Deficiency as spice

 It's said that Bollywood music can't be categorised under the rubric of any specific Classical stream. It was, indisputably, a new creation which evolved over time. The Indian society, similarly, has evolved from varieties of inspirations and innovations. To look at it through sundry past lenses is, understandably, erroneous. Trying to impose various theories sponsored by influential Universities upon it is also defective. 

The Development paradigm is taken for granted. Progress is, uncritically, considered fundamental to human existence. Labelling is spontaneous in terms of material prosperity or military power. Ontological reality, however, is different from such deluding indices. Understanding the evolutionary intention, therefore, is essential for making a sense of the current developments. 

"For all problems of existence are essentially problems of harmony." This piece of diagnosis by Sri Aurobindo shows with precision that discord and disparity are very much a part of the possible solution. So India is a melting pot where the solution to the humanity's future is being prepared. Thus, all its imperfections and deficiencies are like spices for a great dish. 

This, however, has no political implication. Weaponising disparity rather has tremendous potential. But then, that's also a part of the Lila. There's no assurance that the path towards harmony would be harmonious. Thus negotiating with the messy details may involve all the nine Rasas. Wars happen for a reason. Still, the aspiration for peace and harmony has its own value and role. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. Sanjeeb Mukherjee... holds that neither liberalism nor socialism in practice has produced a just order. routledge.com/Justice-and-Su…

https://x.com/ASR_Metta/status/2106270699119612342

2. Bhadrajee Hewage (Oxford) argues that Gandhi’s lifelong engagement with Buddhism worked through assimilation, theologisation, and politicisation. He recast the Buddha from a historical teacher of renunciation into a modern moral exemplar. — he argues that it muted the anti-caste radicalism that B. R. Ambedkar represented and later recovered. scholar.google.com/scholar_url?ur…

https://x.com/ASR_Metta/status/2106980185849426422

3. Why does Gandhi continue to inspire love, debate, and criticism? Explore @MakrandParanspe's The Death and Afterlife of Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhi’s enduring influence on India. youtu.be/1PqcMQS5X0o?si… @PariksithSingh @AmazingVedas

https://x.com/sriaurobindochr/status/2106006786931392700

4. Join @PariksithSingh and Sri Partho for a deep exploration of Sanatan Dharma and the Vedas—the foundation of an ancient quest for truth. A journey through inquiry, self-discovery, harmony, and the silence within. youtu.be/vdKKmZhJflU?si… @MakrandParanspe @AmazingVedas

https://x.com/sriaurobindochr/status/2106810834697531868

5. Sri Aurobindo- A life divine. A panel discussion on Sri Aurobindo hosted by @JLFLitfest earlier today. With @MakrandParanspe and @PariksithSingh in Houston. 

https://x.com/sunandavashisht/status/2106966250395979945

Politics isn't inferior to spirituality

 I have been trying not to stress on yoga or any kind of spiritual practice as I am not sure about their results. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo have provided sufficient guidance in writing. So it is for the individual concerned to build a direct relationship with them, independently, without relying on anybody else. But an attitude of healthy scepticism and no expectation can prove to be helpful.

Relevance of Sri Aurobindo for the modern generation is yet to be spelled out in practical terms. I have been raising the banner of Savitri Era Party since 2007 through which his relevance can spread far and wide. Obviously, spirituality has no place here. The Constitution itself erects quite lofty standards which has never been practiced in the past. In this sense, politics is hardly inferior to spirituality.

Most of our daily dealings are guided by ethics with philosophical foundations. Theory, similarly, is important for understanding the dynamics of social and political happenings. Relying on Sri Aurobindo here is not much helpful since his predictions are related to soul. Judging current affairs, therefore, requires dispassionate observation and evolutionary vision. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Say no to protests

 Politics draws its validity from Human Rights which is considered fundamental to our existence. Democracy, too, is rated as the best possible means of participating in politics. But modalities of such participation are quite wide and vast. Applying some ethical standards to judge specific cases is neither easy nor appropriate. Still, something precipitates out of diverse voices and opinions.

Protests are the flavour of the season. But democracy can't function on the basis of protests. Undermining the sanctity of the people's mandate through arm-twisting methods won't produce favourable results. Fighting elections is the right mode of becoming the people's representatives. Any shortcut is immature and immoral. However, the games time plays can't be predicted. It has its own rules and justifications. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Dislodging superstition

 Tremendous political churning is going on at present due to various factors which, of course, should be considered normal in a democracy. BJP is bound to see the exit of Modi, sooner or later. The critical mass of his erstwhile supporters has turned fully disenchanted with him. Besides, with his personality-oriented approach, he has broken down the structural framework of BJP for functioning in an organic manner.

A wrong impression is given that Mukherjee is the founder of BJP. I clearly remember the long and tortuous debate around the dual-membership issue due to which BJP, ultimately, was ejected out of Janata Party. Ironically, it included many top leaders adhering to clear secular ideology. So it would be wrong to imagine BJP as a champion of Hindutva. It has been in power with the support of secular parties too.

I am against Hindutva but have been appreciative of Modi on several counts about which I have tweeted from time to time during the last twelve years. Let me clarify that, when I say Modi, it's certainly not the person for I don't know him since he never speaks extempore. By Modi, I mean the whole strategy apparatus behind him, which, I assume, is equipped with the best of knowledge and wisdom.

Lalu Prasad Yadav had donned the Govinda image which won him immense popularity. Modi assimilates some elements of it, but more from Mohan Rakesh or Girish Karnad's many characters like Basavanna. On the whole, the entire show is neatly Quixotic. If TV serials can turn the roads deserted, then why not run a live show when people are more than willing to remain glued?

So far so good, but I have also hinted about Gorbachev in the past. From the point of view of Savitri Era Party and Savitri Era Religion, Modi turns out to be the best performer as far as the probable disruption is concerned. For this, the relentless criticism mounted by an astute intellectual like M. Nageswara Rao against Modi and RSS is the best proof. The evolutionary trajectory is clearly moving towards dislodging superstition.

I don't think either BJP or the Congress will survive. Film personalities may entertain for a while. Thereafter, when seriousness dawns, the nation will remember Sri Aurobindo. So it's necessary to disseminate his words more vigorously and not withdraw into a cocoon. Honing theoretical razors is also important in the marketplace of ideas otherwise ecosystems tend to consign to echo-chambers. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Alluding to old religions

 After meeting for the first time on March 29, 1914, Sri Aurobindo and The Mother worked together to bring out Arya on August 15, 1914, which is a landmark in the intellectual history of the world. Subsequently, the Ashram was established on November 24, 1926 as more and more disciples gathered around them. Since then, thousands of Centres have been opened across the globe with lakhs of devotees and followers.

However, many are in the habit of alluding to old religions and their mythologies. It shouldn't matter in an academic discussion, but their open political leanings spur suspicion. Savitri Era Religion, instead, demands unalloyed loyalty towards The Mother & Sri Aurobindo as the one Supreme Divine. Without clarity in the mind in this respect, one is likely to continue to confuse himself and others.

In many Annual Functions, similarly, the emphasis on including diverse cultural aspects devalues the occasion. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo didn't recommend anyone as truly important for their work. Hence, there should be effort not to accommodate extraneous influence with potential adverse effect. Besides, referring to them as guru, rishi, or Avatar should be dispensed with. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Govt. recognition for Savitri Era Religion

 Akbar is a pioneer in conceiving a universal religion in India which came to be shaped in different ways by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and others, three centuries later. It is interesting to note that a descendant of Akbar had bestowed the title Raja on Ram Mohan Roy. Bankim had created a complete framework of a secular religion by being inspired by Comte. Vivekananda, too, had attempted to bypass the traditional religion altogether. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo are no less responsible for putting in place an akin paraphernalia.

The Vedic perspective doesn't permit any mythological framework for understanding the world. The Life Divine is amply clear about it, but it is the most neglected work of Sri Aurobindo. Savitri Era Religion (2006), however, worships The Mother & Sri Aurobindo as the one Supreme Divine who are always present in their three poises: individual, universal, and transcendent. It has nothing to do with other religions or their gods and goddesses. Savitri Era Religion also keeps the complicated dynamics of Integral yoga at a distance.

Govt. recognition for Savitri Era Religion is necessary for creating a genuinely universal religion. Social identity and seamless transmission to the next generation are crucial factors for any new religion to survive. Providing Constitutional protection for this is the duty of any democratic Govt. Besides, claiming back Matrimandir and Auroville is a major task. The Mother's creation shouldn't be desecrated by the secular officers appointed by the Govt. Justice O. Chinnappa Reddy has already made it clear in his dissenting judgement of 1982. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

My life as ideology

 I have been reading all my life, albeit, newspapers and magazines mostly, during the last century, due to lack of access to books. This century opened the door to Internet, and I keep surveying the intellectual scene without much dedicated reading. However, concentrating on Sri Aurobindo has stood me in good stead. So I can't claim any particular competence or expertise. This I consider a blessing. 

Being born and brought up in a village, I am privileged to have first-hand experience of poverty and deprivation. By residing in different States, I have earned varied perspectives on life. Having lived under all the Prime Ministers, I have seen the effect, or lack of it, of the entire spectrum of ideologies. From writing on a Slate to typing on my Honor Tablet for chatting with AI is a huge technological leap.

Sri Aurobindo introduced suspicion in many spheres, but still created a metanarrative of his own. My exposure to postmodernism and hermeneutics helped me to develop a critical eye. It also helped not to be swayed by the grand claims of Hindutva. Many intellectuals are atheists, and are satisfied with an ethical outlook. But as Founder of Savitri Era Religion (2006), I steer clear of the dry-as-dust, secular approach.

Being a part of a Bank Officers' Association affiliated to CPI, I was very much a Leftist, but later moved to the Structural Reforms bandwagon. I am not sure about the model we are following now, but harbour serous doubts about freedom fostering healthy competition or fair play. Totalitarian powers of digital environment are bound to be utilised for manipulation and mischief. One curious thing, by the way, is begging online has become ubiquitous and respectable! 

As I am trying to convey some sense out of 26 letters, the foundational role of language in conducting the human affairs becomes apparent. The problem, then, is what to choose, and why. Education enables to make the right selection, otherwise, one wanders in a forest of confusion. Sri Aurobindo provides one such safe and sound syllabus. With that anchor in place, one has all the freedom at his disposal.

No text should be treated as the ultimate. The aesthetic moment can come from any stray signifier. The point is, each slice of finitude needs to be suffused with the seeking for Immortality. The message of Savitri, basically, is that. It's not a docile supplication but self-aggrandisement, in a positive sense. Growing in consciousness. Aspiring for The Mother's grace. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Annihilation of death

 I have been active online since 2005. As Director of Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF), spreading the message of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo continues through more than a dozen blogs. As Founder of Savitri Era Religion (2006), the emphasis is on worshipping The Mother & Sri Aurobindo as the one Supreme Divine with devotion and surrender to them. As President of Savitri Era Party (2007), the task is to create awareness on Sri Aurobindo's political relevance.

Most devotees and followers of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo pursue education and culture, whereas I am the only person to have been pushing politics and religion. Politics has implications in every step of life. Distorted history has been a serious problem in our country. Grand ideologies have been built on the basis of faulty philosophical frameworks. Political mobilisation has become normal on the basis of religion and other forms of identity. Sri Aurobindo has a role in providing correctives in all these spheres.

Most human activities are centred on life, but The Mother & Sri Aurobindo bring the focus on death. Even, how civilisations die or economies collapse are studied in great detail, but our own death is forgotten. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo, however, think otherwise. They propose that the life can be infinite, the Life Divine. It's a question of reconfiguration of the cells of the body and similar interventions through heightened awareness and consciousness. But surrender to them is essential and their grace. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Thirst for authenticity

 Democracy no longer signifies an ethical or disinterested enjoyment of power. The fig leaf of the proletariat has long since fallen away. Still, ideologies are necessary for catching votes. So whatever attracts people acquires instant validity. Doesn't matter if it is a cockroach or a chameleon. Getting viral in real time is the whole thing.

Sri Aurobindo’s writings have both political and philosophical utility. But something prevents it from being attractive on both counts. It needs to be analysed why Ambedkar is the darling of our politicians, at present, or why Savarkar is poised to take the place of Gandhi in the national imagination. The underlying emotions, however, are, certainly, not very salutary.

Till now, followers of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo have been voting for different political parties, but Hindutva has been able to entice them, en masse, of late. Besides, Modi's charisma has proved to impart a blinding effect on people, in general. So imagining any alternative avenue or appreciating some critique is, totally, out of question.

But change happens. This periodical play of evolution is the greatest merit of democracy. And we have reaped two benefits in the meantime. One is Hindutva has exhausted itself, ideologically, without producing any dependable framework. So no more the claim of, we are different. The second is, maximum harnessing of publicity by Modi has already been practiced. No one will ever dare to imitate him.

Thus, the search for authenticity is imminent, and no one else fits the bill, more perfectly, than Sri Aurobindo. The problem with those who have read Sri Aurobindo is that each one feels he or she is a mountain peak. Hence, the formation of any political party is almost impossible. Intricacies of The Letters on Yoga are also used for dumbing down, wherever a crowd gathers. Question hour is suspended!

Be that as it may, the outlook for Sri Aurobindo as the most potent political icon appears to be the most bright, at the moment. Let's hope that another decade is not lost in some other useless experiment. Sri Aurobindo occupying the centrestage is not only required for India but also for the big powers like America, Russia, and China. The Five Dreams Manifesto is athirst for implementation.

One word about RSS which is drawing flak from diverse quarters, right now. The way it is remolding its worldview, the day is not far when it completely identifies with The Mother & Sri Aurobindo. That looks almost logical and propelled by evolution. But the word Hindu will have to be replaced by the phrase Savitri Era. Hindus can, safely, be left to Rao's care! https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. Rethinking the Political Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo Ghose - Dr. Rashmimala Sahu

https://www.amazon.in/Rethinking-Political-Philosophy-Aurobindo-Ghose/dp/B0BG33Y35Y/

2. The Essays of Chitta Ranjan Das on Literature, Culture, and Society: On the Side of Life in Spite of - Ananta Kumar Giri and Ivan Marquez

https://www.amazon.in/-/hi/Ananta-Kumar-Giri/dp/152754558X

3. Adam Smith's Lost Legacy - Gavin Kennedy

https://www.amazon.in/Smiths-Legacy-Professor-Gavin-Kennedy/dp/1403947899

4. SELF - Plain & Simple: Be simple, Be happy, Remain quiet - Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra

https://plasim.blogspot.com/2026/09/be-simple-be-happy-remain-quiet.html

Enhancing the relevance

 The educational philosophy of Sri Aurobindo is taught in some Universities. That is why, he is compared, at times, with Tagore and Gandhi. On the political philosophy front, Sri Aurobindo is shown as an icon of Nationalism while Tagore espouses Internationalism. Similarly, while Gandhi is a known apostle of Non-violence, Sri Aurobindo is presented having no objection to Revolutionary militancy. 

Absence of dedicated engagement with Sri Aurobindo creates such summary impressions that are prone to error. It is not necessary that everyone will learn directly from Sri Aurobindo's books. General media discussion and debate should inform about his various facets and opinions. But then, the question arises, why should anyone be interested about him?

So enhancing the relevance of Sri Aurobindo is a big challenge. Many of his followers stress only on the spiritual aspect, and argue that whosoever has the inner call would come to him at the appointed time. While this logic can't be refuted, the normal effort for spreading his ideas shouldn't be treated as futile. Besides, his name has become popular as the topmost thinker of the nation. 

This is on merit, and is a very big gain. Ten years back, I was brusquely rebuffed by many Vivekananda followers for saying this, but Hindutva intellectuals, themselves, have discovered this, gradually. The Secular faction, however, still treats Sri Aurobindo as an untouchable. Be that as it may, not alluding to Sri Aurobindo would, increasingly, be seen as a flaw, in future. 

Thus, diagnosing what are the hindrances is important. Downplaying the spiritual side is necessary for acceptance of Sri Aurobindo, among the public, as an authentic intellectual. Further, his writings on religion and scriptures may not be very relevant when it comes to politics and current affairs. Similarly, his guidances on yoga are purely at the personal level. Poetry, likewise, is for aesthetic enjoyment. 

That leaves his major works like The Life Divine and The Human Cycle. The entire history of Western thought has to learn something or the other from these two volumes. Research-oriented persons can sense tension with Western philosophers at every step. Fortunately, the arguments are based on logic and don't involve any esoteric aspect. 

Evolution is the only hidden hand which has been ratified by Science. But there is another dimension which may not be approved by the academic yardsticks. Man's urge for transcending his weakness by aspiring for higher consciousness might look innocent, but the same cannot be achieved by his own effort. Invoking the Divine Grace is an inseparable element in Sri Aurobindo's overall philosophy. 

This religious turn can cause repulsion in many, but his logic stands in the absence of any viable alternative perspective. His Five Dreams Manifesto (1947), too, provides a step-by-step road-map. The ambitious target of achieving physical Immortality, as affirmed in the Veda, has no other blue-print than what charted out by Sri Aurobindo. Needless to say that all pre-modern religions lack this secret. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. An Alternative Idea of India: Tagore and Vivekananda - Gangeya Mukherji

https://www.amazon.in/Alternative-Idea-India-Tagore-Vivekananda/dp/0415676932

2. The Alternate Nation of Abanindranath Tagore - Debashish Banerji

https://www.amazon.in/Alternate-Nation-Abanindranath-Tagore/dp/8132102398

3. Hindu Spirituality and Virtue Politics - Vasanthi Srinivasan

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FQ7LJ4S

4. Grounding Morality: Freedom, Knowledge and the Plurality of Cultures - Jyotirmaya Sharma and A. Raghuramaraju

https://www.amazon.in/Grounding-Morality-Knowledge-Plurality-Cultures/dp/0415585759

5. Orchid and the rose: Machiavelli, Spinoza, and Burke https://orchidrose.blogspot.com/2026/09/machiavelli-spinoza-and-burke.html

Who is Sri Aurobindo?

 It is important to remember that most of Sri Aurobindo's major writings had come out much before the Ashram took a formal shape. Thus, the intellectual or academic aspect of Sri Aurobindo cannot take a back seat vis-à-vis spirituality or yoga. Of course, there is no strict demarcation in his teachings, but psychological manipulation is a much more common subject for discussion than sociopolitical topics.

We did not study about Sri Aurobindo in the school. The situation is not much different after sixty years. Even top intellectuals don't possess a clear picture of him. Scholars and journalists tend to avoid citing him for want of clear knowledge on him. There are many biographies and philosophical treatises, but a right appraisal of his place in history is missing. It is customary to mention him along with Vivekananda, but it does more injustice to his identity.

So the question is who is Sri Aurobindo? What is the best, and most honest, way of introducing him to the general public? He might have been involved in diverse activities throughout his life, but the basic fact is that he was a writer. That is how the world should know him and evaluate his relative merit. With his multiple facets, people from different disciplines need to study him. His Complete Works are a fertile ground for multifarious research.

Political exploitation of some of his utterances leads to distortion. Depiction of him as a militant Revolutionary, similarly, twists reality. The secular camp keeps on mocking him for escaping to Puducherry. Modern gurus spread misinformation about him for obvious reasons. Ken Wilber left him high and dry after using him to become famous. Let's hope a good book on Sri Aurobindo's legacy appears to do justice to him. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. How to Read Hegel Now - Shannon Hoff

https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo262611507.html

2. The Invention of Catholicism - A Global Intellectual History of the Catholic Counterrevolution, 1780–1849 - Glauco Schettini

https://glaucoschettini.com/book/

3. The Ideas That Shaped Modern India and Its Economy 1870-2017 - Niranjan Rajadhyaksha

https://www.penguin.co.in/book/the-ideas-that-shaped-india-and-its-economy/

4. Evergreen Essays: Soul of things eternally young, perpetually inexhaustible - Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra

https://evergreenessays.blogspot.com/2026/09/soul-of-things-eternally-young.html

Savitri Era Party

 A good thing about a democratic environment is that it is easy to judge different factions from the criticisms of their ideologies by their respective adversaries. From this point of view, India has been fortunate, so far. Apart from being the largest democracy, with a most modern Constitution, India is, perhaps, the only country without any majoritarian factor. From the diversity angle, therefore, it is a veritable melting pot.

Having spent seventy years in such an atmosphere, I should feel absolutely confident about the future like most of the people. But my orientation in Sri Aurobindo's philosophy and its evolutionary vision doesn't permit such complacence. For others, it is, Ignorance is Bliss. But, fortunately or unfortunately, I have read The Life Divine and The Human Cycle. I carry the burden of the profound predictions hidden in the cold print of those pages. Only that much is concrete. Rest is mere belief.

So, finding a path for my own self is as important as showing the same to the others. Since, no one else is there to guide among the rest of the 8.3 billion people. I have been treading the forbidden zones of religion and politics for the last two decades. Most parties have undergone significant transformation during this period. All are groping in the dark; trying out various permutations and combinations. But Savitri Era Party (2007) sticks to its original inspiration of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo.

No Hindutva. No Dynasty. No Protests or Anarchy. No Lifestyle impositions. Freedom and Innovations. Science and Evidence. No Myth or Superstitions. No Ambedkar nor Reservations. No Academic strangulations. Sovereignty to the States. World Union as the target. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Savitri Era Religion

 The Constitution of India, arguably, constitutes a broad theoretical framework for the modern world. So much so that, defending the Constitution has become a prime political slogan for many parties now. However, a dominant misgiving about it is the neglect of Hindu concerns. But the ruling party is, simultaneously, accused of a patently blue turn. UCC too turns out to be a contentious issue. 

As I was introduced to The Mother & Sri Aurobindo when I was eight, accepting them as the one Supreme Divine had happened much before any strong intellectual conviction. This was through various associations driven as a protest against mythology and rituals. Since I have benefited immensely from this new ideology, I continue to recommend Savitri Era Religion (2006) as the right path for the modern mind. 

The problem with the West is that they have to invoke at least a couple dozen of thinkers in order to examine any issue. Our advantage, at present, is to apply the lens of Sri Aurobindo for the right guidance. The evolutionary angle provides a crucial corrective. His Five Dreams Manifesto (1947) has specific geopolitical directives which can't be ignored for long. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. The Bible and the Making of Modern India - Vishal Mangalwadi 

https://www.amazon.in/Bible-Making-Modern-India-Revised/dp/B0F6YXRQGC/

2. Dr. M. R. Venkatesh garu (@MRVChennai) has written an important book, ‘Discovery’ and Bharat: Christian Constitution in a Hindu Nation

https://x.com/MNageswarRaoIPS/status/2098712520399974560

3. Justice: Rights and Wrongs - Nicholas Wolterstorff

https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691146300/justice

Savitri Era

 Theory, as a concept, instills confidence. One feels that a solution to the numerous human problems will be possible, one day. But there are formidable hurdles on the way. One of the major concerns is writing itself which has been examined extensively in the last century. But the paradigm syndrome is a more pernicious affair. 

No one has panoptic power of diagnosing things. So, the question of finitude, both spatial and temporal, can't be decoupled from the human condition. The promise of the quantum world or nano universe frittered away. Sri Aurobindo's Spiritual view of reality too remains a postulate. In such a perplexing circumstance, the situation in India presents a gargantuan paradox. 

Muslim population in India is quite substantial even after the Partition which leads to social friction, narrative manipulation, and vote-bank politics. Thus, Hindutva capturing power was inevitable, but stuffing Universities is a difficult affair in the absence of intellectual muscle. Some of their intellectuals are hard put to talk sense. Empty rhetoric, therefore, is more often the rule than exception. Hubris and hope based on Hindutva looks so pathetic!

Western discourse is unwilling to examine the theoretical contributions of Sri Aurobindo. In that sense, Theory is yet to utilise all its resources. This is a human failure of which a major reason is the cancel culture. But those of us are aware of Sri Aurobindo are also unable to provide any viable way out. I, for instance, can't see anything concrete beyond Savitri Era Religion. It doesn't involve any compulsion or domination. 

Steering clear of false promises and lofty assurances is a sacred task. Reading the "luminous and voluminous" writings of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo is an eminently admirable human enterprise. However, any "dramatic and traumatic" consequences of practicing yoga needs to be avoided. Even, the so-called Sustainable lifestyle options are suspect. Savitri Era Party, instead, advocates Freedom. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. Knowledge/Nation - The Humanities and the Social Sciences in Postcolonial India - Edited by Baidik Bhattacharya, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, India, Prathama Banerjee, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, India - Cambridge University Press - Open Access

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/knowledgenation/AA7322CA2AC111717D27478270DB0B62

2. Patterns of the Present: From the Perspective of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother - Georges Van Vrekhem

https://incarnateword.in/other-authors/georges-van-vrekhem/patterns-of-the-present-from-the-perspective-of-sri-aurobindo-and-the-mother

3. Minding the Modern - Human Agency, Intellectual Traditions, and Responsible Knowledge - by Thomas Pfau

https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268038441/minding-the-modern/

Rairangpur, 1949

 Confusion on ideology front has been a constant through the last seven decades. Still, the world is moving on and new trends and fascinations are appearing like in a kaleidoscope. Those belonging to a specific camp don't tend to worry. Certainty is their forte. Followers of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo, however, enjoy no such luxury since the predictions of Sri Aurobindo are distant in time and nebulous in nature. Belief in them, therefore, is a crucial factor.

My earliest political consciousness relates to agitations for inclusion of Seraikela Kharsawan, now in Jharkhand, in Odisha. Demand for granting Classical status to Odissi Music was also a perennial issue. But the intellectual climate was quite liberal. Many top writers and poets were The Mother & Sri Aurobindo's followers. As a result, a wide network of Sri Aurobindo Study Circles used to operate which has seen massive expansion. Hundreds of Schools are also functioning today. 

If we compare this to the world situation, this gain, simply on the material scale, is something gigantic. When things are floundering everywhere else, a solid foundation is being built in Odisha with mass participation. This is all the more paradoxical as the State is hardly discussed in the national media. People don't take me seriously because my surname is Odia. Even the President is more famous as belonging to the Scheduled Tribes than representing the Odias. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. The Mother’s work in Orissa started in 1949 when two Study Circles were formed with Sri Aurobindo’s permission (One at Rairangpur in 1949 another at Cuttack in 1950).

https://www.mothersorissa.org/Home.aspx

2. Odisha’s katha in colour - June 17, 2013 The two volumes are a Jataka, a Panchatantra, a grantha, a history, an atlas and a travelogue all kneaded into one - Gopalkrishna Gandhi

https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/odishas-katha-in-colour/article4823723.ece/

3. The Big Book of Odia Literature - Manu Dash

https://www.penguin.co.in/book/the-big-book-of-odia-literature/

Mobile loyalty

 Mobile phones have completely altered the priorities and habits of people. Spirituality, in this scenario, seems to have no relevance at all. More so, for the highly complex and esoteric nature of the philosophy and yoga enunciated by The Mother & Sri Aurobindo. Yet, their followers understand how crucial it is for the future of the world. Hence, dissemination assumes a lot of importance.

Sadly, no such organised effort is there in a professional manner, despite availability of the best technological resources. No proper pedagogic framework is in place as to what to teach or how to teach. Harnessing competent persons is never a criterion. Opacity on the intersection of religion and philosophy is also a contentious issue. In a such a circumstance, clarity on intentions and future projections are important.

I have been active through Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF) since 2005 with utmost transparency. Steering clear of mystical and esoteric aspects has been my endeavour. Savitri Era Religion (2006) helps to get rid of mythology and rituals. Savitri Era Party (2007) campaigns for a modern attitude and lifestyle. Espousing Democracy and Constitutional ethics, obviously, is paramount.

Hindutva enthusiasts continue to appropriate Sri Aurobindo to the hilt. I have been advocating for reading The Mother & Sri Aurobindo without a India- or a Hindu-centic slant. Accepting them as the one Supreme Divine allows the leeway to disregard their actual writings with the argument that they were contextual. Being sincere to their intention, and not other impositions, is the trick. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social 

Casaubon and Bartlebooth

 One of the key Management principles in Sri Aurobindo's philosophy is widening, heightening and integration. How Much Land Does a Man Need by Leo Tolstoy points to the futility of widening endlessly without proper consolidation. Edward Casaubon in George Eliot's Middlemarch, similarly, spends his life collecting notes and references without ever writing the book he wanted to author. Even Percival Bartlebooth in Georges Perec’s Life: A User's Manual fails to complete his project despite meticulous planning and execution. Odysseus returning to Ithaca, of course, is a fairy-tale counter-theme.

Yoga, paradoxically, involves detachment and non-grasping. When applied to intellectual and aesthetic pursuits, the effect can be stringent. Integral yoga, however, is a different cup of tea. Nevertheless, Pratibha needs to be moderated by Dakshina. Otherwise, creativity can prove to be cancerous.

A contemporary of Sri Aurobindo, Husserl had conceived of epoché much before Heidegger’s Daoist turn, but without any concrete result. Merleau-Ponty, interestingly, had exhibited surprising consonance with The Mother's experiments on the body. The example of Foucault leading a cloistered life despite campaigning for freedom for others is a curious irony. Thus, the problem of drawing a line to settle How Much is not easy to solve.

In his book, Towards a Critique of Cultural Reason, R. Sundara Rajan looks at Critique as the sensitive point where a medicine turns into a poison. The juncture of Sublimation of lower instincts into higher emotions, too, can be seen in a similar light. But, on the spot, improvisations experienced by performers, in a state of heightened inspiration, defies all logic and learning. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Metaphysical first principles based on Veda

 On my questioning, M. Nageswara Rao clarified that, unlike several major sects, followers of Sri Aurobindo, in his opinion, very much belong to the Hindu religion. This looks like a good certificate, but Rao may not be fully aware of the realities prevailing at present. However, Savitri Era Religion (2006) provides a sound safety valve. Further, Sabarimala verdict can transform the whole scenario. 

I have maintained that no particular text be considered as supreme since they are meant for imbibing knowledge and inspiration at various stages of life. Further, understanding them without mythological scaffolding or mystical overbearing is an essential precaution. Not to recommend The Mother & Sri Aurobindo's esoteric instructions is also crucial. 

Each person and his way of thinking has its own value. Telling him to get rid of his ego or try for spiritual realisation can be unsettling. High unrealistic targets can induce depression or frustration. Savitri Era Religion, instead, would be a secure way of getting introduced to The Mother & Sri Aurobindo. No one should assume responsibility for convincing others of assured results by practicing Integral yoga. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. The decisive criterion is whether an organisation’s or cult’s foundational doctrines and practices implicitly or explicitly affirm the foundational Hindu metaphysical first principles based on Veda and remain substantially within Hindu religious framework. On that criterion, Sri Aurobindo, Arya Samaj, etc are within Hindu fold.

https://x.com/MNageswarRaoIPS/status/2097894250340110386

2. Why Sri Aurobindo Rejected Reading the Mahabharata as Pure Allegory youtu.be/-_FPkMQSh9E?si… via @YouTube

https://x.com/MakrandParanspe/status/2098065828109496344

https://youtu.be/-_FPkMQSh9E?si=g_0_vgtjE2XS2tf0

Savitri Era Religion is twenty years old

 By reading the biographies of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo, one can know about them. But still something will be missing. Visiting Puducherry and Auroville as a tourist also can give some idea about them. Reading different books written by them is a bigger attempt to understand them. Yet, it's not easy to form a fair impression of them.

Accepting The Mother & Sri Aurobindo as the one Supreme Divine who are always present in their three poises is the most secure way of forming the right relationship with them. With that as anchor, contradictions relating to their lives or writings can be explained without much difficulty. The compulsion of comparing them with their contemporaries too won't arise.

Not to be misled by the shallow argument that they were against creating any new religion is crucial. History is clear as to how they have nurtured a new following, brick by brick. Auroville case was lost just because a definite name of a new religion was not there. Similar challenges will be aplenty in future. 

Therefore, I started the Savitri Era Religion in 2006. It protects me from the social pressure of performing senseless rituals and celebrating stupid festivals. Freedom from the tyranny of mythological fiction is also a great benefit. Besides, following any fixed system of practice of yoga is also absent. Surrender to The Mother is the only requirement. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social 

Third Dream

 I have been drawn to different cultural domains at different points of time but any deep involvement or expertise in any has eluded me. This I treat as a blessing. The Mother, I remember, had written a letter to Sri Aurobindo on similar lines. However, the point is, I find myself free. Judging things without any prejudice or vested interest is an important privilege. 

A platform like Savitri Era Religion or Savitri Era Party offers that latitude, profusely. Like, on the issue of Bande Mataram, I can argue that what Sri Aurobindo wrote or said in a Colonial context can't be a guide in a democratic environment. Sensitivity towards the emotions of all sections of citizens is more vital than imposing majoritarian diktats. 

AIT is another contentious issue where I prefer status quo in the absence of conclusive evidence to the contrary. Thus, flouting Sri Aurobindo here becomes an academic necessity. Believing Devdutt Pattanaik is far more logical when he asserts that there is no historical evidence for the existence of Buddha. Therefore, I avoid the poetic and mystical aspects of Sri Aurobindo's teachings. 

The most concrete prediction of Sri Aurobindo pertains to World Union. Here too, I take the most extraordinary stand of granting Sovereignty to the States under a loose Federation for creating a nucleus for future expansion. Savitri Era Party (2007) has been campaigning for this possibility from the outset. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Gramsci, Hayek, aur Woh

 Shreepal Singh's Indian People’s Congress (1993) may be the first political party with The Mother & Sri Aurobindo as inspiration but it turns out to be leaning too much towards Hindutva. Similarly, many leading followers and devotees of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo seem to be intoxicated with Hindutva. Crumbs from the current political dispensation is also a contributing factor. 

I have been showing the right direction, like the Pole Star, since 2005. I do not know how it has been possible, so uninterruptedly. Ideologically, it's no rocket science. Simple common sense says that Sri Aurobindo is the only alternative. But running this blog, singlehandedly, wouldn't have been possible without The Mother's grace. 

Our friend, Kristof_Poland is very optimistic about Hayek winning over Gramsci. Building institutions will ultimately propel the desired results, he is sure. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo were their contemporaries and have left behind sufficient intellectual work and numerous institutions. Savitri Era Party (2007) is confident that its time will come. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. With this understanding Indian People’s Congress was formed. It was got registered on 30th March, 1993 with the Election Commission of India... In its founding meeting, the Party elected its first National Central Committee with Shreepal Singh, an advocate of the Supreme Court of India as its Chairman and Kaushalendra Dhwaj, an advocate practicing in Meerut as its General Secretary.

https://indianpeoplescongress.wordpress.com/history/

हम कुछ लेखों को इस इंटरनेट युग में यहाँ पुन: प्रकाशित कर रहे हैं। ये लेख “सहयोग भारती” पत्रिका में 1980 में छपे थे। “सहयोग भारती ” के सम्पादक प्रो रमेश गुप्त थे

https://indianpeoplescongress.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/%e0%

https://indianpeoplescongress.wordpress.com/2026/08/01/an-age-of-human-transition/

https://x.com/singhxshreepal/status/2083370045523329257 

https://marketime.blogspot.com/2026/09/indian-peoples-congress.html

2. The difference between the Gramscian left and the Hayekian right is not the strategy. The strategy is the same: change the intellectual climate, move the Overton Window, wait for the political moment when what was previously unthinkable becomes inevitable... Both sides understood the mechanism. One funded it properly. The other kept looking for the politician — the next Reagan, the next Milei — without understanding that before each of them there were decades of institutional work that nobody filmed. You cannot skip the intellectual work and go straight to the politician. Someone must produce the ideas. Someone must translate them for millions. Someone must fund the institutions that do both for twenty years, including when the ideas are unfashionable. 

https://x.com/Kristof_Poland/status/2096740529593614556

https://vipvak.blogspot.com/2026/08/excellence-is-specific-offense.html

3. Furthermore, the prime minister said, the spiritual journey of ‘The Mother’ from Paris to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry has inspired countless Indian and French seekers.

https://ddnews.gov.in/en/india-france-relations-have-reached-new-heights-pm-modi/

https://feelphilosophy.blogspot.com/2026/09/journey-of-mother-from-paris-to.html

Athens and Ilion

 I have been stressing on Democracy and Modernity because, being born and brought up in a village in Odisha, I have seen the distressing effects of local tradition and culture. English connects us to the Western world, down to the ethos of Athens. Savitri Era Religion (2006) and Savitri Era Party (2007) allow us the freedom from the compulsion of justifying whatever Sri Aurobindo wrote through the lens of Hindutva.

Through Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF), I have been disseminating diverse sources of knowledge since 2005. Each person grows through a unique trajectory, and stumbling upon the right reading material at the right time can prove to be a seminal event. Online presence, therefore, has a great benefit, and innumerable people have benefited by both agreeing and disagreeing with me. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. Those who are drawn towards the vortex of Sanskrit texts in their youthful enthusiasm are inviting trouble for all their life. One text will lead to another and then multiple commentaries etc. would rob many pleasures and cause vertigo. Sri Aurobindo's English translations safer.

https://x.com/SavitriEra/status/1166746220166926336

2. War, Fate and the Search for Harmony: Sri Aurobindo's Philosophy of Peace in "Ilion" by Rudrashish Dutta, Sri Aurobindo Mandir Annual 2026

https://vipvak.blogspot.com/2026/09/sri-aurobindos-contributions-to-post.html

https://selforum.blogspot.com/2026/09/odisha-inspires-about-sri-aurobindo.html

Sokal's larva

 AI can be said to be the biggest symbol of the much touted 21st century of which we started hearing some forty years back. But despite all the power of digitalisation, democratisation of knowledge and information is still a far cry. Rather the scope for manipulation and deliberate obfuscation has risen manifold. However, only technology is not to blame.

History is about the great men. News is about the great men. Books of great authors sell. Movies of great stars are instant hits. Gossip is on great men. Thus, the human tendency to derive self-esteem by relying on great men warps social reality. So, who or what becomes viral matters. Not necessarily which has some intrinsic worth or quality.

It is said that many writers and poets used to publish under the name of some well-known author. That's how ancient texts swelled over time. Otherwise, nobody would have cared for their work. Ghost writing happens even today. But AI has arrived as the ultimate ghost. Sokal's larva is a fully-grown Monster, now. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Carving out our distinct identity

 Worshipping The Mother & Sri Aurobindo as the one Supreme Divine is the fundamental principle of Savitri Era Religion. Beyond this, it doesn't impose any form of practice as mandatory. Devotees are free to develop their own method of expressing devotion towards them, who are always present in their three poises: individual, universal, and transcendent. 

Love and devotion involves an attitude of loyalty, gratitude, and surrender. Surrender is a common notion in most religious traditions, but, here, it is based on knowledge. Understanding their philosophical tenets, clearly, is necessary for preparing the mind for surrender to The Mother & Sri Aurobindo. Further, seeking The Mother's grace for success in any venture is a crucial factor. 

Logic of the Infinite and Exclusive Concentration are said to be the most important concepts on which Sri Aurobindo's philosophy stands. Savitri Era ontology is emphatic on Evolution but, at the same time, it is also reliant on Lila. Thus, it is very difficult to assign superiority to any particular model, paradigm, or ideology. The choice of the Psychic Being in designing life's journey defies the mechanical laws of Karma or any form of determinism. 

Savitri Era Religion doesn't identify any text as fundamental. Reading The Mother & Sri Aurobindo's books is good for intellectual development. Developing some acquaintance with Western philosophy is also desirable. Avoiding ancient texts in Sanskrit can help one to save a lot of time and energy. Mythologies, however, can be enjoyed as literature. 

There shouldn't be any misconception that Sri Aurobindo has solved all philosophical problems or all his predictions are going to be fulfilled. Similarly, believing that his system of yoga can, straightaway, deliver self-realisation is delusional. Still, Savitri Era Religion (2006) is the best option at the moment. 

Five Dreams Manifesto (1947) of Sri Aurobindo has specific political elements and hence Savitri Era Party (2007) has enormous relevance. Obviously, maintaining a distinct identity of Savitri Era Religion as well as Savitri Era Party is essential. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo don't authorise to collaborate with others.

Very few people are left who have seen The Mother or worked with her. Thus, it is necessary to create a robust ideological scaffolding so that the younger generation walks with confidence. There is no dearth of intellectual resources. Sincere aspiration and right interpretation are required for building a worldwide movement. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1. [after the passing of a Guru, people spend inordinate amounts of time in reminiscing who they actually were, how great they were and all the work they did. The Guru says “live in the present” but people get stuck in that past moment, recalling adoringly how he said those words and what happened after that. This is nostalgia. We ought to be studying ourselves (becoming more self-aware) rather than obsessively studying Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.] - Sandeep

https://auromere.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/cases-of-reincarnation-across-religions/#comment-17684

https://auromere.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/practicing-yoga-without-a-guru/

https://selforum.blogspot.com/2012/12/obsessively-studying-sri-aurobindo-and.html

2. We have romanticised poverty for too long, creating a cultural habit of turning deprivation into virtue and wealth into suspicion. My latest essay on the moral halo of poverty: sarngarava.substack.com/p/the-moral-ha…

[There is an older and sharper language for this too: ressentiment. Nietzsche, and later Max Scheler, used the concept to describe a psychological process in which frustration or powerlessness is converted into a reversal of values. Things associated with those one resents are declared morally inferior, while one’s own condition is elevated into virtue. The point is not that every poor person’s values are produced this way. The point is that “I do not possess what you possess, therefore what you possess must be morally corrupting” is a recognisable form of moral inversion.] 

https://x.com/sarngarava/status/2094056205622923540

https://sepact.blogspot.com/2026/08/inner-strength-wisdom-and-divine.html

3. Remembering Jitendra Nath Mohanty, Arindam Chakrabarti writes that Mohanty was a rare philosopher who read and taught (in Sanskrit, German, and English) Patañjali, Vyāsa, Śan˙kara, Gangeśa, Kant, Hegel, Husserl, Heidegger, Frege, Wittgenstein, Hume, McTaggart, Russell, Davidson, and Dummett with equal expertise—showing how ‘fusion philosophy’, rather than a swaraj in ideas, had become by the 1970s the preferred stance of academic philosophers (Chakrabarti and Weber 2015; Chakrabarti 2024). 

Baidik Bhattacharya and Prathama Banerjee

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/AA7322CA2AC111717D27478270DB0B62/9781009596909AR.pdf/

https://marketime.blogspot.com/2026/09/what-is-man-staying-alive-for.html