Savitri

  SECTION B

'THE BOOK OF LOVE'

  I

'The Destined Meeting Place'

The "destined spot and hour", however, draw close. Naught happens but has its time and setting in the preordained cosmic play. Savitri now approaches a region,

      .. .of soft and delicate air

      That seemed a sanctuary of youth and joy,

      A highland world of free and green delight

      Where spring and summer lay together and strove

      In indolent and amicable debate,

      Inarmed, disputing with laughter who should rule.¹⁷⁹

Sri Aurobindo's description of the 'other Eden', this 'demi-Paradise', recalls Milton's description of Paradise before the Fall. Man, bird and beast are at peace with themselves and with circumambient Nature. Sri Aurobindo's fancy takes wings and snaps a scene of almost other-world felicity:

      Pale waters ran like glimmering threads of pearl.

      A sigh was straying among happy leaves;

      Cool-perfumed with slow pleasure-burdened feet

      Faint stumbling breezes faltered among flowers.

      The white crane stood, a vivid motionless streak,

      Peacock and parrot jeweled soil and tree,

      The dove's soft moan enriched the enamoured air

      And fire-winged wild-drakes swam in silvery pools.

      Earth couched alone with her great lover Heaven,

      Uncovered to her consort's azure eye...¹⁸⁰

A space sanctified, a meeting-place of earth and heaven, a home for the profession of love and beauty, a primeval realm for the reign of peace, a retreat for solitude and fresh creation,

      This was the scene which the ambiguous Mother

      Had chosen for her brief felicitous hour;...¹⁸¹

Here love will confront Savitri, and her quest—so long pursued and so often renewed—will end in the glory of the recognition and acceptance of love.

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