Talks with Sri Aurobindo

19 AUGUST 1944

NIRODBARAN: A says that he went to see someone who was a reputable astrologer, a different person from the one about whom I spoke to you some years ago. A relation of his sent him to consult this man about her son. A had your book Essays on the Gita with him, and on seeing it, the astrologer made the gesture of namaskar. On being asked why he did so and whether it was for the author or the book, he replied, "Bhagabaner boi." He also said that he not only had your horoscope but he had received your birth chart from you.

SRI AUROBINDO: How?

NIRODBARAN: A says the astrologer told the following story. Sometime before November 1926, he had written to you requesting you to send him the date and time of your birth. He also wrote that he analysed the birth charts of great people as a matter of scientific interest and not for financial gain. He asked you whether he could do the same in your case also. Then, A says, the astrologer appeared to be very moved and with obvious gratitude in his voice he said that besides sending him the date and time of your birth, you had drawn a chart, for him. But you said that you would rather that he did not write and publish anything about you. The man commented: "Sri Aurobindo could have just told me not to write about him, instead he requested me not to do so. That is a sign of greatness." Asked whether he had published anything about you, he answered, "How could I after Sri Aurobindo himself said that he would not like me to do so." A asked him what his reading was. His answer was: "In 1947 his philosophy will become the basis of a new world civilisation and culture. Nothing can stop that." He added that he had read thousands of horoscopes but had never seen the same time of birth as yours. He said it has all the signs of a unique greatness. A says he emphasised unique, ananyasadharan.