{"id":3294,"date":"2013-07-13T01:47:16","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=3294"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:47:16","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:47:16","slug":"09-book-6-canto-1-the-word-of-fate-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\/09-book-6-canto-1-the-word-of-fate-vol-02-savitri-1951","title":{"rendered":"-09_Book 6 Canto 1 The Word of Fate.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

\nCANTO ONE<\/font><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTHE WORD OF FATE<\/font> <\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\t\t <\/td>\n\n

\nIN silent bounds bordering the
\nmortal's plane <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCrossing a wide expanse of
\nbrilliant peace<\/p>\n

Narad the heavenly
\nsage from Paradise<\/p>\n

Came chanting
\nthrough the large and lustrous air.<\/p>\n

\nAttracted by the golden summer-earth<\/p>\n

That lay beneath
\nhim like a glowing bowl<\/p>\n

Tilted upon a table
\nof the Gods,<\/p>\n

\nTurning as if moved round by an unseen hand<\/p>\n

To catch the warmth
\nand blaze of a small sun,<\/p>\n

He passed from the
\nimmortals' happy .paths<\/p>\n

\n

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

\nTo<\/i>
\na world of toil and quest and grief and hope,<\/p>\n

To these rooms of a
\nsee-saw game of death and life.<\/p>\n

Across an
\nintangible border of soul-space<\/p>\n

He passed from Mind
\ninto material things<\/p>\n

Amid the inventions
\nof-the inconscient Self<\/p>\n

And the workings of
\na blind somnambulist Force.<\/p>\n

Below him circling
\nburned the myriad suns: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe bore the ripples of the etheric
\nsea; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA primal Air brought the first joy
\nof touch; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA secret Spirit drew its mighty
\nbreath.<\/p>\n

\nContracting and expanding this huge world<\/p>\n

The secret might of
\nthe creative fire<\/p>\n

\nDisplayed its triple power to build and form,<\/p>\n

Its infinitesimal
\nwave-sparks' weaving dance,<\/p>\n

Its nebulous units'
\ngrounding shape and mass,<\/p>\n

Magic foundation
\nand pattern of a world,<\/p>\n

Its radiance
\nbursting into the light of stars; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe felt a sap of life, a sap of
\ndeath; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nInto solid Matter's dense communion<\/p>\n

\nPlunging and its obscure oneness of forms<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

Page  63<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe shared with a dumb Spirit
\nidentity. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe beheld the cosmic Being at his
\ntask, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis eyes measured the spaces,
\ngauged the depths, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis inner gaze the movements of the
\nsoul, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe saw the eternal labour of the
\nGods, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd looked upon the life of beasts
\nand men. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA change felt upon the singer's
\nmood, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA rapture and a pathos moved his
\nvoice; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe sang no more of light that never
\nwanes,<\/p>\n

And oneness and
\npure everlasting bliss,<\/p>\n

He sang no more the
\ndeathless heart of love,<\/p>\n

His chant was a
\nhymn of Ignorance and Fate.<\/p>\n

He sang the name of
\nVishnu and the birth<\/p>\n

And joy and passion
\nof the mystic world,<\/p>\n

And how the stars
\nwere made and life began<\/p>\n

And the mute
\nregions stirred with the throb of a soul<\/p>\n

He sang the
\nInconscient and its secret self,<\/p>\n

Its power
\nomnipotent knowing not what it does,<\/p>\n

All shaping without
\nwill or thought or sense,<\/p>\n

Its blind unerring
\noccult mystery,<\/p>\n

And darkness
\nyearning towards the eternal Light,<\/p>\n

And Love that
\nbroods within the dim abyss<\/p>\n

And waits the
\nanswer of the human heart, i<\/p>\n

And death that
\nclimbs immortality.<\/p>\n

He sang of the
\nTruth that cries from Night's blind deeps,<\/p>\n

And the Mother
\nWisdom hid in Nature's breast<\/p>\n

And the Idea that
\nthrough her dumbness works<\/p>\n

And the miracle of
\nher transforming hands,<\/p>\n

Of life that
\nslumbers in the stone and sun<\/p>\n

And mind subliminal
\nin mindless life,<\/p>\n

And the
\nconsciousness that wakes in beasts and men.<\/p>\n

He sang of the
\nglory and marvel still to be born,<\/p>\n

Of the Godhead
\nthrowing off at last its veil,<\/p>\n

Of bodies made
\ndivine and life made bliss,<\/p>\n

\nImmortal sweetness clasping immortal might,<\/p>\n

Heart sensing
\nheart, thought looking straight at thought,<\/p>\n

And the delight
\nwhen every barrier falls,<\/p>\n

And the
\ntransfiguration and the ecstasy.<\/p>\n

And as he sang the
\ndemons wept with joy<\/p>\n

\nForeseeing the end of their long dreadful task <\/p>\n

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

\nPage  64<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd the defeat for which they hoped
\nin vain,<\/p>\n

And glad release
\nfrom their self-chosen doom<\/p>\n

And return into the
\nOne from whom they came.<\/p>\n

He who has
\nconquered the immortals' seats,<\/p>\n

Came down to men on
\nearth the Man divine. <\/p>\n

\n

As might a
\nlightning streak, a glory fell<\/p>\n

\nNearing until the rapt eyes of the sage<\/p>\n

Looked out from
\nluminous cloud and, strangely limned<\/p>\n

His face, a
\nbeautiful mask of antique joy,<\/p>\n

\nAppearing in light descended where arose<\/p>\n

King Aswapathy's
\npalace to the winds<\/p>\n

In Madra, flowering
\nup in delicate stone.<\/p>\n

There welcomed him
\nthe sage and thoughtful king,<\/p>\n

At his side a
\ncreature beautiful, passionate, wise,<\/p>\n

\nAspiring like a sacrificial flame,<\/p>\n

\nSkyward from its earth-seat through luminous air,<\/p>\n

\nQueen-browed, the human mother of Savitri.<\/p>\n

There for an hour
\nuntouched by the earth's siege<\/p>\n

They ceased from
\ncommon life and care and sat<\/p>\n

\nInclining to the high and rhythmic voice,<\/p>\n

While in his
\nmeasured chant the heavenly seer<\/p>\n

Spoke of the toils
\nof men and what the gods<\/p>\n

Strive for on
\nearth, and joy that throbs behind<\/p>\n

The marvel and the
\nmystery of pain.<\/p>\n

He sang to them of
\nthe lotus-heart of love<\/p>\n

With all its
\nthousand luminous buds of truth,<\/p>\n

Which quivering
\nsleeps veiled by apparent things.<\/p>\n

It trembles at each
\ntouch, it strives to wake<\/p>\n

And one day it
\nshall hear a blissful voice<\/p>\n

And in the garden
\nof the Spouse shall bloom<\/p>\n

When she is seized
\nby her discovered lord.<\/p>\n

A mighty shuddering
\ncoil of ecstasy<\/p>\n

Crept through the
\ndeep heart of the universe.<\/p>\n

Out of her Matter's
\nstupor, her mind's dreams,<\/p>\n

She woke, she
\nlooked upon God's unveiled face.<\/p>\n

Even as he sang and
\nrapture stole through earth-time<\/p>\n

And caught the
\nheavens, came with a call of hooves,<\/p>\n

As of her swift
\nheart hastening, Savitri; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\nHer radiant tread glimmered across
\nthe floor.<\/p>\n

A happy wonder in
\nher fathomless gaze, <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPage 65<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nChanged by the halo of her love she
\ncame; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHer eyes rich with a shining mist
\nof joy <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs one who comes from a heavenly
\nembassy <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDischarging the proud mission of
\nher heart, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOne carrying the sanction of the
\ngods <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo her love and its luminous
\neternity <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe stood before her mighty
\nfather's throne <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd, eager for beauty on discovered
\nearth <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTransformed and new in her heart's
\nmiracle-light, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSaw like a rose of marvel,
\nworshipping, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe fiery sweetness of the son of
\nHeaven. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe flung on her his vast immortal
\nlook; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis inner gaze surrounded her with
\nits light <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd reining back knowledge from his
\nimmortal lips <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe cried to her, "Who is this that
\ncomes, the bride, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe flame-born, and round her
\nillumined head <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPouring their lights her hymeneal
\npomps <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMove flashing about her? From what
\ngreen glimmer of glades <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nRetreating into dewy silences <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOr half-seen verge of waters
\nmoon-betrayed <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBringst thou this glory of
\nenchanted eyes? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEarth has gold-hued expanses,
\nshadowy hills <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat cowl their dreaming phantom
\nheads in night, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd guarded in a cloistral joy of
\nwoods, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nScreened banks sink down into
\nfelicity <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSeized by the curved incessant
\nyearning hands <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd ripple-passion of the up-gazing
\nstream: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAmid cool-lipped murmurs of its
\npure embrace <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey lose their souls on beds of
\ntrembling reeds. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd all these are mysterious
\npresences <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn which some spirit's immortal
\nbliss is felt, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd they betray the earth-born
\nheart to joy. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere hast thou paused, and
\nmarvelling borne eyes <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nUnknown, or heard a voice that
\nforced thy life <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo strain its rapture through thy
\nlistening soul? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOr,<\/b>
\nif my thought could trust this shimmering gaze, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt would say: thou hast not drunk
\nfrom an earthly cup; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut stepping through azure curtains
\nof the mom <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou wast surrounded on a magic
\nverge <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn brighter countries than man's
\neyes can bear<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage  66<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAssailed by trooping voices of
\ndelight <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd seized mid a sunlit glamour of
\nthe boughs <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn faery woods, led down the
\ngleaming slopes <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf Gundhamadan where the Apsaras
\nroam, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy limbs have shared the sports
\nwhich none has seen, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd in god-haunts thy human
\nfootsteps strayed, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy mortal bosom quivered with
\ngod-speech <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd thy soul answered to a Word
\nunknown. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat feet of gods, what ravishing
\nflutes of heaven <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHave thrilled high melodies round,
\nfrom near and far <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nApproaching through the soft and
\nrevelling air, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhich still surprised thou hearest?
\nThey have fed <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy silence on some red
\nstrange-ecstasied fruit <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd thou hast trod the dim
\nmoon-peaks of bliss. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nReveal, 0 winged with light, whence
\nthou hast flown <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHastening bright-hued through the
\ngreen-tangled earth, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy body rhythmical with the
\nspring-bird's call. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe empty roses of thy hands are
\nfilled <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnly with their own beauty and the
\nthrill <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf a remembered clasp, and in thee
\nglows <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA heavenly jar, thy firm
\ndeep-honied heart, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNew-brimming with a sweet and
\nnectarous wine. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast not spoken with the kings
\nof pain. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLife's perilous music rings yet to
\nthy ear <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFar-melodied, rapid, grand, a
\nCentaur's song, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOr soft as water plashing mid the
\nhills, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOr<\/b>
\nmighty as a great chant of many winds. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMoon-bright thou livest in thy
\ninner bliss. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou comest like a silver deer
\nthrough groves <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf coral flowers and buds of
\nglowing dreams, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOr fleest like a wind-goddess
\nthrough leaves, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOr roamest, 0 ruby-eyed and
\nsnow-winged dove, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFlitting through thickets of thy
\npure desires <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn the unwounded beauty of thy
\nsoul. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThese things are only images to thy
\nearth, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut truest truth of that which in
\nthee sleeps. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor such is thy spirit, a sister of
\nthe gods, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy earthly body lovely to the
\neyes, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd thou art kin in joy to heaven's
\nsons. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n0 thou who hast come to this great
\nperilous world <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Page  67<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nNow only seen through the splendour
\nof thy dreams,<\/p>\n

Where hardly love
\nand beauty can live safe,<\/p>\n

\nThyself a being dangerously great,<\/p>\n

A soul alone in a
\ngolden house of thought<\/p>\n

Has lived walled in
\nby the safety of thy dreams.<\/p>\n

On heights of
\nhappiness leaving doom asleep<\/p>\n

Who hunts unseen
\nthe unconscious lives of men,<\/p>\n

If thy heart could
\nlive locked in the ideal's gold,<\/p>\n

As high, as happy
\nmight thy waking be!<\/p>\n

If for all time
\ndoom could be left to sleep!"\n<\/p>\n

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

\n

\n     He spoke
\nbut held his knowledge back from words.<\/p>\n

As a cloud plays
\nwith lightning's vivid laugh,<\/p>\n

But still holds
\nback the thunder in its heart,<\/p>\n

Only he let bright
\nimages escape.<\/p>\n

His speech like
\nglimmering music veiled his thoughts,<\/p>\n

\nPitiful to mortals, only to them it spoke,<\/p>\n

As a wind flatters
\nthe bright summer air,<\/p>\n

\n

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

\nOf living beauty and of present
\nbliss: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe hid in his all-knowing mind the
\nrest.<\/p>\n

To those who
\nhearkened to his celestial voice,<\/p>\n

The veil heaven's
\npity throws on future pain<\/p>\n

The Immortals'
\nsanction seemed of endless joy.<\/p>\n

But Aswapathy
\nanswered to the seer; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHis listening mind had marked the
\ndubious close,<\/p>\n

An ominous shadow
\nfelt behind the words,<\/p>\n

But calm like one
\nwho ever sits facing Fate<\/p>\n

Here mid the
\ndangerous contours of earth's life,<\/p>\n

He answered covert
\nthought with guarded speech: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"0 deathless sage who knowest all
\nthings here,<\/p>\n

If I could read by
\nthe ray of my own wish<\/p>\n

\nThrough the carved shield of symbol images<\/p>\n

Which thou hast
\nthrown before thy heavenly mind<\/p>\n

I might see the
\nsteps of a young godlike life<\/p>\n

\nHappily beginning luminous-eyed on earth; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nBetween the Unknowable and the
\nUnseen<\/p>\n

Born on the borders
\nof two wonder-worlds,<\/p>\n

It flames out
\nsymbols of the Infinite<\/p>\n

And lives in a
\ngreat light of inner suns.<\/p>\n

For it has read and
\nbroken the hidden seals,<\/p>\n

It has drunk of the
\nImmortal's wells of joy, <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPage  68<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt has looked across the jewel bars
\nof heaven,<\/p>\n

It has entered the
\naspiring Secrecy,<\/p>\n

It sees beyond
\nterrestrial common things<\/p>\n

And communes with
\nthe Powers that build the worlds,<\/p>\n

Till through the
\nshining gates and mystic streets<\/p>\n

Of the city of
\nlapis lazuli and pearl<\/p>\n

Proud deeds step
\nforth a rank and march of gods.<\/p>\n

\nAlthough in pauses of our human lives<\/p>\n

Earth keeps for man
\nsome short and perfect hours<\/p>\n

When the
\ninconscient tread of Time can seem<\/p>\n

The eternal moment
\nwhich the deathless live,<\/p>\n

Yet rare that touch
\nupon the mortal's world: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHardly a soul and body here are
\nborn<\/p>\n

In the fierce
\ndifficult movement of the stars,<\/p>\n

Whose life can keep
\nthe paradisal note,<\/p>\n

Its rhythm repeat
\nthe many-toned melody<\/p>\n

\nTirelessly throbbing through the rapturous air<\/p>\n

Caught in the song
\nthat sways the Apsara's limbs<\/p>\n

When she floats
\ngleaming like a cloud of light,<\/p>\n

A wave of joy on
\nheaven's moon-stone floor.<\/p>\n

Behold this image
\ncast by light and love,<\/p>\n

A stanza of the
\nardour of the gods<\/p>\n

\nPerfectly rhymed, a pillared ripple of gold!<\/p>\n

Her body like a
\nbrimmed pitcher of delight<\/p>\n

Shaped in a
\nsplendour of gold-coloured bronze<\/p>\n

As if to seize
\nearth's truth of hidden bliss.<\/p>\n

\nDream-made illumined mirrors are her eyes<\/p>\n

Draped subtly in a
\nslumberous fringe of jet,<\/p>\n

\nRetaining heaven's reflections in their depths.<\/p>\n

Even as her body,
\nsuch is she within,<\/p>\n

\nHeaven's lustrous mornings gloriously recur,<\/p>\n

Like drops of fire
\nupon a silver page,<\/p>\n

In her young spirit
\nyet untouched with tears.<\/p>\n

All beautiful
\nthings eternal seem and new<\/p>\n

To virgin wonder in
\nher crystal soul.<\/p>\n

The unchanging blue
\nreveals its spacious thought; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMarvellous the moon floats on
\nthrough wondering skies,<\/p>\n

\nEarth's flowers spring up and laugh at time and death; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe charmed mutations of the
\nenchanter life<\/p>\n

Race like bright
\nchildren past the smiling hours. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Page  69<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIf but this joy of life could last,
\nnor pain<\/p>\n

Throw its bronze
\nnote into her rhythmed days!<\/p>\n

Behold her, singer
\nwith the prescient gaze,<\/p>\n

And let thy
\nblessing chant that this fair child<\/p>\n

Shall pour the
\nnectar of a sorrowless life<\/p>\n

Around her from her
\nlucid heart of love,<\/p>\n

Heal with her bliss
\nthe tired breast of earth<\/p>\n

And cast like a
\nhappy snare felicity.<\/p>\n

As grows the great
\nand golden bounteous tree<\/p>\n

\nFlowering by Alacananda's murmuring waves,<\/p>\n

Where with
\nenamoured speed the waters run<\/p>\n

\nLisping and babbling to the splendour of morn<\/p>\n

And cling with
\nlyric laughter round the knees<\/p>\n

Of heaven's
\ndaughters dripping magic rain<\/p>\n

\nPearl-bright from moon-gold limbs and cloudy hair,<\/p>\n

So are her dawns
\nlike jewelled leaves of light.<\/p>\n

So casts she her
\nfelicity on men.<\/p>\n

A flame of radiant
\nhappiness she was born,<\/p>\n

And surely will
\nthat flame set earth alight: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nDoom surely will see her pass and
\nsay no word,<\/p>\n

But too often here
\nthe careless Mother leaves<\/p>\n

Her chosen in the
\nenvious hands of Fate: ; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe harp of God falls mute, its
\ncall to bliss<\/p>\n

\nDiscouraged fails mid earth's unhappy sounds; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe strings of the siren Ecstasy
\ncry not here<\/p>\n

Or sooner silenced
\nin the human heart.<\/p>\n

Of sorrow's songs
\nwe have enough: bid once<\/p>\n

Her glad and
\ngriefless days ring heaven here.<\/p>\n

Or must fire always
\ntest the great of soul?<\/p>\n

Along the dreadful
\ncauseway of the gods<\/p>\n

\nArmoured with love and faith and sacred joy,<\/p>\n

A traveller to the
\nEternal's house<\/p>\n

Once let unwounded
\npass a mortal life."<\/p>\n

But Narad answered
\nnot; silent he sat,<\/p>\n

\nKnowing that words are vain and Fate is lord.<\/p>\n

He looked into the
\nunseen with seeing eyes,<\/p>\n

Then, dallying with
\nthe mortal's ignorance<\/p>\n

Like one who knows
\nnot, questioning, he cried: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"On what high mission went her
\nhastening wheels?<\/p>\n

Whence came she
\nwith this glory in her heart <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPage  70<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd Paradise made visible in her
\neyes? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat sudden God has met, what face
\nsupreme?" <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo whom the king, "The red asoca
\nwatched <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHer going forth which now sees her
\nreturn. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nArisen into an air of flaming dawn <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLike a bright bird tired of her
\nlonely branch <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo find her own lord, since to her
\non earth <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe came not yet, this sweetness
\nwandered forth <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCleaving her way with the beat of
\nher rapid wings. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLed by a distant call her vague
\nswift flight <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThreaded the summer morns and
\nsunlit lands. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe happy rest her burdened lashes
\nkeep <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd these charmed guardian lips
\nhold treasured still. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nVirgin who comest perfected by joy, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nReveal the name thy sudden
\nheart-beats learned. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhom hast thou chosen kingliest
\namong men?" <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd Savitri answered with her still
\ncalm voice <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs one who speaks beneath the eyes
\nof Fate: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n"Father and king, I have carried
\nout thy will,<\/p>\n

One whom I sought I
\nfound in distant lands,<\/p>\n

I have obeyed my
\nheart, I have heard its call.<\/p>\n

On the borders of a
\ndreaming wilderness<\/p>\n

Mid Shalwa's giant
\nhills and brooding woods,<\/p>\n

In his thatched
\nhermitage Dyumathsena dwells,<\/p>\n

Blind, exiled,
\noutcast, once a mighty king.<\/p>\n

The son of
\nDyumathsena, Satyavan<\/p>\n

I have met on the
\nwild forest's lonely verge.<\/p>\n

My father, I have
\nchosen. This is done."<\/p>\n

\nAstonished, all sat silent for a space.<\/p>\n

Then Aswapathy
\nlooked within and saw<\/p>\n

A heavy shadow
\nfloat above the name<\/p>\n

Chased by a sudden
\nand stupendous light; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe looked into his daughter's eyes
\nand spoke: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n"Well hast thou done and I approve
\nthy choice.<\/p>\n

If this is all,
\nthen all is surely well; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIf there is more, then all can
\nstill be well.<\/p>\n

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

\nWhether it seem good or evil to
\nmen's eyes,<\/p>\n

Only for good the
\nsecret Will can work.<\/p>\n

\n

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

\nOur destiny is written in double
\nterms: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThrough Nature's contraries we draw
\nnear God; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPage  71<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOut of the darkness we still grow
\nto light.<\/p>\n

Death is our road
\nto immortality.<\/p>\n

Cry woe, cry woe'
\nthe world's lost voices wail,<\/p>\n

Yet conquers the
\neternal Good at last." <\/p>\n

Then might the sage
\nhave spoken, but the king<\/p>\n

\n

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

\nIn haste broke out and stayed the
\ndangerous word: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"0 singer of ultimate ecstasy,<\/p>\n

Lend not a
\ndangerous vision to the blind,<\/p>\n

\nBecause by native right thou hast seen clear.<\/p>\n

Impose not on the
\nmortal's tremulous breast<\/p>\n

The dire ordeal
\nthat foreknowledge brings; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nDemand not now the godhead in our
\nacts.<\/p>\n

Here are not happy
\npeaks the heaven-nymphs roam,<\/p>\n

\n

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

\nOr Coilas or Vaicountha's starry
\nstair,<\/p>\n

Abrupt jagged hills
\nonly the mighty climb<\/p>\n

Are here where few
\ndare even think to rise; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFar voices call down from the dizzy
\nrocks,<\/p>\n

Chill, slippery,
\nprecipitous are the paths.<\/p>\n

Too hard the gods
\nare with man's fragile race<\/p>\n

In their large
\nheavens they dwell exempt from Fate<\/p>\n

And they forget the
\nwounded feet of man,<\/p>\n

His limbs that
\nfaint beneath the whips of grief,<\/p>\n

His heart that
\nhears the tread of time and death,<\/p>\n

The future's road
\nis hid from mortal sight: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe moves towards a veiled and
\nsecret face.<\/p>\n

To light one step
\nin front is all his hope<\/p>\n

And only for a
\nlittle strength he asks<\/p>\n

To meet the riddle
\nof his shrouded fate.<\/p>\n

\nAwaited by a vague and half-seen force,<\/p>\n

Aware of danger to
\nhis uncertain hours<\/p>\n

He guards his
\nflickering yearnings from her breath; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe feels not when the dreadful
\nfingers close<\/p>\n

Around him with the
\ngrasp none can elude.<\/p>\n

\n

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

\nIf thou canst loose her grip then
\nonly speak,<\/p>\n

\nPerhaps from the iron snare there is escape: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOur
\n<\/i>mind perhaps deceives us with its words<\/p>\n

And gives the name
\nof doom to our own choice; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPerhaps the blindness of our will
\nis Fate."<\/p>\n

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

\nHe said and Narad answered not the
\nking.<\/p>\n

But now the queen
\nalarmed lifted her voice: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPage  72<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"0 seer, thy bright arrival has
\nbeen timed<\/p>\n

To this high moment
\nof a happy life.<\/p>\n

Then let the speech
\nbenign of griefless spheres<\/p>\n

\nConfirm this blithe conjunction of two stars<\/p>\n

And sanction joy
\nwith thy celestial voice.<\/p>\n

Here drag not in
\nthe peril of our thoughts,<\/p>\n

Let not our words
\ncreate the doom they fear.<\/p>\n

Here is no cause
\nfor dread, no chance for grief<\/p>\n

To raise her
\nominous head and stare at love: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nA single spirit in a multitude,<\/p>\n

Happy is Satyavan
\nmid earthly men<\/p>\n

Whom Savitri has
\nchosen for her mate,<\/p>\n

And fortunate the
\nforest hermitage<\/p>\n

Where leaving her
\npalace and riches and a throne<\/p>\n

My Savitri will
\ndwell and bring in heaven.<\/p>\n

Then let thy
\nblessing put the immortals' seal<\/p>\n

On these bright
\nlives' unstained felicity<\/p>\n

\nPushing the ominous Shadow from their days.<\/p>\n

Too heavy falls a
\nShadow on man's heart; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt dares not be too happy upon
\nearth.<\/p>\n

It dreads the blow
\ndogging too vivid joys,<\/p>\n

A lash unseen in
\nFate's extended hand,<\/p>\n

The danger lurking
\nin fortune's proud extremes,<\/p>\n

An irony in life's
\nindulgent smile<\/p>\n

And trembles at the
\nlaughter of the gods.<\/p>\n

Or if crouches
\nunseen a panther doom,<\/p>\n

If wings of Evil
\nbrood above that house,<\/p>\n

Then also speak,
\nthat we may turn aside<\/p>\n

And rescue our
\nlives from hazard of wayside doom<\/p>\n

And chance
\nentanglement of an alien fate."<\/p>\n

And Narad slowly
\nanswered to the queen: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"What help is in prevision to the
\ndriven?<\/p>\n

Safe doors cry
\nopening near, the doomed pass on.<\/p>\n

A future knowledge
\nis an added pain,<\/p>\n

A torturing burden
\nand a fruitless light<\/p>\n

On the enormous
\nscene that Fate has built.
The eternal poet, universal Mind,<\/p>\n

Has paged each line
\nof his imperial act; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nInvisible the giant actors tread<\/p>\n

And man lives like
\nsome secret player's mask. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Page  73<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe knows not even what his lips
\nshall speak.<\/p>\n

For a mysterious
\nPower compels his steps<\/p>\n

And life is
\nstronger than his trembling soul.<\/p>\n

None can refuse
\nwhat the stark Force demands,<\/p>\n

Her eyes are fixed
\nupon her mighty aim; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nNo cry or prayer can turn her from
\nher path,<\/p>\n

She has leaped an
\narrow from the bow of God."<\/p>\n

His words were
\ntheirs who live unforced to grieve<\/p>\n

And help by calm
\nthe swaying wheels of life<\/p>\n

And the long
\nrestlessness of transient things<\/p>\n

And the trouble and
\npassion of the unquiet world.<\/p>\n

As though her own
\nbosom were pierced the mother saw<\/p>\n

The ancient human
\nsentence strike her child,<\/p>\n

Her sweetness that
\ndeserved another fate<\/p>\n

Only a larger
\nmeasure given of tears.<\/p>\n

\nAspiring to the nature of the gods,<\/p>\n

A mind
\nproof-armoured mailed in mighty thoughts,<\/p>\n

A will entire
\ncouchant behind wisdom's shield,<\/p>\n

Though to still
\nheavens of knowledge she had risen,<\/p>\n

Though calm and
\nwise and Aswapathy's queen,<\/p>\n

Human was she still
\nand opened her doors to grief; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe stony-eyed injustice she
\naccused<\/p>\n

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

\nOf the marble godhead of inflexible
\nLaw; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nNor sought the strength extreme
\nadversity brings<\/p>\n

To lives that stand
\nerect and front the World-Power: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHer heart appealed against the
\nimpartial judge, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTaxed with perversity the
\nimpersonal One. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHer tranquil spirit she called not
\nto her aid, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut as a common man beneath his
\nload <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGrows faint and breathes his pain
\nin ignorant words, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSo now she arraigned the World's
\nimpassive will: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n"What stealthy doom has crept
\nacross her path<\/p>\n

\nEmerging from the dark forest's sullen heart,<\/p>\n

What evil thing
\nstood smiling by the way<\/p>\n

And wore the beauty
\nof the Shalwa boy?<\/p>\n

\nPerhaps he came an enemy from her past<\/p>\n

Armed with a hidden
\nforce of ancient wrongs,<\/p>\n

\nHimself unknowing, and seized her unknown.<\/p>\n

Here dreadfully
\nentangled love and hate<\/p>\n

Meet us blind
\nwanderers mid the perils of Time. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPage   74<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOur days are links of a disastrous
\nchain, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNecessity avenges casual steps, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOld cruelties come back
\nunrecognised, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe gods make use of our forgotten
\ndeeds. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYet all in vain the bitter law was
\nmade. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOur own minds are the justicers of
\ndoom. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor nothing have we learned, but
\nstill repeat <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOur stark misuse of self and
\nothers' selves, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd fallen from his ethereal
\nelement <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLove darkens to the spirit of
\nnether gods. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe dreadful angel angry with his
\njoys <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWoundingly sweet he cannot yet
\nforego, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIs pitiless to the soul his gaze
\ndisarmed, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe visits with his own pangs his
\nquivering prey <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nForcing us to cling enamoured to
\nhis grip <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs if in love with our own agony. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis is one poignant misery in the
\nworld, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd grief has other lassoes for our
\nlife. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOur sympathies become our tortures. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nStrength have I my own punishment
\nto bear, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nKnowing it just, but on this earth
\nperplexed, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSmitten in the sorrow of scourged
\nand helpless things, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOften it faints to meet other
\nsuffering eyes. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe are not as the gods who know not
\ngrief <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd look impassive on a suffering
\nworld, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCalm they gaze down on the little
\nhuman scene <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd the short-lived passion
\ncrossing mortal hearts. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAn ancient tale of woe can move us
\nstill, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe keep the ache of breasts that
\nbreathe no more, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe are shaken by the sight of human
\npain, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd share the miseries that others
\nfeel. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOurs not the passionless lids that
\ncannot age. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nToo hard for us is heaven's
\nindifference: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOur own tragedies are not enough
\nfor us,<\/p>\n

All pathos and all
\nsufferings we make ours; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWe have sorrow for a greatness
\npassed away<\/p>\n

And feel the touch
\nof tears in mortal things.<\/p>\n

Even a stranger's
\nanguish rends my heart,<\/p>\n

And this, 0 Narad,
\nis my well-loved child.<\/p>\n

Hide not from us
\nour doom, if doom is ours. <\/p>\n

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

\nPage  75<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThis is the worst, an unknown face
\nof Fate,<\/p>\n

A terror ominous
\nmute felt more than seen<\/p>\n

Behind our seat by
\nday, our couch by night,<\/p>\n

A Fate lurking in
\nthe shadow of our hearts,<\/p>\n

The anguish of the
\nunseen that waits to strike.<\/p>\n

To know is best,
\nhowever hard to bear."<\/p>\n

Then cried the sage
\npiercing the mother's heart,<\/p>\n

\nForcing to steel the will of Savitri<\/p>\n

His words set free
\nthe spring of cosmic Fate.<\/p>\n

The great Gods use
\nthe pain of human hearts<\/p>\n

As a sharp axe to
\nhew their cosmic road: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThey squander lavishly men's blood
\nand tears<\/p>\n

For a moment's
\npurpose in their fateful work.<\/p>\n

This cosmic
\nNature's balance is not ours<\/p>\n

Nor the mystic
\nmeasure of her need and use.<\/p>\n

A single word lets
\nloose vast agencies,<\/p>\n

A casual act
\ndetermines the world's fate.<\/p>\n

So now he set free
\ndestiny in that hour: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"The truth thou hast claimed; I
\ngive to thee the truth. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA marvel of the meeting earth and
\nheavens <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIs he whom Savitri has chosen mid
\nmen, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis figure is the front of Nature's
\nmarch, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis single being excels the works
\nof Time. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA sapphire cutting from the sleep
\nof heaven, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDelightful is the soul of Satyavan, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA ray out of the rapturous
\ninfinite, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA silence waking to a hymn of joy. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA divinity and kingliness gird his
\nbrow; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis eyes keep a memory from a world
\nof bliss. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs brilliant as a lonely moon in
\nheaven, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGentle like the sweet bud that
\nspring desires, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPure like a stream that kisses
\nsilent banks, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe takes with bright surprise
\nspirit and sense. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA living knot of golden Paradise, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA blue Immense he leans to the
\nlonging world, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTune's joy borrowed out of
\neternity, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA star of splendour or a rose of
\nbliss. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn him Soul and Nature, equal
\nPresences, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBalance and fuse in a wide harmony. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Happy in their bright ether
\nhave not hearts <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPage  76<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMore sweet and true than this of
\nmortal make <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat takes all joy as the world's
\nnative gift <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd to all gives joy as the world's
\nnatural right. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis speech carries a light of inner
\ntruth, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd a large-eyed communion with the
\nPower <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn common things has made veilless
\nhis mind,<\/b> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA seer in earth-shapes of garbless
\ndeity. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA tranquil breadth of sky windless
\nand still <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWatching the world like a mind of
\nunplumbed thought, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA silent space musing and luminous <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nUncovered by the morning to
\ndelight, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA green tangle of trees upon a
\nhappy hill <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMade into a murmuring nest by
\nsouthern winds, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThese are his images and parallels, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis kin in beauty and in depth his
\npeers. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA will to climb lifts a delight to
\nlive <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHeaven's height companion of
\nearth-beauty's charm,<\/b> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAn aspiration to the immortals' air <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLain on the lap of mortal ecstasy. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis sweetness and his joy attract
\nall hearts <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo live with his own in a glad
\ntenancy, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis strength is like a tower built
\nto reach heaven, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA godhead quarried from the stones
\nof life. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n0 loss, if death into its elements <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf which his gracious envelope was
\nbuilt <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShatter this vase before it
\nbreathes its sweets, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs if earth could not keep too long
\nfrom heaven <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA treasure thus unique loaned by
\nthe gods, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA being so rare, of so divine a
\nmake! <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn one brief year when this bright
\nhour flies back <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd perches careless on a branch of
\nTime, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis sovereign glory ends heaven
\nlent to earth, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis splendour vanishes from the
\nmortal's sky: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHeaven's greatness came, but was
\ntoo great to stay.<\/p>\n

Twelve swift-winged
\nmonths are given to him and her; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThis day returning Satyavan must
\ndie." <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA lightning bright and nude the
\nsentence fell. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut the queen cried: "Vain then can
\nbe Heaven's grace! <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHeaven mocks us with the brilliance
\nof its gifts, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor Death is a cupbearer of the
\nwine <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Page  77<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOf too brief joy held up to mortal
\nlips <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor a passionate moment by the
\ncareless gods. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut I reject the grace and the
\nmockery. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMounting thy car go forth, 0
\nSavitri, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd travel once more through the
\npeopled lands. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlas, in the green gladness of the
\nwoods <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy heart has stooped to a
\nmisleading call. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nChoose once again and leave this
\nfated head, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDeath is the gardener of this
\nwonder-tree; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLove's sweetness sleeps in his pale
\nmarble hand.<\/p>\n

\nAdvancing in a honeyed line, but closed<\/p>\n

A little joy would
\nbuy too bitter an end.<\/p>\n

Plead not thy
\nchoice, for death has made it vain.<\/p>\n

Thy youth and
\nradiance were not born to lie<\/p>\n

A casket void
\ndropped on a careless soil; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nA choice less rare may call a
\nhappier fate."<\/p>\n

But Savitri
\nanswered from her violent heart,<\/p>\n

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

\nHer voice was calm, her face was
\nfixed like steel: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"Once my heart chose and chooses
\nnot again. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe word I have spoken can never be
\nerased, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is written in the record book of
\nGod. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe truth once uttered, from the
\nearth's air effaced, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBy mind forgotten, sounds
\nimmortally <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor ever in the memory of Time. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnce the dice fall thrown by the
\nhand of Fate <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn an eternal moment of the gods. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy heart has sealed its troth to
\nSatyavan: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIts signature adverse Fate cannot
\nefface, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIts seal not Fate nor Death nor
\nTime dissolve. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThose who shall part who have grown
\none being within? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDeath's grip can break our bodies,
\nnot our souls;<\/b> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf death take him, I too know how
\nto die.<\/p>\n

Let Fate do with me
\nwhat she will or can; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI am stronger than death and
\ngreater than my fate; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy love shall outlast the world,
\ndoom falls from me<\/p>\n

\nHelpless against my immortality.<\/p>\n

Fate's law may
\nchange, but not my spirit's will."<\/p>\n

An adamant will,
\nshe cast her speech like bronze,<\/p>\n

But in the queen's
\nmind listening her words<\/p>\n

Rang like the voice
\nof a self-chosen Doom <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPage  78<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nDenying every issue of escape.<\/p>\n

To her own despair
\nanswer the mother made; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAs one she cried who in her heavy
\nheart<\/p>\n

\nLabours amid the sobbing of her hopes<\/p>\n

To wake a note of
\nhelp from sadder strings; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n"0 child, in the magnificence of
\nthy soul<\/p>\n

\nDwelling on the border of a greater world,<\/p>\n

And, dazzled by thy
\nsuperhuman thoughts,<\/p>\n

Thou lendst
\neternity to a mortal hope.<\/p>\n

Here on this
\nmutable and ignorant earth,<\/p>\n

Who is the lover
\nand who is the friend?<\/p>\n

All passes here,
\nnothing remains the same.<\/p>\n

None is for any on
\nthis transient globe.<\/p>\n

He whom thou lovest
\nnow, a stranger came<\/p>\n

And into a far
\nstrangeness shall depart.<\/p>\n

His moment's part
\nonce done upon life's stage<\/p>\n

Which for a time
\nwas given him from within,<\/p>\n

To other scenes he
\nmoves and other players<\/p>\n

And laughs and
\nweeps mid faces new, unknown.<\/p>\n

The body thou hast
\nloved is cast away<\/p>\n

Amidst the brute
\nunchanging stuff of worlds<\/p>\n

To indifferent
\nmighty Nature and becomes<\/p>\n

Crude matter for
\nthe joy of others' lives.<\/p>\n

But for our souls,
\nupon the wheel of God<\/p>\n

For ever turning,
\nthey arrive and go,<\/p>\n

\nMarried and sundered in the magic round<\/p>\n

Of the great Dancer
\nof the boundless dance.<\/p>\n

Our emotions are
\nbut high and dying notes<\/p>\n

Of his wild music
\nchanged compellingly<\/p>\n

By the passionate
\nmovements of a seeking Heart<\/p>\n

In the incessant
\nlinks of hour with hour.<\/p>\n

To call down
\nheaven's distant answering song,<\/p>\n

To cry to an
\nunseized bliss is all we dare; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOnce seized, we lose the heavenly
\nmusic's sense; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nToo near, the rhythmic cry has fled
\nor failed; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll sweetnesses are baffling
\nsymbols here.<\/p>\n

Love dies before
\nthe lover in our breast: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOur joys are perfumes in a brittle
\nvase.<\/p>\n

0 then what wreck
\nis this upon Time's sea<\/p>\n

To spread life's
\nsails to the hurricane desire <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPage  79<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd call for pilot the unseeing
\nheart! <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n0 child, wilt thou proclaim, wilt
\nthou then follow <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAgainst the Law that is the eternal
\nwill <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe autarchy of the rash titan's
\nmood <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo whom his own fierce will is the
\none law <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn a world where Truth is not, nor
\nLight nor God? <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnly the gods can speak what now
\nthou speakst. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou who art human, think not like
\na god. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor man, below the god, above the
\nbrute, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIs given the calm reason as his
\nguide; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe is not driven by an unthinking
\nwill<\/p>\n

As are the actions
\nof the bird and beast; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe is not moved by stark Necessity<\/p>\n

Like the senseless
\nmotion of inconscient things.<\/p>\n

The giant's and the
\ntitan's furious march<\/p>\n

Climbs to usurp the
\nkingdom of the gods.<\/p>\n

Or skirts the demon
\nmagnitudes of Hell; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIn the unreflecting passion of
\ntheir hearts<\/p>\n

They dash their
\nlives against the eternal Law<\/p>\n

And fall and break
\nby their own violent mass: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe middle path is made for
\nthinking man.<\/p>\n

To choose his steps
\nby reason's vigilant light,<\/p>\n

To choose his path
\namong the many paths<\/p>\n

Is given him, for
\neach his difficult goal<\/p>\n

Hewn out of
\ninfinite possibility.<\/p>\n

Leave not thy goal
\nto follow a beautiful face. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nOnly when thou hast climbed above
\nthy mind<\/p>\n

And livst in the
\ncalm vastness of the One<\/p>\n

Can love be eternal
\nin the eternal bliss<\/p>\n

And Love divine
\nreplace the human tie .<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThere is a shrouded law, an austere
\nforce: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt bids thee strengthen thy undying
\nspirit; <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt offers its severe benignances <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf work and thought and measured
\ngrave delight <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs steps to climb to God's far
\nsecret heights. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen is our life a tranquil
\npilgrimage, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEach year a mile from the heavenly
\nWay, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEach dawn opens into a larger
\nLight.  <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy acts are thy helpers, or events
\nare signs,<\/p>\n

Waking and sleep
\nare opportunities <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPage  80<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nGiven to thee by an immortal Power: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSo<\/i>
\ncanst thou raise thy pure unvanquished spirit <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTill spread to heaven in a wide
\nvesper calm <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIndifferent and gentle as the sky, <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt greatens slowly into timeless
\npeace. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut Savitri replied with steadfast
\neyes: <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n"My will is part of the eternal
\nwill,<\/p>\n

My fate is what my
\nspirit's strength can make,<\/p>\n

My fate is what my
\nspirit's strength can bear; <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMy strength is not the titan's, it
\nis God's. <\/p>\n

I have discovered
\nmy glad reality<\/p>\n

Beyond my body in
\nanother's being: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI have found the deep unchanging
\nsoul of love.<\/p>\n

Then how shall I
\ndesire a lonely good,<\/p>\n

Or slay, aspiring
\nto white vacant peace,<\/p>\n

The endless hope
\nthat made my soul spring forth<\/p>\n

Out of its infinite
\nsolitude and sleep?<\/p>\n

My spirit has
\nglimpsed the glory for which it came,<\/p>\n

\nBeating of one vast heart in the flame of things,<\/p>\n

My eternity clasped
\nby his eternity<\/p>\n

And, tireless of
\nthe sweet abysms of Time,<\/p>\n

"Deep possibility
\nalways to love.<\/p>\n

This, this is
\nfirst, last joy and to its throb<\/p>\n

The riches of a
\nthousand fortunate years<\/p>\n

Are a poverty.
\nNothing to me are death and grief<\/p>\n

Or ordinary lives
\nand happy days.<\/p>\n

And what to me are
\ncommon souls of men<\/p>\n

Or eyes and lips
\nthat are not Satyavan's?<\/p>\n

I have no need to
\ndraw back from his arms<\/p>\n

And the discovered
\nparadise of his love<\/p>\n

And journey into a
\nstill infinity.<\/p>\n

Only now for my
\nsoul in Satyavan<\/p>\n

I treasure the rich
\noccasion of my birth: <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIn sunlight and a dream of emerald
\nways <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI shall walk with him like gods in
\nParadise. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf for a year, that year is all my
\nlife <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd yet I know this is not all my
\nfate <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnly to live and love awhile and
\ndie. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor I know now why my spirit came
\non earth <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd who I am and who he is I love. <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Page  81<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI have looked at him from my
\nimmortal Self,<\/p>\n

I have seen God
\nsmile at me in Satyavan;<\/p>\n

I have seen the
\nEternal in a human face."<\/p>\n

Then none could
\nanswer to her words. Silent<\/p>\n

They sat and looked
\ninto the eyes of Fate."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

Page 82<\/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 SIX   The Book of Fate   CANTO ONE   THE WORD OF FATE     IN silent bounds bordering the mortal's plane Crossing…<\/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-3294","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\/3294","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=3294"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3294\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}