{"id":3433,"date":"2013-07-13T01:48:26","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:48:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=3433"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:48:26","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:48:26","slug":"47-book-ten-canto-three-vol-03-savitri-1954","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/02-other-editions\/01-savitri\/03-savitri-1954\/47-book-ten-canto-three-vol-03-savitri-1954","title":{"rendered":"-47_Book_Ten_Canto_Three.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n\n
 <\/td>\n\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

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

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A<\/font> SAD<\/font><\/b> destroying cadence the voice sank;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It seemed to lead the advancing march of Life<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

"O dark-browed sophist of the universe<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWho veilst the Real with its own Idea,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHiding with brute objects Nature’s living face,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMasking eternity with thy dance of death,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou hast woven the ignorant Mind into a screen<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd made of Thought error’s purveyor and scribe,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd a false witness of mind’s servant sense.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAn aesthete of the sorrow of the world,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nChampion of a harsh and sad philosophy<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou hast used words to shutter out the Light<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd called in Truth to vindicate a lie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA lying reality is falsehood’s crown<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd a perverted truth her richest gem.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nO Death, thou speakest Truth but Truth that slays,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI answer to thee with the Truth that saves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA traveller new-discovering himself,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOne made of Matter’s world his starting-point,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe made of Nothingness his living-room<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd Night a process of the eternal light<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd death a spur towards immortality.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 697<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

God wrapped his head from sight in Matter’s cowl,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis consciousness dived into inconscient depths,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

Infinity wore a boundless zero’s form.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis abysms of bliss became insensible deeps,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\nThe Timeless took its ground in emptiness<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nThat the spirit might adventure into Time<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd the soul pursue a cosmic pilgrimage.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd built a Thought in ancient Nothingness,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA soul in God’s tremendous Void was lit,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

She swung her formless motion into shapes,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

\n

In waking Life it stretched its giant limbs<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

A senseless substance quivered into sense,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

The world’s heart commenced to beat, its eyes to see.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

That bridged with spans of light the world’s ignorance.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 698<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

He stood erect among his brute compeers,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

\nHidden behind the curtains of man’s soul:<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

He has seen the Unknown, looked on Truth’s veilless face;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A ray has touched him from the eternal Sun;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Motionless, voiceless in foreseeing depths,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe stands awake in Supernature’s light<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

O<\/font><\/span> Death, thou lookst on an unfinished world<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAssailed by thee and of its road unsure,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPeopled by imperfect minds and ignorant lives,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd sayest God is not and all is vain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHow shall the child already be the man?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBecause he is infant, shall he never grow?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBecause he is ignorant, shall he never learn?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn a small fragile seed a great tree lurks,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

It grows and is a conqueror and a sage.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Then wilt thou spew out. Death, God’s mystic truth,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A mute material Nature wakes and sees;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She has invented speech, unveiled a will.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 699<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

To uncover the spirit, to change back into God,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nIn God concealed the world began to be,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

Our imperfection towards perfection toils,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

The infinite holds the finite in its arms,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Time travels towards revealed eternity.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A miracle structure of the eternal Mage,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A scripture written out in cryptic signs,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

All here bears witness to his secret might,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In all we feel his presence and his power.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A blaze of his sovereign glory is the sun,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A glory is the gold and glimmering moon.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The blue sea’s chant, the rivulet’s wandering voice<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre murmurs falling from the Eternal’s harp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThis world is God fulfilled in outwardness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

By blind brute movements of an ignorant Force,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

\n

His marvels are built from insignificant things.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 700<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

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

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

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

\n

He makes with these and all his passion-play,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\n

<\/p>\n

Above her is the vigil of the stars;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Watched by a solitary Infinitude<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\n

Matter’s machine worked out the laws of thought,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

The mighty Mother her creation wrought,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

She lulled the Omniscient into nescient sleep,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

\n

The Eternal’s face was seen through drifts of Time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

\n

A dual Nature covered the Unique.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn this meeting of the Eternal’s mingling masques,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThis tangle-dance of passionate contraries<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 701<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In this wrestle and wrangle of the extremes of Power<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Earth’s million roads struggled towards deity.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

All stumbled on behind a stumbling Guide,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

On unknown routes to an unknowable goal.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

All blundered and straggled towards the one Divine.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

The eternal powers assumed a dubious face:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Idols of an oblique divinity,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\n

Lost is the pilgrim’s wallet and the scrip,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

\nsmall thoughts in shoals are fished up into a net<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 702<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Guarded from vision by creation’s depths,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\nOur mortal vision peers with ignorant eyes;<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Our knowledge walks leaning on Error’s staff,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A darkness wallows in the paths of Time<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOr lifts its giant head to blot the stars;<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It holds a torch to lead the traveller in.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

It is a star lighting an ignorant sea,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A lamp upon our poop piercing the night.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

As knowledge grows Light flames up from within:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

It is a shining warrior in the mind,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

An eagle of dreams in the divining heart,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Then larger dawns arrive and Wisdom’s pomps<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Cross through the being’s dim half-lighted fields;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Philosophy climbs up Thought’s cloud-bank peaks<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 703<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

On heights unreached by mind’s most daring soar,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Man’s knowledge becomes God’s supernal Ray.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

A lightning flash of visionary sight,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

Thought silenced gazes into a brilliant Void.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

A cry of splendour from a mouth of storm,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It is the voice that speaks to night’s profound,
\n<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Above the planes that climb from nescient earth,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A hand is lifted towards the Invisible’s realm<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Beyond the superconscient’s blinding line<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And plucks away the screens of the Unknown,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A spirit within looks into the Eternal’s eyes.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

It drinks from the naked breasts of glorious Truth,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Thus all was plunged into the riddling Night,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Thus all is raised to meet a dazzling Sun.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In earth’s anomalous and tragic field<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Carried in its aimless journey by the sun<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Mid the forced marches of the great dumb stars,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A darkness occupied the fields of God,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And Matter’s world was governed by thy shape.<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nPage \u2013 704<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Thy mask has covered the Eternal’s face,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

The Bliss that made the world has fallen asleep.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Abandoned in the Vast she slumbered on:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

An evil transmutation overtook ‘<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer members till she knew herself no more.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOnly through her creative slumber flit<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFrail memories of the joy and beauty meant<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUnder the sky’s blue laugh mid green-scarfed trees<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd happy squanderings of scents and hues,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn the field of the golden promenade of the sun<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nAmid high meditating heads of hills,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOn the bosom of voluptuous rain-kissed earth<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nBut now the primal innocence is lost<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd Death and Ignorance govern the mortal world<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd Nature’s visage wears a greyer hue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEarth still has kept her early charm and grace,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe grandeur and the beauty still are hers,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut veiled is the divine Inhabitant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n‘ The souls of men have wandered from the Light<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the great Mother turns away her face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe eyes of the creatrix Bliss are closed<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd sorrow’s touch has found her in her dreams.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\n

Testing with sorrow’s edge her children’s breasts,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 705<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

An acrid relish finds in the world’s pangs,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Drinks the sharp wine of grief’s perversity.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Delight, God’s sweetest sign and Beauty’s twin,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\n

Yet for joy and not for sorrow earth was made<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\nAnd Death’s deep falsity has mastered Life.<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 706<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

A secret air of pure felicity<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

Our hearts and bodies feel its obscure call,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A hidden Bliss is at the root of things.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A mute Delight regards Time’s countless works:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

To house God’s joy in things Space gave wide room,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

<\/p>\n

Its objects are carved cups of World-Delight<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Whose charmed wine is some deep soul’s rapture-drink:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The All-Wonderful has packed heaven with his dreams,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

He spilled his spirit into Matter’s signs:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

His fires of grandeur burn in the great sun,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

He glides through heaven shimmering in the moon;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

He is beauty carolling in the fields of sound;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

He is silence watching in the stars at night;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

He wakes at dawn and calls from every bough,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Even in this labour and dolour of Ignorance,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A will to live persists, a joy to be.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A joy in evil and a joy in good,<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 707<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Indifferent to the threat of karmic law,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nJoy dares to grow upon forbidden soil,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

It thrills with the drama of fate and tragic doom,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

It wallows with the reptile and the worm<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

It shares the fairies’ dance, dines with the gnome:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It basks in the light and heat of many suns,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

<\/p>\n

It grows towards the Titan and the God.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

On earth it lingers drinking its deep fill,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Of the grapes of Heaven and the flowers of the Abyss,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And dim fragments of the glory of Paradise.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In the small paltry pleasures of man’s life,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A taste in tears and torture of broken hearts,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In life’s nectar of sweetness and its bitter wine.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

All being it explores for unknown bliss,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Life brings into the earthly creature’s days<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A tongue of glory from a higher sphere:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It deepens in his musings and his Art,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIt leaps at the splendour of some perfect word,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIt exults in his high resolves and noble deeds,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWanders in his errors, dares the abyss’s brink,<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nPage \u2013 708<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Angel and demon brides his chamber share,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Possessors or competitors for life’s heart.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

His greatness and his littleness equal are,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Cast on some neutral background of the gods:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The Artist’s skill he admires who made the plan,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

Beyond the earth, but meant for delivered earth,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

Truth superhuman calls to thinking man.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In every shrine it cries for the clasp of God.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Then is achieved the longed-for miracle.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Immortal bliss her wide celestial eyes<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Time thrills to the sapphics of her amour song<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Remembering the future that must be<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In the vast golden laughter of Truth’s sun<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Is poised her winged ardour of creative joy<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

On the still deep of the Eternal’s peace.<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nPage \u2013 709<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Nature’s alloted task when beauty-drenched<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Out of the Void this grand creation rose,\u2014<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And charged with its power Matter’s unknowing Force,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In Night’s bare session to cathedral light,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In Death’s realm repatriate immortality.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A mystic slow transfiguration works.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And Love that was once an animal’s desire,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Becomes a wide spiritual yearning’s space.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A body is his chamber and his shrine.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A Lover leaning from his cloister’s door<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

When unity is won, when strife is lost<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd all is known and all is clasped by Love<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

<\/p>\n

I quiver no more with the assault of grief;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A mighty calmness seated deep within<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

It takes the world’s grief and transmutes to strength,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\nPage \u2013 710<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

For Love must soar beyond the very heavens<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

It must change its human ways to ways divine,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

O Death, not for my heart’s sweet poignancy<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Nor for my happy body’s bliss alone<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Our lives are God’s messengers beneath the
\nstars;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

To dwell under death’s shadow they have come<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

\nHe the Eternal’s delegate sole in man.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

My love is stronger than the bonds of Fate:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Our love is the heavenly seal of the Supreme.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

For Love is the bright link twixt earth and heaven,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

Love is man’s lien on the Absolute."<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\n

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

\nThus wilt thou hire the glorious charlatan Mind,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo weave from his Ideal’s gossamer air<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA fine raiment for thy body’s nude desires<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd thy heart’s clutching greedy passion clothe?<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 711<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\nMake rather thy thought a plain and faithful glass<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Reflecting Matter and mortality,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

The animal be, the worm that Nature meant;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Accept thy futile birth, thy narrow life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

Bare in the bareness, hard with truth’s hardness live,"<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

\n

He dwells in me, the mover of my acts,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

\n

In me are the Nameless and the secret Name."<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

"O priestess in Imagination’s house,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 712<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Irreconcilable in their embrace<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

An unhappy wedlock maims their stunted force.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

If all are the Spirit, Matter is a lie,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd who was the liar who forged the universe?<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He who has met the Self, renounces self.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\n

"My heart is wiser than the Reason’s thoughts,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

\n

<\/p>\n

In the dim Night it lies alone with God.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

My heart’s strength can carry the grief of the universe<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And never falter from its luminous track,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Its white tremendous orbit through God’s peace.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

It can drink up the sea of All-Delight<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And never lose the white spiritual touch,<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 713<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

The calm that broods in the deep Infinite."<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\nBright pleasure from my wayside flowering boughs,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYet falter not from thy hard journey’s goal,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMeet the world’s dangerous touch and never fall?<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nBut Savitri answered, "Surely I shall find<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAmong the green and whispering woods of Life<\/span><\/p>\n

\nClose-bosomed pleasures, only mine since his,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd if I linger. Time is ours and God’s,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nAll is a single plan; each wayside act<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDeepens the soul’s response, brings nearer the goal."<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

By choosing earthly joy! For self demand<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Then will I give thee all thy soul desires,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

All the brief joys earth keeps for mortal hearts.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Only the one dearest wish that outweighs all,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Hard laws forbid and thy ironic Fate.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

My will once wrought remains unchanged through Time,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And Satyavan can never again be thine."<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

But Savitri replied to the vague Power:<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

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

\nGive what thou wilt or what thou must, 0 Death.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 714<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Bright noons I give thee and unwounded dawns,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Daughters of thy own shape in heart and mind,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Fair hero sons and sweetness undisturbed<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Of union with thy husband dear and true.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And thou shalt harvest in thy joyful house<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Love shall bind by thee many gathered hearts.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

The opposite sweetness in thy days shall meet<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Of tender service to thy life’s desired<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

And loving empire over all thy loved,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Return, O child, to thy forsaken earth."<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

But Savitri replied, "Thy gifts resist.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Earth cannot flower if lonely I return."<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Then Death once more sent forth his angry cry,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

"What knowst thou of earth’s rich and changing life<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\n

<\/p>\n

For grief dies soon in the tired human heart;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Soon other guests the empty chambers fill.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA transient painting on a holiday’s floor<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\nPage \u2013 715<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\nSome human answering heart against thy breast;<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\n

"O dark ironic critic of God’s work,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou mockst the mind and body’s faltering search<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor what the heart holds in a prophet hour<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the immortal spirit shall make its own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMine is a heart that worshipped, though forsaken,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe image of the god its love adored;<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

I have burned in flame to travel in his steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre we not they who bore vast solitude<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSeated upon the hills alone with God?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhy dost thou vainly strive with me, 0 Death,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA mind delivered from all twilight thoughts,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo whom the secrets of the gods are plain?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor now at last I know beyond all doubt<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe great stars bum with my unceasing fire<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd life and death are both its fuel made.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\nPage \u2013 716<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Earth saw my struggle, heaven my victory;<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

All shall be seized, transcended, there shall kiss<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\n

Thus with armed speech the great opponents strove.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\nBut now her spirit’s flame of conscient force<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 717<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Retiring from a sweetness without fruit<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

In a deep room in meditation’s house.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Imperishable, a tongue of sacrifice,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Where burns for the high house-lord and his mate<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

The homestead’s sentinel and witness fire<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The mortal led, the god and spirit obeyed<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

\n

<\/p>\n

But faster now all fled as if perturbed<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Escaping from the clearness of her soul.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

A heaven bird upon jewelled wings of wind<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Borne like a coloured and embosomed fire,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

By spirits carried in a pearl-hued cave,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

On through the enchanted dimness moved her soul.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Death walked in front of her and Satyavan,<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Above was the unseen balance of his fate.<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/font>
\nPage \u2013 718<\/font><\/span><\/td>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\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":[78],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-03-savitri-1954","wpcat-78-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3433","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=3433"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3433\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}