Sri Aurobindo: Confluence of Nationalism and Spirituality

Sri Aurobindo Society home about sas sas activities News from Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) Upcoming Events
1 and 2 December 2009
On 1 December 2009, Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education observed its 66th anniversary by presenting a play 'The word of Light' - Glimpses of Sri Aurobindo's Life through his poetry in the Ashram theatre at 8 pm.
The Department of Physical Education of the Ashram has a physical demonstration at the Ashram's Sports ground on 2nd December 2009. The theme of the programme was "The Next Future". The programme includes March Past, Vande Mataram, Thy Brave Soldiers, O Sovereign Force, Mass Exercises, Hero Warriors, A Step Ahead, Waves of Harmony, The Army of Truth, Ascent, Our Resolve and Gratitude and the National Anthem as the finale.
Maha-Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo - 5 December
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo left his body on 5 December 1950. The Body was laid to rest in the Samadhi after four days, on 9 December 1950. The body did not show any sign of decay or decomposition during this period. A few saw a golden spiritual light around the body.
Our gratitude to the physical body of Sri Aurobindo was expressed by the Mother and has been inscribed on the Samadhi:
To Thee who hast been the material envelope of our Master, to Thee our infinite gratitude. Before Thee who hast done so much for us, who hast worked, struggled, suffered, hoped, endured so much, before Thee who hast willed all, attempted all, prepared, achieved all for us, before Thee we bow down and implore that we may never forget, even for a moment, all we owe to Thee.
On 5 December 2009, there will be a visit to Sri Aurobindo's Room. There will also be collective meditation around the Samadhi in the morning and at the Playground in the evening. We give below a quote of the Mother on the significance of Sri Aurobindo's work and how we can participate in the birth of the New Creation:
Sri Aurobindo came upon earth to announce the manifestation of the supramental world and not merely did he announce this manifestation but embodied also in part the supramental force and showed by example what one must do to prepare oneself for manifesting it. The best thing we can do is to study all that he has told us and endeavour to follow his example and prepare ourselves for the new manifestation. This gives life its real sense and will help us to overcome all obstacles. Let us live for the new creation and we shall grow stronger and stronger by remaining young and progressive.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) - Photographic Exhibition from 15 to 20 December 2009
Invitation for Photographic Exhibition at Mumbai Branch
Mumbai Churchgate Branch is organising a Photographic Exhibition under the title 'The Eternal Flame' on the life of the Mother, at its premises: Pushpakunj, 'A' Road, Churchgate, Mumbai - 400 020. It is from 15 December 2009 to 20 December 2009. Following is the detailed programme:
15 December 5:30 pm - 6:00pm - Meditation with Music 6:00 pm - 7:00pm - Talk by Shri Aniruddha Smart on 'The Mother and Her Mission
16 December 5:30 pm - 6:00pm - Meditation with Music6:00 pm - 7:00pm - Talk by Shri Aniruddha Smart on 'The Mother and Her Mission
17 - 20 December (daily) 6:00 pm - 7:00pm - Short Talks on 'The Significance of the Mother's Symbol'
All are welcome to attend the Exhibition and the Talks.
Savitri Study Sessions - February 2010
Dr. Alok Pandey will conduct sessions on Sri Aurobindo's epic 'Savitri' at the Society's Beach Office, Pondicherry, from 22 to 28 February 2010. The sessions will be held at 5.15 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. All are welcome to attend the talk series!
Recent Events 17 and 20 November 2009 - Maha-Samadhi of the Mother
The Mother left her body on 17 November 1973 and the body was laid in to rest in Samadhi on 20 November. The inmates of the Ashram and the devotees paid homage to the Mother and visited Her room on 17 November 2009. There was meditation around the Samadhi from 6:00 to 6:30 am. In the evening the meditation was at 7:25 pm at the Playground. The message card distributed during the occasion can be viewed by clicking here.
24 November 2009 - Siddhi Day
On 24th November 2009, the 83d Anniversary of Siddhi Day - The Day of Victory - was celebrated in the Ashram to commemorate the descent of the Sri Krishna Consciousness or the Overmental Consciousness into the physical which happened in the year 1926.
The day was observed by a visit to Sri Aurobindo's Room. There was collective meditation around the Samadhi in the morning and in the evening there was a march-past with music played by the Ashram band. The programme concluded with meditation at the Playground. The message card distributed during the occasion can be viewed by clicking here.
Dr Sampadananda Mishra's Programme in November 2009
On 3 November 2009, Dr. Sampadananda Mishra, chief coordinator, Sanskrit and Indian Culture, Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry, visited Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Kolkata and gave a talk on the Gita. Demonstration of the multi-media CD on the Gita was also a part of the talk. On the 4, Dr. Mishra spoke on Sanskrit - a key to the heart of India in which he explained about India's self-development and role of Sanskrit.
From the 9 to the 14 of November Dr. Mishra gave a series of talks on Gita in Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Lukcnow, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida and Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur.
On the 17 Nov. Dr. Mishra to visit the Sri Aurobindo Society School in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. In the morning he had an interactive session with the teachers of the School and in the evening he spoke about the importance and relevance of Sanskrit. Many guests were also invited to attend the talk in which there were students and faculty members of the Sanskrit department, J.N Vyas University, Jodhpur. On the 18 Nov. Dr. Mishra gave a talk on Sanskrit Metre in Kamala Nehru College, Jodhpur. On the same day afternoon he also spoke on 'Transparent System of Root-sounds in Sanskrit' in the department of Sanskrit, J.N Vyas University, Jodhpur.
Visit by Students from Furman University, United States - 14 to 16 November 2009
Students from Furman University
A group of 21 comprising 16 students and 5 faculties from Furman University - a private, coeducational university in Greenville, South Carolina, United States - were on an educational tour to India. As part of their programme they came to Pondicherry for 3 days, on 14, 15, 16 November 2009. The group consisted of undergraduates ranging from freshman to seniors. Their majors varied from journalism to education, but the majority with a concentration in political science. The purpose of this experience was to enlighten and enhance the student's overall understanding of India.
As for the educational aspect, Doctor Alok Pandey was the first to meet with the students an interaction aimed to address whatever the students felt to be of importance. Dr. Pandey began by explaining the different elements that make up the Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Ashram School, Sri Aurobindo Society and other Ashram departments. In response to further inquiries, the discussion led to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother's thoughts, and how they are applied in our daily lives with the goal of reaching Divinity within. The students were overcome with fascination by the education technique implemented in the centre of education at the ashram. This was followed by interaction with Jordan and Vanessa, both students from University of Oregon who have been staying with Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry for the last two months. The day closed with Swati, another team member, guiding the students on the ashram tour. The next day the students were given a grand introduction to Auroville.
Trupti interacting with the Students
On the third day the students were given presentations that included the following projects undertaken by the Society: Sarvam - an integral village development project, Sharanam - an international rural training centre presented by Trupti and lastly, concluding words by Vijaybhai.
Some Special Days in December 200925 December 2009 - Christmas
Christmas Eve
The Christmas day has been celebrated in the Ashram for many decades. Once the Mother was asked by a devotee about the special meaning of the Christmas day as celebrated in the Ashram, and here is the Mother's response:
Long before the Christian religion made December 25th the day of Christ's birth, this day was the festival of the return of the sun, the Day of Light. It is this very ancient symbol of the rebirth of the Light that we wish to celebrate here.
Here is a Christmas Message from the Mother:
May the New Light illumine your thoughts and your lives, govern your hearts and guide your action. Blessings.
News from Branches and Centres
News from India
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
Shri Manoj addresses the students of Saraswati Vidhya Kendra
A view of the Students
Two programmes were organised by Sri Aurobindo Society at two different Schools of Saraswati Vidhya Kendra at Bhopal. The topic was ''Sri Aurobindo: Confluence of Nationalism and Spirituality''. Shri Manoj and Shri D.N. Sharma Spoke on the occasion. About 450 students from one school and more than 330 from the other school attended the programme, along with their teachers and staff.
Paigmberpur (Uttar Pradesh)
Recent Activities at the Centre: Construction of the Library is in progress at the Centre. There was a function on 15th August 2009 to celebrate Sri Aurobindo's Birthday.30 girls from Welham School, Dehradun came for a five-day visit for rural exposure.27 girls along with 2 teachers from Shigally School near Dehradun came for a five-day rural exposure.Since organic farming is practised at the centre, time, attention and efforts were directed towards agriculture activities for Paddy, Mustard and Urad (black lentil) sowing and harvesting, to ensure that this practice is successful and recognised by the farmers in the area.
Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh)
During October 2009, the Hyderabad Branch organised a lecture series under the title "Sri Aurobindo Vyakhyanamala". There were 8 lectures delivered by Dr(Mrs) T.V. Nagaranjani from 24 October to 31 October 2009, one lecture everyday, in Telugu, on the subject of "Dialogue with Death taken from Sri Aurobindo's epic Savitri".
Guntur (Andhra Pradesh)
On Monday, 2 November 2009, it was a full moon day, 13 people participated at the Guntur Branch. 108 lamps were lit and all chanted Om Anandamayi mantra 108 times.
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
The Visakhapatnam Centre arranged lectures on 'Savitri' by Dr. Prema Nandakumar on 27 and 28 September 2009. Prof. K.V. Ramana, Chairman of the Centre presided over the sessions.
Delhi
The concluding session of the talk-series on the Bhagavad Gita (verses from Chapter 14-18) by Shri Vijay K. Poddar was held on 22 October 2009 at the Delhi Branch.
Dombivli, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
The 19th anniversary of the Dombivli Centre was celebrated on 25 October 2009.The Centre opened at 5.00 a.m. and Morning Dawn Prayer was performed with Mother's Ashram Music, followed by reading from 'Savitri' and October Edition of All India Magazine on "Light of Truth". In the evening there was a short lecture delivered by Shri B. Janakiraman, Secretary, on Sri Aurobindo's Savitri, Life Divine and the All India Magazine. The programme concluded with the meditation.
Walgaon, Amravati (Maharashtra)
A meeting was arranged for young new members on 2 November 2009 in the morning at the Hollywood Colony Centre's hall, Amravati. Dr. Makarand Khubalkar from Akola G.M.C. and member of Dharmpeth Centre, Nagpur, spoke on the topics 'Working of Energy', 'Cause of Disease' etc.
Kuttappalayam (Tamil Nadu)
Devotees from Coimbatore and other Centres participated in the meeting held at Kuttappalayam Branch on 9 November 2009. Shri Thiruvenkatam, Chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Committee; Shri Anandhakrishnan from the Coimbatore Centre; and a few other members spoke on the Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
Bangalore: Sri Aurobindo Complex (Karnataka) A talk by Shri Prashant Khanna from Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi Branch, on 'The Life Divine' was organised on 9 November 2009 from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. at the Cultural Hall. Devotees & others actively participated in the Programme.
On 28 November 2009 Kannada Rajyotsava Day was celebrated at the Mirambika School for New Age. Dr. Vasudha Theertharam, Senior faculty member of Information and Resource Centre & Governing Council Member of KPAMRC, was the Chief Guest. Students presented Drill Display, Tableau, Yoga Display & other activities.

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