Evening Talks with Sri Aurobindo

22nd May, 1940

Disciple : If the Asuric forces incarnated in Hitler and others in Germany, is there no one on this side of allies who incarnates a Divine force?

Sri Aurobindo : No. Unfortunately there is none. They are all ordinary men; there is no one who can receive the Force. Perhaps Marshal Petain may be able to receive but he is too old I think.

Disciple : Can Wegan receive?

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Sri Aurobindo : I don't know him; in such times if you have men who do not conform to the science or the rules it is an advantage. We require men with ideas and daring. Hore Belisha would have been a very good choice on English side. If they had put Lord Halifax for India it would have been easy to arrive at an understanding with the Congress. Mother also does not find anybody who can receive.

Disciple : Jean Herbert when he was here was very hopeful that there will be no war. The queer thing was that he believed that the dictators will get whatever they ask for, only if they ask strongly enough.

Sri Aurobindo : They could get France also if they ask strongly? Nivedita a French lady, was telling this time, those French people who have gone to the war are those who have no enthusiasm for idealism. They all seem to have gone to fight with defeatist mentality. That way it is difficult to succeed against Germany.

Disciple : Referred to Sir Arthur Henderson's book "Failure of my Mission in Germany"?

Sri Aurobindo : I have seen a review of it in the New Statesman.

Disciple : Jwalanti was telling that in that book Sir Arthur Henderson speaks of Hitler as a man who works under possession.

Sri Aurobindo : Does he say that?

Disciple : He also described the condition of a young man who is her friend's son and who was in the diplomatic service when he returned from Berlin. She said that his people could not recognize him when he came. He said that while in Germany he felt as if he was put inside a metallic bomb and every minute somebody was pumping more air into it so that he could not breathe properly.

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Sri Aurobindo : The whole general atmosphere in Germany seems to be dominated by these forces. Young men actually taught to become devils. In Poland when the Poles complained to German General about cruelty by the soldiers the General said : Don't complain. This is nothing. Wait, let the Nazis come and you will know what cruelty is.

23rd May, 1940

National Socialism was introduced today in England.

Sri Aurobindo : It was a great revolutionary step, but for the war it could never have passed. Because all along the English history has been the struggle for individual liberty. And this is a negation of all that. I believe, it must be due to the pressure of the labour members.

Disciple : It must be also to prevent war profiteering.

Sri Aurobindo : Yes, I think so.                                                     

The question of taking Narwic arose and it was reported that it took up position without loss of a single soldier.

Sri Aurobindo : It must be very Ahimsak fight where both sides take up position without shedding a drop of blood.

There was an explanation about Gandhi's Ahimsa.

Disciple : Gandhi's idea of Ahimsa is that he should get killed.

Disciple : Yes, he has an almost passion for being killed.

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