Explorations in Savitri

"O Force-compelled, Fate-driven earth-born race, O petty adventurers in an infinite world And prisoners of a dwarf humanity, How long will you tread the circling tracks of mind Around your little self and petty things?

The gods are still too few in mortal forms.” The Voice withdrew into its hidden skies. But like a shining answer from the gods Approached through sun-bright spaces Savitri.

“O spirit, traveller of eternity, Who cam'st from the immortal spaces here Armed for the splendid hazard of thy life To set thy conquering foot on Chance and Time

Challenge the ordeal of the immense disguise. Ascend from Nature to divinity's heights; Face the high gods, crowned with felicity, Then meet a greater god, thy self beyond Time.

Vaguely or with a flash of sudden hints Her acts recalled a line of bygone power, Even her motion's purpose was not new: Traveller to a prefigured high event, She seemed to her remembering witness soul

Across wide noons and glowing afternoons, She met with Nature and with human forms And listened to the voices of the world; Driven from within she followed her long road

The quieted all-seeking mind could feel, At rest from its blind outwardness of will, The unwearied clasp of her mute patient love And know for a soul the mother of our forms.

Awake in candid dawn or darkness mooned, To the still touch inclined the daughter of Flame Drank in hushed splendour between tranquil lids And felt the kinship of eternal calm.