The Spirit of Auroville

In this connection, Shyamsunder wrote to me on 19.2.74

Dear Huta,

The following is for your approval:

21.2.74

Arrival Matrimandir 5.30 pm.

Piero will explain everything about the Matrimandir and show us around. He is getting a place cleaned for the flowers. There a few minutes meditation, 5.55—6.00, and then you lay the flowers.

Departure 6.10.

6.30—6.40 Meditation at 'Roses' behind Auroson's home.

`Rose’—a rose garden.

Either before 6.30 or after 6.40 you will see where Shyamsunder stays, and then you can return.

Nolini-da came yesterday. He remembers about your programme on 21st.

Shyamsunder

All arrangements were made for the visit. I felt that I must take the blessing packet with the photo of the Mother's feet on it. But I was told that the Mother had always given Sri Aurobindo's photograph. I said that she was too modest to give her own. If Sri Aurobindo had to give the photograph, he would certainly give the Mother's—for the Matrimandir is the Shrine of the Mother. However I thought that I had better verify with Nolini-da. I asked him whether I should take the Mother's photograph or Sri Aurobindo's, or those of both. He said, "Better take the Mother's feet." I was amazed and was absolutely convinced about the Mother's Force and the feeling of my true being.

Then and there I remembered these lines from Savitri:

But first high Truth must set her feet on earth
And man aspire to the Eternal’s light
And all his members feel the Spirit’s touch
And all his life obey an inner Force. ||155.52||

The Mother's birthday arrived. I felt as if I were going to the Mother. I was very happy. After taking from Nolini-da the blessing-packet and flowers, which were from the Mother's own room, I went to the Matrimandir. It was really strange that twelve people accompanied me. We received a warm welcome from the people over there who showed us around. I was going there after about two years. I noticed certain things which did not correspond with the Mother's Vision.

At 6 pm, after a short meditation, I placed the golden bag containing the Mother's blessing packet, and another bag containing white and red roses, into a recess of 12 cm x 12 cm and 7 cm deep, dug into the pillar of Mahalakshmi.

Later the recess in the pillar was sealed by Shyamsunder and Piero who had been seeing the construction of the Matrimandir.

About this power and personality of the Mother, Sri Aurobindo has written:

...there is no aspect of the Divine Shakti more attractive to the heart of embodied beings.... For she throws the spell of the intoxicating sweetness of the Divine .... Harmony and beauty of mind and soul, harmony and beauty of the thoughts and feelings, harmony and beauty of the life and surroundings, this is the demand of Mahalakshmi.... If she finds herself in men's hearts surrounded with selfishness and hatred and jealousy and malignance and envy and strife, if treachery and greed and ingratitude are mixed in the sacred chalice, if grossness of passion and unrefined desire degrade devotion, in such hearts the gracious and beautiful Goddess will not linger .... Life is turned in her supreme creations into a rich work of celestial art and all existence into a poem of sacred delight; the world's riches are brought together and concerted for a supreme order and even the simplest and commonest things are made wonderful by her intuition of unity and the breath of her spirit.

Sri Aurobindo, The Mother with Letters on The Mother: The Mother - VI

The atmosphere was packed with the Mother's Presence, Force and Peace. I shall never forget the day, and the kindness and collaboration of the people at Auroville. It was really a unique experience for me. All was the Mother's Grace.

When I came back to the Ashram I offered at the Samadhi the bouquet of white roses which had been given to me, along with my gratitude and love. I was happy because the work the Mother had inspired had been done.

The next morning I went to Nolini-da and informed him that everything had gone beautifully. He was pleased.