The Mother

by Sri Aurobindo

These inspirational essays by Sri Aurobindo form a powerful statement of the true attitude to be taken by a sadhak of the integral Yoga: one of a complete and dynamic surrender to the Mother. They describe the triple movement of aspiration, rejection, and surrender, the conditions for a true faith and sincerity, the irresistible power of the Divine Mother’s grace, the need to reconquer the money-force for the Mother’s work, and the joy of a perfect instrumentality through selfless work, surmounting the demands of the ego. The final piece describes the four great powers and personalities of the Divine Mother.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Hinduism, Religion, Goddess, Nonfiction

76 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 1927

About the author

Sri Aurobindo (Bengali: শ্রী অরবিন্দ Sri Ôrobindo) was an Indian nationalist and freedom fighter, major Indian English poet, philosopher, and yogi. He joined the movement for India's freedom from British rule and for a duration (1905–10), became one of its most important leaders, before turning to developing his own vision and philosophy of human progress and spiritual evolution.

The central theme of Sri Aurobindo's vision is the evolution of life into a "life divine". In his own words: "Man is a transitional being. He is not final. The step from man to superman is the next approaching achievement in the earth evolution. It is inevitable because it is at once the intention of the inner spirit and the logic of Nature's process."

The principal writings of Sri Aurobindo include, in prose, The Life Divine, considered his single great work of metaphysics,The Synthesis of Yoga, Secrets of the Vedas, Essays on the Gita, The Human Cycle, The Ideal of Human Unity, Renaissance in India and other essays, Supramental Manifestation upon Earth, The Future Poetry, Thoughts and Aphorisms and several volumes of letters. In poetry, his principal work is Savitri: a Legend and a Symbol in blank verse.

Reviews

[Puja · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not a book, it is a way of being.

[Jordan Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sri Aurobindo has a clear and concise way of speaking about the role of surrender contrasted with grace. This short text was a beautiful read and something I like to keep in my back pocket.

[Rakesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important volume for those who wish to learn of the Divine Mother and her workings - on how to be an instrument of the Divine Consciousness through aspiration, rejection and surrender, to become a 'true doer of divine works' and put oneself in contact with the supreme Grace.

[Kristen Ringman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty wonderful book about Auroville's other founder, The Mother...a beautiful woman.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book... a profound exposition on Shakti, her various roles and the forms she takes in this world to protect us and lead us to ever greater levels of consciousness.

[Tod Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

[Giacomo Mantani · Rating 5 out of 5]

"So Little book, So Much Inspiration"

[Santosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

some have called this the Matri Upanishad, the Upanishad of the Mother, and it is easy to understand why. This short text contains 6 chapters and they are packed with both knowledge and aspiration. Chapter 6 in particular outlines the great powers of the divine Shakti that creates and drives the world, known in Indian texts as "the Mother". Other chapters look at fate, destiny, relationship to money and how to deal with difficulties in life without fear. A book i carry around with me wherever i go!

[Srividya]

There is many levels to this piece and multiple reading gives me different levels of understanding.

[Pashu · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Mother" by Sri Aurobindo is a profound spiritual text that delves into the concept of the Divine Feminine and its role in spiritual evolution. Written in the early 20th century, this compact yet powerful book offers deep insights into Sri Aurobindo's philosophy and his vision of spiritual transformation.

The work centers on the idea of the Divine Mother as a cosmic force, embodying the supreme consciousness and power that guides the universe. Sri Aurobindo presents the Mother not just as a concept, but as a living reality that seekers can connect with to advance their spiritual journey.
In "The Mother," Sri Aurobindo outlines four primary aspects of the Divine Mother: Maheshwari (wisdom and largeness), Mahakali (strength and swiftness), Mahalakshmi (harmony and beauty), and Mahasaraswati (perfection and skill in works). These aspects represent different divine qualities that aspirants can invoke and integrate into their being.

The book serves as a practical guide for spiritual seekers, offering insights on how to surrender to the Divine Mother and align oneself with her consciousness. Sri Aurobindo emphasizes the importance of integral surrender, not just of the mind and heart, but of every part of one's being.

What sets "The Mother" apart is its blend of profound philosophy and practical spirituality. While rooted in Indian spiritual traditions, Sri Aurobindo's vision transcends cultural boundaries, presenting a universal approach to spiritual evolution.

The text is known for its concentrated power and transformative energy. Many readers report experiencing a shift in consciousness simply by engaging with the book's contents. This aligns with Sri Aurobindo's belief in the power of words to carry spiritual force.

"The Mother" is not just a standalone work but is deeply interconnected with Sri Aurobindo's larger body of writings, particularly "The Life Divine." While the latter offers a comprehensive philosophical framework, "The Mother" provides a more focused, practice-oriented approach to spiritual realization.

"The Mother" by Sri Aurobindo is a key text for understanding his integral yoga and his vision of human potential. It offers a unique perspective on the role of the Divine Feminine in spiritual evolution and continues to inspire seekers worldwide in their quest for higher consciousness.

[Yahya Mourad · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started of beautifully as it spoke the core of surrender to the divine, and the way one cannot be playing two games at the same time but one must be totally devoted.
It aligned perfectly with the core of what Islam is all about which is the total devotion to the one divine, Allah.
Yet mid through the whole Shakti and Mahashakti and lots of other division began to appear shattering the pure oneness.

No matter what one says, oneness cannot be divided.

[Ankur saxena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Key points and very fine things in bhakti (love relation with God) told in this book. Total surrender is the most prime thing in bhakti.

[Simran Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Brilliant!

[Hemanth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small book reminding us to get back on the “Path” and not be swayed by all that glitters. It was a timely reminder for me.

[Raimundo Zubelzu Hernández]

(AUDIOLIBRO)

[Ipshita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book/she finds you at the right time

[Ash Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short work that offers a pathway to The Mother, the supreme Conscious Force. I have to admit, this text didn't do anything for me beyond rekindling my dislike of religious texts. It's not that anything was particularly offensive, it's just that the text reads as tho it were written for those already part of the club. It reminded me of reading Psalms in the Christian bible. Perhaps my struggle with the text is it seems to be heavy on description but in a way that didn't seem to penetrate for me. It's like I could read all the words and understand everything, but, at the end of reading, I can't really unfold anything of significance back out.