Sri Aurobindo

Collected Poems

SABCL - Volume 5

II. Sonnets
1930–1950

Lila

In us is the thousandfold Spirit who is one,

An eternal thinker calm and great and wise,

A seer whose eye is an all-regarding sun,

A poet of the cosmic mysteries.

A critic Witness pieces everything

And binds the fragments in his brilliant sheaf;

A World-adventurer borne on Destiny’s wing

Gambles with death and triumph, joy and grief.

A king of greatness and a slave of love,

Host of the stars and guest in Nature’s inn,

A high spectator Spirit throned above,

A pawn of passion in the game divine,

One who has made in sport the suns and seas

Mirrors in our being his immense caprice.

Later edition of this work: The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo.- Set in 37 volumes.- Volume 2.- Collected Poems.- Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, 2009.- 751 p.