancing march…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-02-savitri-1951","wpcat-73-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3288"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3288\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}