The teachings of Sri Aurobindo only represent his philosophy and not a religion

Auroville's organisation then, has, through the years, taken different forms due to pressures from within and from outside. This section of our website first describes the organisation that has developed with the involvement and support of the Government of India. It then proceeds to describe the community's efforts at finding an internal organisational structure that is in conformity with its ideals. It concludes with an overview of the support structures that have developed: the international support through the Auroville International Centres; statements of support given by eminent persons from India and abroad; a list of funding agencies that have made donations to Auroville projects; and a list of pending projects as well as information on how to participate... Home > Organisation & Credentials

Organisational history and involvement of Government of India
During Auroville's first few years, from 1968 to 1973, the Mother directly guided the project. After her passing in November 1973, the residents of Auroville soon found themselves in confrontation with the Sri Aurobindo Society, who claimed control over the project. From this time onwards, the community started to create and experiment with its own organisational structure.
Auroville Emergency Provisions Act 1980
In 1980, responding to requests from the residents, the Government of India passed the Auroville Emergency Provisions Act, whereby the management of all assets and undertakings relatable to Auroville were, for a limited period of time, vested in the Government of India. The Sri Aurobindo Society subsequently challenged the constitutional validity of the Act, on the main ground that Auroville was a religious denomination and that the Government had violated the Indian Constitution by passing the Act. In November 1982 the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India judged that Auroville did not constitute a religious denomination, and that the teachings of Sri Aurobindo only represent his philosophy and not a religion. The validity of the Act was upheld.
The Auroville Emergency Provisions Act initiated a period of renewed stability and growth. An Administrator, appointed by the Government of India, was the official manager of all assets. An International Advisory Council was set up under the Act to advise the Government of India on Auroville matters. It met for the first time in Delhi in February 1981. Its members were Mr. M'Bow, then Director General of UNESCO; the late Mrs. Ludmila Zhivkova, then Minister of Culture and Education, Bulgaria; Mr. Narasimha Rao, then Minister of Education, later Prime Minister of India; and late Mr. J.R.D. Tata, Indian industrialist. Mr. Kireet Joshi, then Special Secretary Ministry of Education, Government of India, was the Council's Secretary. The Council further met in Delhi in 1983, '85 and '86. Mr. Narasimha Rao, Mr. M'Bow, Mr. J.R.D. Tata and Mr. Kireet Joshi came to Auroville in August 1986, while Mrs. Zhivkova had visited Auroville earlier, in 1981.

Auroville Foundation Act 1988
In September 1988, the Government of India protected Auroville once again by passing a unique Act of Parliament, the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988. This act provided, in the public interest, for the acquisition of all assets and undertakings relatable to Auroville without payment of compensation. These assets, which till then were managed by the Administrator under the Auroville Emergency Provisions Act, were temporarily transferred to the Government of India, with the aim of ultimately vesting them in a body corporate established for the purpose, the Auroville Foundation. The Auroville Foundation came into existence in January 1991. The assets were vested in the Foundation on April 1st, 1992.
Legal protection of name and emblem of Auroville
In July 1999, the Government of India accorded special protection to the name 'Auroville' and its emblem under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of improper Use) Act 1950.

Special visa status for Aurovilians
Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity. First public message on Auroville given by The Mother 8 September 1965

Acknowledging that Auroville is an International Cultural Township, the Government of India has passed a special visa regulation for Auroville. The Secretary of the Auroville Foundation will normally, upon the recommendation of Auroville's Entry Group, recommend to the Indian Embassy concerned the issue of a so-called Entry Visa. This Entry Visa will form the basis on which the authorities in India will later issue a Residential Permit. The Entry Visa and the Residential Permit are valid for periods up to five years, and are only available for a person's stay in Auroville. Consequently, there is no need for a separate work permit or a financial guarantee for one's stay in Auroville. Home > Organisation & Credentials

Kireet Joshi, mentor and friend of his Aurovilian brothers and sisters

Home > Organisation & Credentials > The Auroville Foundation > The Governing Board > Kireet Joshi Talks by Dr. Kireet Joshi..pdf documents for downloading The Inner Dimension of the City (19Kb) On CIRHU (70Kb) On organisation (72Kb) On SAIIER ( 48Kb) Sri Aurobindo & Veda ( 75Kb) Synthesis of Yoga ( 427Kb) The Life Divine ( 280Kb) The Soul ( 44Kb) Triple transformation ( 301Kb) Vedic Rishis (162Kb) Philosophical research, March '02

Kireet Joshi (born 1931) was appointed Chairman of the Auroville Foundation in April 1999. He is at the same time Chairman of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research and Vice-Chairman of the Maharishi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan, - both institutions working under Government of India. He was recently a member of the Indian delegation to the Commonwealth Ministers Conference held in Halifax in Canada, and he played a significant role in the recent conferences of UNESCO on higher education. Kireet is a member of a number of committees in the University Grants Commission, the National Council of Education Research and Training, and the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla.
Connection with Ashram and Auroville
Kireet is a student of Philosophy and Law, and although selected in 1955 for the topmost service of the Government of India, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he resigned in 1956 in order to devote himself completely to the study and practice of the Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry. It was here that he participated in numerous experiments that were being conducted at the Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education under the direct guidance of the Mother. Kireet also taught philosophy, psychology and Indian culture. It was during this period that the concept and plan of Auroville had begun to take shape, and in 1968 when Auroville was founded, he took an active part in the preparation of the inaugural ceremony. There were several occasions when Mother while speaking to Kireet made comments about Auroville. Since then, the ideals of Auroville and the Charter of Auroville have remained for him a perennial source of inspiration and motive of life.
Drafting of the Auroville Act
In 1976, the Prime Minister of India, Shrimati Indira Gandhi, appointed Kireet as Education Advisor to the Government of India. During his tenure in the Government (1976-1988), one of the responsibilities assigned to him was related to Auroville, as difficulties had arisen and help was sought by the residents of Auroville. In 1980, and again in 1988, the Parliament of India enacted legislation in regard to Auroville, and the drafting of these items of legislation was assigned to Kireet. During the period 1980-82, issues concerning Auroville had come up in the High Court of Calcutta and in the Supreme Court of India, and it was largely due to the advice given by Kireet that the Supreme Court of India upheld the Government's contention that the teaching of Sri Aurobindo does not constitute a religion, - a position that Sri Aurobindo and the Mother have repeatedly underlined in their writings.
Development of education in Auroville
During 1980-88, with the help of the International Advisory Council of Auroville (comprising the then Minister of External Affairs of India, Mr. J.R.D. Tata, Madame Zhivkova of Bulgaria and Mr. M'Bow, the then Director General of UNESCO), Kireet supported a number of activities of Auroville and particularly aided in the development of education. On 28th February 1984, the Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Educational Research (SAIIER) was created and several important research projects were undertaken. In due course, SAIIER published two major research publications, The Aim of Life and The Good Teacher and the Good Pupil. These books made under the guidance of Kireet have been appreciated by educational experts in India and abroad (a third book, Mystery and Excellence of the Human Body is ready for publication).
Most active Chairman to date
In January 1999, Kireet was nominated by the Government of India to be a member of the International Advisory Council of the Auroville Foundation, and three months later, he was made Chairman of the Foundation. He then plunged again into the Auroville adventure by becoming immediately the most active chairman to date, spending long weeks in Auroville, interacting tirelessly with many residents and working groups with the ever present aim of moving speedily towards the concrete realisation of Auroville's ideals. Kireet is actively involved in education, and giving daily classes to the adolescents of Super School whenever he is in Auroville.
Impetus
New research projects in value-oriented education have been launched with the participation of a large group of Aurovilian researchers, and he has given impetus to the possible development of a new economy so as to realise the ideal given by the Mother of "no exchange of money among Aurovilians". Kireet has also encouraged the development of new modes of organisation of collective life in the light of Sri Aurobindo's and Mother's vision of a spiritualised society.
House in Auroville
A most concrete sign of Kireet's total commitment to Auroville came recently from the fact that he has now his own house in Auroville which has just been completed close to the Bharat Nivas guesthouse. Kireet's tireless capacity for work, aided by a vast cultural background and a deep knowledge of Sri Aurobindo's works, gives him a unique position as mentor and friend of his Aurovilian brothers and sisters. Home > Organisation & Credentials > The Auroville Foundation > The Governing Board > Kireet Joshi

The shining Arjuna of spiritual aspirants

‘The Secret Face That Is Our Own’: Nolinida’s Body of Literature Rick Lipschutz Nolini Kanta Gupta was not only the foremost disciple of Sri Aurobindo, but a prolific writer and exponent of Sri Aurobindo’s yoga in his own right. Rick Lipschutz delves into his works...

Ablade of a question, shot back to a question, shows the esteem Sri Aurobindo held for his spirit-born son. “If Nolini does not know my yoga, who does?” “Nolini’s writing is direct and powerful,” he wrote in a letter to his brother Barin. As war rowned Europe in that sea of madness, the Master calmly observed, “I always see the Light descending into Nolini.” From Tagore, on whose travels into infinity Nolinida shed much light, we learn, “Nolini Kanta Gupta’s contribution to the literature of Bengal is unique.”

The young revolutionary who “in blood drawn from his chest” wrote out a vow to give his life in service to the Motherland, evolved into the yogin whose revolution in consciousness rendered his whole life pure Shakti-movement. He authored more than 60 books, and his Collected Works available from SABDA run to eight volumes that grace the reader with inner inspiration, Brahmic silence applied to this new human hour, even concrete help in sadhana. This essay proposes to focus on his writings as a whole—search-rays into our human condition and its successor, literary criticism, poetry, mysticism, sociopolitical essays, philosophy, science, Vedic and Upanishadic interpretation, penetrations into the essence of the Indian spirit, talks to the Mother’s children, luminous personal reminiscences. His body of literature, like his life, is, as V. Madhusudan Reddy declared, “a model of psychic individuality and unique self-expression.”

A deep sonorous voice arises from Nolinida: “Do not say the load is too heavy for me, say rather, I have not yet learnt how to bear it.” “It does not prove anything that I cannot become a Kalidasa; for that matter Kalidasa cannot become what I am.” “The greatness of a person is the greatness of the Impersonal in him.” “We need at the present hour a complete and precise science of the Divine Consciousness.” “A solitary second can be the spark potent to explode a whole past.” “The Day will come towards which the whole creation has been aspiring from the beginning of time, it will come inevitably in due course, it may be today or tomorrow, it may be a decade hence, or it may even be a century or a millennium hence; it will come all the same.”

Imprisoned in Alipore Jail long ago, he came upon a passage of Sri Aurobindo’s that he found “absolutely unadorned and still most effective! The movement is that of an arrow, strong and firm and straight.” The “grand style simple” was in fact his own. Nolinida painted in few but vivid brushstrokes, a fine verbal artist, avoiding excess, true to essentials. Language all but transparent married music to meaning and stamped it throughout with clarities of vision. “A certain kingly ease and dominion in every shade of his expression” breathes through his writings, like a spiritual breeze. A natural formality is tempered and softened with use of phrases of the day. He wears lightly the mantle of erudition. In later volumes, he becomes more and more a ray of the Mother’s consciousness.

His “Reminiscences” is shot through with humor and color, more personal touches. The style, like the man, is unobtrusive; he hides his art. In the future more will come to appreciate the incredible intricacy interwoven with that classically simple surface. We discover in K.R.S. Iyengar’s On the Mother that Mother once assigned Nolinida to the line of sadhaks in whom Light was the dominant aspect. In the early 1930s, when she asked several sadhaks to describe the goal of their sadhana, Nolini wrote two words: “Divinising life.” Mother led the Ashramites in games where they concentrated, then chose passages from books; significantly, Nolinida struck upon the Kutsa Angirasa suktas from Hymns to the Mystic Fire. Sri Aurobindo’s rendering runs: “This is the fire of our sacrifice! May we have strength to kindle it to its height, may it perfect our thoughts. In this all that we give must be thrown that it may become a food for the gods; this shall bring to us the godheads of the infinite consciousness who are our desire.” If this is true for a true sadhak, then Nolinida was truly a sadhak among sadhaks.

For he cast into purest fire everything he had and was, and so fueled his sadhana. This fire carried him to the heights of consciousness, made his mind a precious instrument, brought into him the powers and personalities of the Divine Mother. Restored to the Mother’s consciousness, his soul then served only to make her felt among the people, by all means, and with “well-connected words.” He did not learn of Sri Aurobindo or about the Mother; he knew them by becoming them. Finding his greater individuality in their light, this most reticent of sadhaks released his creativity in an unending stream. “His is the pure mind,” observed Sri Aurobindo of Nolini; and as Kapali Sastriar shows in his commentaries on the Kutsa hymns near the end of the Siddhanjana, the human being with such an inner instrument becomes “a meeting ground of the Gods.”

In “Man and the Gods,” Nolinida subtly suggests that the suppler human virtues surpass in some essential quality the powers of the universal spirits. The gods are “powers…agents of the One Divine…highbrow entities [who] carry things with a high hand…an imperial majesty…a sweeping mastery and sovereign indifference.” The human, however, has progressed slowly, developing through effort and much error. “The terrestrial creature… knows of things which the gods do not…has an experience which even they, strange to say, covet.” For a god is a “fixed and definite type”—bound by his godhood; but the human embodies all modes of consciousness, growing and changing. We, human, fail more than we succeed, gaining a fire-tested endurance. Forbearance and forgiveness are “the badge of the tribe.” And the gods? They tend toward impatience, a brittle perfectionism, brook no quarter, are in fact egoistic! Theirs is a sattvic egoism, replete with a sense of separate mission, rigid in its own orbit, lacking “the mellowness…understanding…sweet reasonableness of a human.” For our human ego is blocked at every turn, and our “mind…has something to give which even the overmind of the gods does not possess and needs.”

Our very failings “contain and yield a deeper sap of life and out of them a richer fulfillment is being elaborated.” For “the divine grace embedded in matter”—the psychic being—“is the sole privilege of the terrestrial creature.” To progress requires a psychic being; to advance, therefore, a god must take on a human body, which though rigid is more flexible than it seems and can “suffer a seachange… not within the reach of the radiant body of an immortal.” The essay ends on a grace note of synthesis, a luminous suggestion. There is an evolutionary gap but no essential gulf between the human and the divine. The human mode of being holds within it its successor, and, in the new creation, even the gods shall change.

“The Yoga of Sri Aurobindo,” Volumes Three and Four of Nolini Kanta Gupta’s Collected Works, received its name from Sri Aurobindo himself. These volumes—clear short comprehensible essays—provide this revolutionary yoga a lucid presentation creative yet faithful to the original. An exception in its relative length, “Lines of the Descent of Consciousness” is an enduring contribution to a clearer understanding of Integral Yoga. The theme could not be broader, yet closer to the heart of the curious human: “Let us see how it all came about.”

Truly, as Sri Aurobindo writes in a perhaps related context, “All the Aspects disclose themselves, separate, combine, fuse, are unified together.” Consciousness, according to Nolinida, extends five distinct lines of descent. First comes that of Sachchidananda, supreme impersonal reality—the delightful conscious existence now masked behind all this grave and sorrowful stupidity. All the lines, the author weaves and disentangles. Read “Lines of the Descent of Consciousness” and much of The Life Divine may come into clearer focus. The essay itself is a descent of masterconsciousness that “unravels the mystery.” I continue to learn much from his exposition of how the psychic being will “come into its own precisely by a descent of its own self from above, in the same manner as the other descents” and how it will unite with the Jivatman. There is much material here presented in a novel manner with many strands teased together. We see here Nolini-as-scientist of the divine consciousness, differentiating the high gods from the highest gods, the upper from the lower poles of the Overmind (where the One becomes “like a silent partner”).

One can observe how the personal works together with the impersonal and the Divine with the human in a tour through all the worlds with this most reliable and charming of guides. With an authenticity that can come only from experience he writes of the psychic being in many passages sprinkled throughout his work; how all one’s limbs can become a psychic movement. One can feel the psychic firmly in front in his writings; even as he scales the high overhead planes the soul is most prominent, that eternal sweetness of divine presence, firm and solid and profound. He shows us how, in Mother’s words, to “become concretely what we are essentially.” In “The Mounting Fire” and “The Labours of the Gods” and other essays, we meet Nolini-as-technologist of self-transcendence. He tells us much that we may wish to know about the “science of inwardness.” Nolinida’s book “The Yoga of Sri Aurobindo” received its name from Sri Aurobindo himself. One can feel the psychic firmly in front in his writings; even as he scales the high overhead planes the soul is most prominent, that eternal sweetness of divine presence, firm and solid and profound.

Nolinida was also an accomplished sportsman. He sprinted into his eighties, and his “My Athletics” veers from reminiscences on to the very essence behind exercise. If this is not to be another lopsided yoga, athletics comes to play an integral part in our spiritual training. Our frailty must become strength to embrace the divine light descending. “If the consciousness is of the right sort, the new force can descend even from supraphysical worlds and give to the movements of the body a supreme beauty and strength.” All the parts of the being then participate in a more conscious exercise and the fire, light, and force can be grounded, harmonized, wonderfully contained. Here sublimity becomes practical and the practical is made sublime. His athletics is our challenge.

Nolinida is one whose psychic opening and transformation was allowed to proceed in the psychic way, who has shown a unique ability to express the higher consciousness in writing that is, indeed, direct and powerful. In his life and his writings he represents “at every moment, in all circumstances, one [who] follows the voice of the highest in oneself…and no inferior echo.” He had a long “happy collaboration” with the Mother, the Divine Consciousness—her own son Andre and others have described how they felt her in Nolinida; their “head was ringing for hours” after merely talking with him; they found a lifelong friend who continues after his passing at age 95 in 1984 to be present to them; or they actually saw a vision of the New Creation. On our human condition, our maladies, the driving force of our times, his gaze is unflinching, his thought balanced, his point of view global yet close to the “tears of things.”

His poetry in “To the Heights” is a rhythmic record of his sadhana in the 1930s. Volumes Three and Four, “The Yoga of Sri Aurobindo,” will only gain in importance with time as an original exposition of Integral Yoga rendering its aspects more comprehensible for the human consciousness, providing a much-needed bridge to Sri Aurobindo’s own writings. Perhaps equal to his third volume is Volume One, “The Coming Race and Other Essays,” which climbs the highest ranges of spiritual literature and at times manifests an intense mantric vision. His writings on India are universal and speak from an identification with her very soul and mission. His later writings provide diamond-like windows of the Mother’s Consciousness and an opening to the Yoga-Force. “Reminiscences,” his personal memoir is of much interest, a gleaming jewel of the genre. His writing on the Vedas and Upanishads (translations, commentary, tales) contain ancient Indian spiritual knowledge essential to more fully appreciate Sri Aurobindo’s writings and work.

Sri Nolini Kanta Gupta has given us all a subtle body of literature bound to widely extend into the frontal consciousness. What he said of Vivekananda’s words (which woke his courage up in Alipore) is true of his own: “These are luminous life-giving mantras and the world and humanity…have need of them.” One-volume editions include Lights from Nolini Kanta Gupta (highlights taken from individual essays) and Evolution and the Earthly Destiny (selected essays). Education and Initiation, translated from the Bengali, more timely than ever, has now been released. His eight-volume Collected Works continue to grow in relevance and merit more detailed scholarly study. Surprisingly, the eight volumes are as affordable as they are full of delights and unexpected turns. Or one may prefer to read his translation of Savitri into Bengali. The shining Arjuna of spiritual aspirants has left us a portion of the new creation, full of the force of yoga and packed with the light of Sri Aurobindo.

— Rick Lipschutz discovered the Integral Yoga after exploring other paths and has been a devotee of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother since 1997. A member of the Cultural Integral Fellowship who attends retreats at Sri Aurobindo Sadhana Peetham in Lodi, he lives with his wife and son in San Francisco, USA. Rick Lipschutz

A seeker of truth beyond religious, political and cultural barriers

PERFECT BALANCE: Mirra Alfassa's personal narrative marks a life of inner search and outer perfection The quest of Mirra Alfassa SACHIDANANDA MOHANTY The Hindu Monday, Dec 30, 2002

A four-day celebration of talks, meditation and musical programmes will be held at the CIEFL auditorium to mark the 125th birth anniversary of the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry. HYDERABAD will pay homage to Mirra Alfassa, better known as the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry in recognition of her service for the future of mankind. Organised by the Sri Aurobindo Society, Hyderabad, a glittering four day celebration (January 2 - 5) comprising musical offerings, talks and meditation, will bring together at the CIEFL Auditorium, Tarnaka, some of the leading exponents in the field. It is an event of interest to all seekers after `truth and a life of perfection'.
Most members of the public are unaware of the Mother or the precise nature of her many contributions to India and the world. She once described herself as French by birth and Indian by choice. While her spiritual collaborator Sri Aurobindo is more widely known in India, the Mother's extraordinary range of personality has not been sufficiently grasped or recognised.

From her life as a fin de siecle artist to the world of inner experience in the company of great occultists like Max and Alma Theon in Algeria, her voyage to Japan and later meeting in India with the noted freedom fighter and spiritualist Aurobindo Ghosh, (Sri Aurobindo), her founding of the ashram at Pondicherry named after her spiritual collaborator, and her establishment of the international township of Auroville in South India, Mirra Alfassa's personal narrative marks a life of inner search and outer perfection that few can rival. Regrettably, this narrative and its relevance to the ongoing crisis of humanity have not received the attention they deserve outside the circle of devotees and disciples.
Mirra's quest has many dimensions: her role as a seeker of truth beyond religious, political and cultural barriers, her advocacy of the cause of women beyond conflict and antipathy, her creation of a new community management, her utopian dream of the new city of dawn based on the principle of holistic living, anchored to freedom and goodwill among inhabitants beyond caste, creed, gender, ethnicity and nationality while recognising the value of each of these categories. What lessons do Mirra's experiments have for understanding religion and spirituality of our nation and humanity? How can her dynamic evolutionary spirituality based on the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo counter the current threat of divisive and fundamentalist ideologies? How does her vision of alternative living, health and family welfare, of peace, disarmament and one world based on the common spiritual legacy and destiny of human kind act as viable models of governance: Swarajya and Samrajya? Clearly, it will be hard to give a complete and comprehensive account. Attempts to do so are being tried out in many parts of the world today, including at Pondicherry and Auroville (Tamil Nadu). Hyderabad has two leading centres: The Institute of Human Study founded by late Professor Madhusudan Reddy is located on the Osmania Road, the other is Sri Aurobindo Society at Musheerabad Cross Roads. Over the years, a number of activities such as seminars, concerts, workshops and exhibitions have been conducted by these and allied organisations in collaboration with like minded groups for a better understanding of the Mother's vision of the future.
The January event at CIEFL auditorium will host, among others, George Van Vrekhem, author of celebrated Beyond Man, Prema Nandakumar, Ananda Reddy, T. Poornachandra Rao, Supriya Bhattachary and Shraddhavan. Each evening is dedicated to musical offerings by the East West Cultural Centre, Los Angles, the Bangalore Group, the Sri Aurobindo International and the Mother's Integral School.
Coordinated by M.V. Nadkarni, former professor of CIEFL and Singapore National University, himself a leading exponent of Savitri, this event in early January would be a small but significant landmark in the spiritual journey of our nation. (The writer is a professor of English literature at the University of Hyderabad.)

Sri Aurobindo Complex Trust: Mirambika School

Sri Aurobindo Complex Trust Value Education I STANDARD I I I STANDARD II I I STANDARD III I I 52 ARTICLES I INTRODUCTION

The main objective of Sri Aurobindo Complex Trust is to develop Mirambika School for New Age managed by the Trust as the State Training Center in Integral Education. As on date the School is affiliated to CBSE and hence follows the syllabi and curricula as prescribed by the NCERT and CBSE, both of which are autonomous bodies functioning under HRD of the Central Government. The ideal system of "Integral Education with free progress system" as envisaged by the Mother is an unique system governed and guided by the soul as against the present education system governed and guided by mind.

There are only 2 authenticated schools, one at Pondicherry (residential) and another at Delhi (non residential) imparting the "Integral Education with free progress system". Neither the central government nor state governments (except Orissa) have recognized the Integral Education system so far for obvious reasons and it may take a long time from now for our nation to embrace this ideal system by the Governmental or Non - governmental departments of education as it is not job-oriented. In the circumstances, our Mirambika School for New Age has to find a golden mean between the present system of education and the said Integral Education system as one step in complying with the objective of the Trust. Hence, with a view to construct the golden bridge between the two systems, it was felt necessary to introduce the moral and dynamic spiritual values envisaged by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother in the form of text books and guide books classwise for imparting the value oriented education.

The most predominant lacuna in all these documents on 'Value Education' is the non inclusion of the concept of genuine (dynamic) Spirituality which transcends all religions and is meant not for rejection of life and the world but to conquer them by the power of Spirit. In fact, the entire voluminous literature in general and Integral Education with free progress system in particular as given to humanity by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother constitute the best treatise on "VALUE EDUCATION".

A very meaningful 16 paged document on Education under the caption, "Twocardinal points of Education" was presented by Shri P. B. Saint Hilaire (Pavitra) in September, October, 1965 on behalf of Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, Pondicherry as per the kind directions of the Mother to the Education Commission, G.O.I. as a sequel to the visit of Dr. D.S. Kothari Education Commission to Sri Aurobindo Ashram in April, 1964 and Dr. K.G. Saiyidain in July 1965 for a detailed study of the pattern of this new Education - "Integral Education with Free Progress System". However, NCERT has not adopted so far any suggestion given by the authorities of Integral Education, Pondicherry, nor the latter have pursued the issue.

It is gratifying to note that CBSE Chairman Sri. Ashok Ganguly personally visited Sri Aurobindo Complex, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore on 31st March, 2003 duly keeping in view the correspondence in this regard initiated by the Complex Trust way back in June, 2002. On being appraised and convinced of the necessity and usefulness of life - perfecting dynamic spiritual values envisaged by Sri Aurobindo and of the efforts put in by the MSFNA Chairman towards the introduction of these values in the text books and guide books for I and II Standards of the school, gladly consented for our printing and publishing the said text books and guide books classwise starting from I Standard and leading up to IX Standard. He also assured that these text books, if founds suitable, could be used in other CBSE Schools across the nation. He suggested for forwardal of the draft text books and guide books early to the C.B.S.E Central office for perusal and approval so as to enable our school to introduce the said books from the coming academic year 2003-2004 commencing in June, 2003.

VALUE EDUCATION CELL: Value Education cell which is a wing of the school comprises a few devoted dedicated members knowledgable in teachings and Yoga of Sri Aurobindo in general and elements of Integral Education Particular including the dynamic, spiritual values as envisaged by dual masters. www.newrace.org

Sri Aurobindo Spiritual Centre of Toronto

Welcome to the website of the Sri Aurobindo Spiritual Centre of Toronto. This is a new venture for us so please bear with a couple of empty pages- we are still working on it. Any messages regarding cancellation or change in meetings will be posted on this page from time to time as well as reminders for the week of the meetings. Dont forget to check back here!

Darshan Day messages will also be posted here. The Centre will re-open on sunday, June 17th. As per the meeting schedule the meeting will take place at 2 pm. We regret any inconvenience that the temporary closure of the Centre may have caused. We look forward and welcome all those interested in Sri Aurobindo's yoga.

The spirit of 1972

January 4, 1969 Mother's Agenda
(Soon afterwards, Mother turns to the question of Sri Aurobindo’s centenary, in 1972.)

They’re preparing here a publication in Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, and two other languages I forget, to which they intend to add Tamil and Telugu, of all the works of Sri Aurobindo. It’s a tremendous task.
At the same time, in America, there are two or three editions of Sri Aurobindo’s complete works: one edition for libraries, one for America, and one for India. They’ve sent me samples – they’re magnificent! The edition for America is a marvel: big like this, with a marvelous paper …
It’s a pity we aren’t doing the French.
Yes, in France they don’t respond much.
No. And also there should be someone to look after it. As for me, I’m not looking after it at all. There should be someone. But is it … maybe it’s not necessary.
But I’m looking after it a lot for France! To publish Sri Aurobindo in France …
Yes, but people answer you that they can’t do it![i]
But there is a possibility, the last I read out to you.[ii]
Yes …
So I am waiting. Maybe it’s going to start off there?
It would be good if we published the whole thing. It’s for 1972, his centenary … There was only six years’ difference between us.
There was some difference with Gandhi – it’s Gandhi’s centenary too, isn’t it?
It’s this year.
This year …
Yes, there’s “Some difference”!
(silence)
Now, under the pretext (what pretext, I don’t know) not to tire me (or I don’t understand what), they take things away from me, they don’t leave them with me (Mother laughs). I wanted to show you this American edition. which is very beautiful, and now … I don’t know where it is.
I would really like something to be done in France ….
Yes, it would be good …. It would be good for the FRENCH!
Your book has had an enormous action, enormous. It’s still having it.
I remember that even here, when Pavitra read it, he told me (he was quite enthusiastic), he said to me, “Oh, he has made me understand something I hadn’t understood!” (Mother laughs) Pavitra, one of the old disciples who lived with Sri Aurobindo!
No, in France, things got off to a wrong start because of J.H., it was he who … Ambition and …
It has warped something.
Warped, yes. It has warped the French approach [to Sri Aurobindo].
***
[i]Three of the best French publishers rejected Sri Aurobindo’s works or did not reply …
[ii]A collection of “spiritual adventures” (in the plural) in which Sri Aurobindo might have found a place amidst drugs and psychedelia.

Mother's Agenda

WORLD UNION Executive body

WELCOM TO THE WEBSITE OF WORLD UNION
52 Rue Desbassyns De Richmont, Pondicherry
E-mail: worldunion1958@rediffmail.com , Tel: 91-413-2444834
Registered Under Societies Registration Act 1860, Registered on 13 October 1960
Registration No.6 of 1960, Pondicherry

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
1. Name: The society shall be called "World Union".
2. Office: The Office of the society was at 24, Rue Dupuy, Pondicherry-2, when registered. Now the permanent address of its registered office and its Headquarter (HQ) is at 52 Rue Desbassyns De Richmont, Pondicherry- 2 (India).

WORLD UNION Executive body

WORLD UNION
Registered under Societies Registration Act
Registration No. 6/ 1960 Pondicherry
Regd. Office: 52 Rue Debassyns de Richmont, PONDICHERRY
E-mail: worldunion1958@rediffmail.com
Tel: 91 - 413 - 2334834

EXECUTIVE BODY
1st September 2006 to 31 August 2009

Chairman:
Mr. Samir Kanta Gupta, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, PONDICHERRY - 605 002
Vice Chair Persons:
Dr. (Smt.) Anjali Roy, AE 438, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, KOLKOTA - 700 064
Tel: 033 - 23379631
Prof. Kittu Reddy, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, PONDICHERRY - 605 002
Tel: 0413 -2340978 ®
Mr. Jagdish Gandhi, City Montessori School, 12 Station Road, LUCKNOW - 226 001
Tel: 0522-2638738, E-mail: info@cmseducation.org
General Secretary & Treasurer
Dr. Sunil Behari Mohanty, 4 Dr. Annie Besant Street, VOC Nagar, PONDICHERRY - 605 003
Tel: 0413-2336676®, 94436 01340(M) E-mail: sunilmohanty@hotmail.com, sunilmohanty@gmail.com
Asst. General Secretary & Asst. Treasurer
Mr. Prakash S. Patel, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, PONDICHERRY - 605 002 Tel: 0413-2337850®

Members
Mr. Hanskumar Bhaskarlal Mankad,, 14 Matruka Housing Scheme, Subhanpura, VADODARA -390 007
Mr. N. S. Amin, 6 Rajmayur, 19th Road, Khar, MUMBAI - 400 052
Mr. Aloke Bandopadhyaya, C./o BHEL, PDTS Dept., 4th Floor, 33A, JLNehru Road, KOLKOTA -700 071
Dr. J. P. Singh, Opposite Super Market, SULTANPUR - 228 001
Mr. Nirmal Kumar, Digantika J-10, 3rd Floor, Block AH, Sector II, Salt Lake City, KOLKOTA - 700 064
Dr. Suresh Chandra De, 12 Goubert School Street, 2nd Floor, Vazhaikulam, PONDICHERRY - 605 012
Mr. Harshad Mehta, 104 Auto Commerce House, Kennedy Bridge, Nanachowk, MUMBAI - 400 026
Mr. Dibyendu Goswami, 93 Canteen Street, PONDICHERRY- 605 001
Mr. Purnendu Prasad Bhattacharya, Natun bari, 28/1 Mannapara Road, KOLKOTA - 700 090

http://worldunion.bravehost.com/ Updated on 21st August, 2006
Website Designed and updated by
Dr. S. Rajasekar, Reader in Education, Annamalai University
Email: drsrajasekar@gmail.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Union

Sri Aurobindo Society - June 2007

News from Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry)
Upcoming Events
135th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo: August 2007
The Beach Office of Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry
On 15 August 2007, the 135th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo will be observed. On this occasion the following two programmes will be organised at the Society's Beach Office, Puducherry:
1. Annual Conference of Sri Aurobindo Society on 12, 13 and 14 August 2007.
2. A Study-Camp on Sri Aurobindo's "Essays on the Gita" by Dr. Mangesh V.Nadkarni will be held at the Society's Beach Office hall, Puducherry, from 17 to 26 August 2007. There will be two sessions daily: 4:30 to 5:15 pm and 5:40 to 6:40 pm.
All are welcome to the above programmes.
Recent Events
Sanskrit Orientation Programme: 7 to 9 May 2007
A Sanskrit Orientation programme was organised by the Society at its Beach Office, Puducherry from 7 to 9 May 2007. The Camp was conducted by Dr. Sampadananda Mishra, who heads the Society's Sanskrit division. 30 participants from different parts of the country joined the programme. The participants were made aware of the amazing beauty and perfection of Sanskrit, a language with limitless treasures. The very name of the language means "refined" or "sculpted to perfection". The Camp is a step towards the revival of the Sanskrit language which has been relegated in Indian schools and universities. For a detailed report with pictures click here.
Education Camp - Study And Dialogues Cum Workshop: 20-28 May 2007
This year the annual All India Education Camp-Cum-Workshop was organised at the Beach Office of the Society from 20 to 28 May 2007. Fifty-two participants including teachers, educationists, principals, management persons and parents from various parts of the country attended the Camp. The details of the Camp will be given in the next month's Newsletter.
News from Branches and Centres
News from Abroad Shakpura Sri Aurobindo Matrimandir, Chittagong (Bangladesh)
The opening ceremony of 'Debasangha Pathbhaban' of Shakpura Sri Aurobindo Matrimandir was held on 30 March 2007 with meditation, discussions and devotional songs. About 200 people attended the function. During his speech, Shri Chitta Prasad Talukdar, Chairman of Sri Aurobindo Society, Chittagong, told the participants to establish the basis of the Ashram through concrete activities, according to the ideals of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The new building of the Matrimandir is nearing its completion.
News from India
Workshops by SAFIER Unit, Mumbai
SAFIER unit of Sri Aurobindo Society, Mumbai, conducted "I Have a Dream - Workshops for Self Exploration and Creative Expression" on 26 & 27 March 2007 with the teachers of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Vidyalaya, Malad, a school belonging to the Bombay Cambridge Gurukul group. Earlier safier had conducted a workshop with the Pre-Primary Teachers of the same school. This time, all the Primary teachers of the school participated in two batches of 25 each.
Moments of creative expression, by the participants
The chief aim of the workshops was to find the "Purpose of Life, Getting in Touch with Oneself." There were several activities designed to draw out the participants' innate creativity. In one of the activities they choose an idiom as a theme for enactment. All the participants came up with the different ideas and expressed themselves creatively. At the end of the workshop a story "What Difference Do You Make?" that reinforces the joy and honour of being a teacher, was given to all as a hand-out to take home. After the workshop one group of teachers came up with the idea that they would like to conduct such workshops regularly on their own as it was really helpful in their personal growth.
Here are some of the feedback from the participants: • This workshop has helped me to explore the little creativity in me and now I start believing it and work towards achieving the best from it." • I could actually introspect myself. I am a shy person but this workshop bought in some self - confidence in me." • I feel like a blooming flower from a small bud. It helped me to be myself - no matter what just give your best with confidence and the rest follows." • Made me realise that I am individual and not just someone's daughter, wife, mother, sister… and that I deserve to have some time for myself each day."
Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) - 2-day Youth Camp
A view of the participants
Sri Aurobindo Society, Hyderabad Branch, conducted a two-day youth camp on 5 & 6 May 2007 at Sri Aurobindo Society Branch premises at Musheerabad, Hyderabad. Fifteen youths from various schools and colleges attended the camp. This was the first such camp to be conducted in the twin-cities area by the Branch.
Shri P.C. Swaroop, interacting with the participants
The camp began with an introduction to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville. Several of the participants had heard only a little about Sri Aurobindo, and were happy at the opportunity to know more. Diverse topics such as "Spirituality in the New Age", "Planes & Parts of the Being", "Purification of the Physical, Vital and Mental" were covered during the two days. Videos on Ashram Life, Ashram School and Mother's Life were also shown. Topics such as "Integral Education", "India's Present and Future" and "Spirituality in Daily Life" were well received by the participants. Anecdotes from the lives of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother were interspersed throughout the sessions and this helped to bring out the essentials of Integral Yoga.
The speakers included Shri K.V. Rao, Shri P.C. Swaroop, Shri K.R.L. Narasimha Rao and Shri Srinivas Mulugu. The feedback of the camp was encouraging and it was felt that more such camps can be conducted with increased frequency in the twin cities.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
Prayer sung by Smt. Manonmani Rangaswamy. On the dais (L to R): Shri C.V. Chandramohan, Shri C.D. Ayyar, Shri A.V. Balasubramanian and Shri B.R. Kumar
A view of the participants
The Chennai Branch conducted Dr. K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar Memorial Lectures on 17 April 2007 at the Srinivasa Sastri Hall, Luz, Mylapore, Chennai. The programme commenced with lighting of lamp by Smt. Ambirajan, daughter-in-law of Dr. Srinivasa Iyengar, and a prayer sung by Smt. Manonmani Rangaswamy. Shri C.D. Ayyar, Chairman of the Branch, gave the Welcome Address. The other speakers were Shri A.V. Balasubramanian, I.A.S. and Shri B.R. Kumar, retired Dy. Director General of All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai. Shri M.K. Ramaswamy who regularly speaks at the Branch on Sri Aurobindo's and the Mother's teachings, was felicitated during the occasion. Shri P. Alwar, Secretary of the Branch, gave the Vote of Thanks.
Pune (Maharashtra)
Prof. Shivajirao Bhosale lighting the Lamp, with Prof. Neelima Pathak-Dake by his side
The Centre at Vastunagar, Pune, organised a function to celebrate the final arrival of the Mother at Puducherry on 24 April 2007 at the Punnai Auditorium, Pune. Prof. Neelima Pathak-Dake, Chairperson, and Shri Ombale, Secretary introduced "The Vyaspeeth of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother" which was inaugurated by Prof. Shivajirao Bhosale. He spoke on "Supramental Mahayogi Sri Aurobindo and Supramental Mahayogini Sri Mataji". A slide show containing 85 slides, giving an idea of Sri Aurobindo's and the Mother's Integral Yoga was organised. A Vote of Thanks was made by Shri Ashok Jawadekar.
Dehradun (Uttaranchal)
Yogi Shri Udai Kant Shastri, conducting the Yoga Shivir
Sri Aurobindo Society, Dehradun Branch, organised a Yogasana Shivir from 22 to 28 April 2007. The Shivir was conducted by Yogi Shri Udai Kant Shastri, an experienced Teacher and Assistant Research Officer (Yoga) at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yogasana (under the dept. of Ayush, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare), Delhi. 27 persons attended the Shivir.
Noida (U.P.)Sri Aurobindo Society, Noida Branch, organised a Yogasana, Pranayama & Dhyana Shivir from 24 March to 3 April 2007. Swami Satya Govind from Lucknow conducted the sessions in the mornings and evenings.
The Branch also organised a talk by Swami Vidyanandji on "Science of Living" at the Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Noida, on 4 April 2007. Before the start of the talk, Shri O.P. Dani, Chairman, briefly spoke about the arrival of Sri Aurobindo at Puducherry. The Branch has decided to have a Series of Five Talks by Swami Vidyanandji on every Saturday, starting from 28 April 2007.
Besides the above, activities including Meditation with the Mother's music daily in the morning and evening, Sri Aurobindo Shiksha Niketan (School), Bhagavad Gita Path on every Friday, and programmes on Yoga and Dhyana etc. are held regularly. Bangalore (Karnataka)
Sri Aurobindo Society, Bangalore Branch, No.110, Gangadhar Chetty Road (facing Ulsoor lake), Bangalore - 560 042 (tel. nos. 080-25559885/25298684) will be organising a three day Youth Camp on 10, 11 and 12 August 2007, for boys and girls aged between 16 and 30 years. This is a free residential programme in English. Shri Kaivalya Smart will be conducting the programme. The main objective of the Camp is to awaken in the youth the aspiration for self-awareness and to open before them the vision of life in the light of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, as well as to inspire the youth to discover the aim of life and help them in realising it. Persons interested in participating in this programme may please contact Shri M.M. Bhattacharjee, programme co-ordinator, with their bio-data and a passport size photograph along with their contact telephone number, to the above address.
West Bengal State Conference
The annual conference of Branches and Centres of West Bengal was arranged at the Durgapur Branch on 7 and 8 April 2007. The Mother's flag was hoisted on 7 April, followed by collective meditation. Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee presided over the Conference and released the souvenir "New Dimension", published by the Durgapur Branch. Representatives of 20 Branches and Centres participated.
In the discussion pertaining to the centres and branches, concern was expressed regarding the drop in the membership in West Bengal. Shri B.K. Bajari and Shri Binod Ranjan Naha spoke on the topics "Why are we not doing traditional Social Service?" and "What is Sadhana and What are its Demands?" respectively.
On 8 April 2007 Mrs. Namita Sen spoke on "Role of Women in Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo" and Dr. Geeta Ghosh, Chairperson of West Bengal State Committee, on "What is Knowledge and its Practical Application in the Light of Sri Aurobindo". The Chief Guest of the concluding session was Shri V. Shyamsundar, Managing Director of Durgapur Steel Project.
Jharkhand State Conference
The annual conference of branches and centres of Jharkhand was held at the Ranchi Branch at Doranda on 14 and 15 April 2007. The conference commenced with hoisting of the Mother's flag on 14th April 2007. Over 200 persons attended. Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee, who presided over the function, spoke on "The Aim of Life". The other speakers include Shri P. Roy, Bhaiya Manoranjan, Dr. Jaya Mitra and Shri K.P. Sinha.
On 15 April 2007 Shri R.K. Bhatnagar, Chairman of the Ranchi Branch, welcomed the guests. Justice Shri P. Kohli, a Judge of the Jharkhand High Court, was the Chief Guest. He emphasized the importance of rising above the traditional religions which have fixed dogmas. The Addl. Director General of Police, Shri G.S. Rath, spoke on the contribution of Sri Aurobindo to humanity.
Hesal, Ranchi (Jharkhand)
On 16 April 2007 the Hesal Branch organised a question and answer session with Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee at the Branch.
Hazaribag (Jharkhand)
On 17 April 2007 Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee spoke at the Hazaribag Centre on the practice of Sadhana. He also addressed students at St. Columbus College, one of the premier colleges of Hazaribag and spoke on Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry.
Dehri-On-Sone (Bihar)
A Bihar State Committee meeting was organised by Dehri-On-Sone Branch on 14 & 15 April 2007. A play "Mahaan Rahasya", written by the Mother and disciples, was staged on this occasion.
Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)
The Coimbatore Centre organised a talk by Shri N.V. Balu, Chairman of the Chennai Annanagar Centre of the Society, on 15 April 2007. The subject of his talk was "The Forces of the Mother in Action". The talk was followed by a question & answer session.
Udumalpet (Tamil Nadu)
The Udumalpet Centre organised a talk by Shri N.V. Balu on 17 April 2007. The subject of his talk was "The Mother is With Us".
Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
Tirupati Branch of the Society celebrated the Mother's final arrival day at Puducherry on 24 April 2007. Shri M. Balarama Reddy, Chairman of the Branch, presided and spoke about the Supramental consciousness on earth. Shri K. Jayadeva Reddy recited Sri Aurobindo's Gayatri Mantra and translated it into Telugu.
Eluru (Andhra Pradesh)
The Eluru Centre celebrated its 10th anniversary on 1 April 2007. Shri B. Venkatramaiah, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Committee spoke about the importance of reading 'Savitri'. Shri Ch. Harshavardhan Raju spoke about the multifaceted personality of the Mother.
Puducherry U.T.
Dr. J.P. Singh of Sultanpur was invited to the Mahatma Gandhi Post Graduate Dental Institute, Puducherry, to give a guest lecture on 30 April 2007. Dr. J.P. Singh spoke on "Spirituality and Professionalism". The other speakers on the occasion were Prof. Shyam Singh, Director of the Institute, Prof. Ramesh, and Prof. Srinivasan. The lecture was attended by the Under Graduate and Post Graduate students of the Institute.
Ambala (Haryana)
The 6th anniversary of the enshrinement of the sacred Relics of Sri Aurobindo was celebrated by the Ambala Branch on 6 May 2007. The celebrations began with a collective meditation at 6 am with Sunil-da's music, followed by a collective reading of the "Book of the Divine Mother" from 'Savitri' at 10 am. In the evening after a brief meditation invoking the Mother's presence, there was a reading from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother interspersed with bhajans by the devotees. This was followed by a reading of Navajataji's "Half an Hour with the Divine". Shri Sharat Gupta spoke on the practical aspects of Sadhana from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The programme ended with a Bhajan expressing gratitude to Sri Aurobindo for establishing His physical presence at Ambala.

home about the site 15th August the mother sri aurobindo about sas sas activities onlife, online calendar sas & you the ashram centre of education auroville pondicherry sitemap what's new related links archive feedback audio "Om namoh bhagvate..."

This month, we focus on Sri Aurobindo

:: CULTURE, SPIRITUALITY & LIFESTYLE ::
Words of Power Sri Aurobindo
This month, we focus on Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950), a great revolutionary, visionary and Hindu mystic of relatively modern times. A brief biography of him can be accessed here.

• The will of a single hero can breathe courage into the hearts of a million cowards...
• So long as a cause has on its side one soul that is intangible in faith, it cannot perish...
• The Veda was the beginning of our spiritual knowledge; the Veda will remain its end. These compositions of an unknown antiquity are as the many breasts of the eternal Mother of knowledge from which our succeeding ages have all been fed...
• Modern artists are putting an end to art. Vulgarization everywhere! When this craze for utility comes, beauty goes to the dogs. This is the modern tendency...
• Man is a transitional being; he is not final....
• The traditions of the past are very great in their own place, in the past, but I do not see why we should merely repeat them and not go farther. In the spiritual development of the consciousness upon earth the great past ought to be followed by a greater future...

SEE LAST MONTH'S WORDS OF POWER CLICK HERE TO COMMENT / DISCUSS

posted on Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 at 11:51 pm and is filed under Culture, Spirituality & Lifestyle.

Sri Aurobindo was the Vice-Principal of the Baroda College

ABOUT M.S.U. Communalism Watch

Maharaja Sayaji Rao University of Baroda is the only English medium University of Gujarat, which attracts students and teachers across length and breadth of the country. Maharaja Sayaji Rao, the erstwhile ruler of Baroda, had started Baroda College in 1890’s. Because of his endeavor, Aurobindo Ghosh, the known revolutionary of his age, had become the Vice-Principal of the Baroda College. In pre-independence India, Baroda became the important center of learning after Bombay in the educational map of western India. After independence, with the University Act of 1949, this Baroda College became the full-fledged University. One of its founder Syndicate member, the great philosopher, S. Radhakrishnan, drafted an act of the university on the basis of academic freedom and autonomy from state control. This is the only university in Gujarat, where the Governor is not the Chancellor but from the royal family of Gaekwad. At present, M.S.U. have about 35 thousand students across 13 faculties, with about 1500 teaching staff. Many of its faculties are known worldwide.

Written by - Mukesh Semwal, Research scholar in Political Science Dept. MSU President- All India D.S.O. MSU Date-21-5-07 Labels: Baroda, BJP, Education, Freedom of expression, Gujarat, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Permalink posted by moti roti on Saturday, May 26, 2007

The Prospectus of the Arya

The Prospectus of the Arya (French edition). [Please note that except where indicated the English translation is by the editors of Sri Aurobindo: Archives and Research. No copy of the English prospectus of Arya has survived.] English Translation

“ARYA”
OUR PROGRAMME.
The “ARYA” is a review of pure philosophy.
The object which it has set before itself is twofold:–
1. A systematic study of the highest problems of existence;
2. The formation of a Synthesis of knowledge, harmonising the diverse religious traditions of humanity occidental as well as oriental. Its method will be that of a realism, at once rational and transcendental, — a realism consisting in the unification of intellectual and scientific discipline with those of intuitive experimentation.
The Review will also serve as an organ for the various groups and societies founded on its inspiration.20

PLAN OF THE REVIEW.
The Review will be divided into four parts, consisting of:
1. Synthetic studies in speculative Philosophy.
2. Translations and commentaries of ancient texts.
3. Studies in Comparative Religion.
4. Practical methods of inner culture and self development.21
5. A fifth part will be devoted to the intellectual movement and the news of the groups attached to the Review.

First Part.
During the year 1914-15, the Review will publish:
1. Under the general title “The Wherefore of the Worlds”, a series of studies relating to the great problems of being, its origins and its first principles.
2. An exposition of Vedantic thought in accordance with the Ishopanishad.

Second Part.
In this part the Review will publish:
1. An annotated translation of the Upanishads.
2. A new interpretation of the texts of the Veda based on a philological study of the forms evolved from the ancient Sanskrit and on a restitution of the original sense of the symbols.
We will give here an idea of the high value of these works, carried out during five years of solitary meditation by Sri Aurobindo Ghose, by publishing the following fragment of his study of the Veda.
[Here was printed “The Colloquy of Indra and Agastya”, published in the first issue of Arya and later reproduced in The Secret of the Veda.]

Third Part.
Introduction: Our study of comparative religion will be preceded by the publication of a synthetical work bringing together texts drawn from the greatest thinkers of humanity.
These texts will be published under the title The Eternal Wisdom. They will be grouped in such a way as to form a homogeneous whole made up of the following categories, which develop the main lines of the unanimous teachings of the religions.
This plan may be summarized as follows:

Introduction. Wisdom and the Religions.
First Book. The God of All, the God who is in All.
Second Book. The discovery in oneself of the God who is in All.
a) The conquest of Truth

b) The practice of Truth.
Third Book. The realisation in each of the God which is in All.
Fourth Book. The Union of All by the Unity of the Divine in All.22
Conclusion. The supreme perspectives of man’s aspiration.
We will give here an idea of the way in which this work has been conceived by publishing the following fragment, which moreover puts forward admirably the spirit of this Review.
[On the next page appeared “The Spirit of Synthesis”, Book II, Part I, Chapter V of The Eternal Wisdom. Later published in Arya, vol. I, pp. 502-3.]

Fourth Part.
Starting with the first number, the Review will begin a practical exposition of a new method of inner development, based on a personal experimentation, and coordinating results gained through ancient methods.

Fifth Part.
The Review will welcome in this part communications related to the intellectual movement of which it is the centre. Questions and requests for clarification which are of philosophical interest to our readers will be answered.

Liberty and equality for one and all

Publications > Vedic Books > English > Why Read Rig Veda
The book emphasis the universal values which are upheld in Rig Veda like liberty and equality for one and all in society. Author: Dr. R. L. Kashyap
Pages: 96 ISBN 81-900979-3-8 Price: INR 40.00 USD 5.00 Edition Paperback

Publisher SAKSI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Summary 2. The Essence of Rig Veda 3. Critics of Rig Veda
4. Women in the Vedic Age 5. Concept of Freedom
6. Perfection & Education 7.Rid Veda Mantra
8. Veda in Indian Tradition 9. Why read Rig Veda?
10. Symbolism in Rig Veda 11. Deva 12. Yajna
13. Cosmology and Consciousness 14. Human Psychology
15. Agni 16. The First Hymn of RV 17. Soma
18. Sarasvati 19. Aditi 20. Indra
21. Sin, Evil, Hostile Forces and Purification
22. Veda and the Upanishad 23. Veda Way of Life
24. Technology in the Veda 25. Date of the Rig Veda
26. References 27. Text of quoted mantras

The founding of the National College of Bengal a century ago

From: "SABDA Sri Aurobindo Ashram" mail@sabda.in CC: Subject: SABDA eNews: Understanding Thoughts of Sri Aurobindo Date: Sat, 5 May 2007 16:24:08 +0530

The book introduced below, Understanding Thoughts of Sri Aurobindo, brought out under the auspices of the Centre for Sri Aurobindo Studies at Jadavpur University, is an anthology of papers written by scholars that selectively explore some aspects of Sri Aurobindo’s thought. The final paper “Sri Aurobindo: A Century in Perspective” starts with the founding of the National College of Bengal a century ago and looks at the work of Sri Aurobindo in the perspective of our contemporary consciousness, suggesting how his work can guide us in confronting the questions raised by the findings of modern scientific research.

The book also has some interesting historical sidelights. Jadavpur University is the modern day incarnation of the National Council of Education (NCE) which came into being as part of India’s freedom movement a century ago. A national education had a vital role to play as a powerful form of resistance to British rule and a means to achieve self-reliance through the literary, scientific and technical education of India’s new generations. The founding of the NCE and the Bengal National College was made possible by the generosity and inspiration of nationalist leaders, among whom we can count Sri Aurobindo and Raja Subodh Mullick. These two also collaborated on the nationalist newspaper Bande Mataram. In the July 13, 1907 issue of this paper, Sri Aurobindo wrote that “Swadeshi in Education does not mean teaching by Indian professors only or even management by Indians only. It means an education suited to the temperament and needs of the people fitted to build up a nation equipped for life under modern conditions and absolutely controlled by Indians.” There are two articles in the forthcoming issue of SABDA’s Recent Publications newsletter that tell some of the story of what happened behind the scenes in those early days of India’s freedom struggle. Here is an excerpt from Understanding Thoughts of Sri Aurobindo:

Education impacts the quality of existence at various levels through the principle of transformation, i.e. upward opening and expansion of consciousness. It prepares the individual for progressive change in the consciousness, “a turning towards” and contacting the all-pervasive reality. This makes integral education dynamic and evolutionary in nature. It is democratic as it holds that true teaching consists in consulting the instrument of knowledge in the progress of the individual. It allows an experience guided by integral principles. It has a progressive pedagogy well-cushioned by Integral Yoga which dissolves the limits of consciousness of the individual and the society in a methodical way.

NEW PUBLICATIONS
To order any book, click on the title, which will locate the book in our online catalogue. Next, add it to the shopping cart. You may then proceed to pay by credit card online.
ENGLISH
Understanding Thoughts of Sri Aurobindo — Articles by various authors ISBN: 978-81-246-0402-1 Publisher: D. K. Printworld (P) Ltd., New Delhi in Association with Jadavpur University, Kolkata Binding: Hard Cover Pages: 317 Price: Rs 520
This anthology of penetrating essays that explore and explain the avenues of thought laid out by Sri Aurobindo in his major writings offers to the reader a deep and wide look at philosophy, evolution, education, poetry and art, man and his relations, politics and the state, and yoga and psychology. The contributors are committed and serious scholars who feel that Sri Aurobindo’s thought offers the surest basis for understanding the past, present, and future dilemmas facing man. The book begins with an overview of the seminal ideas of each essay and concludes with some suggestions for new research, based on Sri Aurobindo’s work, in view of contemporary advances in science and technology and the current interest in transformative practices throughout all fields of study.

Introduction to Integral Education An Inspirational Guide— Sraddhalu Ranade ISBN: 978-81-7509-097-2 Publisher: Sri Aurobindo International Institute for Educational Research, Auroville Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 288 Price: Rs 300
Based on a series of teacher-training workshops conducted across India, this book aims to introduce and orient parents and teachers to integral education: a new approach to learning and teaching, a new attitude and mindset that focuses on responding to each child’s unique needs and learning style. Chapters are organised first to reveal the foundations of this new approach, then to provide strategies to help move from the old ways of teaching to the new, followed by practical classroom projects and techniques, and finally an examination of the kinds of changes teachers and parents must undergo to become the inspirational guides their students and children need.

Work: an offering — Words of Sri Aurobindo and the MotherISBN: 978-81-7060-259-0 Publisher: Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 103 Price: Rs 45
This compilation highlights the unique role of work in the Integral Yoga, beginning with a section on the necessity of work as a “field of endeavour and a school of experience” for the sadhana. Originally presented as an exhibition, the book is organised into short sections that cover topics such as how to prepare yourself, have the right attitude, and then offer your work; how to face the difficulties in your daily work environment; and how to move away from the illusions of ego-centred work toward becoming a true instrument for the Divine’s work.

Spiritual Exercises for Everyday Practice — Words of the Mother ISBN: 978-81-7060-262-0 Publisher: Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 48 Price: Rs 15

BENGALI Manusher Jibane Duhkha Jantrana O Ishwar Sri Aurobindo-Sri Mayer Lekha Avalambane— Debabrata Majumdar ISBN: 978-81-7060-252-1 Publisher: Sri Aurobindo Institute of Research in Social Sciences, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry Binding: Soft CoverPages: 138 Price: Rs 45

GUJARATI The Life Divine – Ek Adhyayan ane Abhigam — Prof. V. R. Pathak, Prof. Jyotsna M. Shah Publisher: Prof. V. R. Pathak, Ahmedabad Binding: Hard Cover Pages: 575 Price: Rs 150

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Sri Aurobindo Society - May '07

News from Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry)
Upcoming Events
20-27 May 2007: Education Camp - Study And Dialogues Cum Workshop
The Society's Annual Education Camp will be held at Puducherry for teachers, parents and educationists dealing with children of KG and Primary level, from 20 to 28 May 2007. The Camp-cum-workshop will concentrate only on Integral Education as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Along with study and discussions there will also be some practical programmes for teachers at mainly K.G. and Primary levels.
Recent Events
4 April 2007: Sri Aurobindo's Arrival at Puducherry
Sri Aurobindo in Puducherry
Sri Aurobindo came to Puducherry on 4 April 1910 to pursue a spiritual goal - the goal of supramental transformation - never before successfully attempted by anyone. While engaged in the freedom struggle in Bengal, Sri Aurobindo received an Adesh (a Divine Command) to go to Pondicherry. In one of his letters to a disciple he wrote:
"Pondicherry is my place of retreat, my cave of tapasya, not of the ascetic kind, but of a brand of my own invention."
24 April 2007, Darshan Day: The Mother's Final Arrival at Puducherry
The Mother at Puducherry
The Mother came to Puducherry for the first time in March 1914. She returned to France in 1915 and then went to Japan in 1916. She returned to Puducherry on 24 April 1920, never to leave again. On this significant date, the Mother once wrote to a disciple:
April 24: The anniversary of my return to Pondicherry, which was the tangible sign of the sure Victory over the adverse forces.
The 87th Anniversary of the Mother's final arrival in Pondicherry was celebrated on 24 April 2007. There was meditation around the Samadhi from 6:00 to 6:30 am and a visit to Sri Aurobindo's Room thereafter. The message card distributed on the occasion can be viewed by clicking here.

News from Branches and Centres
News from Abroad Nairobi (Kenya)
The Mother's birth anniversary Celebrations: The Nairobi Centre celebrated the Mother's birth anniversary on 21 February 2007. At 8:30 am, after the hoisting of the Mother's flag, Mother's Morning Prayer was read out followed by collective singing of the song 'Vande Matram' and chanting of 'Victory to the Mother'. At 7:00 pm Mother's prayer of 2 June 1914 was read out followed by recital of the invocation to the Divine Mother from Savitri: "At the head she stands….". Then there was an offering of devotional songs to the Mother - 'Samarpan', sung by the participants. About 80 people were present for the celebrations.
Distribution of Booklets: On 3 March 2007, 50 sets of mini booklets in eleven different titles were given for distribution at Doctors' Plaza at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, by the Society's Nairobi Centre. The booklets will be kept for reading in the reception offices of the doctors in the Plaza.
On 31 March 2007 four members of the Nairobi Centre visited Karen Hospital, Nairobi, to present 2,200 mini booklets in eleven different titles. The Nursing Services Manager and the Marketing Officer of the hospital received the booklets on behalf of the staff and the patients of the hospital. The booklets will also be kept in the out-patients clinic of the hospital. A short introduction on NAMAH was also given to the Nursing Services Manager of the hospital.
News from India
Noida (Uttar Pradesh)
Ms. Shruti, addressing the participants of the WorkshopA view of the participants
Workshop: A Workshop on "Stress free life" and "Social responsibilities of youth" was organised by the Noida Branch at the IEC College of Engineering & Technology, Greater Noida, on the morning of 21 March 2007. Ms. Shruti spoke on the above topics. About 80 final year students and some of the staff members of the College participated in the workshop. Booklets on 'Sri Aurobindo - Ek Sankshipt Parichay', 'Sri Maa: Jeevan Aur Kaarya' and 'Yuva Raho' were distributed to the participants.
Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, speaking on "Management by Consciousness". Sitting on the Dais (L to R): Shri O.P. Dani, Chairman, Noida Branch, Shri Vijay K. Poddar, Chairman, SAS Zonal Committee (Hindi) & Shri V.P. Goyal, Vice Chairman, State Committee U.P. & Uttaranchal
A view of the audience
Talk: The Noida Branch of the Society arranged a talk by Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, on "Management by Consciousness" on 31 March 2007. The programme was attended by about 70 persons.
Seated (L to R): Shri O.P.Dani, Chairman, Noida Branch, Shri B.P. Singhal,Former Member Rajya Sabha, and Shri V.P. Goyal, Vice Chairman, State Committee U.P. & Uttaranchal
Talk: The Noida Branch organised a talk by Shri B.P. Singhal, former Member of Parliament, on 15 April 2007. The topic of his talk was "Manav Aur Uske Uddeshya". During his talk, Shri Singhal explained that every living being comes on the earth with a specific objective. Only human beings can achieve their goal through knowledge and spirituality. In today's world, human beings are always rushing about without knowing the object of life. Once we know the object of our life, our way of working will get oriented around that and we can live in peace and joy. More than 40 people attended the talk.
24 April 2007: To mark the Mother's final arrival in Puducherry, Sri Aurobindo Society, Noida Branch, held a special collective meditation on 24 April 2007 from 6:30 to 7:00 pm at the Sri Aurobindo Bhavan. About 30 persons attended the meditation. Shri O.P. Dani briefly spoke about the Mother's final arrival at Puducherry.
Delhi Branch
The Delhi Branch of the Society arranged a discourse on "Woman is the Soul of India" by Swami Avdheshananda Giriji on 31 March 2007. Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, wife of the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, was the Chief Guest. Ms. Rani Jethmalani introduced Swamiji. Ms. Shruti invoked the Mother. About 400 people attended the programme. Shri Ranjit Puri, Chairman of the Delhi Branch of the Society, gave the Vote of thanks. Distribution of leaflets, membership forms and sale of books took place.
Sri Aurobindo Complex, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore (Karnataka)
On 28 Feb. 2007, Dr. Sriramakrishna, an authority on Indian philosophy, spoke on "Essays on the Gita". He touched upon various other yogic practices and also explained as to how, in comparison, the interpretation of Sri Aurobindo goes far beyond the already existing commentaries.
On 28 March 2007 Prof. Chandrashekar Rath from Orissa gave a talk on "Life without Death" as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
Between 29 March and 4 April 2007, a seven-day Study Camp on "Synthesis of Yoga" was held by Dr. Sri Ramakrish every day between 6:00 and 8:30 pm. His deliberations with the help of about 400 plus PowerPoint slides was very effective.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
The Chennai Branch arranged the following talks during the month of March 2007:
Date Speaker Topic
1 March Shri M.K. Ramaswamy "Have we progressed?"
4 March Shri A.V. Balasubramanian, I.A.S. Savitri Book IV (explained in Tamil)
11 March Talk by 4 students of "Ilakkia Charal" (each 10 minutes) 1. Selvi Divya Ravi: Sang songs on the Mother 2. Selvan Deepak Kumar: "Love is the name of the Mother" 3. Selvi Jayanthi: "The Mother's Sayings" 4. Selvan V.V. Ganesh : "Scintilating Path"
18 March Shri M.K. Ramaswamy "Faith - Four types"
25 March Shri S. Venkat "Sadhak Dyuman"
On 25 March 2007, before meditation, Smt. Manonmani Rangaswamy sang devotional songs. All the above talks were well attended.
Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh)
The Allahabad Centre organised a seminar at Allahabad on 8 April 2007. The seminar was chaired by Shri Vijay K. Poddar, Member of the Executive Committee of Sri Aurobindo Society. The seminar was addressed by Dr. S.C. Tyagi, Chairman of the U.P. State Committee, on "Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo" and by Dr. J.P. Singh, Chairman of the Sultanpur Branch, on "The Aims and Objectives of Yoga in the light of Sri Aurobindo". Shri S.C. Vidyarthi, Chairman of the Allahabad Centre, and Shri M.M. Verma, Secretary, also spoke on the occasion.
Ballia (Uttar Pradesh)
The Ballia Centre celebrated its 3rd anniversary on 15 April 2007. The main speakers of the day were Shri Ram Tiwari and Shri Jagannath Prasad, who spoke on the writings of Sri Aurobindo on social evolution, past failures and the remedy for the future. Shri Anand Singh, Secretary of the Centre, narrated the activities of the Centre during the year 2006-07. A lively discussion on Sri Aurobindo's "Integral Yoga" took place in which a large number of people participated.Bhind (Madhya Pradesh)
The Bhind Centre organised a Conference on 11 March 2007 on "Sri Aurobindo's Nationalism". The speakers were Dr. Suresh Chandra Sharma from Gwalior, Dr. Suman Kocher from Indore and Shri Manoj Sharma from Bhopal. Booklets printed by the Society were distributed free.
Burdwan (West Bengal)
The Burdwan Centre organised a function on 25 February 2007 to celebrate the Mother's 129th birth anniversary. The function started with bhajans. After the bhajans Smt. Sibani Ghosh read out from the book 'Prayers and Meditation' by the Mother. Smt. Tatini Banerjee narrated experiences of her meeting with Sri Aurobindo when she was only 10 years old. Mr. B.K. Banerjee spoke on "The Mother". Dr. Geeta Ghosh spoke on "Savitri".

A Discovery of Indian Clasical Music
It is with an Alaap that an Indian musician begins to explore and introduce a Raga. This is why, this unique creation of 20 Audio CDs and a resource Book has been titled Alaap. Researched and compiled by Sri Aurobindo Society, it is an authentic introduction to Indian Classical Music.
The various magical dimensions of Indian Music - the deep truths, the facts that are stranger than fiction, the variety and richness, the unity and the diversity, of the Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian) styles, are all brought together in one comprehensive and fascinating set.
Alaap is formed of three parts. Part I (6 CDs) seeks for the spiritual core of Indian music and explains the mystical elements of the Swara, the Guru-shishya-parampara, the Sadhana, in the framework of the Raga and the Tala. Part II (7 CDs) presents the Hindustani or the North Indian style, its language, techniques, gharanas, instruments and the meaning of improvisation. Part III (7 CDs) presents the Carnatic or the South Indian style, its terminology, its richness and complexities, its ancient tradition.
Alaap helps one understand, appreciate and enjoy Indian Classical Music as a living experience. One shares the insights of the great masters and listens to some of the finest unforgettable music creations of the last 50 years - names which have become synonymous with Indian music - Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Amir Khan, Omkarnath Thakur, Shemmangudi Srinivas Iyer, Bhimsen Joshi, Bala Murali Krishna, Vilayat Khan, Lalgudi Jayaraman, Girija Devi, T.R. Mahalingam, Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain and many more.
Alaap has something for all - whether a beginner, wanting to understand and appreciate Indian Classical Music, or a scholar and a musician deeply involved in it, whether one who just enjoys music or someone completely in love with it. As the Sufi Mystic Hazrat Inayat Khan says, "In music no one leaves empty-handed. Everyone gets as much as he can take."
Alaap is indeed a discovery of Indian Classical Music, where the art of listening itself can be a journey to the depths of one's soul. To listen to Alaap is to experience the wonder that is India.
In the beauty of its presentation, in the wide scope of its contents, in its authenticity and depth, perhaps Alaap stands all by itself. The set has an exclusive look and is created in the form of the ancient palm-leaf manuscripts of India where each leaf contains 2 CDs. Alaap is available also as audio-cassettes. The result of years of painstaking research, Alaap is a labour of love, created by Sri Aurobindo Society and brought to you by Times Music.
Alaap can be ordered through courier service in India and abroad. The costs are as follows:
i) 20 CD set with Book - by courier to countries outside India (including Canada and USA) - US $ 155 (including packing and courier delivery charges).ii) 20 CD set with Book - by courier in India - Rs.4,900/- (including packing and courier delivery charges).iii) 20 Audio-cassettes set with Book - Rs.1,750/- (packing and freight extra). The payment may be made in favour of "Splendour" by either Demand Draft or Banker's Cheque. For placing the orders or for further information please contact: The Manager, Splendour, Auroservice, Sri Aurobindo Society Beach Office, Pondicherry - 605 002. INDIA Ph: 91-413-2336398 Fx: 91-413-2334447 Email: splendour@sriaurobindosociety.org.in home about the site 15th August the mother sri aurobindo about sas sas activities onlife, online calendar sas & you the ashram centre of education auroville pondicherry sitemap what's new related links archive feedback audio "Om namoh bhagvate..."