Sri Aurobindo : conversations
Talks with Sri Aurobindo is a thousand-page record of Sri Aurobindo's conversations with the disciples who attended to him during the last twelve years of his life. The talks are informal and open-ended, for the attendants were free to ask whatever questions came to mind. Sri Aurobindo speaks of his own life and work, of the Mother and the Ashram, of his path of Yoga and other paths, of India's social, cultural and spiritual life, of the country's struggle for political independence, of Hitler and the Second World War, of modern science, art and poetry, and of many other things that arose in the course of conversation. Serious discussion is balanced with light-hearted banter and humour. By recording these human touches, Nirodbaran has brought out the warm and intimate atmosphere of the talks.
THEME/S
NIRODBARAN: It is reported by Dutt that, apprehensive of a big row at the Surat Congress and the risk of physical injury to you, your friends made special arrangements with Barin to keep you safe.
SRI AUROBINDO: I don't know about any row. A Maratha leader—a lieutenant—came to me and asked me whether they should break the Congress. I said, "You must either swamp it or break it." They couldn't swamp it as the other party was too strong in number. So they broke it: There was no question of any row.
I had very little personal contact with Dutt. I think I met him and Mullick first at Thana. I mixed intimately with Mullick. Dutt was most of the time occupied with his judgeship; he was known as a revolutionary judge.
NIRODBARAN: People say you had three very intimate friends. One of them is dead, one still alive. We don't know about the remaining one.
SRI AUROBINDO: One was Deshpande who was very intimate: he is dead. Madhavrao was another: he is also dead. Who was the third?
PURANI: Kasherao?
SRI AUROBINDO: Kasherao was not so intimate.
NIRODBARAN: Dutt speaks of going back once more and then coming to stay here.
SRI AUROBINDO: I hear he wants to end his last days here which I don't approve of .This is not Benares.
SATYENDRA: But if people want to come here for that purpose, Sir, why should you object?
CHAMPAKLAL: A's mother came with that object.
NIRODBARAN: There is a precedent then. But it will be terrible for us. We can't welcome them.
SRI AUROBINDO: Nirod will be presiding over the deaths of people. They say in English, "Dying on the Doctor's hands." It will be on Nirod's hands.
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