Savitri’s life as described in the previous Canto is tossing between the joy of togetherness and union with her loved Satyavan and, on the other hand the abysses of despair knowing that this love would not last. Such is the figure of human life drawn by Time that nothing lasts, not even beautiful and good things. The stamp of transience is laid upon human life. It is the result of the badge of Ignorance that we wear. Savitri has come to change this scheme of things. She has come to challenge destiny and death, to carve a way out of the pain and suffering that afflicts earthly life to Truth and Bliss and Freedom and Immortality. She has come to empower man. But for this first she must take upon herself the human consciousness, assume its limitations and then show the way by working it out within herself.
That moment has now drawn close. Challenged by the crisis and the ordeal she has either to accept defeat and submit before death or else find a way to conquer it. She must awaken within her the power that is all-victorious over suffering. The moment comes when she has to make a decisive choice. In this moment Savitri’s higher Self speaks to her reminding her of her mission and her goal. She must undertake a great journey or a tremendous tapasya. Such is the command given to her. Along with the command a program of sadhana is also given. Her initial doubt and hesitation over, Savitri now becomes a student and a witness to the past of humanity and how far she has come. She is here to find a way but first she must discover it within herself.
The way is clear but now she must walk upon it.
