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
For four days there was practically no talk. Then Bhaskar's radio news said that Germany was making intense preparations to attack England.
SRI AUROBINDO: Bhaskar doesn't give the source of his news. He says that such intense preparations are going on that the universe is moving towards destruction. (Laughter)
SATYENDRA: The universe? Nehru also speaks in terms of planets. The Sunday Times has given the news that somebody in America has discovered some submarines which can be made into tanks. There is a humorous story along with this news.
SRI AUROBINDO: That may be Germany's new weapon to attack England.
SATYENDRA: Is that an accomplished fact?
SRI AUROBINDO: It is an America-and-Sunday Times-accomplished fact.
Here Sri Aurobindo related the humorous episode of the tank which was much enjoyed by all.
PURANI (after some time, smilingly): Have you read in the Sunday Hindu the article saying that there are Hindu tribes in Arabia?
SRI AUROBINDO(laughing): Yes. It is like the Tamil Christ and the Madrasi Virgin Mary.
SATYENDRA: What is that?
SRI AUROBINDO: Oh, you don't know? A Tamil scholar discovered that Christ was a Tamil belonging to Madras and he found all the equivalent Tamil names for Christ, Mary and eyen the streets,
PURANI: Here also this man says that Araba equals Arava, Saracen equals Surasen and Ansari equals Anusari. (Laughter)
SRI AUROBINDO: That was the fashion at one time. It was Colonel Todd, I think, who said that Krishna was Hercules who is also called Heracles. He derived the Greek name from Harikul (Laughter)
EVENING
SRI AUROBINDO: It is now known what Bhaskar's source was for the report of the coming German attack on England. A detailed document was found in the pocket of an American reporter who had died in France. It told of the German plan to attack England from Belgian and French ports, supported by aeroplanes, smoke screens, etc. The Germans will land at various places. In that case they may have some chance of success.
PURANI: Yes. Otherwise I don't see how it is possible. So they are putting Daladier and others on trial?
SRI AUROBINDO: Yes, that is Laval acting out of revenge. Poor Delvos is also to be tried. Laval was ousted from politics in all the ministries. His photo in the paper shows the face of a criminal. The paper says he began as an errand boy and ended as a millionaire.
PURANI: This action of his may also be to satisfy Hitler.
SRI AUROBINDO: Yes, and out of revenge and fear of these people as well.
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