https://incarnateword.in/cwsa/2/who
The ‘He’ who is being refered to in the poem ‘Who’ is Krishna, the immanent Divine who drives creation towards its eventual divine consummation, the progressive manifestation of delight. His partner in the game is the feminine power of Kali who destroys all that is creating an obstinate resistance to the Divine Play. She clears the way for the other consort of Krishna, the feminine power of Radha. Both Kali and Radha are the powers of Divine Love. Kali is fierce and intense Love working in the lower nature sweeping away all that prevents the soul’s union with Krishna. Radha is the same Love carrying the soul through devotion and surrender to Krishna, the Divine in man. In this poem we see something of the ways of Krishna, the Anandamaya, who hides behind every appearance. He is the lilamaya who hides behind the densest darkness and the battle and hissing of arrows as well as behind the joy and love and beauty and laughter we experience in creation. All creation is impelled by His delight, is meant to express His delight in various ways.
This poem is based on Sri Aurobindo’s own experience in the Alipore Jail as an undertrial revolutionary. He was eventually released, but during his trial period lasting for an year, one of his most important realisations (there were several other profound experiences) was the rarest of rare experience of seeing Krishna Vasudeva (the Divine dwelling in everything) everywhere. This poem is a part narration of the actual experience.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
