Savitri: An Epic

 Arvind Ghosh is popular as Sri Aurobindo. He is a well-known Indian philosopher, sage, yogi, patriot and freedom fighter. As a poet too he has left an indelible mark on the world of literature. He is often appreciated as an excellent mystic poet. His poetic works are imbued with a profound sense of mysticism and spiritual insight.

His Savitri is his most celebrated work. It is considered an extraordinary modern epic. It is an immortal work. It transcends conventional poetic boundaries. This epic has been divided into twelve books and it consists of over 24,000 lines. In this epic Sri Aurobindo has highlighted the journey of the soul through various planes of consciousness. Here the poet has discussed the profound mystical experiences of Savitri and her quest for truth and divine realization. Here the poet has explored the triumph of divine awareness over darkness and unawareness.

Savitri is regarded as an epic due to following qualities:

Grand Theme: Savitri deals with grand theme. It explores universal themes of spirituality, love and transcendence. It describes the battle between light and darkness. It deals with the quest for spiritual illumination. Thus the major themes of Savitri are grand, no doubt. Such themes are central to several classical epics.

Grand Character: Savitri deals with grand characters. Savitri, Satyavan and Yam are grand characters. They are of universal stature. Savitri, a heroic figure, is on her mission to conquer death and ignorance. Her confidence and determination make her a timeless epic figure.

Grand Style: Sri Aurobindo’s Savitri is appreciated for its profound spiritual vision. Its lyrical attractiveness and philosophical profundity are also appreciated. It emphasizes the harmonious amalgamation of the material and spiritual dimensions of existence. The poem is full of rich and complex symbolism. This symbolism offers depth and layers of meaning to the narrative. In short, Savitri is a tapestry of spiritual symbolism and deep philosophical insights. These qualities have made it a grand epic

Vast Canvas: Savitri is not only an epic in its length but also in its grand scope. It beautifully describes the journey of the soul. It narrates multiple planes of consciousness. It has its scope from the human to the divine. It deals with the past, present, and future. This vast canvas makes it a grand epic.

Philosophical Insights: The quest for spiritual enlightenment is the core of Savitri. The profound philosophical insights are woven throughout the poem. It addresses the fundamental questions of life.

Thus Savitri is a modern epic. It explores universal themes of spirituality, love and transcendence. Its unique mixture of spiritual wisdom, symbolism and philosophical depth make it a memorable epic of world literature.