Meditations on Savitri Book 5 Canto 2


Savitri Book 5 Canto 2 - Satyavan

As might a soul on Nature’s background limned
Stand out for a moment in a house of dream
Created by the ardent breath of life,
So he appeared against the forest verge
Inset twixt green relief and golden ray.... ||102.8||
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. ||102.11||



Painting by Huta

Book 5 Canto 2 Painting #1


The Mother's sketch

Book 5 Canto 2 Sketch #1






Savitri Book 5 Canto 2 - Satyavan

At first her glance that took life’s million shapes
Impartially to people its treasure-house
Along with sky and flower and hill and star,
Dwelt rather on the bright harmonious scene. ||102.19||
Her vision settled, caught and all was changed. ||102.25||
Her mind at first dwelt in ideal dreams,...
And saw in him the genius of the spot,
A symbol figure standing mid earth’s scenes,
A king of life outlined in delicate air. ||102.26||



Painting by Huta

Book 5 Canto 2 Painting #2






Savitri Book 5 Canto 2 - Satyavan

Yet this was but a moment’s reverie;
For suddenly her heart looked out at him,
The passionate seeing used thought cannot match,
And knew one nearer than its own close strings.... ||102.27||
Hooves trampling fast, wheels largely stumbling ceased;
The chariot stood like an arrested wind. ||102.33||
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. ||102.34||



Painting by Huta

Book 5 Canto 2 Painting #3






Savitri Book 5 Canto 2 - Satyavan

Mastered by the honey of a strange flower-mouth,
Drawn to soul-spaces opening round a brow,
He turned to the vision like a sea to the moon
And suffered a dream of beauty and of change,
Discovered the aureole round a mortal’s head,
Adored a new divinity in things. ||102.35||



Painting by Huta

Book 5 Canto 2 Painting #4






Savitri Book 5 Canto 2 - Satyavan

Marvelling he came across the golden sward:
Gaze met close gaze and clung in sight’s embrace. ||102.39||



Painting by Huta

Book 5 Canto 2 Painting #5






Savitri Book 5 Canto 2 - Satyavan

There is a Power within that knows beyond
Our knowings; we are greater than our thoughts,
And sometimes earth unveils that vision here. ||102.47||
To live, to love are signs of infinite things,
Love is a glory from eternity’s spheres. ||102.48||



Painting by Huta

Book 5 Canto 2 Painting #6