If we take it that the Vedas are a revelation received in the silent spaces of the soul by the seers of Truth in their moments of contact with the Divine, then we cannot fix a term or limit the scope of such revelations. The Divine is Infinite and therefore His ways as well as His revelations are also infinite. Though the fundamental Reality is One yet it unfolds Itself in countless ways in terrestrial life. Thus seen, we shall have to include many other revelatory scriptures as part of the Vedic lore even though they do not find mention in the classical traditional account of the Vedas. Sri Aurobindo helps us here:
This sanatana dharma has many scriptures, Veda, Vedanta, Gita Upanishad, Darshana, Purana, Tantra, nor could it reject the Bible or the Koran; but its real, most authoritative scripture is in the heart in which the Eternal has His dwelling. It is in our inner spiritual experiences that we shall find the proof and source of the world’s Scriptures, the law of knowledge, love and conduct, the basis and inspiration of Karmayoga.
[CWSA 8: 26]
Among these revelations of the Divine in the soul of man, Savitri surely would rank among the very best if not the first and foremost. It includes the revelations that have been received so far but going further it brings to the readers fresh revelations that we do not find elsewhere. Of course there are hints and suggestions of a New world and a New creation scattered among the great revelations but they are mostly in a seed form. In Savitri we see it developed to its utmost, thereby satisfying and fulfilling man’s urge for a synthetic life wherein he is able to reconcile his Godward tendencies as well as earthly leanings. We are little bit of both; the Light of high Heavens beckons us even as our very body is rooted in earth-nature. But not without purpose is their meeting as Savitri reveals to us:If earth can look up to the light of heaven
And hear an answer to her lonely cry,
Not vain their meeting, nor heaven’s touch a snare.
If thou and I are true, the world is true;
Although thou hide thyself behind thy works,
To be is not a senseless paradox;
Since God has made earth, earth must make in her God;
What hides within her breast she must reveal.
[Savitri: 692 – 693]
Though all of Sri Aurobindo’s writings may be considered revelatory, especially those he penned after coming to Pondicherry, his cave of tapasya, he himself regarded Savitri as his most important work. It is only natural that anybody deeply interested in Sri Aurobindo’s yoga is bound to turn towards Savitri one way or the other. The Mother spoke of Savitri as ‘the supreme revelation of Sri Aurobindo’s vision’ and ‘the mantra of transformation.’
She also revealed its secret as follows:
(About Savitri)
1) The daily record of the spiritual experiences of the individual who has written.
2) A complete system of yoga which can serve as a guide for those who want to follow the integral sadhana.
3) The yoga of the Earth in its ascension towards the Divine.
4) The experiences of the Divine Mother in her effort to adapt herself to the body she has taken and the ignorance and the falsity of the earth upon which she has incarnated.
[CWM 13: 24]
Naturally such a revelation coming from the very highest summits of consciousness and embodying the sublimest and subtlest Wisdom and Power is best received as a gift of Grace. It cannot be the subject of mental analysis and speculation for the Truth it embodies comes from far above the mind. Hence we do not intend to offer any ‘explanations’ or ‘analytical understanding’ of Savitri through these pages. What we do intend is to share the joy of Savitri and the insights that are received by all who deeply engage with this wonderful word-body of Sri Aurobindo.
Surely there is no one single way of understanding or engaging with this ‘scripture’ even as there is no one single exclusive approach to the Divine. It is left to each one of us to discover the delight of these unique and powerful revelations that pour through the luminous pages of Savitri. But surely when each of these ‘delights’ meet and come together it multiplies the joy divine upon Earth and adds to the breath of God upon our lives.
It is with this intention and as a humble offering at the feet of the Divine Mother that we have initiated this project, this work on Savitri. Its justification is simply that we are moved by an inner inspiration to do so. Its fulfillment is to facilitate and deepen our engagement with Savitri.
It is with this prayer that we embark upon this project as an offering of love and leave it in Her hands to see what purpose it serves in the grand scheme of things. Let us then dive deep into the fathomless ocean of Light called Savitri and loose ourselves in its limitless delight.
