If Nehru or Radhakrishnan couldn't recognise the greatness of Sri Aurobindo, it is a test of their own intellectuality which deprived three to four generations of right orientation apropos life and society. Not much seems to have changed but scholars have repudiated Radhakrishnan.
What you read in the past is not the final opinion. Books and articles are being published everyday and to keep yourself abreast is your responsibility. I have furnished the information. #SriAurobindo
https://t.co/qViCxRl2JN
I don't think Sri Aurobindo favoured any push back. His stress was on spiritual or at least philosophical orientation side by side. Even poetry. That's not happening.
Country is full of poets and artists in all languages but the tendency is to extol a few names of distant past. The concept of Classics needs to be reversed in some genres so that current talents gain deserved popularity and acclaim. Hero worship and halo hagiography is a disease.
Those hallucinating about BJP shouldn't forget that it's in power just because of division of votes in UP and elsewhere. It doesn't have a nationwide presence nor acceptance. Further, it has no chance of winning majority on its own unless it drops Hindutva and respects plurality.
Politics and Philosophy merge in Sri Aurobindo therefore in a seamless aspiration for spiritual heights and harmony in life. Even, the hassles of the body are not exempt from the inevetible transformation ensuing from Evolutionary impulsion. Final victory of course is over death.
That politics is not a fair game is known since the time of Mahabharata whereas in The Life Divine Sri Aurobindo promises a truly harmonious society. Though in the realm of possibility, this Evolutionary prophecy and distilled wisdom of Veda is worth believing in and working for.
History is increasingly turning a contested space for Hindutva protagonists but Sri Aurobindo speaks about the future. Even a page of his writings can change one's outlook provided an iota of openness or willingness is there. But before that appreciable appreciation of him needed
Lack of distinct ideological avenues will render Democracy more and more vulnerable. Civility and humility will be sacrificed to defeat the opponent at any cost. Media will be misused and facts will be manufactured. Imagined narratives will rule the roost. Dynasties might return.
From another point of view magnitude is not all; size is an illusion. Sri Aurobindo makes this point at many places; both in prose and poetry. The significance he attaches to human life and Evolution of Consciousness makes the Earth the most precious location in the whole Cosmos.
Sri Aurobindo used his creative genius to recreate many characters of the past and encouraged to read texts as literature than history or social theory. His interpretation of the Veda demolished the carefully built notion of it being prayers to nature-gods in a primitive society. https://t.co/LSRoWXM8iz
Great feeling to rub shoulders with top journalists, columnists, authors, and other public intellectuals on Twitter but far more joy on discovering their dishonesty, rigidity, and monochromatic stand. That they are paid or sponsored is so patent and how this country lacks talent.
Numerous erstwhile supporters now who have withdrawn their confidence on Modi. Savitri Era Party on the other hand has extended support to Modi govt without diluting opposition to Hindutva. This is an Evolutionary stand and not many on Twitter have understood its unique import.
I have pointed out umpteen times that Sri Aurobindo is the best brand and it's up for grabs. I enjoy the first mover's advantage but it can be challenged and usurped by any intrepid newcomer. But most are unable to renounce their loyalty elsewhere. "No man can serve two masters."
Indian population can be divided into four groups of almost equal size.
1. Tradition loving Hindus
2. Liberals ensconced in plurality
3. Dalits and urban poor
4. Muslims and backward castes.
Beneath the economic facade, narrative defines much and Sri Aurobindo is the alternative.
With power, resources, and technology, Hindutva camp has the best opportunity ever to craft theory and build bridges. But that entails tons of magnanimity and perceptive faculty to discern how opposites overlap or dovetail. Sri Aurobindo delves into the detail; refuses to curtail
There seems to be some well meaning confusion on Sri Aurobindo's theory of Evolution vis-a-vis Darwin's. They are separate domains and there's no connection between them. The best course is to, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."
A few handles claiming access to spiritual experience at will keep on spewing hatred to espouse Hindu supremacy although Sri Aurobindo has never thrown his weight behind any such chauvinism. They forget how much they give #SriAurobindo a bad name but The Masters perforce forgive.
Finance is the Achilles' heel of most Hindutva acolytes. They prefer to turn a Nelson’s eye to corruption or treat it as a Hobson's choice in politics. Besides, there's always the possibility to fall back upon some friend in Lisbon. Dharma and Karma however are eternally vigilant
Metaphors abound but Duryodhan's thigh is yet to match Achilles' heel in terms of utility or durability https://t.co/oCFNHXe99D
Collective issues in TV debates create the illusion of being real and doable whereas the truth is each individual is different and has freedom. Suppressing that under theoretical constructs renders the argument invalid and absurd. Besides imagining others in terms of past flawed.
Democracy being a game of numbers, demographic fault-lines are bound to appear in sharp relief. Glossing over such explicit symptoms by citing some imagined idealism doesn't assure full remedy. Sovereignty to the States is the only means for organic emergence of local solutions.
Pragati Dal was a pioneer that triggered mergers: BKD, BLD, & Janata Party. Then came the splits and personality based parties are the order of the day. So a Democratic party looks like a chimera. Charisma matters and media has a big hand. Still Evolution will have the last laugh
No one has more experience than Modi of watching horrors of Hindutva in Gujarat and his transformation is akin to Ashoka. RSS too understands the futility of Akhanda Bharat or Hindu Rashtra dream and prefers to pay lip-service. Pragmatism can enable BJP to occupy the mainstream.
Not many full-stops in the middle of a line perhaps unlike such enjambement in his early long poems. That may be a third category.
Fine, if you're so sure; but you can expand on this and try to write two-three pages by summarising the comparison. That would whet appetite to know alternative appraisals and a quest for if there exists something like truth at all. Thanks.
A PhD degree is valued highly not for the degree itself or for the content of the dissertation but for the whole orientation and discipline the exercise imparts. Theory-wise, it's a baby-step, but competence in research methodology and respect for alternative voices are big gains
A Paper has a fascist tone. It sets out some hypothesis and then seeks to argue it to be true. And it appears to be so during those ten to fifteen minutes when whose listening are busy examining every other aspect of the presenter than his nascent brainwave. Then it's forgotten.
Irreverence and arrogance are staple in Twitter but many a time it's a cloak for ignorance and inferiority complex. Instead of focusing on some negative aspects of a person, one can benefit from his knowledge and overall orientation. But, ad hominem is so rampant and respectable.
Sri Aurobindo had his formal education in England and hence the imprint of Western grounding in his writings is unmistakable. Besides he is trying to impress upon the British about the necessity of Freedom. He needs to be assessed through the lens of his intended target audience.
Current political situation in the country is fluid and transitional. Congress has nothing new to offer and BJP going slow on Hindutva is an indication. Expecting govt to provide free food and other necessities is negation of Democracy and freedom. A Nanny state is the last thing
Once derided many songs or movies acquire the status of Classic over the years. That's how human judgement functions. Vairagya too implies dissatisfaction about the present and longing for some unknown Perfection. Most don't subscribe to such a supposition. Sri Aurobindo approves.
Who is actually behind the protests is still a matter of speculation. Just like the ones during 2010-11. Unless that's established conclusively, a superficial view is likely to mislead. Who benefits from such polarisation may provide a clue.
I don't think questions should be questioned till all dimensions are examined and doubts are cleared. There's no gainsaying of the fact that our history text books have been doctored in the past to dish out myriad cooked up stories. Weeding out distortions is the need of the hour.
Sri Aurobindo wrote more than 100 years ago but most are unwilling to accept of the meaning of cow or horse in the Veda according to his symbolic interpretation. Widespread misunderstanding over Rituals prevails as a result as common folks are being exploited. But no one protests
Ethical paradigm of Sri Aurobindo stemmed from English poetry and was resuscitated by his studies in Gita and Upanishads. This he sought to apply to Nationalism and called it a religion. The motivation however was to inspire the nation against British rule but many misinterpret.
Sri Aurobindo's letter to his wife where he outlines his three madnesses is well-known. Two other letters to his two brothers are also seminal in his life.
1. Letter to younger brother Barin in Bengali (1920)
2. Letter to elder brother Manmohan on poetry: https://t.co/5qLzv0vztZ
[Module-2: Reading Poetry
T Dutt, OC Tree - BACHELORS DEGREE PROGRAMME:
Manmohan Ghose, who is today better remembered as the elder brother of Aurobindo Ghose (better known as Sri Aurobindo), spent a number of years in England and published his early poems in Primavera (1890)...]
[Why Sri Aurobindo's Hermeneutics Still Matters: Philology and the Transformative Possibilities of Scripture... Ayon Maharaj
Forthcoming in Rita Sherma & Arvind Sharma (eds.), Hermeneutics and Hindu Thought (Springer). #SriAurobindo’s sophisticated hermeneutic understudied essay]
A site with many treasures on #SriAurobindo
[The Light of the Supreme
The Yantra of the Sentence
1227: Sentence Diagram of 44.19 #11226 by narendra published on Friday, February 14th 2020, 5:15:00 am Sentence:
A dream of living woke in Matter’s heart, ...]
https://t.co/BwWoGgLbvP
Local traditions are so overpowering that most find it difficult to accept Sri Aurobindo. Not in Odisha.
[ଉପନ୍ୟାସରୁ କଥାଚିତ୍ର
ଅନେକ ଓଡ଼ିଆ କଥାଚିତ୍ର ଉପନ୍ୟାସର ବିଷୟବସ୍ତୁକୁ ଆଧାର କରି ନିର୍ମାଣ କରାଯାଇଛି, ସେଥିମଧ୍ୟରୁ କେତୋଟି ହେଲା: ଓଡ଼ିଆ କଥାଚିତ୍ର ଜଗତ - ଉଇକିପିଡ଼ିଆ] @MIUI| https://t.co/NbiT9GHqDy
Translation of Durga Stotra by Sri Aurobindo #SriAurobindo
[Sikander Alam, Bhikari Bal & S. Janaki sing 'Singha Bahini...' in Odia Movie ''Mana Akasha' (1974) Lyrics : Shibabrata Das Music : Upendra Kumar] https://t.co/gc3jMcWVwk
[This has been written by Sri Aurobindo, titled "Who" and translated by Prof. Sushma Tej, wife of revered Gobind Tej.]
Chittaranjan Jena sings 'Kahare Kiese....' in Odia Movie 'Krushna Sudama' (1976) https://t.co/ThQ2M7gyhw
Events relating to The Mother & Sri Aurobindo in Odisha is a daily affair but don't find place in Twitter. This is surprising. Annual Conference at Cuttack during April 4-7, 2020 is a much-awaited event the details of which are available at: https://t.co/6d6VuVH9AJ
#SriAurobindo https://t.co/oCDlUI5WuD
Please don't downgrade Mohapatra. Mahapatra by definition is a great person without any need for verification. Quality matters and not mere prominence or popularity. Thanks. @SavitriEraParty
2.2.1974 Green Melody https://t.co/DANINspPJl
Congratulations and many thanks for the good work. Now, can I request an entry on me as quid pro quo for this appreciation?
Not feeling motivated to go out; watching this for inspiration. https://t.co/QOfFaCkKSX
Reciting a page or two of #Savitri is an easy way of remembering the profundity and complexity of our inner as well as outer universes which are eclipsed by the pressure of current affairs. Connecting with #SriAurobindo is itself a leap into the lap of Evolutionary inevitability.
Sri Aurobindo has roots in Ionian and Vedic wisdom. Integrating them with Myers, James, and Bergson, he has formulated a psychological architecture the like of which is yet to be discovered by science. His stress on Yoga for collaborating with Evolution has further pertinence.
Sri Aurobindo has recorded his indebtedness to Dayananda, Ramakrishna, John Woodroffe, et al. But it's important to remember his cautionary remark: nothing less, nothing more. The interpretation and integration Sri Aurobindo executes is like a new product after chemical reaction.
Hindutva handles excell at mocking without engaging; the rationale being others are incorrigible. They have a point given the level of indoctrination among Leftists. But the truth is somewhere in between. Diligent scrutiny as attempted by Sri Aurobindo can reorder one's thinking.
Realising greatness of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo can easily dissolve high impression on Dayananda, Vivekananda, Tagore, Gandhi, Ramana, Radhakrishnan, Yogananda, Savarkar, Ambedkar, Lohia, Periyar, Namboodiripad, Golwalkar, et al. It's like being released from intellectual jail.
A deadly virus obviously warrants urgent action to contain it but the virus that's corrupting the psyche of the nation is alive and kicking in the history books. Unless they are overhauled, it's difficult to spread the Evolutionary theory, science, and aesthetics of Sri Aurobindo.
Nationalism and Internationalism have been amply debated during the last 200 years but no firm indication is available for what shape it will take in the future. Sri Aurobindo foresaw #WorldUnion as a federation but he is more comfortable with a psychological glue for human unity.
History books are the cause of perpetual torment for Hindutva sympathisers. They reserve visceral hatred for dominant players. Unfortunately, the past can't be amended but they plead for legitimatising legends and portions of mythological fiction by including them in text books.
Gandhi, Subhas, Tagore, Tilak are invoked in the evergreen Upkar song Mere desh ki dharti by Mahendra Kapoor. They still have relevance no doubt especially for understanding the current focus on Hindutva and Nationalism. But leaving out Sri Aurobindo from the picture is an error.
Perennial questions are surely worth pursuing but the West is still parochial in identifying resources. Awareness about Sri Aurobindo or Savitri is minimal. Bridging this gap remains a challenge even in a digital environment. So much of Soft Power that India has suffers neglect.
Sense of proportion or right mix is the essence of success. Critique of Kant can be understood as the exact dose defining medicine since excess may turn it toxic. Auchitya in poetry is a similar concept but how such sensitivity can really be accomodated within the hubbub of life?
Not distinguishing between instincts, beliefs, and ideas is a basic flaw if one is not oriented in Yoga psychology. Sri Aurobindo explains different layers of consciousness like physical, vital, mental, and psychic following which helps to shed rigidity on religion or nationalism.
Punjab militancy was at its height when I migrated to Delhi in 1988. Looking at the abysmal level of political situation in Punjab today it's really surprising how an agitation of such order was at all attempted as well as sustained over such a long period. How ideology misguides
Ideology obviously necessitates further fine-tuning and Delhi defeat can teach many a new thing. Hindutva albatross has to be abandoned, lock, stock, and barrel. Future Evolution should be the focus and there's no other option than to follow Sri Aurobindo, hook, line, and sinker.
Many including me were surprised when I started supporting Modi govt. on discovering it pursuing Nehruvian consensus and Kulkarni doctrine. Gandhi got dusted against rabid Hindutva. Supporters are livid but Modi forced this revision persuaded perhaps by the Resident Intellectual.
No one gives much credence to this dimension but true even after five years. https://t.co/gIg2eg5XKW
Stranger https://t.co/rXDD32Q6Tj
Sri Aurobindo wrote in English which the masses are not aware of. His works baffled even English professors. They're all in the Vedic tradition; to understand one has to develop sufficient appreciation. But resistance to him is rampant; removing that by a new narrative is tedious.
Supply creates its own demand and personal preferences too evolve. So appreciating something should be spontaneous including what seems like unconventional.
A classic piece by another Desai [The dhania factor
Santosh Desai The Times of India - Saturday, July 10, 2004
Paisa vasool. The ultimate Indian idea of good value; not to be confused with miserliness.] https://t.co/2usDMTQAvp
1856 - 2019
[Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was the most prominent campaigner for Hindu widow remarriage and the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856 was passed.]
[The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 became law on 31 July 2019, replacing the earlier ordinance.]
When the focus is on Delhi, let's not forget that the city is no longer suitable to be the Capital. A new capital should be built at a more central location like Jharsuguda or Sundargarh. Discovering the real India is necessary for spurring uniform Development across the country.
Winning a fresh mandate is commendable but keep it limited to two terms. Democracy in India is suffering miserably due to this expectation of holding on to power perpetually. Discrepancies creep in in party functioning and degeneration of values and survival instinct precipitate.
Complain about difficulty in understanding Sri Aurobindo is common, but actually it's simple. Aspiring for Perfection or Freedom is Philosophy. Constantly endeavouring to unite own limited perspective to larger vistas of Consciousness and Light is Yoga. Both are of Vedic vintage.
Engaging with public affairs is the task; not only for benefits but rather for the sake of honing ethics. So, sheer mundane concern is not the motivation; quest for a more humane and compassionate approach is the aim. From spiritual point of view, the search for order and beauty.
There must be a local Trust. Almost all institutions connected with The Mother & Sri Aurobindo in Odisha are independent bodies. They are however guided by some basic norms like avoiding religion and politics. As imperfections are persistent, it will take long for transformation.
Democracy is not about winning Elections by hook or by crook. Civility is the first necessity. Transparency, policy, and ideology are paramount. Ensuring how these are communicated unadulterated while seeking a mandate is crucial. Losing Election is never a defeat; rather a spur.
I support the Modi govt now but that doesn't make my old stand against Modi invalid. Don't forget how Ramdev, Anna Hazare, Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Modi manipulated the public sphere during 2010-14 for capturing power. That's the biggest fraud on Indian Democracy in recent memory.
Street spectacle before elections is becoming common for effective stimulation via television. Stray issues are whipped up to create conspicuous commotion. Nothing to fault with these as means of Democratic negotiation but Polity needs to be protected from humongous manipulation.
[Sri Aurobindo's Relics came to Odisha for the first time to Jagatsinghpur, and Jeypore of district Koraput... Relics has come to Odisha sixteen times to seventy-three places. And at each time Relics is received by Government of Odisha with state honour.]
https://t.co/yLS7ovk0hb
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