Champaklal Speaks

I Join the Evening Talks

Soon after coming here for good, I asked Sri Aurobindo whether I could join in the evening talks. He smiled happily and said: “Yes, you have permission to come. But you see, there is no spare chair there”.

As all were sitting in chair it was understood that I too would need a chair! I did not know what to do, but then I remembered that during my first visit I had been introduced to a well-known Chettiar and he had been pleased to know me. I felt he would be happy to do something for me. There was much hesitation to go and ask but I had no alternative. I wanted to attend the talks, not indeed so much for the talk itself but to spend that much time in Sri Aurobindo's presence. My principle was not to ask for anything from others. It was not a vrata [vow] taken in a religious spirit but principle observed as sincerely as I could. However, in this case, 1 set aside my principle.

I went to the bungalow of the Chettiar. There I learnt that the J old gentleman had died. His son came and welcomed me. I did not know what to say but, as usual the Divine helped me. The gentleman himself started speaking. He said he was happy to see me and if would be glad if he could do anything for me.

Hesitantly I said: “I would like to have one chair if possible.” Immediately he requested me to follow him and took me to one of the halls where there were rows of chairs. He asked me to choose from them. There were no ordinary chairs, so the one I chose was nicely polished and cushioned rosewood chair.

Returning home I took the chair straight to the verandah upstairs and put it at the end of the row of chairs. But when the talk was to start in the evening I did not sit in that chair. I went straight towards Sri Aurobindo and sat on the floor between his chair and the one to its left—the space was just enough for me to sit!

Sri Aurobindo looked around and smiled. All were surprised. I myself was surprised; for I had not planned to sit there at all!