{"id":3290,"date":"2013-07-13T01:47:14","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=3290"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:47:14","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:47:14","slug":"18-book-8-canto-3-death-in-the-forest-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\/18-book-8-canto-3-death-in-the-forest-vol-02-savitri-1951","title":{"rendered":"-18_Book 8 Canto 3 Death in The Forest.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\nBOOK EIGHT<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nThe Book of Death<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nDEATH IN THE FOREST<\/font> <\/b> <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\t\t <\/td>\n\n

\nN<\/font>OW it was here in
\nthis great golden dawn<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBy her still sleeping husband lain she gazed<\/P><\/p>\n

Into
\nher past as one about to die<\/p>\n

Looks
\nback upon the sunlit fields of life<\/p>\n

Where
\nhe too ran and sported with the rest,<\/p>\n

\nLifting his head above the huge dark stream<\/p>\n

Into
\nwhose depths he must for ever plunge.<\/p>\n

All
\nshe had been and done she lived again.<\/p>\n

The
\nwhole year in a swift and eddying race<\/p>\n

Of
\nmemories swept through her and fled away<\/p>\n

Into
\nthe irrecoverable past.<\/p>\n

Then
\nsilently she rose and, service done,<\/p>\n

Bowed
\ndown to the great goddess simply carved<\/p>\n

By
\nSatyavan upon a forest stone.<\/p>\n

What
\nprayer she breathed her soul and Doorga knew.<\/p>\n

\nPerhaps she felt in the dim forest huge<\/p>\n

The
\ninfinite Mother watching over her child,<\/p>\n

\nPerhaps the shrouded Voice spoke some still word.<\/p>\n

At
\nlast she came to the pale mother queen.<\/p>\n

She
\nspoke but with guarded lips and tranquil face<\/p>\n

As
\nsome stray word or some betraying look<\/p>\n

Should
\nlet pass into the mother's unknowing breast<\/p>\n

\nSlaying all happiness and need to live<\/p>\n

A dire
\nforeknowledge of the grief to come.<\/p>\n

Only
\nthe needed utterance passage found:<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll else she pressed back into her anguished heart<\/P><\/p>\n

And
\nforced upon her speech an outward peace:<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n  
\n* This Book was not completed. This Canto which the author named Canto III
\n<\/font><\/P><\/p>\n

\nwas compiled by him from his original version and rewritten at places.<\/font><\/font><\/P><\/p>\n

\n

Page  197<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"One year that I have lived with Satyavan<\/P><\/p>\n

Here
\non the emerald edge of the vast woods,<\/p>\n

In the
\niron ring of the enormous peaks<\/p>\n

Under
\nthe blue rifts of the forest sky;<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI have not gone into the silences<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf this great woodland that enringed my thoughts<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith mystery, nor in its green miracles<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWandered, but this small clearing was my world.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNow has a strong desire seized all my heart<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

To go with Satyavan holding his hand<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nInto the life that he has loved and touch<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHerbs he has trod and know the forest flowers<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd hear at ease the birds and the scurrying life<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat starts and ceases, rich far rustle of boughs<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd all the mystic whispering of the woods.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nRelease me now and let my heart have rest."<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe answered; "Do as thy wise mind desires,<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO calm child-sovereign with the eyes that rule.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI hold thee for a strong goddess who has come<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPitying our barren days; so dost thou serve<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEven as a slave might, yet art thou beyond<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll that thou doest, all our minds conceive,<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLike the strong sun that serves earth from above."<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen the doomed husband and the woman who knew<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWent with linked hands into that solemn world<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhere beauty and grandeur and unspoken dream,<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhere Nature's mystic silence could be felt<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCommuning with the secrecy of God.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBeside her Satyavan walked full of joy,<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBecause she moved with him through his green haunts:<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe showed her all the forest's riches, flowers<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nInnumerable of every odour and hue<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd soft thick clinging creepers red and green<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd strange rich-plumaged birds, to every cry<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat haunted sweetly distant boughs, replied<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith the shrill singer's name more sweetly called.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe spoke of all the things he loved: they were<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis boyhood's comrades and his playfellows,<\/b><\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCoevals and companions of his life<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHere in this world whose every mood
\nhe knew:<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage   198<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nTheir thoughts which to the common mind are blank<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe shared, to every wild emotion felt<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAn answer. Deeply she listened, but to hear<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe voice that soon would cease from tender words<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd treasure its sweet cadences beloved<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor lonely memory when none by her walked<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd the beloved voice could speak no more.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut little dwelt her mind upon their sense;<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf death, not life she thought or life's lone end.<\/P><\/p>\n

Love
\nin her bosom hurt with jagged edges<\/p>\n

Of
\nanguish moaned at every step with pain<\/p>\n

\nCrying, "Now, now perhaps his voice will cease<\/p>\n

For
\never." Even by some vague touch oppressed,<\/p>\n

\nSometimes her eyes looked round as if their orbs<\/p>\n

Might
\nsee the dim and dreadful god's approach.<\/p>\n

But
\nSatyavan had paused. He meant to finish<\/p>\n

His
\nlabour here that happy, linked, uncaring<\/p>\n

They
\ntwo might wander free in the green deep<\/p>\n

\nPrimeval mystery of the forest's heart.<\/p>\n

\nWordless but near she watched, no turn to lose<\/p>\n

Of the
\nbright face and body which she loved.<\/p>\n

Her
\nlife was now in seconds, not in hours,<\/p>\n

And
\nevery moment she economised<\/p>\n

Like a
\npale merchant leaned above his store,<\/p>\n

The
\nmiser of his poor remaining gold.<\/p>\n

But
\nSatyavan wielded a joyous axe.<\/p>\n

He
\nsang high snatches of a sage's chant<\/p>\n

That
\npealed of conquered death and demons slain,<\/p>\n

And
\nsometimes paused to cry to her sweet speech<\/p>\n

Of
\nlove and mockery tenderer than love:<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe like a pantheress leaped upon his words<\/P><\/p>\n

And
\ncarried them into her cavern heart.<\/p>\n

But as
\nhe worked, his doom upon him came.<\/p>\n

The
\nviolent and hungry hounds of pain<\/p>\n

\nTravelled through his body biting as they passed<\/p>\n

\nSilently, and all his suffering breath besieged<\/p>\n

Strove
\nto rend life's strong heart-cords and be free.<\/p>\n

Then
\nhelped, as if a beast had left its prey,<\/p>\n

A
\nmoment in a wave of rich relief<\/p>\n

Reborn
\nto strength and happy ease he stood<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

\nPage  199<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nRejoicing and resumed his confident toil<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut with less seeing strokes. Now the great Woodsman<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHewed at him and his labour ceased: lifting<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis arm he flung away the poignant axe<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFar from him like an instrument of pain.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe came to him in silent anguish and clasped,<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd he cried to her, "Savitri, a pang<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCleaves through my head and breast as if the axe<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWere piercing it and not the living branch.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSuch agony rends me as the tree must feel<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhen it is sundered and must lose its life.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAwhile let me lay my head upon thy lap<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd guard me with thy hands from evil fate:<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPerhaps because thou touchest, death may pass."<\/P><\/p>\n

Then
\nSavitri sat under branches wide,<\/p>\n

Cool,
\ngreen against the sun, not the hurt tree<\/p>\n

Which
\nhis keen axe had cloven,- that she shunned;<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut leaned beneath a fortunate kingly trunk<\/P><\/p>\n

She
\nguarded him in her bosom and strove to soothe<\/p>\n

His
\nanguished brow and body with her hands.<\/p>\n

All
\ngrief and fear were dead within her now<\/p>\n

And a
\ngreat calm had fallen. The wish to lessen<\/p>\n

His
\nsuffering, the impulse that opposes pain<\/p>\n

Were
\nthe one mortal feeling left. It passed:<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGriefless and strong she waited like the gods.<\/P><\/p>\n

But
\nnow his sweet familiar hue was changed<\/p>\n

Into a
\ntarnished greyness and his eyes<\/p>\n

Dimmed
\nover, forsaken of the clear light she loved.<\/p>\n

Only
\nthe dull and physical mind was left,<\/p>\n

Vacant
\nof the bright spirit's luminous gaze.<\/p>\n

But
\nonce before it faded wholly back,<\/p>\n

He
\ncried out in a clinging last despair,<\/p>\n

"Savitri,
\nSavitri, 0 Savitri,<\/p>\n

Lean
\ndown, my soul, and kiss me while I die."<\/p>\n

And
\neven as her pallid lips pressed his,<\/p>\n

His
\nfailed, losing last sweetness of response;<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis cheek pressed down her golden arm. She sought<\/P><\/p>\n

His
\nmouth still with her living mouth, as if<\/p>\n

She
\ncould persuade his soul back with her kiss;<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen grew aware they were no more alone.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPage  200<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nSomething had come there conscious, vast and dire.<\/P><\/p>\n

Near
\nher she felt a silent shade immense<\/p>\n

\nChilling the noon with darkness for its back.<\/p>\n

An
\nawful hush had fallen upon the place:<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere was no cry of birds, no voice of beasts.<\/P><\/p>\n

A
\nterror and an anguish filled the world,<\/p>\n

As if
\nannihilation's mystery<\/p>\n

Had
\ntaken a sensible form. A cosmic mind<\/p>\n

Looked
\nout on all from formidable eyes<\/p>\n

\nContemning all with his unbearable gaze<\/p>\n

And
\nwith immortal lips and a vast brow<\/p>\n

It saw
\nin its immense destroying thought<\/p>\n

All
\nthings and beings as a pitiful dream,<\/p>\n

\nRejecting with calm disdain Nature's delight,<\/p>\n

The
\nwordless meaning of its deep regard<\/p>\n

\nVoicing the unreality of things<\/p>\n

And
\nlife that would be for ever but never was<\/p>\n

And
\nits brief and vain recurrence without cease,<\/p>\n

As if
\nfrom a Silence without form or name<\/p>\n

The
\nShadow of a remote uncaring god<\/p>\n

Doomed
\nto his Naught illusory universe,<\/p>\n

\nCancelling its show of idea and act in Time<\/p>\n

And
\nits imitation of eternity.<\/p>\n

She
\nknew that visible Death was standing there<\/p>\n

And
\nSatyavan had passed from her embrace.<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\n

END OF BOOK
\nEIGHT<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPage  201<\/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":"

BOOK EIGHT   The Book of Death   CANTO THREE*   DEATH IN THE FOREST     NOW it was here in this great golden…<\/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-3290","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\/3290","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=3290"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3290\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}