A facsimile collection of birthday messages received by Champaklal & Kamala-ben from Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.
Front Cover:
A painting by Tehmi offered to the Mother. The Mother gave it to Champaklal on his birthday, 2.2.1967 with the above blessings.
Sri Aurobindo
The Mother
Many of the readers at some stage in their lives would have wondered about the nature and meaning of their existence and perhaps found themselves ending in complicated questioning. This book is an attempt to help them in their ponderings particularly on their birthdays. A birthday is a gateway between old .years and new, an opening into the future where one can get a wider view and greater understanding as life unfolds itself before us.
Our approach in this book is not through philosophical inquiries. We present in this book a facsimile collection of birthday messages given to Champaklal and Kamalaben regularly since 1940 by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. They used to write these messages every year in a small diary, specially made and carefully preserved for this purpose. Champaklal and Kamalaben are the blessed ones who had continuous records of birthday messages.
Once, after a long and interesting talk with the Mother, Champaklal asked her if she could write for him what she had said. She wrote the following:
Champaklal,
1. Be always faithful to the Divine in your heart.-
2. Let nothing interfere with the absoluteness of your consecration or stop your progress which has been upto now quite satisfactory.
3. Take the present circumstances and the coming
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back of... as a test and face it victoriously.
4. Be vigilant.
12.2.1932
Champaklal decided to put these directions very sincerely in practice and requested Sri Aurobindo and the Mother to evaluate his progress every year against these four criteria. They carried out their assesment from 1933 to 1940 after which they found his progress very satisfactory and told him to go forward straight on the path, always being vigilant.
Champaklal, who is a born artist, used to prepare beautiful cards and folders to be given to people on their birthdays by the Mother with her blessings. The Mother appreciated his art and skill by calling him "the great doer of cards". The Mother had given to Champaklal from 1963 to 1973 big cards and folders with beautiful paintings done by sadhakas with her blessings; a few of these are included here from this collection. Some valuable sketches done by the Mother specially for Champaklal's birthday are also given in this book. The cover page and the symbolic painting given in the book were done and offered to the Mother by Tehmi, an ardent devotee, an artist and a dedicated teacher in Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education. These were later given by the Mother to Champaklal on his birthday.
In Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a birthday is a very special day, a day of decision, a day of aspiration, a day of grace,
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a day of experiencing Light and Ananda and a day of possible renewal when the being is likely to be more plastic. During the early years in the Ashram, sadhakas used to meditate with the Mother on their birthdays and she showered her grace by rekindling the flame of the aspirants in her own way.
We hope the messages given in the book will provide the reader with deeper insights and valuable discoveries in the world of human consciousness, leading to self- revelation and experiences. Someone who is concerned about the world and at the same time the necessity for change in himself must make an earnest effort to be free from religious conformity and tradition, free from the weight of time in order to become a new human being. Birthday may be the most appropriate day to make a beginning and this book perhaps may be a source of help in this direction.
We present this book with great reverence to Champaklal. We offer our sincere thanks to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry, for the cooperation extended by them. We are grateful to ail those who have helped in the publication of this book.
9 "Cosmos", 54-A, S. V. Road Andheri (W), Bombay - 400 058
Roshan Apurva
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One's birthday is a very important day in one's life, not by its social overtones but as a valuable day that can be utilised in the pursuit of the higher consciousness.
The Mother has explained this as an important incident in one's life, using the concept of instrumentality of time and its movement. Sri Aurobindo has said, YOGA SIDDHI, the perfection that comes from the practice of Yoga, can be best attained by the combined working of four great instruments. There is, first, the knowledge of truth, principles, powers and processes that govern the realisation - śāstra. Next comes a patient and persistent action on the lines laid down by the knowledge, the force of our personal effort - utsāha There intervenes, third, uplifting our knowledge and effort into the domain of spiritual experience, the direct suggestion, example and influence of the Teacher - guru. Last comes the instrumentality of Time — kāla; for in ail things there is a cycle of their action and a period of the divine movement..."¹
¹ . The Four Aids - The Synthesis of Yoga, SABCL, Vol. 20, p. 47.
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You see, for the facility of their outer existence, men have divided time more or less arbitrarily, into yeas, months weeks, days, hours, minutes, seconds, etc…. it is a rhythm that’s more or less arbitrary, because it has in itself a certain reality, for it corresponds to universal movements…as far as possible. And that is why, by the way, we celebrate the Birthday, for example: because there is a certain rhythm in each one’s existence which is established by this regular return of circumstances analogous to those in which he was born.
And all movements — when you observe them, you become aware that they have a certain rhythm - the movements of inner consciousness, for example, not only from the point of view of understanding but that of Personal reactions, of the ups and downs in progress; of a fairly regular periodic return, at once of advancing and recoiling, of difficulties and of helps. But if each person is attentive he realises that his own rhythm is absolutely particular to him; it is not the same rhythm as his neighbour's. But even as the seasons follow a certain rhythm, regular enough on the whole, so the individual life has its seasons. And when one studies oneself attentively, one finds out that there are even certain repetitions of analogous circumstances at regular intervals. Even, very sensitive people become aware that there are certain days of the week or certain hours of the day when they can do things more easily. Some of them have particular
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difficulties on particular days and at particular hours; some on the contrary have better inspirations at particular moments - but everyone has to find this out in himself by observation. Naturally it is far from being absolute, it is not strict, and if it is troublesome, it can be eliminated very easily simply by a little effort of resolute will. But if it helps, one can make use of it.
And all this, each thing having its own rhythm, well, it makes an extremely complicated criss-crossing of rhythms, which results in what we see; something which seems to have none — because it is too complicated, it is too complex."²
In recent times, similar observations have been made by scientists. It has been observed that ail life on earth is governed by or responds to the natural cycles that influence us also. These may be from within our bodies or from external sources. Some of these are self-evident.
Three discernible rhythms are known to exist — bio- rhythms, which affect our present and future lives with inescapable power. These are the emotional cycle (28 days), the physical cycle (23 days) and the intellectual cycle (33 days). Ail three start at birth from a neutral baseline and continue their individual courses throughout life, ceasing only at death. Ail humans have these
2. The Mother - Questions and Answers 1955, Vol. 7, p. 336.
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rhythms and ail are affected by them, to a greater or lesser extent.³
What is One to Do?
The Mother has said, "Because of the rhythm of the universal forces, a person is supposed to have a special receptivity on his birthday each year. He can therefore take advantage of this receptivity by making good resolutions and fresh progress on the path of his integral development."4
One can utilise this opportunity by examining the whole thing afresh through sincere introspection and deep reflection. The approach to life should be a matter of total attention and not merely an oblique concern. True examination through meditation is possible only if one starts without any prior conclusions, bias, desire for immediate results; and the mind must be stripped clean of ail these. Fresh progress on the path of integrated life and action may not come about through conformity to a pattern. It comes into being through constant efforts at understanding the various influences that impinge on the mind, their inward and outward effects and psychological significance and through being aware of ail these without being caught in them and in the net of the surroundings and society. One must discover what it is that one really
3. The Future Now - Derek and Julia Parker.
4. The Mother - Some Answers from the Mother, Vol. 16, p. 310.
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likes to do. Birthday is "an opportune moment to help him to make some new progress each year."5
Thus, birthday meditations and prayers are not to be viewed as merely an uninteresting and dull part of religious ceremonies; they have a lot of untapped potential that can guide and lead an individual along the right path and action.
As one grows older, not only does the body become weak, one may also lose the charm of life, enthusiasm for it and interest in it. Tensions in the mind, disappointments and boredom in day-to-day life could lead to a lack of harmony between the mind and the vital. This could cause some weakness or disease in the body.
One can renew one's attitude to life that could prevent the downward slide of the mind and the vital and keep them healthy and also bring a freshness that would enable one to look at life from a new angle and in a new light full of far greater possibilities.
On a concrete plane, the special receptivity can raise the consciousness to a high level, bring in peace and put an individual's potential to work and action and awaken the otherwise dormant spirit's force that could achieve positive and amazing accomplishments.
5. The Mother — Some Answers from the Mother, Vol. 16, p. 396.
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What "Bonne Fête" signifies 6
"Yes, it is truly a special day in one's life. It is one of those days in the year when the Supreme descends into us — or when we are face to face with the Eternal - one of those days when our soul comes in contact with the Eternal and, if we remain a little conscious, we can feel His Presence within us. If we make a little effort on this day, we accomplish the work of many lives as in a lightning flash. That is why I give so much importance to the birthday - because what one gains in one day is truly something incomparable. And it is for this that I also work to open the consciousness a little towards what is above so that one may come before the Eternal. My child, it is a very special day, for it is the day of decision, the day one can unite with the Supreme Consciousness. For the Lord lifts us on this day to the highest region possible so that our soul which is a portion of that Eternal Flame, may be united and identified with its origin.
This day is truly an opportunity in life. One is so open and so receptive that one can assimilate all that is given. I can do many things, that is why it is important.
It is one of those days when the Lord Himself opens the doors wide for us. It is as though He were inviting us to rekindle more powerfully the flame of aspiration. It is one of those days which He gives us. We too by our Personal effort, could attain to this, but it would be long,
6. Sweet Mother - Harmonies of Light, p.16 -Mona Sarkar
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hard and not so easy. And this is a real chance in life — the day of the Grace.
It is an occult phenomenon that occurs invariably, without our knowledge, on this particular day of the year. The soul leaves behind the body and journeys up and up till it merges into the Source in order to replenish itself and absorb from the Supreme its Power, Light and Ananda and comes down charged. for a whole year to pass. Then again and again... it continues like this year after year."
How is one to receive this and advance further?
How is it effective on the outer physical and material plane? One way would be to open oneself to this higher consciousness and remain so throughout in deep meditation. One should strive to spread the Light and Ananda deep within and allow it to settle there. Imagination, if any, must be completely set aside for the mind to be free from delusions. The mind must be clear without movement, no longer breeding conflict through its wants and cravings; and when it is silent with understanding, in the light of that silence and peace, the Ananda can come into being. Then, gradually, the inner voice guides more and more and the outer mind forms the movements and actions less and less. The reactions become purified and truthful leading to positive thinking, an attitude for constructive hard work, honesty of thought and action which can reform and re-energise the actions.
A prayer said in right earnest and with an enlightened
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consciousness can then connect an individual to an infinitely greater Force, widen his consciousness and open him to such an extent that even one spark of this Force can spur him to stupendous actions.
Even when one prays sincerely for someone else, it constitutes a two-way flow of vibrations between individuals and also with the universal Force. The vibrations so generated can, through the ripple effect, cause harmonious vibrations of the universal Force (which is full of ail types of vibrations) and set in motion one's love, compassion and similar feelings towards another individual who can actually feel and experience these waves.
Similarly, one can take advantage of the special receptivity in a very creative and constructive way. Most people have within some obscure corner of their nature a wish to live a life of fulfilment, pursue something higher although they might not know exactly the what and how of it. Even in the abstract word thoughts can exist. By remaining receptive, open and adopting and accepting them at the right time, one can crystallise one's own definite thoughts and actions. One can become a channel of the higher Force and Ananda and a willing instrument of their manifestation.
The Mother has said that the birthday should be spent in finding out the purpose of life.
Can a confused mind find out what the purpose of life
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is? If someone were to tell what the purpose of life is, should it be accepted? It would be hard to go to the depths to understand and seek the purpose of life without true humility, as otherwise our conceit would become an obstacle to the removal of the confusion in the mind.
What one normally calls life is the outcome of one's mind, its shallowness, confusion, etc.
Can one separate one part from the whole field of existence?
The totality of life must be perceived and understood by one's own efforts, by remaining always open to the higher consciousness beyond the mind.
We find that life is joy, grief, beauty, ugliness, hope, fear, work, inventiveness, goodness, generosity, jealousy, conceit, love, hate, greed, desire, aspiration for the higher life, birth, death and the search for immortality, the belief in and denial of the Supreme; it is the mind, thought and meditation. It is all these things and much more. What is important is not the nature of life, but our own attitude and approach to it and how we look at it. By identifying oneself with only certain convenient aspects of life, does not one separate oneself from the whole of it? One must move into the vastness and beauty of life in its totality and realise that
"Life now became a sure approach to God, Existence a divine experiment And cosmos the soul's opportunity."7
7. Savitri, p. 43.
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Having acknowledged all this what can one do? Total eradication of one's continued living in one's past: on that depend our questions and answers. But then, is there a guarantee that satisfactory answers and substitutes would emerge if one tries to die to one's past? True seeking would require one to die totally to ail of the past, make "unreal ail that mind has known," for the unknown to come and be.
"Overpowered were form and memory's limiting line; The covering mind was seized and tom apart; It was dissolved and now no more could be, The one Consciousness that made the world was seen; All now was luminosity and force."8
It could be said that one can make an earnest effort to widen one's consciousness, come out of one's past and its limitations, experience a new type of confidence, develop a new vision and outlook on life, its hopes and promises, surrender one's will and one's being to God, resolve to live in the higher consciousness of the Divine at every moment — even .in daily acts — and live a life that would manifest some aspect of the Divine.
RoshanApurva
8. Savitri, p. 319.
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CHAMPAKLAL 'ONE OF THE HUNDRED'
To be free from ego and become an instrument of God is indispensable for sadhana, Sri Aurobindo conveyed this in the following words, "I do not want hundreds of thousands of disciples. It will be enough if I can get a hundred complete men, purified of petty egoism, who will be the instruments of God." On 2nd February 1972, the Mother wrote on Champaklal's birthday card,
"Bonne Fête
To Sri Aurobindo's and Mother's Champak,
One of the hundred
With my love, appreciation, trust and blessings for ever.
En route vers la Réalisation."
THE MOTHER
Champaklal, who served Sri Aurobindo and the Mother for over five decades as their blessed child and faithful servitor was affectionately called by the Mother, "My Lion," "My true child," "My most faithful child," "A part of myself."
Ever since his childhood, Champaklal had sincerely aspired to live constantly in the Divine presence of someone like Sri Ramakrishna. In his own words, his aspiration was "truly fulfilled in a number of ways." Sincere aspiration, even when not expressed in words, can evoke the Divine Grace. Champaklal's life is a
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shining example of this truth.
When he first arrived in Pondicherry in April 1921, for a "Darshan" of Sri Aurobindo, Champaklal had noted his experiences in his diary. He wrote a very affectionate letter to Sri Aurobindo soon after his return from Pondicherry in which he described his inner conflict and asked for his guidance. It is observed from his diaries (Gujarati) of 1922 that he had a great inclination towards God and he used to remain constantly aware of Him. He always reminded himself to be ever conscious and introspective. In one of his diaries he has stated: "What have you done about the practice of sadhana shown to you by Arvind- babuji? Free yourself, free yourself from pride and attachment, what a shallow life! Have you come for worldly enjoyment! What is your aim in life? Follow the straight path of faith. Never forget even for a moment the path shown to you by Arvindbabuji. You will never find a God so long as you do not have a keen desire to find Him. But, when will I find God? 0 God! Show mercy on me! Give me Thy refuge! Give me pure knowledge,, devotion and love."
Each man who enters the realms of yogic experience is free to follow his own way, but guidance from a guru is indispensable. The guru can show the path for the contact with the Divine. Champaklal has absolute trust in Divine Grace as reflected in his prayers and utterances.¹
1. These have been compiled and published in a book in Gujarati entitled "Prarthana and Udgaro" by Roshan & Apurva
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. These utterances spring from truthful experiences and total dedication. There is a constant flow of pure and true feelings of a devoted heart and a fragrance of Sat-Chit- Ananda.
Champaklal has seen many visions.² These visions are "like a glorious song of cosmic forces at work both in man and nature." About his 'Golden Vision' an enlightened devotee Amal Kiran has written, "It reveals the Mother in her full reality - not only the Universal Form of her but also the individual being.... What you saw shows not only the cosmic power set to greater use by her departure from the body. What you saw shows also how closely and organically the Universal and the Individual in her were related and how naturally they interplay."
Some of these visions reveal the cardinal principles of Sadhana that Champaklal has practised ail along with steadfastness and unceasing devotion. These values have permeated every cell of his being and manifested themselves in various forms in the visions.
Champaklal always believed that "A drop of practice is more than an ocean of knowledge." His life is a standing example of service to the Divine. One day he told the Mother: "Ail these years I have served as I wanted to serve; now I want to serve as you would want me to do." All day and night - many times missing his sleep - Champaklal used to do his work with meticulous care,
2. "Visions of Champaklal" compiled and edited by Roshan and Apurva.
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which earned him the Mother's grace who said: "Champaklal is very particular and careful about his work." The Mother was so satisfied with Champaklal that once She told him as follows:
"I am very much pleased with your work,
I like your faithfulness,
I like your sincerity,
I like your steadiness,
I like your regularity,
I like your courage."
Champaklal lives and breathes in the higher consciousness, the consciousness of Sri Aurobindo and the other and still he is with us with his simplicity and love. He is a perfect example of devotion, love, humility and service to the Divine. Our ardent prayer to the Divine Mother is for his long life rich with his devotion that would enlighten the paths of aspirants to a higher life.
Our humble salutations to Champaklalji
on his 89th birthday.
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Kamala came to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram at an early age of twelve years and dedicated her life in the service of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. She had inherited a liking for spiritual life from her father Kashibhai who had founded his Ashram at Kansia, an island a few miles away from Bharuch, where he lived a spiritual life. He used to take a very keen interest in moulding the lives of children for which he often invited saintly persons to his Ashram. He was a very kind, helpful and generous person and helped the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in many ways where he spent the rest of his life as a sadhak. During his stay at the Pondicherry Ashram, he called his daughter Kamala there.
We are giving here an edited version of the translation from the write-up in Gujarati by Champaklal.
Episodes of Infinite Grace of the Mother
on Kamalaben
"The Mother has showered her grace on her children in such a way that every child can say, the Mother has specially showered her grace on me only. For none she has done this.' Kamala is indeed one of them.
Kamala has not written about herself, but I am interested in writing about her in two ways. Firstly, it was the Mother who sustained my interest in the life of Kamala
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and secondly it gives me an opportunity to admire the Mother as I recollect many events of her infinite grace on Kamala.
In the beginning, Kamala used to observe silence when she went to the Mother. After sometime she asked for some work from the Mother who gave her the work of sweeping Champaklal's room.
In those days, Kashibhai used to place an order with Maheshbhai every week for a basket of fruits from Bombay for Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Maheshbhai (Kamala's brother) sent oranges, chikoos, grapes, almond, pistachio etc. from Bombay. When he left Bombay for Broach, this arrangement was made from Madras. Someone might want to know what was done with these baskets coming so regularly. Kamala was entrusted the job of washing these fruits in the water with Potassium Permanganate, wiping them, arranging them in three big cupboards and looking after them everyday. With the grace of the Mother, Kamala's fingers had become so sensitive that they could pick exactly the spoiled ones and keep them aside.
Daily Champaklal used to spend about an hour in extracting the juice filling three big jars. The Mother gave this juice to Sri Aurobindo and other devotees too. Kashibhai considered himself fortunate for having such a rare opportunity given to him by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
There are four doors to the passage where at pre-
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sent the photographs of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother are kept for darshan. One can go to the meditation hall by passing through a long passage connecting Sri Aurobindo's room. Kamala was asked by the Mother to sit there and given the work of counting "Aspiration" flowers.
After Sri Aurobindo met with an accident, where the Mother used to sit for giving darshan, Kamala used to sit there and separate good, green grapes from bad ones for Sri Aurobindo. In fact, the Mother herself had asked her to sit there so that she could have the darshan of Sri Aurobindo everyday.
When the Mother went downstair for Pranam, she gave a unique opportunity to Kamala by asking her to remain present with her.
There was an ear-shaped glass tray in which the Mother used to arrange "Tender" flowers and keep that tray on the dressing table in her dressing room. Afterwards that work was also handed over to Kamala.
The work of cutting the stems of ail the roses and arranging them in the bowl which the Mother herself used to do was given to Kamala. The Mother required flowers early in the morning for which a big bowl filled with roses was kept in the darshan room at night. Kamala had to come in the night at 2 a. m. for this work. But how could she come at such a time? So she slept in my room in the library house as I used to sleep in Sri Aurobindo's room. She started her work of flower arrangement at 2
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a. m. and finished by 4 a. m. This way she had early morning darshan of Sri Aurobindo.
The bakery room where Kamala was staying was to be vacated. The Mother alloted her storeroom to Kamala. She was allowed to use the darshan room as a passage....
I also remember another event. Sometimes while taking bath the Mother would come out of the bathroom with a piece of cloth and ask Kamala to stitch it for her immediately. At that time I used to wonder as to why she would need it so urgently when she had so many handkerchieves and other clothes. She would come back after some time with loving, penetrating eyes, affectionate words and take the stitched piece of cloth with a sweet smile. I did not understand anything then. What do I understand now? I can only say that the meaning behind it got revealed to me gradually over a length of time.
I was interested in witnessing all this on two counts. One was to see the Mother's ways of working on Kamala and the other was to see the Mother showering grace on her.
Someone might think why only Kamala is with Champaklal. I have written this at length to show that by showering her infinite grace the Mother had Kamala with me from childhood and till today she has kept her with me.
Bonne Fête to Kamalaben
on her 77th birthday.
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Mother's Foot on Champaklal's Head A Sketch done by the Mother on 2.2.1934
The Mother's Feet
A Pencil Sketch by the Mother
TWO LOTUSES*
I wanted to offer something to the Mother and I thought of painting two lotuses, one white and the other red.
Curiously, I received two beautiful lotuses and took up the painting. But due to other work I could not finish it in a day and it took some days before I could finish the job little by little. Naturally one sitting would have been better. However the result was not bad and it was with great joy that I took them to the Mother on my birthday - 2.2.40.
She received the painting very well indeed and was pleased to say: Oh! Very pretty! Very pretty!
She wondered how I could get time to do the painting. She took them in both her hands and with a broad smile said: I give it to you, Champaklal! Take it, it is for you. It is very pretty. You keep it.
I did not answer and I did not take it.
She said again: Take it Champaklal, I give you as my present.
C: Mother! I have done it for you.
Seeing the state of my mind she found a way out.
She gave another broad smile and said to me slowly, almost in a whisper: Champaklal, I will take it to Sri Aurobindo and I will ask him to write upon it.
I said: Mother! Are you taking it to Sri Aurobindo? If so,
* Champaklal Speaks - Edited by M. P. Pandit.
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it would be very nice if you ask him to write the significance. Mother! Sri Aurobindo will write on the white lotus and you will write on the red.
Mother brought it to Sri Aurobindo. I was there. She showed it to him and said, See, how nice it is! Today is Champaklal's birthday, he has done this painting for me. If you write the significance on it I will give it to him. He also wishes that you write on the white lotus sheet and I on the red.
With a beautiful affectionate smile Sri Aurobindo said, "Hmm!" And he wrote on the top of the white lotus:
Aditi
The Divine Mother
And below the red lotus:
To Champaklal
with blessings
2.2.40 SRI AUROBINDO
After writing, he looked at me and gave a sweet smile. And on the top of the red lotus Mother wrote:
The Avatar
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And below the white lotus:
With blessings to my dear child
2.2.40 MOTHER
Mother asked me not to show the lotuses to anybody.
*
But you know that after many years blocks were made out of these paintings and printed for distribution. Do not ask me why I was told not to show them to anybody at one time and later things were changed. Obviously circumstances changed and the Mother never stood rigidly by what she may have said on an earlier occasion under different conditions. There are so many instances to the point.
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2.2.1940
Tranquillise and widen your consciousness; go deeper into your soul.
SRI AUROBINDO
This year make an effort to achieve equanimity.
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2.2.1941
A clarified consciousness with strength to reject ail inconscience and receive all that comes from the Light, this should be the aim before you.
This year you must wholly overcome and throw out the hostile suggestion that has been harassing you, rejecting it in such a way that it will never come back again. Your home, your place and your fulfilment are here.
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2.2.1942
Aspire always to grow more and more conscious so that all the small obstacles shall disappear from the physical consciousness and the obscurer parts of the vital nature.
In front of the repeated attacks from the enemy you must keep your faith intact and endure till the Victory is won.
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Champaklal's Portrait Drawn by the Mother on
2.2.1935 with Her Eyes Closed.
MY PORTRAIT*
6.10.1944
I showed to Mother my portrait done by Her. Some small yellow spots had appeared on the paper.
Mother: That happens when the paper is not good.
C: But this paper is of a good quality.
Mother: There must have been some defect in the making of the paper; it is a pity. The picture is wonderful, very nice.
You know, this portrait was done by Mother with eyes closed. She finished it in a few minutes and when she saw it, she was so happy with it that she took it immediately to Sri Aurobindo.
It was regarding this picture that she once said: "If I were to write thé name of Leonardo da Vinci hère (as thé artist) nobody would question it."
"The pencil just went on moving", she had said.
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2.2.1943
Keep yourself ready by faith and self-opening to receive the Light when it comes.
Let this year be for you the year of a complete opening and of the breaking of ail limitations.
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Page 13
2.2.1944
Let the mind be quiet and receive the Light; let the vital be quiet and receive the Force that delivers.
Let this year bring to you the true faith - a faith that no darkness can obscure.
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Page 15
2.2.1945
Let the year that is beginning mark a definitive stage in the growth of your psychic being and its power over your nature and your life.
I am glad to be able to say that your openness and your receptivity have increased during last year. Do not stop now and let them become perfect in the year to come.
With my love and blessings.
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Page 17
2.2.1946
Continue to open yourself and the psychic consciousness will grow in you and the Light refine and illumine whatever is left of the shadows in the mind and vital being.
My dear child, now I can call you in truth my dear child as I feel you quite close to me having taken shelter in my arms for good — and you are welcome there with all my love.
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Page 19
FEET*
It was my birthday: 2.2.1947
I was very happy, indeed very very happy. The Mother was so gracious, as on every birthday of mine. When she came to Sri Aurobindo's room — where we ail were waiting for her - she looked at me with a broad smile which had a deep intimacy in it and told Sri Aurobindo:
Today is Champakial's birthday.
Sri Aurobindo's response was immediate and equally intimate. "HMM!", he said with prolonged emphasis, gave me a smile that moved me much.
Now for a long time I had wanted to get the impression of Sri Aurobindo's feet. But it was difficult as I did not want to inconvenience him in any way, or make a break in his routine programme in any manner. With Mother it was different; I could ask her to stand on a paper and then I could draw.
I had formed a plan in my mind. And accordingly I placed a big plank and arranged his chair over it. After sitting on the chair, he used to raise his legs for the footstool; similarly while getting up, he would raise his legs so that the footstool could be removed.
I asked him whether I could put a sheet of paper under the feet as I wanted to take an impression of his feet. He
Page 20
smiled and gave his consent.
Then, as he was getting up, after removing the foot stool, I inserted a big sheet of paper. Naturally, when he stood up, his feet were on that paper. I turned the pencil round and got the wanted sketch. I was happy that this could be done without any change in his programme,
It was worth seeing his expression at that time. You know I was very fond of watching his expression. You have seen some of the sketches I have drawn of him in different postures.
I took the paper with the impression, later in the day, to Sri Aurobindo for writing my name and blessings. He was happy and wrote:
my love and blessings
February 2, 1947
The same day I requested Mother to let me have a sketch of her feet. She drew it with her own hand and wrote:
2-2-1947
With love and blessings Mother
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2.2.1947
An increasing advance on the road to the entire psychic change is what is most important in the sadhana, for that is the straight road to the spiritual transformation. Devotion, harmony and scrupulousness in work, a growing inner perception and consciousness, more and more fading of the more vehement movements of the vital ego are among the more prominent landmarks on the road.
My dear child, that which I had foreseen last year has proved to be quite true and this relation of the Mother and the child has much grown in reality, intensity and deepness.
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2.2.1948
Matter, blind to the Light, deaf to the call, the material consciousness and material life are the last and most obstinate refuge of the Inconscient and its résistance. There, the nearer the light, the higher it raises its wall of resistance. When that is overcome, the decisive trans- formation can have an open way.
My dear child,
Let your receptivity increase this year, to the extent of giving you the power to fully utilise the force that is at work for restoring perfect good health in you.
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Page 25
2.2.1949
Sri Aurobindo's love and blessings on the occasion of your birthday.
My dear child, now it is time for the faith to become truly active and to stand unshaken against all contra- dictions. Have the faith, the true faith, that you are cured and the cure is bound to corne.
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2.2.1950 and 1951
To my most faithful child, the keeper of the true remembrance, I give today the assurance of my full confidence - I did not write in this book in 1950 because it was to be the most important year of your life, the year that has put a seal to what you were and opened in front of you the door leading to what you will be: a true and complete child of our Lord and whose presence here is more total than it has ever been.
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Page 29
Aspiring Swan
2.2.1952
Patience
Perseverance
Endurance Faith and an
Unshakable courage...
...We are approaching the goal.
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Page 31
2.2.1953
A steady progress and a clear understanding of what you must be. These are the gains of the finished year. Now there is only to continue.
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Page 33
2.2.1954
In 1940 Sri Aurobindo wrote to you: "Tranquillise and widen your consciousness" and I insisted on achieving equanimity. Many things have happened since then, much progress has been done and yet these things remain still to be fully realised. Let these be accomplished during this year that begins for you. A silent equanimity both inside and outside will be a great achievement for you.
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Page 35
2.2.1955
This time it is a year of true progress which has brought you nearer to thé goal and much doser to me. With my love and blessings.
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Page 37
2.2.1956
I can repeat what I said last year - but this time the progress is much bigger and the closeness to me much more true and intimate. You have advanced on the path at a great speed - and I can only tell you, continue.
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Page 39
2.2.1957
Bonne fête!
To my dear child.
You have continued and this time the progress is much more concrete and complete. I have the strong feeling that I can rely upon you and this is very comfortable.
Let this progress spread to the body now and give you good health steadily.
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Page 41
2.2.1958
To my dear child —
One more year;
one more step towards perfect service in a total surrender.
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Page 43
2.2.1959
My dear child
This year, the Grace has arranged circumstances in such a way that you are does to me than you have ever been — and ail through you have proved most reliable and effective, always ready, always there when you are needed, always doing what needs to be done. I am happy to tell you that on your birthday.
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Page 45
2.2.1960
Champaklal, my dear child, I am glad to be able to say that you are progressing steadily - as you yourself remarked, your consciousness is growing and with one more effort you will soon emerge in the light and become wise.
This one more effort is the control of speech. let it be the boon from the Grace for this year!
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Page 47
2.2.1961
Bonne Fête!
Few words are needed. Ail is going on well.
Steadily we are advancing towards the goal, and you are keeping pace with me.
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Page 49
2.2.1962
All is well. You are progressing rapidly - there is only to continue steadily and the way will open before you more and more clear.
My love and blessings.
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Page 51
2.2.1963
Champaklal, my dear child,
The way is wide open and it is an artistic one, a fine way of expressing your soul, which will become more and more clear and powerful with the inner growth and flowering of your heart as a sincere expression of your eternal Soul.
With love and blessings.
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Page 53
2.2.1964
Champaklal, my dear child, a big step has been taken, a great change has taken place, the presence of your Soul is clearly felt, not only in what you do - which is steadily progressing -, but in what you are. This is a decisive year for you, heralding the realisation.
(On this occasion the Mother had also given four big artistically prepared folders with paintings and photographs. Messages from these are given on following pages.}
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2.2.64
always with you
for ever
in eternal Love
Page 56
Page 57
2.2,64
To Champaklal the great doer of cards
this card to tell him my appreciation of all what he has done and my expectation for still better things to come. In a growing closeness With love and blessings.
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Page 59
To Champakial
Forward! always forward!
Higher! always higher!
Truer! always truer!
BIessings.
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Page 61
2.2.1965
This year, I feel clearly that you have become a part of myself.
For ever love. THE MOTHER
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Page 63
Champaklal, master of the "cards", how to prepare a card for you?
Here is only some material for a card.
With full appreciation of you, your work and your devotion
and with blessings and love.
Page 64
Page 65
2.2.1966
Let this year see the advent of the true joy of working in the Divine's Consciousness.
With love.
Page 66
2.2.1967 Bonne Fete!
The illness has come like a test and gone like a purification carrying away all that was standing in the way of the joy of an integral consecration.
(The Mother orally said, "I come to you. You will read it carefully. It is concrete, my experience." She repeated it.)
Page 68
Page 69
2.2.1968
Bonne Fete!
To Champaklal with love and blessings.
I am happy to say that you are my true child and becoming more and more so.
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Page 71
2.2.1969
Let the full Light be with you in a silent adoration.
Page 72
Page 73
Bonne Fete
To Champaklal the faithful
with love and blessings for a happy, healthy and useful year
Page 74
Page 75
A new decade from 70 to 8O
2.2.1970
To Champaklal,
en avant! toujours
en avant!*
(* ...forward, for ever forward!)
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Page 77
From Mother
To
Love
Peace
Strength
Silence
Consciousness
Page 78
Page 79
2.2.71
First Prize of Faithfulness. With my full love bonne fete!
blessings
Page 80
Page 81
2.2.72
To Sri Aurobindo's and Mother's
Champak
one of the hundred
En route vers la Realisation.*
(* On the way towards Realisation.)
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Page 83
2.2.73
With all my love and confidence
and my blessings to reach the goal.
Let us all be eternally grateful to Him who has shown us and shows us constantly the way.
Page 84
Page 85
Kamala
A Sketch by the Mother
1.2.36 Kamala In faith and confidence and joy on the quiet and sunlit path towards the home of Light and Ananda.
(The original message is missing.)
11.2.38 My blessings on Kamala for the year of her life that begins today.
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Page 91
11.2.41
My blessings on your birthday. May you grow in spirit with this new year of life.
My love and blessings to my dear child on the occasion of her birthday. Let your psychic being come more and more to the front and give you the true intimacy with the Divine.
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Page 93
11.2.42
My blessings for the day and the year. Grow in faith, grow in light, grow in consciousness.
My dear child, my love and blessings are and will be with you throughout the year. Let them help you to make one more progress on the way towards the divine goal.
(The original messages are missing.)
11.2.43
My blessings for your birthday. May this year be a step forward in consciousness and towards union with the Divine.
For Kamala, a prayer:
"With a calm and pure devotion we salute Thee and recognise Thee as the only reality of our being."
(Translated from the original message in French.)
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Page 95
11.2.44
My blessings for the year. May it bring to you growth in consciousness towards the Divine.
Here is a prayer for the year 44:
"Thou art resplendent in the bright sun. Thou makest Thyself felt in the sweet breeze that passes. Thou makest Thyself manifest in the hearts and livest in all beings."
With my blessings,
Page 96
Page 97
11.2.45
My blessings on your birthday. May this be a year of more and more progress both in your inner and your outer being.
Here is a prayer for 1945:
"Lord, grant that I may be entirely and eternally faithful to Thee."
(Translated from the original message in French.}
Page 98
Page 99
11.2.46
Fidelity, devotion, self-giving, selfless work and service, constant aspiration are the simplest and most effective means by which the soul can be made ready and felt to be in the abiding presence of the Divine.
The prayer for 1946 — to repeat daily:
"O Lord, marvellous Friend, all-powerful Master, penetrate all our being and transfigure it so that Thou alone livest in us and by us!"
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Page 101
11.2.47
To light always and keep alight the psychic fire within, the fire of aspiration, devotion and self-giving - not to stifle it with the damp smouldering logs of vital desire and egoistic reactions. If that becomes permanent and continuous, then it will be easy to bring down the spiritual transformation.
My dear child, on this day of your birth anniversary, let your aspiration leap forward pure and straight towards the supreme consciousness which is all joy and all beatitude.
With my tender love and blessings,
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Page 103
11.2.48
Devotion to the Divine, fidelity to his work and obedience to his will are the first supports of the Yoga. On these pillars all the rest can be supported.
I hope that this year will give you strength and good health.
With my love and special blessings,
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Page 105
11.2.49
To Kamala with Sri Aurobindo's and my love and special blessings on the occasion of your birthday. Let this year bring you strength and health and the quietness of an unfailing faith.
Page 106
Page 107
11.2.50 -11.2.51
From this day of your birthday and Mahasaraswati's festival, let her skill and perfection in work be always and more and more with you.
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Page 109
11.2.52
To Kamala
Never forget the goal. Never stop aspiring. Never halt in your progress, and you are sure to succeed.
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Page 111
11.2.53
Bonne fete!
Bonne Année!
The year that is finished has been marked by a real progress. Let the year that starts see another totally decisive one.
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Page 113
11.2.54
You have come closer to me physically, let it be the sign that spiritually also you are closer to me in a complete consecration to the Divine and His work.
With my love and blessings,
Page 114
Page 115
11.2.55
Let all the clouds disperse, all the attachments disappear, all the obstacles vanish, so that you can enjoy fully the peace and the joy of being here, so close to me in the Divine's abode. With my love and blessings,
Page 116
Page 117
11.2.56
Bonne Fête! My dear child,
Let this year bring to you a quiet and peaceful mind, strong nerves and a good health.
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Page 119
11.2.57
Last year has been indeed a year of true progress. Open yourself still more to the new light at work in the world and the step forward will be confirmed. With my love and blessings,
Page 120
Page 121
11.2.58
To my dear child,
Let this coming back to the ashram be the symbol of a new start, a more intense aspiration, a greater consecration.
With all my love and blessings,
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Page 123
11.2.59
My dear child Kamala,
I had one night, in December last, one striking proof of the sincerity of your devotion and since then I feel you very close to me. I am happy to tell you this on your birthday.
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Page 125
11.2.60
To my dear child Kamala,
This is a decisive year for the world, for the ashram and for all those who sincerely aspire for the Divine Realisation.
Let it be also a decisive year for you.
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Page 127
11.2.61
To Kamala, my dear child,
Let the peace of a happy certitude be .always with you in this progressive march towards Victory.
Page 128
11.2,62
Kamala, my dear child,
Let all thoughts, all feelings, all actions, all hopes be turned towards the Divine and concentrated on Him. He is our only help and our only safety.
With love and blessings,
11.2.63
With my love and blessings for the realisation other highest aspirations.
In the Peace, the Joy and the Love of the Lord
Page 130
11.2.64
With my love and blessings for the Peace, the Light and the Joy of the Lord to be always with you.
Page 132
11.2.65
Let the Peace of a perfect faithfulness be settled in your heart, this year.
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Bonne Fête! To Kamala
With love and blessings for a peaceful and luminous year.
(This message was given in a big folder with a photograph.)
Page 136
11.2.66
To my dear child
With all the strength which comes from an absolute faith in the Divine's Grace and Love.
Page 138
11.2.67
Bonne Fête! To Kamala My dear child, With love and blessings for a luminous year.
Page 140
11.2.68
My blessings are with you for peace, contentment and good health.
With love,
Page 142
11.2.69
Page 144
11.2.70
To my dear child Kamala and for a peaceful year.
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