The Debate of Love and Death (SVH 56) Book 10 Canto 3a

Book Ten: The Book of the Double Twilight, Canto III: The Debate of Love and Death

A long debate follows on twilight’s ground where light and darkness are locked together. Savitri shows to Death that the world is still in the making and she demands Satyavan so that together they can build a greater world. It is her turn now to show him what he has missed. Savitri reveals to him that he is seeing only one side of earthly love as already corrupted by his poisonous breath. She reveals to him the secret plan of God for earth and man and the beauty and radiance that still kisses humanity and invites it to higher things. Death partly concedes or is rather impressed by her brilliance and grants her the boon of beautiful and strong children in whom she can find joy and who take care of her as she grows old. But he bids her to return alone. Savitri then reminds Death that she loves only Satyavan and therefore if she returns alone his boon will not fructify. Death refuses once again.