Thursday, September 07, 2006
Savitri Era is unputdownable
Sri Aurobindo, wrote Prof. Sisir Kumar Maitra in 1942, has accomplished the “transfer of the leadership in philosophy from the West to India.” But what we witness today in 2006 is something entirely different. Why?
The whole scenario is not devoid of politics and what is at issue is not philosophy but hegemony. In pursuit of that, there has been constant shifting of goal posts and resorting to gerrymandering. Marginal items have come to occupy the mainstream space in philosophy while the basic metaphysical concerns rank as subaltern. Why?
Sri Aurobindo gave the most full-proof philosophy in the entire human history, but the Westerners are unwilling to accept him at the top. Pseudo-philosophers are lapped up and their books sell in plenty almost as a conspiracy to eclipse Sri Aurobindo. He is discounted simply as a mystic or a revivalist, instead. Why?
Because Sri Aurobindo is an Indian and American hubris can’t digest this. Numerous charts and complicated graphics are being devised in pathetic attempts to cook up all-encompassing philosophies. Many of Sri Aurobindo’s innovations are being recycled. Even then, success eludes such enterprises. Why?
For Sri Aurobindo, as Dr Maitra decreed, stands tall on merit. Every intellectual, every journal and every University will have to swallow this cruel pill. No amount of racial or colonial resistance can suppress the supremacy of Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy. The whole world, whether today or tomorrow, must turn to it where all the whys are answered.[TNM696MMYP]
The whole scenario is not devoid of politics and what is at issue is not philosophy but hegemony. In pursuit of that, there has been constant shifting of goal posts and resorting to gerrymandering. Marginal items have come to occupy the mainstream space in philosophy while the basic metaphysical concerns rank as subaltern. Why?
Sri Aurobindo gave the most full-proof philosophy in the entire human history, but the Westerners are unwilling to accept him at the top. Pseudo-philosophers are lapped up and their books sell in plenty almost as a conspiracy to eclipse Sri Aurobindo. He is discounted simply as a mystic or a revivalist, instead. Why?
Because Sri Aurobindo is an Indian and American hubris can’t digest this. Numerous charts and complicated graphics are being devised in pathetic attempts to cook up all-encompassing philosophies. Many of Sri Aurobindo’s innovations are being recycled. Even then, success eludes such enterprises. Why?
For Sri Aurobindo, as Dr Maitra decreed, stands tall on merit. Every intellectual, every journal and every University will have to swallow this cruel pill. No amount of racial or colonial resistance can suppress the supremacy of Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy. The whole world, whether today or tomorrow, must turn to it where all the whys are answered.[TNM696MMYP]
Friday, September 01, 2006
Purnadvaita or Integral Advaita
Sri Aurobindo, in his The Life Divine, has synthesized all the exant schools of Vedanta and given the most comprehensive resolution integrating cues from the Western metaphysics and modern science. He has also restored the umbilical cord of the Vedantic exegesis with the Vedas. For instance, his strong difference with Adi Sankara over the interpretation ofIshavasyam is interesting.
- The Upanishads by Sri Aurobindo [1]. Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry. 1972
- The Upanishads Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry # wikipedia
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Of those who adore The Mother and Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo's letters written to his disciples on various aspects of the poem are now part of the book. This modern epic written in a modern language is also a modern day scripture. It recounts the saga of human victory over ignorance and conquest of death. Painstakingly composed in a rhythmic meter, each line of the poem is suffused with power of Mantra.
No wonder, thousands of devotees, the world over, recite a page or two from the poem as a daily routine to invoke the Divine presence for physical manifestation of the Supramental Age or Savitri Era. Many even find the answers to their doubts and questions by opening the book at random. On special occasions, continuous recitation of Savitri on a relay basis is also quite common in the Centers where The Mother and Sri Aurobindo are worshipped. Regular camps and conclaves are also organized at different places in the world to study the poem and contemplate over its occult force.
The devotees of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo live their lives in a state of expectancy for the next higher evolution of consciousness. Reading Savitriis itself considered as practice of yoga and a potent vehicle of aspiration. And, therefore, its central role in the Savitri Era fraternity is often affirmed with both awe and affection. wikipedia
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Beware of betrayals
Tusar N. Mohapatra said: Let us not forget that the book was published in 2003 in the heydays of Hindutva politics. Many people sought that short-cut to fame through that route. But all said and done, Jyotirmaya Sharma, the rare combination of a philosopher-journalist, has not done justice to the legacy of the greatest poet and philosopher of Modern India. The five dreams Sri Aurobindo spoke of in his radio broadcast on the eve of August 15, 1947 is his message to the nation as well as to the world. All portrayals of him must measure up to that level; anything less is a cruel betrayal.
Mukul Kesavan called him the worst poet of Bengal. Irreverence to great men is seen as a short route to glory. But, Jyotirmaya must make amends. He should first write a critique of Sri Aurobindo's philosophy, and then an estimate of his poetry and, thereby, get ample chance to learn more about him. // posted by Tusar N Mohapatra @ 5:19 PM
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Savitri Era is our religion
Faith in an unseen divinity and feeling loyal to it by a large number of people is religion. It grows by a gradual process, and over a period of time acquires one or more cultural distinctiveness. By offering an umbrella for identity, it also develops into a strong political conglomerate.
Apart from the teaching, the name, the picture, the life-story, and the place also evoke strong emotional feelings. And then, the words and their various interpretations hold no importance. People in general long for safety, security and unburdening. The aesthetic or intellectual satisfaction is aspired for by a select.
If one is possessed by a feeling that his path has great benefits and others should also follow it; and then he goes about to find various ways and means to propagate it, it is religion. Recommending a book or a blog is not all that harmlessly rational. Rather, a scheming mind operates at the behest of the faith, cult or religion.
And what’s wrong with it? A good Product or a great Brand needs to be endorsed. Of course, the conviction level of the person is important; there must be intellectual honesty, one would demand. But conviction, itself, is irrational, recall Barthes: The Pleasure of the Text.
One is largely driven by the past baggages and is tormented too. A theory of everything is absolutely useless for any particular individual, and hence, is useless for all. The individual needs a theory for oneself depending upon his age, stage, affection and affinity. That found, there is no dearth of pastimes and distractions.
Bertrand Russell in his History of Western Philosophy compares Marxism with Judaism/Christianity under 7 parameters to decree that the former is also a faith. And I think, Savitri Era more than fulfils all the seven. Sri Aurobindo and his Followers
+ + +
Web search engines are wholly dependent on correct spelling, and hence it is important to standardize certain expressions:
- Sri Aurobindo: to take care to always use Sri (as in his signature)
- The Mother: and not the Mother
- The Mother and Sri Aurobindo: in that order (as in the photograph) as far as possible, instead of Sri Aurobindo and the The Mother.
- Mira: as Sri Aurobindo has re-christened her in the mantra, Om Sri Aurobindo Mira , and nor Mirra.
- Aurobindian: Although Amal Kiran has much defended his introducing of the term, Aurobindonian, it does not cut ice. The last O in Sri Aurobindo is not necessary for pronunciation of the name, and hence a simple, Aurobindian is good for all seasons. Aurobindean, is also another dispensable expression.
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[In time, a whole set of beliefs and rituals began to be built up around Sri Aurobindo and more so, around The Mother. The death of each of them caused dismay and disappointment among large sections of the faithful. Many had grown to believe that some miraculous transformation of the physical bodies of their Gurus and through them of the disciples themselves was in the offing. Naturally these devotees were disheartened when this did not happen in the manner they had come to expect.
Besides, a whole theology began to be developed, especially because of the extensive records of what Sri Aurobindo and The Mother had said…This theology not only asserts the Avatarhood or Divine Incarnation of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, but builds around them a special cult of worship and devotion…
Like the early Christians whose lives were lived in hope and anticipation of the Second Coming and the Day of Judgement, the disciples of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother also believed that the promised fulfillment of all their hopes and aspirations was imminent. A series of pronouncements by both Sri Aurobindo and The Mother…certainly contributed to the sense of constant awe and expectation in the ashram community…
It needs to be acknowledged that though both Sri Aurobindo and The Mother repeatedly warned against the creation of a cult around them, they themselves encouraged it in several ways. Sri Aurobindo himself deified The Mother and vice versa.
http://selforum.blogspot.in/2006/08/sri-aurobindo-and-his-followers.html
From The Introduction, The Penguin Sri Aurobindo Reader, 1999 Edited by Makarand Paranjape, a critical insider.]
Friday, August 25, 2006
The words work wonders
From: "Tusar N. Mohapatra" tusarnmohapatra@mail.com
To: "Antony Lodoiska" alodoiska@swasteetech.com from Mauritius
To: "Antony Lodoiska" alodoiska@swasteetech.com from Mauritius
Subject: Re: Eastern Philosophy http://sanatan.intnet.mu
Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2006 11:48:41 -0500
With 54 springs(93-39) in hand, you can work wonders for yourself.
The trick is to cut through the clutter and confusion.
Proceed through the process of elimination.
Keep aside your past baggage for a while.
Forget all your questions and doubts.
Read the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
Be ready to be shocked by your own transformaton.
Bon Voyage
With 54 springs(93-39) in hand, you can work wonders for yourself.
The trick is to cut through the clutter and confusion.
Proceed through the process of elimination.
Keep aside your past baggage for a while.
Forget all your questions and doubts.
Read the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
Be ready to be shocked by your own transformaton.
Bon Voyage
Many students and disciples of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother draw inspiration from Savitri for their spiritual growth. Many even find the answers to their doubts and questions by opening the book at random. On special occasions, continuous recitation of Savitri on a relay basis is also quite common in the Centers where the works and yoga teachings of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo are studied and practiced. Regular camps and conclaves are also organized at different places in the world to study the poem and contemplate over its occult force. Savitri was originally brought out canto by canto in small fascicles and in periodicals published by the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. These periodicals were the Sri Aurobindo Mandir Annual, in 1946 and 1947, the quarterly Advent in 1946 and 1947, and the Sri Aurobindo Circle Annual in 1947. These installments were also made available simultaneously in fascicles Canto-wise. The fascicles covered the first four Cantos of Book 1 and Book 3. The fifteen Cantos of Book 2 were published in book-form in two parts, Cantos 1-6 and Cantos 7-15, in 1947 and 1948 respectively.