Memories of First Darshan

A Solid Peace

The Mother has said, "We have all been together before." And I feel convinced that it was She who called me here. For it was on the most auspicious day of 21st February in 1946, that I touched the sacred soil of India.

My father, when he was in India during the war, had time to read books on spirituality: books of Vivekananda, Ramakrishna. He came across The Life Divine of Sri Aurobindo. Later, in 1943 he had the Darshan of Sri Aurobindo on 15th August and was so impressed that he decided to settle in the Ashram after the war was over.

So, when my mother asked me if I wanted to go to India, I jumped at the idea. It was arranged for me to travel with Norman Dowsett's family and we came by ship to Bombay, where my father received me.

It was on the train from Bombay to Madras that my father showed me the photos of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and said: "We are going to the place where these two great persons live."

On arrival we were given an appointment to meet the Mother. After breakfast, Udar took us and the Dowsett family to Pavitra's room. My father told me to say: "Bonjour, Douce Mère," with folded hands and to touch Her feet.

As we were waiting, a dog called Goldie suddenly entered the room and as quickly went out. At that very moment, the Mother swept into the room like a gust of strong wind, saying, "Good Morning, everybody" and shook each one's hand in a true English way. She asked us if we had a pleasant journey, a nice breakfast and whether we were comfortable where we were staying. I was so much taken by surprise by all that happened that I forgot to say or do what I was supposed to. I was only eleven.

I would like to tell you my impressions of the Darshan of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. We had a three-day holiday from the school: the day before the Darshan, the Darshan day and the day after, when the Mother would distribute the garlands received on the Darshan day. Our line on the Darshan day started in the Meditation Hall.

When we entered the Darshan Room, I felt something like a solid peace, as in a dense forest. Even on the steps of the staircase, one could feel it. As one came nearer, one could see Sri Aurobindo sitting majestic but impassive, and the Mother sitting next to Him seemed so regal and radiant. But when She was in trance, Sri Aurobindo looked gracious and smiling, one felt always an atmosphere of peace and light so tangible and yet inexpressible.

The Darshan days were quite different from other days. One felt serenity in the atmosphere and came away with a feeling of warmth and sweetness that lasted for quite some time.

The Mother said that Darshan is a culmination and a fulfilment of a great deal of work done. One had to prepare oneself to receive Their blessings. It is the inner preparation that makes Darshan so special.

- Richard Pearson

(Remembering the Mother with Gratitude, published by Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Studies, 2003, pp. 78-79)