The basic truths are the same in the Life Divine as in Savitri but there are differences as well that is why Sri Aurobindo wrote these different books.
The dates of writing are different. The Life Divine was largely written between 1914 to 1920 though revised subsequently in the forties. Savitri started mainly in 1916 and went on till 1950 two weeks before His physical withdrawal.
The mode of writing in The Life Divine is prose whereas Savitri is mantric poetry giving a definite advantage in terms of conveying mystic truths as well as inducing the state of consciousness contained in the words and being communicated by the author. Of course it needs a certain bent or temperament to receive poetry just as it needs a kind of intellectual preparation to read The Life Divine.
The Life Divine was written mainly for the intellectual mind to help it arrive at the needed quietude through an ascension of thought. Savitri is addressed mainly to the inner being and the soul of man to bring it in contact with the Truth and Power and Beauty and Rhythm and Radiance and Bliss of the Divine Mother.
The Life Divine awakens the mind to higher possibilities. Savitri opens the entire inner and outer being to the direct action of Truth Light and the Divine Mother’s transforming power of Love.
Above all Savitri brings us in contact with the transforming Consciousness of the Divine Mother. That is why Sri Aurobindo called it His most important work and the Mother termed it as the mantra of transformation, the Book of the Future.
Of course both are thoroughly enjoyable books as indeed all works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. They are Their Word-body Vangamaya deha. However it depends also on temperament and turn of consciousness as to the preference that one may have for a particular work. But if there is ever a choice to read only one book written by Them then it would surely be Savitri. Given all that She Herself has spoken about Savitri I am sure this statement will have Her approval. If any other books come a close next then they would be Prayers and Meditations followed by The Mother.
