Journey of Savitri

Christians charged with tampering with Sri Aurobindo's works

Posted February 20, 2004 newindpress.com http://www.sulekha.com/redirectNh.asp?cid=327119

PONDICHERRY: Cases were filed in the Chief Judicial Magistrate court at Alipore, Kolkata, on August 28 against the trustees of Sri Aurobindo Ashram and others for tampering the works of Sri Aurobindo, particularly his magnum opus `Savitri'. According to a communication from Sri Aurobindo Ashram Beneficiaries Association, the accused are Manoj Dasgupta, Dr Dilip Dutta, Vedprakash Johar, Albert Patel (all trustees of Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust), Nirodbaran, Amal Kiran alias K.D Sethna, Peter Heehs, Richard Hartz, Ranganath and Mira Gupta. They have been charged with sections 420(cheating), 460(fruad) and 120 B (Criminal conspiracy) of IPC.

He chose Sri Aurobindo’s life and work as the subject for his doctoral thesis

Historic epistles on Kashmir G.S. Bhargava The Tribune - Chandigarh, India Sunday, December 10, 2006
Jammu and Kashmir, 1949-64. Select Correspondence between Jawaharlal Nehru and Karan Singhby Karan Singh. Penguin/Viking. Pages 374. Rs. 595

A product of Doon School and Delhi University, Karan Singh is a multifaceted scholar. He made a deep study of Hinduism, in which his proficiency in Sanskrit was naturally handy; he chose Sri Aurobindo’s life and work as the subject for his doctoral thesis. I still remember a public meeting at Sapru House, New Delhi, about 50 years ages ago, I guess, at which the then Principal of his alma mater, Gurmukh Nihal Singh, felicitated him on his scholastic accomplishment. Karan Singh then held the select audience spellbound with his eloquence and erudition. His intellectual brilliance remained undimmed for the last 40 years during which I had the privilege of watching him, even when he was a Cabinet Minister in Chaudhry Charan Singh’s defector government.

The pioneering role of Navajyoti founded by Shri Prapatti

Navajyoti completes its 49th year Navajyoti edited by Biswambhara Samanta and published by Navajyoti Publication, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry has completed its 49th year of uninterrupted publication. Founded by Shri Prapatti under the inspiration of Shri Ramakrishna Das, this quarterly in Oriya is witness and instrumental to an unprecedented spiritual efflorescence in Orissa in the last half-century.

Of course, the popular appeal of its younger sibling Navaprakash, a monthly, is far higher; but the pioneering role of Navajyoti in carrying the message of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo from distant Puducherry to remote corners of Orissa has few parallels. Reading of Murari Pukur in the rural environs of Sailo Jharpara appears to be a miracle even today. # posted by Tusar N Mohapatra

Sri Aurobindo College, Malviya Nagar

No campus of its own, this college runs from a school building. While Du looks at means to expand seats for accommodating the proposed 27 per cent OBC quota, Newsline looks at infrastructure in city colleges Neha Sinha Indian Express Home> Delhi> News Thursday , December 07, 2006

New Delhi, December 6: For Delhi University’s Sri Aurobindo College, Malviya Nagar, increasing seats for reservation from the next academic session will be a nightmare. Reason: the college has been running both its morning shifts—since 1972- and evening shifts—1984 onwards—from a cramped school building. With DU set to increase seat intake by 54% for reservation in social science and commerce courses, here’s why the going will be difficult: some colleges in DU do not even have a ‘college’ building, and are operating from school buildings for years.

The original ten acre land allotted for Sri Aurobindo at Kishangarh near Vasant Kunj is actually ridge land. “It has been decades since we have been in this school building...we are told that the original land can never be re-claimed. Over the years, the number of students and courses have gone up. Just running two colleges from the same school building is a struggle,’’ says Bimlesh Yadav, principal, Sri Aurobindo College, evening.

Georges Van Vrekhem speaks on the Second World War

December 6 at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, 8 Shakespeare Sarani; 5.45 pm: Georges Van Vrekhem will speak on The Importance of the Second World War. Calcutta Telegraph - Calcutta,India Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Aurobindonian

[15] This adjectival form of Sri Aurobindo was coined by senior disciple and author Amal Kiran (K. D. Sethna) and has since become standard, if a google book and google scholar search are anything to go by. However Tusar N. Mohapatra has recently argued that "The last o in Sri Aurobindo is not necessary for pronunciation of the name, and hence a simple Aurobindian is good for all seasons". See blog post dated 23 Aug 2006 "Savitri Era is our religion" ... So even if Aurobindonian is grammatically incorrect, it is still the more common adjectival form in print.
-- Alan Kazlev, Integral Esotericism, A new Integral paradigm in theory and practice, Part One: Introduction

He offered his farmland in Shamsabad for housing the Auroville

Sir Akbar Hydari succeeded Maharaja Kishen Pershad as Prime Minister in 1936...After five years as Prime Minister, his relations with the Nizam seemed to have cooled off. One reason for that was that Akbar could not get the Berar back to the Nizam. In 1941 he was appointed a member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy. The Nizam gave him the title of Hyder Nawaz Jung and relieved him. He was not very happy at going to Delhi. Soon after going to Delhi, he passed away in 1942. His body was brought back to Hyderabad and buried in the Bohra graveyard in Hussaini Alam.

He was a kind person and very simple in his habits. He made people feel at ease with him. On the death of his brother, he adopted his three children and brought them up as his own. He was a devout Muslim but many people have testified to his broad, liberal outlook. His house was somewhat of a cultural centre and artists and writers used to visit it frequently. Ravi Shankar’s elder brother, Uday Shankar came and stayed with him. He offered his farmland in Shamsabad for housing the Aurobindo Ashram, which was later established at Pondicherry. Posted by Narendra Luther Archives at 4:16 PM Historian of Hyderabad, India.

It was a great and moving experience

The heady days at IIMB: My two year stint at IIMB will surely rank as one of the great periods of my life...The hostel as I said was a new experience for me and I like the experience very much. Had a great time with a great friends circle. Ramanan, Arun Balakrishnan, Shekar, Swapan Ray, Radhakrishnan, Abhishek Mukerjee, Bramachari R Srinivasan(Chinu), Yeshwanth, TVN Srini where some who readily come to mind .. there was a lot of bonhommie within the group and we had good times no matter which group we where in.

There where great outings such as a 3 day stay at Aurobindo Ashram & Auroville at Pondicherry as guests of the Auroville Foundation. It was a great and moving experience. If I remember right the group that went included Mike Manohar, Surya Rao, Amarnath Bhat, Ramanan, Chitty from the Library and self... December 03 9:25 PM charmwood8.spaces.live.com

M. Srinivasan speaks on Sri Aurobindo

Engagements - In Chennai Today

Aurobindo Society: M. Srinivasan speaks on Sri Aurobindo and Bankim Chander,

5, Smith Road, Anna Salai, 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 The Hindu

Auroville incense sticks

Home is where the incense burns: Every morning I wake up in a foreign country that perhaps will never be home. But when I open my canister of carefully rationed Leo coffee powder the strong aroma reminds me only of Madras. And if I close my eyes, I am there.

Amma’s home is the smell of rose petals in an urli, bodhi sattva incense, withering parijatham and malli. Ripe mangoes in season and water infused with vetiver roots in summer. Coriander, curry leaves and Sabena. These smells mingle to produce a bouquet that can perhaps never be replicated, and even if it were only two people would want a bottle of it – my sister and myself. I’ve done my best to recreate the smell of home in my small corner of London.

Every trip to Madras sees me return with ridiculous quantities of Auroville incense sticks and Giri Trading’s annual stock of sambrani. I go overboard though, and it’s not uncommon to see my husband red eyed and spluttering as he drinks his morning chai, enveloped in a white gauzy aromatic mist.But I can’t help myself. The scented candles and incense you get in London do not remind me of my home but of Laura Ingall Wilder and her little house on the prairie. Sweet Potato Pie, Washed Linen and Spiced Cranberry say Thanksgiving not Thai Poosam. posted by The ramblings of a shoe fiend @ 9:49 AM

Auroville- A city for the future

Auroville- A city for the future. It belongs to no one but to humanity as a whole. Set in the jungle of southern india there are almost 5000 residents from around the world. The city sprawls on green land to the ocean. It was once barren land which has been revived by the Aurovillians. Very interesting. A nice place to rest for a while. Write, bike, yoga, farm, meditate, eat, read, swim and get away from a lot of the hassles that India has to offer. Although they still exist even here.

Well it has been quite a day. I finally tracked down a photographer that I have been trying to get a hold of for a couple of months now. He lives here in Auroville-'the city the earth needs'. I picked up his post card when I was in India last time. Immediatly I fell in love with his photos. He has a way of capturing the beauty in this crazy place. So we met and talked and he agreed to allow me to incorperate his photos into my play. Very exciting.

I spent the afternoon visiting the heart of Auroville, the Martimindir. It is a giant golden globe, like a cross of science world and the epcor center. Inside 'the petals' is giant marble meditation room with white carpets and a glass ball. It is a process of three days before you are allowed to enter meditate inside. I have done two. Today I entered the building. There is scaffolding everywhere as it is still under construction. Entering the dome was as close to entering a space ship I think I will ever come. A group of us were led up the rickity wooden stairs to the inside the chamber. It was incredible. The dome of marble soars above, there is nothing but white. One ray of sunlight is fed from the ceiling onto the glass ball in the center. Awe inspiring. Tommorow I will meditate.

Time to jump back on my bike and make my way back to my guest house. Dark is settling and I don't want to bike in the dark. My bike is from 1919....okay maybe 1942. I think it was left behind by the British. It has two seperate handle bar grips and is covered in rust. I can picture myself as I labour down the red dirt road peddling with all my might. Floppy white sunhat on my head, pink flip flops, thai pants and backpack. Hot. The bike was included in the room, so are my meals, laundry. Not bad for less than $10 canadian. Oh, and I have an extra bed so if anyone wants to come for a sleep over I will be here until Thursday. 4:21 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Kari Edwards (1954 - 2006)

The Loss of a Writer, Teacher, & Activist kari edwards (1954 - 2006)

From Kevin Killian:
Yes, it’s true about kari’s death and here in the Bay Area we are all still in shock as I imagine her friends all over the country and elsewhere are as well. Fran Blau asked me to spread the word about, well, something you can do in kari’s memory if you care to, and that’s to make a donation to Cinema Paradiso, the international cinema in Auroville, the visionarycommunity in southern India where kari and Fran had spent a happy year + together.
Checks should be made out to:Auroville Maintenance Fundand sent to:Financial ServicesTown Hall AnnexAuroville 605101Tamil NaduIndia
Please note that it’s to support “Cinema Paradiso” and that your gift is in memory of kari edwards. Thanks everyone. If anyone needs an update or whatever feel free to get in touch with me,
Kevin K.

From Geoffrey Gatza:
Tragic News - kari edwards
It was announced over our many poetry lists that a dear friend and brilliant poet, kari edwards passed a short while ago. I was working with her on her latest book, having been blue for charity. We were set to release it shortly. And with no motive other than coming together for her we have placed this book online as an ebook at her BlazeVOX [books] webpage.
Webpage: http://www.blazevox.org/bk-ke.htm
Direct link to book: http://www.blazevox.org/ebk-ke.pdf
This is simply a stunning book and I urge you to spend a moment with kari’s poetry. I don’t know what else to say as I am numb.
Best, Geoffrey
Geoffrey Gatza BlazeVOX [books] www.blazevox.org

Musicians influenced by Ken Wilber and Sri Aurobindo

Call for Musicians Cecilia Suhr

I am looking for musicians in and around NYC area who are influenced by Ken Wilber and Sri Aurobindo, Integral Theory, or who associate their music with Avant Garde... It's not just for playing music but also for a dissertation research. Thanks
much love, cecilia suhr. 12:32 AM -Tuesday, December 05, 2006

People pay homage to Sri Aurobindo

Puducherry, Dec 5: People from different parts of the country thronged the premises of Sri Aurobindo Ashram here to pay homage at the samadhi of the revolutionary turned philosopher Sri Aurobindo on the occasion of his 56th memorial day (Mahasamadhi Day) today.

Arrangements were made to enable devotees visit the chamber where the saint did his spiritual tapas in the ashram. Sri Aurobindo came to Puducherry in 1910 and devoted himself to spiritual work and 'sadhana.' (Agencies) cibs@chennaionline.com

They were dedicated souls

Tusar N Mohapatra has posted in Aurora Mirabilis on December 02, 2006: #

Jagabandhu Behura and Amar Singh are no more

I knew them personally and came into their personal contact some times during 1970’s and 1980’s during the course of doing The Mother’s work. Both of them were true and worthy children of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. They were dedicated souls, in search of the New Light. The Grace of The Mother and The Lord will be with them for ever ! Barin Chaki 04-12-2006 Posted by Barin at 2:22 AM Labels: Miscellany

Yearn for that certain something

My father was a karmayogi; for him his work was his worship. My mom on the other hand, I have seen her go from idol worship to searching for her inner self. From Sri Chinmayananda to Ramakrishna Paramhansa to the teachings of Sri Aurobindo Ghosh and Mother, I have grown up watching her yearn for that certain something.

Growing up, it was all hogwash to me. She would sit us down and talk to us about the stuff she had read, it would be so simplistic but yet so hard to believe. "Amma how could you believe in such stuff" my mind would yell out but I would keep it to myself in fear of hurting her feelings...

But lately I have realized that yeah probably there is some truth to her words. We just love the company of some but absolutely hate the sight of the others. We vibe well with some and get along better with them. Is it coz we are attracting like forces. Maybe so.....Posted by An Iengar Chick ....

Sri Aurobindo School of Eastern and Western thought

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:26:45 -0600 Balasubramanian: The Enworlded Subjectivity by Career assessment @ Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:26:45 -0600 Started his career in 1950. He taught in Besant Theosophical college, Vivekanada College and ... He started Sri Aurobindo School of Eastern and Western thought at Pondicherry University and was its first Chairman for five years. ...

Ujwal of Aurobindo International School in Vidyanagar

India Positive Think India...Think positive... Monday, December 04, 2006 Ujwal Bhat has a way with Calendars

This child prodigy, a walking-talking calendar of sorts, has memorised 500 calendar years between 1600 and 2100. And, for this extraordinary feat, he made it to the coveted ‘Limca Book of Records' this year. Ujwal, a class VI student of Aurobindo International School in Vidyanagar, can rattle off answers for questions in any combination of day, date, month or year in a matter of a few seconds. Read report Posted by venkatesh

Jagabandhu Behura and Amar Singh are no more with us

A leading light of The Mother's work in the Western Orissa, Jagabandhu Behura of Rajgangpur passed away on September 6, 2oo6 at the age of 80 at Bhubaneswar.

Another Orissa associate and an ardent devotee of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo, Amar Singh, aged 97 years, left his body on November 10, 2006 at Noida.

The Transformation of the Body

Arabinda Basu is a member of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry India. He previously taught at the University level in England. He has been a frequent visitor and lecturer in the United States and is editor of "Gavesana".

Wayne Bloomquist is currently the president of the Sri Aurobindo Association. He and his wife, Surama, handle the national book distribution for the writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Wayne received his doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco where he was first introduced to Integral Yoga by the late Haridas Chaudhuri. He is keenly interested in the physical transformation of the body. Wayne is the author of "Search for the Soul", "The Soul and its Power", and the forthcoming "The Finding of the Soul".

Michael Murphy is co-founder and Chairman of the Board of the Esalen Institute, and author of three novels: "Golf in the Kingdom", "Jacob Atabet", and "An End to Ordinary History". His nonfiction works include "The Life We Are Given", a book about transformative practice co-authored with George Leonard, and "The Future of the Body". He has been inspired by Sri Aurobindo and lived for over a year at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, India.

Bryan Walton was a resident of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry and at Auroville from 1971-1980. As a photographer, he has been fascinated by the visual and cultural similarities he has found in his travels around the world. Integrating poetry, pictures and music, Bryan produces multi-media presentations on world cultures, art, and religion. He is currently working with several universities in the Madison, Wisconsin area.

The Sri Aurobindo Association in America Presents A ground breaking Conference CELLULAR EVOLUTION - The Transformation of the Body October 11-15, 1995 The Airport Clarion Hotel San Francisco, California

The reason is the bar

jeudi, 30 novembre 2006 Aurobindo

Le mental est une aide

Le mental est l’entrave

Aurobindo

+ + +

Avremo gran difficoltà a trasformare la vita esteriore e il corpo. Oppure ci accorgeremo che la nostra azione non risponde alla luce che ci illumina interiormente, ma che obbedisce ancora ai vecchi imperfetti influssi; un abisso doloroso separerà ancora la Verità che è in noi, dal meccanismo ignorante della nostra natura esteriore... come se vivessimo in un altro mondo, più vasto e più sottile, ma senza presa divina, o può darsi senza presa di nessuna specie sull'esistenza materiale e terrestre (Sri Aurobindo, The Synthesis of Yoga, 1955 pag. 105).

I want to be a humble devotee silently crying in my privacy

Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram: and Annai the Mother from France December 1, 2006 at 8:21 pm · Filed under Personal

Annai (Mother) from France settled in Pondicherry and understood deeply the significance of India’s strength. Till her last breath she spread just Love for suffering human and non-suffering humans.
The Great Aurobindo invited her in a trance and dream. She came to India.
She advised Indians to concentrate on the Spiritual wealth of India, which is strength and peace of an individual for personal, his relatives and World Peace.
It is a very difficult concept to explain. We may have to experience it, and revel the grace of true love of Annai without any boundaries or conditions.
The above is an Intro for a special request by Pranita to know about Annai of Pondicherry, Aurobindo ashram..
Well, I can write thousands of words – but the love of Annai cannot be understood. Just like Puttbarthi Satya Sai., who is above our reach, but he is with us always.
Please give me time to write more. There are many devotees and sites. I can give a link to the sites. That is all I can do. I am a poor devotee (in the sense of spirituality). I want to be a humble devotee silently crying in my privacy, even inside a bathroom.
Ilayaraja has sung a beautiful song on Annai – Malar Pondra Manam Vendum Thaye, which was the opening song in Vijay TV many years ago. The meaning of the opening words is ; Give a Mind as beautiful, blissful to love the entire world – I pray to you Mother’ And the subsequent lines of the song are even more blissful. Let us pray to Annai (Mother) for success in our life Permalink

D.N. Wadia was also influenced by Aurobindo Ghosh

After completing his school education, at the age of 16, Wadia joined the Baroda College, which was then affiliated to Bombay University. From Baroda College, Wadia completed two BSc degrees. His first BSc degree, which he obtained in 1903, was in Zoology and Botany. He obtained his second BSc degree in 1905, which was in Botany and Geology. Wadia’s interest in geology was aroused by his teacher at the Baroda College, Adarjee M. Masani, a keen naturalist and Professor of Natural history.

In those days Baroda College did not have sufficient facilities for imparting education in geology therefore whatever Wadia learned was mostly through selfstudy. At Baroda College, Wadia was also influenced by Aurobindo Ghosh, who was then a Professor of English. Aurobindo later turned a mystic, philosopher and saint. In 1905 Wadia was appointed Fellow of the Baroda College. He completed his MSc degree in Biology and Geology in 1906. The geological specimen kept in the Museum of Arts and Science at Baroda greatly helped Wadia to pursue his geological studies. The Museum was set up under the patronage of the then ruler of Baroda State, Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwar. e-mail: mahantisubodh@hotmail.com

The young men of Bengal have taken the charge

A new era begins. The young men of Bengal have taken the charge of the movement started by 'Sri Aurobindo's Action' to commemorate the Centenary of Sri Aurobindo's return to Bengal. The Youth section of Sri Aurobindo's Action, West Bengal have already conducted three whole day youth camps at Howrah, Hooghly and Malda districts in the months of September, October and November respectively. After the camp few enthusiastic young have started monthly 'youth sittings' at their respective places. Youth section wants to conduct youth camps in different districts of West Bengal and build up a strong network among the present young generation who are interested to implement the teachings of Sri Aurobindo in their everyday life. In this great venture we expect active participation and help from all the like minded people, especially young ones from every corner. Editorial Watchword What is Youth Young and the Future Integral Yoga and Ordinary Life Online Guideline Light for Students