The Story of Savitri, part 2 (Radio program)

Transcript of:

The Story of Savitri, part 2 of 2

by Loretta, 2015 (49:07)

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Part 1

Book One, Canto I

Introduction

This is the last half of “The Story of Savitri”. Last time we ended when Aswapati, the great yogi and king, asked the Divine Mother to incarnate on earth – to help the earth, and to help men. And she consented to come. This half starts with the birth of the Divine Mother on earth, as Aswapati's daughter, princess Savitri.

Mother told the ashramites not to try to explain Savitri. She said if they wanted to explain it, they should go to Sri Aurobindo's writings on the same subject, and that would be the explanation that would work.

So this story line is made up, mostly, of excerpts from the poem. From time to time, to keep the story line going, or to make a transition, I'll add a word or a sentence or two.

Sri Aurobindo filled Savitri with great teachings, and fathomless wisdom. He introduces these things using the story itself. In order to tell just the story alone, a lot has had to be left out. So I apologize ahead of time to the people, like me, who love every line in Savitri. If they're listening, I'm sure they'll feel the loss of many beautiful lines that they love to hear – I know I would! So I apologize ahead of time.

So, “The Story of Savitri”, part 2...

Book Four: The Book of Birth and Quest

Canto I: The Birth and Childhood of the Flame	In the palace of Aswapati, king of Madra, one by one the seasons passed. Then Spring, an ardent lover, leaped through leaves (p.351) His coming brought the magic and the spell; (p.352) All Nature was at beauty’s festival. (p.352) And the Divine Mother took birth as princess Savitri, the daughter of Aswapati, great yogi and king. A spirit of its celestial source aware [...] Descended into earth’s imperfect mould And wept not fallen to mortality, But looked on all with large and tranquil eyes. (p.353) She took again her divine unfinished task: [...] Once more with her fathomless heart she fronted Time. (p.353) At once she seemed to found a mightier race. (p.355) Even in her childish movements could be felt The nearness of a light still kept from earth, Feelings that only eternity could share, Thoughts natural and native to the gods. (p.355)
Canto II: The Growth of the Flame	Over her watched millennial influences And the deep godheads of a grandiose past Looked on her and saw the future’s godheads come (p.359) Princess Savitri grew in love and beauty, grace and wisdom; she far surpassed all those around her. For even the close partners of her thoughts Who could have walked the nearest to her ray, Worshipped the power and light they felt in her But could not match the measure of her soul. A friend and yet too great wholly to know, She walked in their front towards a greater light, Their leader and queen over their hearts and souls, One close to their bosoms, yet divine and far. (p.363) But mid this world, these hearts that answered her call, None could stand up her equal and her mate. (p.365) Among the many who came drawn to her Nowhere she found her partner of high tasks, The comrade of her soul, her other self (p.366) The eye of the great world discovered her (p.367) Her name ran murmuring on the lips of men (p.367) But still, “No equal heart came close to join her heart” (p.367) All worshipped marvellingly, none dared to claim. (p.368)
Canto III: The Call to the Quest	King Aswapati listened through the ray To other sounds than meet the sense-formed ear. (p.369) He heard the voice […] of unborn Powers Murmuring behind the luminous bars of Time. Again the mighty yearning raised its flame That asks a perfect life on earth for men (p.369) [And] like a shining answer from the gods Approached through sun-bright spaces Savitri. (p.372) He saw through the familiar cherished limbs The great and unknown spirit born his child. (p.373) Thoughts rose in him that knew not their own scope. (p.373) He spoke in sentences from the unseen Heights. (p.373) “O spirit, traveller of eternity, Who cam’st from the immortal spaces here (p.373) “Depart where love and destiny call your charm. Venture through the deep world to find thy mate. For somewhere on the longing breast of earth, Thy unknown lover waits for thee the unknown.” (p.374)
Canto IV: The Quest	Princess Savitri travelled through the world, searching for her mate. She went through towns and cities, and saw the homes and palaces of men. She went through villages and farms, and into the wilderness where great sages and seers lived. Then she travelled on, into the lonely forests which were watched by high mountain peaks – solitary places, far away from the worlds of men.

Book Five: The Book of Love

Canto I: The Destined Meeting-Place	[And] now the destined spot and hour were close; Unknowing she had neared her nameless goal. (p.389) To a space she came of soft and delicate air That seemed a sanctuary of youth and joy (p.389)
Canto II: Satyavan	Earth in this beautiful refuge free from cares Murmured to the soul a song of strength and peace. (p.392) Here first she met on the uncertain earth The one for whom her heart had come so far. (p.393) His look was a wide daybreak of the gods, His head was a youthful Rishi’s touched with light, His body was a lover’s and a king’s. (p.393) [...] suddenly her heart looked out at him, [...] And knew one nearer than its own close strings. All in a moment was surprised and seized (p.395) Her soul flung wide its doors to this new sun. (p.395) A swift and fated turning of her days Appeared and stretched to a gleam of unknown worlds. Then trembling with the mystic shock her heart Moved in her breast and cried out like a bird Who hears his mate upon a neighbouring bough. (p.396) And Satyavan looked out from his soul’s doors And felt the enchantment of her liquid voice Fill his youth’s purple ambience and endured The haunting miracle of a perfect face. (p.396) An unknown imperious force drew him to her. Marvelling he came across the golden sward: Gaze met close gaze and clung in sight’s embrace. (p.396) In these great spirits now incarnate here Love brought down power out of eternity To make of life his new undying base. (p.397) Our lives are not aliens nor as strangers join (p.397) The soul can recognise its answering soul (p.397) Rare is the cup fit for love’s nectar wine (p.398) [But] These knew each other though in forms thus strange. Although to sight unknown, though life and mind Had altered to hold a new significance, These bodies summed the drift of numberless births, And the spirit to the spirit was the same. (p.399)
Canto III: Satyavan and Savitri	And Satyavan said to Savitri: “O thou who com’st to me out of Time’s silences, Yet thy voice has wakened my heart to an unknown bliss, [...] How art thou named among the sons of men? (p.400) “[…] Let thy journey cease, come down to us. Close is my father’s creepered hermitage (p.402) “There let me lead thee into an opulent life.” (p.402) Musing she answered, “I am Savitri, Princess of Madra. Who art thou? What name Musical on earth expresses thee to men?” (p.402) And Satyavan told her that he was a prince. His father was the king of Shalwa, but he had lost both his kingdom and his sight, and was forced to take his family to live in exile deep in the forest. He told her about his life in the forest and said: “I glimpsed the presence of the One in all. But still there lacked the last transcendent power And Matter still slept empty of its Lord. (p.405) “The Spirit was saved, the body lost and mute (p.406) “But thou hast come and all will surely change: I shall feel the World-Mother in thy golden limbs And hear her wisdom in thy sacred voice. (p.406) “My body like my spirit shall be free. “It shall escape from Death and Ignorance. (p.406) “Wilt thou not make this mortal bliss thy sphere? (p.408) “Enter my life, thy chamber and thy shrine.” (p.408) This word alone she uttered and said all: “O Satyavan, I have heard thee and I know; I know that thou and only thou art he.” (p.409) In a new act of the drama of the world The united Two began a greater age. (p.411) The natural miracle was wrought once more: In the immutable ideal world One human moment was eternal made. (p.411)

Book Six: The Book of Fate

Canto I: The Word of Fate

And Savitri returned to her father's palace, to tell the good news: that she had found her mate. While she was travelling home, Narad, messenger of the gods, came to visit her parents. When Savitri arrived, she found him sitting with her mother and father. She stood before her father's throne, and Narad welcomed her. But although he spoke of beauty and love, something else was hidden in his words. And the king could hear it. And he asked Narad if it was really necessary that Savitri, such a beautiful child, would have to suffer in her life. But Narad answered not; silent he sat, Knowing that words are vain and Fate is lord. (p.423) Then he asked what her mission was. And the king told him she had gone looking for her mate, and asked Savitri to tell him his name. And Savitri answered with her still calm voice As one who speaks beneath the eyes of Fate: “Father and king, I have carried out thy will. One whom I sought I found in distant lands; I have obeyed my heart, I have heard its call. On the borders of a dreaming wilderness Mid Shalwa’s giant hills and brooding woods In his thatched hermitage Dyumatsena dwells, Blind, exiled, outcast, once a mighty king. The son of Dyumatsena, Satyavan, I have met on the wild forest’s lonely verge. My father, I have chosen. This is done.” (p.424) The great king told his daughter that he approved her choice, and he would not let Narad say more. But Savitri's mother was alarmed, and she appealed to Narad to tell them what he knew about Savitri's future. And Narad said: “The truth thou hast claimed; I give to thee the truth. A marvel of the meeting earth and heavens Is he whom Savitri has chosen mid men, His figure is the front of Nature’s march, His single being excels the works of Time. (p.429) “In one brief year when this bright hour flies back And perches careless on a branch of Time, This sovereign glory ends heaven lent to earth, [...] Heaven’s greatness came, but was too great to stay. Twelve swift-winged months are given to him and her; This day returning Satyavan must die.” (p.431) Then Savitri's mother told her daughter not to marry Satyavan, but to again travel through the world to find another mate. But Savitri answered from her violent heart, — Her voice was calm, her face was fixed like steel: “Once my heart chose and chooses not again. (p.432) “My heart has sealed its troth to Satyavan (p.432) “Death’s grip can break our bodies, not our souls (p.432) “I am stronger than death and greater than my fate (p.432) “Fate’s law may change, but not my spirit’s will.” (p.432) There was nothing her mother could say to change Savitri's mind. So again the queen appealed to Narad to explain why her child should have to have this fate.

Canto II: The Way of Fate and the Problem of Pain

And as Narad explained the way of Fate and the problem of pain, the great king said that he believed that a mighty Power had come with his daughter; and asked Narad if that power was not “the high compeer of Fate” (p.456). And Narad answered: “A greatness in thy daughter’s soul resides That can transform herself and all around But must cross on stones of suffering to its goal. [...] Of heavenly ether made she sought this air, She too must share the human need of grief And all her cause of joy transmute to pain. (p.457) “It is decreed and Satyavan must die; The hour is fixed, chosen the fatal stroke. What else shall be is written in her soul (p.458) “Sometimes one life is charged with earth’s destiny (p.460) “A day may come when she must stand unhelped On a dangerous brink of the world’s doom and hers, Carrying the world’s future on her lonely breast, Carrying the human hope in a heart left sole To conquer or fail on a last desperate verge, Alone with death and close to extinction’s edge. (p.461) “Alone she must conquer or alone must fall. (p.461) “Cry not to heaven, for she alone can save. For this the silent Force came missioned down; In her the conscious Will took human shape: (p.461) “Think not to intercede with the hidden Will, Intrude not twixt her spirit and its force But leave her to her mighty self and Fate.” (p.462)

Book Seven: The Book of Yoga

Canto I: The Joy of Union; the Ordeal of the Foreknowledge of Death and the Heart's Grief and Pain	“Questioning no more the strangeness of her fate” (p.467), Savitri's parents took her back to the simple, lonely forest hermitage of the great blind Shalwa king, and sadly left her there. At first, she lived in the endless joy and rapture of her married life with Satyavan. But soon, the season turned to rain and thunder. And as she sat in the rude forest hermitage, “The grief of all the world came near to her” (p.469). And she remembered what Narad had said, and remembered that soon her husband was going to die. Savitri lived on in grief and sorrow, alone in her dreadful knowledge, clinging more and more to Satyavan. She knew that she could not tell anyone. And she controlled her sorrowful feelings and her desperately unhappy thoughts. Her immortal soul remained quiet, behind the veil of her outer being. Then...
Canto II: The Parable of the Search for the Soul	As in the vigilance of the sleepless night Through the slow heavy-footed silent hours, Repressing in her bosom its load of grief, She sat staring at the dumb tread of Time And the approach of ever-nearing Fate, A summons from her being’s summit came, A sound, a call that broke the seals of Night. (p.474) A mighty Voice invaded mortal space. (p.474) Her mind renouncing thought heard and was mute (p.474) The voice asked Savitri why she was sitting in grief and helplessness, waiting for her doom. And Savitri replied: “My strength is taken from me and given to Death. Why should I lift my hands to the shut heavens Or struggle with mute inevitable Fate Or hope in vain to uplift an ignorant race (p.474) “Is there a God whom any cry can move? (p.475) “Why should I strive with earth’s unyielding laws Or stave off death’s inevitable hour?” (p.475) The Voice replied: “Is this enough, O spirit? And what shall thy soul say when it wakes and knows The work was left undone for which it came? (p.475) “Cam’st thou not down to open the doors of Fate (p.476) “Is this then the report that I must make, My head bowed with shame before the Eternal’s seat, — His power he kindled in thy body has failed, His labourer returns, her task undone?” Then Savitri’s heart fell mute, it spoke no word. But holding back her troubled rebel heart, (p.476) A Power within her answered the still Voice: “I am thy portion here charged with thy work, As thou myself seated for ever above, Speak to my depths, O great and deathless Voice, Command, for I am here to do thy will.” The Voice replied: “Remember why thou cam’st: Find out thy soul, recover thy hid self, In silence seek God’s meaning in thy depths, Then mortal nature change to the divine. (p.476) “Cast Thought from thee, that nimble ape of Light (p.476) “Cast from thee sense that veils thy spirit’s sight (p.476) “Then shalt thou harbour my force and conquer Death.” Then Savitri by her doomed husband sat, (p.476) Witness of the thoughts of mind, the moods of life, She looked into herself and sought for her soul. (p.477) A dream disclosed to her the cosmic past (p.477) She saw the world's significance, and the seeds of life, and the working of mind. She saw the nether forces that can overtake men's nature, and the divine forces that save.
Canto III: The Entry into the Inner Countries	Savitri made her way through the life-forces in their vast and passionate floods of uncontrolled life-energies, which can capture a person, and make them an agent of life's desires. Through it all she moved not, plunged not in the vain waves. Out of the vastness of the silent self Life’s clamour fled; her spirit was mute and free. (p.495) Then Savitri moved to the cold, ordered life, under the control of a temperate, vigilant spirit – in “a quiet country of fixed mind” (p.498). But she knew she could not stay here – this was not the real end of her search. She had to move on, because she sought her soul. So she fared on across her silent self. To a road she came thronged with an ardent crowd (p.500) Outstretching her hands to stay the throng she cried: (p.500) “Reveal, who know, the road that I must tread, — [...] To find the birthplace of the occult Fire And the deep mansion of my secret soul.” One answered pointing to a silence dim On a remote extremity of sleep (p.500) “O Savitri, from thy hidden soul we come. (p.500) “Follow the world’s winding highway to its source. There in the silence few have ever reached, Thou shalt see the Fire burning on the bare stone And the deep cavern of thy secret soul.” Then Savitri following the great winding road Came where it dwindled into a narrow path Trod only by rare wounded pilgrim feet. A few bright forms emerged from unknown depths And looked at her with calm immortal eyes. There was no sound to break the brooding hush; One felt the silent nearness of the soul.” (p.500)
Canto IV: The Triple Soul-Forces	On her way, Savitri met three Madonnas, who told her that they were her secret soul. First she came to the Madonna of suffering, the Mother of divine grief, who shares earth's pain and sorrow. But Savitri also heard the voice of wrath and sorrow in the world's misery – and she knew this was not her soul. Next, Savitri met the Madonna of [might], the Mother of works and force, who brings strength and protection. But Savitri also heard the claims of the Ego of the great world of desire – and she knew this was not her soul. Last, she met the Madonna of light, the Mother of joy and peace, who brings the world harmony, beauty and peace. But also Savitri heard there the ignorant cry of the sense-shackled human mind in response to this claim. And she knew this was also not her soul.
Canto V: The Finding of the Soul	Onward she passed seeking the soul’s mystic cave. At first she stepped into a night of God. (p.522) All was abolished save her naked self (p.522) A sacred darkness brooded now within (p.522) Silent she moved, empty and absolute. In endless Time her soul reached a wide end (p.523) At last a change approached, the emptiness broke (p.523) There was felt a blissful nearness to the goal (p.523) She recognised in her prophetic mind [...] The mystic cavern in the sacred hill And knew the dwelling of her secret soul. (p.523) A marvellous brooding twilight met the eyes And a holy stillness held that voiceless space. (p.523) Across the threshold’s sleep she entered in (p.524) There was no step of breathing men, no sound, Only the living nearness of the soul. Yet all the worlds and God himself were there (p.524) As thus she passed in that mysterious place Through room and room, through door and rock-hewn door, She felt herself made one with all she saw. (p.525) Then through a tunnel dug in the last rock She came out where there shone a deathless sun. A house was there all made of flame and light And crossing a wall of doorless living fire There suddenly she met her secret soul. (p.526) A being stood immortal in transience, Deathless dallying with momentary things, In whose wide eyes of tranquil happiness Which pity and sorrow could not abrogate Infinity turned its gaze on finite shapes: Observer of the silent steps of the hours, Eternity upheld the minute’s acts And the passing scenes of the [Everlasting’s] play. (p.526) She gives us strength to do our daily task And sympathy that partakes of others’ grief And the little strength we have to help our [world] (p.527) Here in this chamber of flame and light they met; They looked upon each other, knew themselves, The secret deity and its human part, The calm immortal and the struggling soul. Then with a magic transformation’s speed They rushed into each other and grew one. (p.527) Once more she was human upon earthly soil (p.527) In an image shone revealed her secret soul. (p.527) In its deep lotus home her being sat [...] Calling the mighty Mother of the worlds To make this earthly tenement her house. (p.528) A living image of the original Power, A face, a form came down into her heart (p.528) A mighty movement rocked the inner space (p.528) Out of the Inconscient’s soulless mindless night A flaming Serpent rose released from sleep. (p.528) And climbing mightily, stormily on its way It touched her centres with its flaming mouth; (p.528) Then at the crown it joined the Eternal’s space. (p.528) Behind all reigned her sovereign deathless soul (p.530)
Canto VI: Nirvana and the Discovery of the All-Negating Absolute	And Savitri’s life was glad, fulfilled like earth’s; She had found herself, she knew her being’s aim. (p.523) Thus for a while she trod [God's] Path; This was the sun before abysmal Night. Once as she sat in deep felicitous muse, Still quivering from her lover’s strong embrace, […] An abyss yawned suddenly beneath her heart. (p.533) A formless Dread with shapeless endless wings Filling the universe with its dangerous breath, A denser darkness than the Night could bear, Enveloped the heavens and possessed the earth. (p.534) In Savitri's depths, she heard the unuttered thought which told her that she could not hope to be happy in a world of pain, and that existence was a vain illusion. When “the intolerant Darkness [went] surging past”, “It left behind her inner world laid waste” (p.535). “Then from the heights a greater Voice came down” (p.536), and told her that she had to feel the vast universal suffering as her own. That she had to bear the sorrow that she came to heal. The voice told her: “Consent to be nothing and none, dissolve Time’s work, Cast off thy mind, step back from form and name. Annul thyself that only God may be.” (p.538) Then Savitri plunged her deep regard into herself. And standing back detached and calm, watched her own interior scene. She saw the sources of her thoughts, and the workings of her mind. She quietly watched all, until finally she sat in absolute silence. In that absolute stillness bare and formidable There was glimpsed an all-negating Void Supreme That claimed its mystic Nihil’s sovereign right To cancel Nature and deny the soul. (p.545) A blank pure consciousness had replaced the mind. (p.545)
Canto VII: The Discovery of the Cosmic Spirit and the Cosmic Consciousness	A vacant consciousness watched from within, Empty of all but bare Reality. (p.551) In her the Unseen, the Unknown waited his hour. (p.554) But now she sat by sleeping Satyavan, (p.554) A voice began to speak from her own heart That was not hers, yet mastered thought and sense. As it spoke all changed within her and without; All was, all lived; she felt all being one (p.554) She passed beyond Time into eternity, Slipped out of space and became the Infinite; Her being rose into unreachable heights And found no end of its journey in the Self. (p.555) All Nature’s happenings were events in her, The heart-beats of the cosmos were her own (p.556) Nowhere she dwelt, her spirit was everywhere (p.557) The superconscient was her native air, Infinity was her movement’s natural space; Eternity looked out from her on Time. (p.557)

Book Eight: The Book of Death

Canto III: Death in the Forest

In this consciousness, Savitri continued to live with Satyavan in the forest. On the morning that Satyavan would die, she woke in a great golden dawn. And she remembered Narad's date. Then she went to Satyavan's mother, the queen, to ask permission to accompany her son into the forest while he cut the wood for the fire. Savitri went with Satyavan into the forest, knowing that something could happen at any moment. Satyavan was happy to have her with him, “But as he worked, his doom upon him came” (p.564). And he cried to her, “Savitri, a pang Cleaves through my head and breast as if the axe Were piercing it and not the living branch. (p.564) “Awhile let me lay my head upon thy lap And guard me with thy hands from evil fate: Perhaps because thou touchest, death may pass.” (p.564) She guarded him in her bosom and strove to soothe His anguished brow and body with her hands. (p.564) [Then] He cried out in a clinging last despair, “Savitri, Savitri, O Savitri, Lean down, my soul, and kiss me while I die.” And even as her pallid lips pressed his, His failed, losing last sweetness of response (p.565) His mouth still with her living mouth, as if She could persuade his soul back with her kiss; Then grew aware they were no more alone. (p.565) Near her she felt a silent shade immense Chilling the noon with darkness for its back. (p.565) She knew that visible Death was standing there And Satyavan had passed from her embrace. (p.566)

Book Nine: The Book of Eternal Night

Canto I: Towards the Black Void

She rose and stood gathered in lonely strength (p.575) Then Death the king leaned boundless down […] (p.576) And, like a dream that wakes out of a dream, [...] Another luminous Satyavan arose (p.576) He moved away, and behind him, Death “went slowly with his noiseless tread” (p.577). And Savitri moved behind eternal Death, Her mortal pace was equalled with the god’s. Wordless she travelled in her lover’s steps, [...] Into the perilous silences beyond. (p.577)

Canto II: The Journey in Eternal Night and the Voice of the Darkness

As Savitri followed Death, he tried to force her to stop, to go back, again and again. He told her that she could not have her husband back; but Savitri did not listen to him. Then Death tried to bribe Savitri with gifts with a life without Satyavan – a new husband, children, vast riches. But Savitri refused. She challenged Death to give Satyavan's father back his sight and his kingdom; and Death granted her request. But he would not give back Satyavan.

Book Ten: The Book of the Double Twilight

Canto I: The Dream Twilight of the Ideal
Canto II: The Gospel of Death and the Vanity of the Ideal	Savitri followed Death through eternal Night, refusing to turn back. She refused to accept all the negative hopeless things that Death tried to get her to believe. No matter what he said, she claimed her right to be, and to love.
Canto III: The Debate of Love and Death	After a long debate on love, Savitri said to almighty Death: “O Death, I have triumphed over thee within (p.633) “My love eternal sits throned on God’s calm (p.633) “For I, the woman, am the force of God, [Satyavan] the Eternal’s delegate soul in man. My will is greater than thy law, O Death; My love is stronger than the bonds of Fate: Our love is the heavenly seal of the Supreme. (p.633) My heart is stronger than thy bonds, O Death. It sees and feels the one Heart beat in all” (p.635)
Canto IV: The Dream Twilight of the Earthly Real	And Savitri followed Death through the region where past thoughts and acts repeated, fruitlessly, age after age. Around and around went the forms, “ever new and ever old, the long // Appalling revolutions of the world.” (p.643). To all of Death's arguments, Savitri replied with the light, the life, the hope, the beauty, and the power of a free being conscious of the Divine working in her and working in the world. Then, almighty Death challenged Savitri: “O human claimant to immortality, Reveal thy power, lay bare thy spirit’s force, Then will I give back to thee Satyavan. Or if the Mighty Mother is with thee, Show me her face that I may worship her; Let deathless eyes look into the eyes of Death, An imperishable Force touching brute things Transform earth’s death into immortal life. Then can thy dead return to thee and live.” (p.664) And Savitri looked on Death and answered not. (p.664) A mighty transformation came on her. (p.664) The Incarnation thrust aside its veil. (p.664) Thus changed she waited for the Word to speak. Eternity looked into the eyes of Death And Darkness saw God’s living Reality. Then a Voice was heard that seemed the stillness’ self (p.665) “I hail thee, almighty and victorious Death, (p.666) “Thou art my shadow and my instrument. (p.666) “Live, Death, awhile, be still my instrument. (p.666) “But now, O timeless Mightiness, stand aside (p.666) “Release the soul of the world called Satyavan [...] That he may stand master of life and fate, Man’s representative in the house of God,” (p.666) She spoke; Death unconvinced resisted still, Although he knew refusing still to know, Although he saw refusing still to see. (p.666) The Two opposed each other face to face. (p.667) Awhile the Shade [stood] defying heaven: (p.667) A pressure of intolerable force Weighed on his unbowed head and stubborn breast; Light like a burning tongue licked up his thoughts, Light was a luminous torture in his heart, Light coursed, a splendid agony, through his nerves; His darkness muttered perishing in her blaze. (p.667) At last he knew defeat inevitable (p.667) Afar he fled shunning her dreaded touch And refuge took in the retreating Night. (p.667) And Satyavan and Savitri were alone. (p.668) In the long blank moment’s pause nothing could move: All waited on the unknown inscrutable Will. (p.668)

Book Eleven: The Book of Everlasting Day

Canto I: The Eternal Day: The Soul's Choice and the Supreme Consummation

Then the eternal Night disappeared, and Savitri found herself in eternal Day. Her body quivered with eternity’s touch, Her soul stood close to the founts of the infinite. (p.671) She entered worlds of increasing rapture and beauty, and splendour, and bliss. And she saw the source of this charm and delight, and knew him as the one whom her soul had faced as Death and Night. A third spirit stood behind, their hidden cause (p.681) He is our seed and core, our head and base. All light is but a flash from his closed eyes (p.681) Two looked upon each other, Soul saw Soul. (p.683) And Savitri heard a voice whose magic could turn the poignant weeping of the earth to rapture: “O human image of the deathless word, (p.683) “Renounce the tie that joins thee to earth-kind, (p.685) “Ascend, O soul, into thy blissful home.” (p.685) And Savitri replied: “O besetter of man’s soul with life and death And the world’s pleasure and pain and Day and Night, [...] I climb not to thy everlasting Day, Even as I have shunned thy eternal Night. (p.685) “Give back the other self my nature asks. (p.686) “Earth needs his beautiful spirit made by thee (p.686) “I keep my will to save the world and man” (p.692) And Savitri refused to leave her work on earth. Everything that was offered to her she asked for mankind. Then a blissful cry arose: “O beautiful body of the incarnate Word, Thy thoughts are mine, I have spoken with thy voice. My will is thine, what thou hast chosen I choose: All thou hast asked I give to earth and men. (p.698) “Descend to life with him thy heart desires.” (p.702) The measure of that subtle music ceased. Down with a hurried swimming floating lapse [...] Sank like a star the soul of Savitri. (p.711) Amidst the headlong rapture of her fall […] She kept within her strong embosoming soul Like a flower hidden in the heart of spring The soul of Satyavan drawn down by her Inextricably in that mighty lapse. (p.711) A glance from the gaze fell of undying Love. (p.712) A power leaned down, a happiness found its home. Over wide earth brooded the infinite bliss. (p.712)

Book Twelve: Epilogue

Epilogue: The Return to Earth

Out of abysmal trance her spirit woke. (p.715) She pressed the living body of Satyavan: On her body’s wordless joy to be and breathe (p.715) And all her life was conscious of his life And all her being rejoiced enfolding his. (p.715) [Awakened,] he found her eyes Waiting for his, and felt her hands, and saw The earth his home given back to him once more And her made his again, his passion’s all. (p.717) Then Satyavan spoke to Savitri: <div style="font-family:Gentium Book Basic;" [...] surely I have travelled in strange worlds By thee companioned, a pursuing spirit, Together we have disdained the gates of night. I have turned away from the celestials’ joy And heaven’s insufficient without thee. (p.717) Then hand in hand they left that solemn place […] Returning slowly through the forest’s heart. (p.721) As they walked, the gathering dusk filled with the sound of many voices and many feet. Topped by a flaring multitude of lights A great resplendent company arrived. (p.721) In front King Dyumatsena walked, blind no more; his kingdom restored, he came seeking his son. And Satyavan told them that he was late getting back because he had left his body, but Savitri had followed and had saved him. Everyone looked and saw how beautiful and full of light Savitri was, standing by Satyavan. And someone, who seemed to be a sage, asked her what happened. And Savitri quietly answered: “Awakened to the meaning of my heart That to feel love and oneness is to live And this the magic of our golden change, Is all the truth I know or seek, O sage.” Wondering at her and her too [wise] words Westward they turned in the fast-gathering night. (p.724) [And] Night, splendid with the moon dreaming in heaven In silver peace, possessed her luminous reign. She brooded through her stillness on a thought Deep-guarded by her mystic folds of light, And in her bosom nursed [another] dawn. (p.724)