Their tone of certain informality also brings out the intuitive perspective

Re: 08: A Shrine for the God of Love by RY Deshpande

on Tue 20 Mar 2007 04:20 AM PDT Profile Permanent Link

The Bird-passage in the “Perfect Shrine” During the period 1936-47 Sri Aurobindo had written a number of letters, mostly to Amal Kiran, dealing with a few aspects of Savitri. Elucidations were sought in various respects, particularly about the text of Part I of the epic even as it was in the process of early composition. It is said that after completing the writing of Savitri, Sri Aurobindo would have written a preface or a preamble, a kind of overture for the epic; but it didn’t happen. However, the need for an introduction is to a large extent satisfied by these letters; their tone of certain informality also brings out the intuitive perspective which becomes difficult to get in a formalised presentation. Concerned with the bird-passage in the “perfect shrine” we have the author’s educative and revealing comments and clarifications. Here is the bird-passage:

As might a soul fly like a hunted bird, Escaping with tired wings from a world of storms, And a quiet reach like a remembered breast, In a haven of safety and splendid soft repose One could drink life back in streams of honey-fire, Recover the lost habit of happiness, Feel her bright nature's glorious ambience, And preen joy in her warmth and colour's rule.