Before we commence our study of Savitri, let us be clear to ourselves that we are not reading it as a poem, even as a literary masterpiece, noting the diction, the similes and metaphors and other details. Our purpose in studying it is to enter into the spirit behind it, and in the measure we identify ourselves with that inspiration, we shall grow in our understanding. And this understanding is not an understanding of the mind, though that also is possible, but as the Mother put it, it is more an understanding of the heart.

With these preliminary observations we take up the first canto The Symbol Dawn. In this cant there is a certain parallelism. The Dawn that is spoken of is not only the dawn of that fateful day when Satyavan must die, but it is also the beginning of the present cycle of Creation. In Sanskrit we call it dhvani, very poorly rendered in English by the word ‘suggestion’. In the earlier portions of the canto at any rate, the context of the dawn of creation is more preponderant than the dawn of the physical day. That is why it is entitled “The Symbol Dawn”—the dawn as a symbol: not merely the dawn before sunrise but the symbol of something else.

Symbol of what? Symbol of a new creation. This is not a thing that is created one day and another day absorbed, but it is a matter of cycles of creation. Each cycle of creation has a beginning, duration and end, the end leading to another beginning. The dawn of which the poet speaks is the dawn before this Universe starts, before the present cycle of creation is initiated.

It was the hour before the Gods awake.

The Gods: there is God and gods. God is the Supreme Reality turned towards manifestation, making Itself accessible as a Person, as a Being while the Impersonal aspect is always behind. The gods are the emanations, formations put out from the Being of God for a special purpose: to fulfil his intention in this creation. Each emanation from the Being of God is charged with a particular function. Each god is both a power and a personality. The gods, known by different names in different climes, are the cosmic functionaries, making possible the growth of this creation in the mould of the original intention of the Creator.

‘Before the Gods awake’—it is not that they are awaking from sleep. Gods do not sleep; asvapanāh devāh, says the Veda, the Gods are sleepless. The Gods do not blink, their eyes are always open. Just as they do not cast a shadow, the gods do not sleep. Then from what state do they awake? From their state of self-absorption, trance. When the creation is withdrawn, their operations are suspended and they are self-absorbed. When the hour approaches, they come out of it to discharge their functions. Now the pregnant moment has arrived.

Note that it is a blank verse in pentameter, five feet to a line.

It was / the hour / before / the Gods / awake. /

Across the path of the divine Event

The huge foreboding mind of Night, alone

In her unlit temple of eternity,

Lay stretched immobile upon Silence' marge.

The creation is to come: the divine Event—note the capital E. The Event to be is the manifestation to come. But before that event takes place there lies across its path “the huge foreboding mind of Night”. Night is in capitals to indicate that it is not our physical night, but the Inconscient Darkness. The mind of that Night is huge, all-occupying; it forebodes, prognosticates; it has some indication of what is going to be in the future, and that is not very welcome. Foreboding always hints at something ominous. It is immobile, without movement. Where? “In the unlit temple of eternity.” It is a state of eternity; “unlit”, there is no light, it is obscure and dark. “Temple”, he uses this word on purpose to indicate something spiritual, something sacred, about that eternity. The mind of Night lies upon “Silence’ marge”. Marge is margin, edge, the edge of Silence. Capital S shows that it is a spiritual Silence, and not just the absence of sound. Spiritual silence is different from physical silence. A physical silence can be oppressive, but a spiritual silence is invigorating, life-giving. So, there is immobility, there is eternity, there is silence. All these prevail before the hour of the Event.

This series of postings on The Symbol Dawn is taken from MP Pandit’s The Book of Beginnings, Dipti Publication, first published in 1983. Publisher’s Note has the following: “These talks were given during the Sat-sang sessions at the author’s residence (April 1982-March 1983). They cover the first Book of Savitri, line by line, and should form a helpful complement to the author’s Readings in Savitri.”