Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Nationalist ideology under Sri Aurobindian ontology
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Sri Aurobindo's philosophy, poetry, and social theory
Governance and development torment our planners and lay man alike in India today. The elite is red faced as to why we are lagging behind and for so long. Earlier, the blame was on conquerors and colonialists but now there is no such alibi. So, obviously, something must be lacking in our national character; more aptitudinal than ethical. One such trait is reluctance to spot value.
The neglect of Sri Aurobindo by educated young Indians proves the point. Pretty intelligent people on Twitter are discussing thousand other things but are unwilling to listen a word about Sri Aurobindo. The preeminent place Sri Aurobindo occupies in philosophy, poetry, and social theory is absolutely forgotten whenever a portrait of the modern India is sought to be presented.
TV coverage is setting norms of value and individual priorities in a predominant manner but Internet has also facilitated reading in a big way. So, why this near absence of appreciation for what can be called the single-most reservoir of social capital? No doubt, absence of utilitarian exploitation by way of career avenues is a huge bottleneck but the reigning impression of the teaching of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo being abstract also acts as a dampener.
A national level Institute offering fellowships and part-time employment for prosecuting socio-cultural research around the works of Sri Aurobindo is a necessity now. That such an initiative should generate in the voluntary sector without any dependence on the Govt. is also important. Future progress of India necessitates Sri Aurobindo's Five Dreams taking practical shape and no lesser casual initiative can claim to outpace it. [TNM55]
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Sri Aurobindo and the transphysical worlds
Sri Aurobindo was not a historian but a lot of historical accounts can be found in his writings. On many occasions his brush strokes are so broad that multiple factual inconsistencies can be spotted on close scrutiny. At places, Sri Aurobindo describes certain events or episodes of history like he presents an estimate of a person. He, in fact, enters into the spirit and hastens to portray an integral picture while the material details might be lacking such perfection. This is true of all creative writers and nothing can be more vivid in our times than even Heehs skidding.
The difficulty of academic interrogation of Sri Aurobindo, therefore, is enormous since relying upon quotations from his works can be wobbling. Besides, his perceptions differ between his conversations and writings at places pertaining to separate periods of time. The sheer mass of his writings also presents a huge obstacle for obtaining a satisfactory grasp within a reasonable time. Variety and depth also dissuades many young enthusiasts to attempt understanding him in any detail. Nevertheless, it's not impossible to gather an overall emphasis on an unerring, unseen force in all of Sri Aurobindo's writings.
The evolutionary quest for light, freedom, and immortality is the constant theme in Sri Aurobindo's poems and plays, historical narratives and political prophecy. Intellectual growth is not exactly his notion of perfection but the emphasis he puts on it as a tool and a help for further rise into higher rungs of consciousness must receive our attention. Dr. Eric M. Weiss maintains that "Sri Aurobindo's descriptions of transphysical worlds in Part I Book II of his epic poem Savitri, is unparalleled in the English language." [TNM55]
Sri Aurobindo as arbitrator Of history
India stands divided today on the basis of its past. An influential section believes that a glorious account of Indian history has deliberately been sabotaged and hence the same should be reestablished while the more commonsensical view is that the modern generation should steer clear of such uncritical and unsubstantiated tributes to the past. An understanding approach, however, senses some merit in both the standpoints and the challenge, therefore, is how to reconcile the two extremes. The problem is compounded when dominant political parties of the country patronise any one side of the debate and force almost a mythological version of history on cadre, thereby raising a vocal bulwark of support, resistance, and aggression. Not only identity and religion, a whole system of patronage and propaganda grows around the network bordering on a sort of sub-nationalism prospering over a wide diaspora.
In the face of such a dismal scenario, the students of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo find themselves in an extremely advantageous situation barring the fact that they are in an extreme minority. But the fact that the bone of contention is largely intellectual is a precious silver lining with every potentiality of a noon dawning at any moment. Sri Aurobindo, while dealing with the ancient Indian texts with unparalleled insight and analysis, brings the critical tools to the table so that the West is also allowed a level playing field. Anti-colonialist feeling prevalent in India has prevented people from taking sufficient advantage of such an intellectual symbiosis, but The Mother & Sri Aurobindo, through their published works spanning about a hundred volumes, have indeed unveiled a new era of harmony and international understanding.
Hegel and Whitehead, Lao tzu and Nietzsche, diverse streams of world knowledge find a synthesis in Sri Aurobindo's encyclopedic writings. Homer and Heraclitus, Dante and Goethe, all come alive in his portrayals and comparative analyses covering poetry, philosophy, politics, and education. More than anything else, Sri Aurobindo gives us a firm foothold in the midst of history to institute our own measurements and calibrations under the safe authority of his hallowed arbitration. A point of caution here, however, is to avoid rigid literalism and hackneyed fact-fetishism so as to draw freely from Sri Aurobindo's liberating oeuvre. A further unrecognised aspect is any effort to understand the great Master also contributes to the overall urge for global wellbeing and evolution. [TNM55]
A democracy less noisy
Monday, December 16, 2013
Kejriwal and Kiran as lead pair
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2m
The Prafulla Mahanta syndrome too is another dampener for AAP prospects as cynicism overpowers the auto-correcting aspects of Democracy.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 9m
The Pramod Mahajan syndrome has altered the Indian politics irrevocably and crony capitalism hardly bothers anyone. AAP not taken seriously.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 26m
@Sheks65 2014 will be dominated by internecine fight among regional parties and the confusion generated would be mind boggling. Let's see.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 36m
Looking outside the Dynasty with whom the elite of the country would be most comfortable the name of Naveen comes to the mind but that's far
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 50m
The Congress balloon is sure to be punctured tomorrow and the subsequent slide down would be a painful dénouement after 130 eventful years.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2h
From Facebook groups to fighting Delhi Assembly Elections, AAP's journey has few parallels but breaking old loyalties is never an easy task.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 3h
Kejriwal and Kiran are the lead pair of the 2011 Anna show which broke all box-office records and their estrangement is bound to affect AAP.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 5h
@sabhlok You may be lauded for objectivity, impartiality, & courage but will accused of cruelty! Let him take rest after gruelling campaign.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 5h
Just like Delhi weather is National weather on TV, AAP, by virtue of fighting Elections in Delhi, evokes the impression of a National Party.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 6h
@omprakashgoenka That, ironically, holds good for the opposite eventuality too.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 6h
@Realist_Indian @smarket Being voted to Power precedes any modicum of governance and no escape from this reality which even AAP internalised.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 6h
Paradoxical that The Constitution of India employs technical terms in its Preamble without adequately defining and they aren't self-evident.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 24m
[Kalu Sarkar’s letter to Manoj Das Gupta, the Managing Trustee of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.] http://www.thelivesofsriaurobindo.com/2013/12/kalu-sarcars-letter-to-manoj-das-gupta.html …
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2h
RSS is hardly affected if BJP wins or loses, that's the advantage of being a cultural organization; its Calendar of Events for 2014 is ready.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 1h
@dr_rajpurohit As its funding is independent of whether BJP is in power or not & RSS men are in influential positions, BJP is merely a medal.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 1h
Happenings provoke thought & intricate ethical formulations. The timing might whet suspicion of hidden favour but merit of verdict matters.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 14m
@vijayvaani Discriminatory attitude towards fellow Indians on the basis of "Hindu credentials" is against the Hindu Civilisational rhetoric.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 22m
@vijayvaani @krishnarjun108 Please wait for the results tomorrow.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 29m
The country will remember him for ever for setting a noble precedent if Dr.MMS resigns tomorrow for the Congress poor show in the Elections.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 40m
@dr_rajpurohit As its funding is independent of whether BJP is in power or not & RSS men are in influential positions, BJP is merely a medal
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 53m
RSS is hardly affected if BJP wins or loses, that's the advantage of being a cultural organization; its Calendar of Events for 2014 is ready.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 1h
Many voluntary organizations registered as Society or Trust end up with cooking their books. A Company should be formed after a certain size
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 1h
TV has already heralded BJP as the victor but somehow I don't get the same feeling on Twitter; euphoria is missing means something is amiss!
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 1h
Profile of AAP would have got a huge boost if it had managed to win a couple of seats each in MP/CG/Raj. Elections come after 5 long years.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 1h
Rajya Sabha should be infused with new blood through the List System (PR) framed on the basis of State Assembly Elections held periodically.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2h
@ashutoshibn7 Not indicator exactly, but will pave the way for Third Front consolidation taking the lead till the Election results are out.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2h
Disproportionate presence of religious outfits in places of tourist interest and other scenic spots should be regulated across the country.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2h
Absurd legal bundling of half a dozen religions in India under the omnibus Hindu category must be reversed to permit citizens enjoy freedom.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2h
@bhoopalp Sure, you can always lodge your protest by citing specific cases of denigration which, i think, you have failed to do till now.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2h
Religion is a mind-game & all big faiths are house of cards. The message of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo can go viral at any moment on Twitter
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2h
Dominant world religions have no dearth of resources to expand their areas of influence. Savitri Era Religion relies upon truth & knowledge.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 2h
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee clinging to CM chair after suffering heavy losses in the Lok Sabha Election in 2009 is the most illegitimate tenure.
Savitri Era Party @SavitriEraParty 3h
@drishya_saakshi As a political party we are not dealing with any religion directly; our focus is rather on issues, parties & organizations.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Sri Aurobindo's Vedic dialectic of Integral Evolution
Rock and torch
The books by The Mother & Sri Aurobindo are the best antidote for the sophisticated seeming web of a bunch of Hindu Bhindranwales on Twitter.
Today when the world is groping under ideological confusion and metaphysical ambivalence, The Mother & Sri Aurobindo stand as rock and torch.
The Mother's groundbreaking work in Puducherry spanning six decades has hardly attracted attention of historians chronicling nation building.
Gokhale went to South Africa to meet Gandhi in 1912 as per British conspiracy. The Mother came to meet Sri Aurobindo in 1914 to negate that.
All those who feel that Sri Aurobindo has not got his due must come forward to express their gratitude on his passing away day on December 5.
If anyone or organization is planning a function on the passing away anniversary of Sri Aurobindo on December 5 please notify it on Twitter.
Sri Aurobindo's birthday on August 15 drowns in the Independence Day din. Let the nation remember him in a befitting fashion on December 5.
Sri Aurobindo is the greatest poet and author the world has produced so far. Digesting even a morsel is worth it from this 20th Century seer.
Election fever will be over on 4th. Please visit your nearest Sri Aurobindo Centre to pay homage on his passing away anniversary on 5th Dec.
@kuffir @sanjeevsanyal Sri Aurobindo is the safest framework to scrutinize anything from the tradition or the contemporary repertoire in.
Sri Aurobindo gave the Darwinian version of Evolution a wheel to move forward and a mirror to look back at the dawn. amazon.com/Evolution-Reli…
@sahilkhatri82 Wonderful but the image Nagpur evokes today is the Kafkaesque caucus called RSS that prevents flow of Sri Aurobindo's thought.
Sri Aurobindo's support for Allies in WW-II, Cripps offer, Wavel plan, Cabinet Mission, and #FiveDreams speech on Aug 14,1947 are landmarks.
Sri Aurobindo seems not very particular about the popular notion of reward or punishment for action but the Tehelka episode validates Karma!
RW stalwarts mortgaging their intelligence to Quixotic fantasy is a greater tragedy than India refusing the Cripps offer seven decades back.
Two decades have elapsed after End of History but the Left-Right divide refuses to die. Let's hope #AAP bridges the gap & ushers in Harmony.
Each vote for AAP in Delhi is a vote against medieval obscurantism espoused by RSS/BJP and the dynastic enslavement imposed by the Congress.
No need to dream of exotic revolutions like Spring or Jasmine since voting for the humble broom of AAP can cleanse the dirt of the nation.