Mystical Quest in the Poem of Savitri
Bodhi International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Science September 19, 2026 DOI: 10.64938/bijsi.v10si1.26.aug524 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that reason, with its limited range and power, cannot arrive at final truth because it deals only with the finite, separate, and limited, and has no measure for the all and the infinite. Presents Sri Aurobindo's view that intuition, not rationality, is the reliable guide to ultimate reality, illustrated by Aswapathy's spiritual ascent in Savitri. |
Abstract
Mysticism” is a term which denotes an intuitive approach to Reality. It is in direct contrast to rationality. Reason or Intellect and Intuition are the two main approaches to Reality. The age of science is characterized by its absolute reliance on the rational faculty of Man for exploring the ultimate reality. But the saints and the visionary poets in the East and the West have regarded Intuition as the reliable and the infallible guide to man on his way towards Truth. Sri Aurobindo believes that Reason, with its limited range and power cannot give us an insight into the divine reality. He contends that, “The reason cannot arrive at any final truth because it can neither get to the root of things nor embrace the totality of their secrets; it deals with the finite, the separate, the limited aggregate and has no measure for the all and the infinite.” (Sri Aurobindo: Reason and Beyond Reason, P. 29) He expresses this in Savitriwhen he describes Aswapathy’s ascent through the kingdom of the Spirit. During his spiritual journey through the “kingdoms and godheads of the little mind,” Aswapathy meets the power of Reason at the last stage.