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
Anilbaran has been trying to introduce The Life Divine as a course of study in Indian universities. Some universities have refused on varying grounds. Others have given hopeful answers. He wants to make the study of religion also apart of the curriculum.
SRI AUROBINDO; If he wants to make The Life Divine a text-book for the colleges, I object. It will have worse results than in Manilal's case. (Laughter)
Anilbaran has made a few drafts of letters to be sent to the universities for that purpose. Sri Aurobindo approved none of them. He remarked that Anilbaran had made The Life Divine a special course of study.
PURANI: He wants to make it compulsory.
SRI AUROBINDO: Hitlerian? No, what should be done is to introduce a course of Indian philosophy in Indian universities and The Life Divine can come in by the way. It can't be made a principal subject. (Laughing) If it is made a textbook, one indubitable effect will be that the Arya Publishing House will get a lot of motley and my private purse will get fat.
DR. MANILAL: In this year's prayer,1 we are expected to be valiant warriors. Sir. I should like to be a warrior, but a warrior, against what? Whom shall I fight?
SRI AUROBINDO: Suppose you are sent to Italy as a pilot?
DR. MANILAL: No, Sir. I can only give suggestions.
SRI AUROBINDO: You have to fight the hostile forces. But how can you do that without knowing how to use the Force?
NIRODBARAN: Dilip says that Ashok Maitra—Heramba Maitra's son, who has married a famous actress—has asked him for permission for your Darshan.
SRI AUROBINDO: Why do all these actors and actresses want to come for Darshan?
NIRODBARAN: Dilip says they are very fine people.
SRI AUROBINDO: Everybody is fine to Dilip. How old is this Ashok Maitra?
NIRODBARAN: My age. We were in the same class in City College.
SRI AUROBINDO: You were in City College?
NIRODBARAN: Yes, one year.
SRI AUROBINDO: Not time enough to be Herambaised?
NIRODBARAN: Dilip says many good people from Madras are coming for the Darshan this time—an insurance manager, etc.
SRI AUROBINDO: He means high-placed people?
PURANI: So others who have come are bad people? (Laughter)
DR. MANILAL: How can bad people come? They won't get permission.
SRI AUROBINDO: Can't say that.
DR. MANILAL: But all who are permitted to come have the intention of doing Yoga and are fit for Yoga.
SRI AUROBINDO: They may be fit but they have no intention.
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