Sri Aurobindo
Collected Poems
CWSA.- Volume 2
Part Seven. Pondicherry
Sonnets from Manuscripts, c.
1934 – 1947
What points ascending Nature to her goal?
’Tis not man’s lame transcribing intellect
With its carved figures rigid and erect
But the far subtle vision of his soul.
His instruments have served his weakness well
But they must change to tread the paths of Fire
That lead through his calm self immeasurable
To the last rapture’s incandescent spire.
The spirit keeps for him its ample ways,
A sense that takes the world into our being,
A close illumined touch and intimate seeing,
Wide Thought that is a god’s ensphering gaze,
A tranquil heart in sympathy with all,
A will wide-winging, armed, imperial.
Earlier edition of this work: Sri Aurobindo Birth Century Library: Set in 30 volumes.- Volume 5.- Collected Poems.- Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Asram, 1972.- 625 p.
1 1972 ed. SABCL, vol.5: Discoveries of Science II
The version of 1972 edition is so much differs, that we placed it here in full length:
How shall ascending nature near her goal?
(Alternative line: How shall earth’s evolution find its goal?)
Not through man’s stumbling tardy intellect
Patient all forms and powers (Alternative: Godheads) to dissect
But by the surer vision of his soul.
An algebra of mind, a scheme of sense,
A symbol language without depth or wings,
A power to handle deftly outward things
Are our scant earnings (Is our poor booty) of intelligence.
The Truth (Our Spirit | The Soul) is greater and asks (has) deeper ways.
A sense that gathers all in its own being, (into our being,)
A close and luminous touch, (A luminous touch direct,) an intimate seeing,
A Thought flung free from the words’ daedal maze,
(Alternative line: A Thought that is a god’s all-seeing gaze,)
A tranquil heart in sympathy with all,
A will one-pointed, wide, imperial.