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Sri Aurobindo and India's Rebirth
Revolutionary, philosopher, litterateur, and seer, Sri Aurobindo remains one of the brightest minds India has ever had. This book captures the evolution of his thought through excerpts from his political articles and speeches, essays, talks with and letters to disciples, and public messages-presented chronologically. It includes his views on Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose; his doubts about Gandhi's method to attain freedom and insistence on Ahimsa; and his very distinctive contribution to the nascent Nationalist Movement. Both prophetic of the challenges to come India's way post-Independence, and persuaded of her potential to overcome them, Sri Aurobindo's vision of a new India melds the spiritual with the political. More than sixty years after his passing, Sri Aurobindo's penetrating insights on issues such as building on India's cultural and spiritual foundations, a national agenda for education, Hindu-Muslim coexistence and the need to distinguish reason from a blind imitation of the West, continue to resonate.
285 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Sri Aurobindo
1,173 books424 followersSri 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 27, 2021
I always wanted to pick "Sri Aurobindo " works whenever I tour a book store. But limited Vedic knowledge in me cautioned me to explore Aurobindo works. After many years I have picked his book acknowledging I have sufficient awareness to give it a try, But after reading " Rebirth of India" it felt like knowledge is vast and untamable. Though I understood every word he spoke, I don't think I have understood his intention completely.
"Rebirth of India" is directly not written by "Aurobindo", It's a compilation of his speech, letters, and articles given in his lifetime. Most of his articles opened my eyes to the shortcomings of modern Hinduism, European capitalism, the Indian education system, Politics, and Gandhis Non-violence principle. His works are maybe an analysis of the era between post and pre-independence, But it's still extremely relevant to the 21st century. if you are familiar with Tagore works, you can find the connections in Aurobindo works as well.
I must say, It's not an easy read because of his contradictory opinion against which we believed to be true. Despite following a dharmic path for years, Now I am wondering whether I follow a westernized spiritual path or an authentic one. I think Indian politicians have succumbed in front of the machinery European world with materialistic glamour, Failed to adapt a spiritually ingrained system to leads the world towards a prosperous future. As he predicted, 21st-century spirituality is also capitalized and commercialized, lost its essence. His work is not only for India, His concern is for every living being in the existence. It's a good read whether you are from India or anywhere in the world.
Aurobindo's Criticism against Gandhi's non-violence principle is the main highlight in the book. It answered so many questions troubling me about the worldview of Tolstoy. I tried so hard to like Tolstoy, But he is just another Gandhi so I couldn't. Must read if you want to understand the hypocrisy of Gandhi and congress.
This book could be a gateway to the delightful universe Aurobindo world. Now I am a bit confident to explore some of his life works to understand India completely.
Favorite quotes:
" We should be unsparing in our attack on whatever obstructs the growth of the nation, and never be afraid to call a spade a spade. Excessive good nature, chakshu lajja [the desire to be always pleasant and polite], will never do in serious politics. Respect of persons must always give place to truth and conscience;
and the demand that we should be silent because of the age or past services of our opponents, is politically immoral and unsound. OThe open attack, unsparing criticism, the severest satire, the most wounding irony, are all methods perfectly justifiable and indispensable in politics. We have strong things to say; let us say them strongly; we have stern things to do; let us do them sternly. But there is always a danger of strength degenerating into violence and sternness into ferocity, and that should be avoided so far as it is humanly possible."
"Each nation must practice the political creed which is the most suited to its temperament and circumstances; for that is the best for it which leads most surely and
completely to national liberty and national self-realization."
'
"Rebirth of India" is directly not written by "Aurobindo", It's a compilation of his speech, letters, and articles given in his lifetime. Most of his articles opened my eyes to the shortcomings of modern Hinduism, European capitalism, the Indian education system, Politics, and Gandhis Non-violence principle. His works are maybe an analysis of the era between post and pre-independence, But it's still extremely relevant to the 21st century. if you are familiar with Tagore works, you can find the connections in Aurobindo works as well.
I must say, It's not an easy read because of his contradictory opinion against which we believed to be true. Despite following a dharmic path for years, Now I am wondering whether I follow a westernized spiritual path or an authentic one. I think Indian politicians have succumbed in front of the machinery European world with materialistic glamour, Failed to adapt a spiritually ingrained system to leads the world towards a prosperous future. As he predicted, 21st-century spirituality is also capitalized and commercialized, lost its essence. His work is not only for India, His concern is for every living being in the existence. It's a good read whether you are from India or anywhere in the world.
Aurobindo's Criticism against Gandhi's non-violence principle is the main highlight in the book. It answered so many questions troubling me about the worldview of Tolstoy. I tried so hard to like Tolstoy, But he is just another Gandhi so I couldn't. Must read if you want to understand the hypocrisy of Gandhi and congress.
This book could be a gateway to the delightful universe Aurobindo world. Now I am a bit confident to explore some of his life works to understand India completely.
Favorite quotes:
" We should be unsparing in our attack on whatever obstructs the growth of the nation, and never be afraid to call a spade a spade. Excessive good nature, chakshu lajja [the desire to be always pleasant and polite], will never do in serious politics. Respect of persons must always give place to truth and conscience;
and the demand that we should be silent because of the age or past services of our opponents, is politically immoral and unsound. OThe open attack, unsparing criticism, the severest satire, the most wounding irony, are all methods perfectly justifiable and indispensable in politics. We have strong things to say; let us say them strongly; we have stern things to do; let us do them sternly. But there is always a danger of strength degenerating into violence and sternness into ferocity, and that should be avoided so far as it is humanly possible."
"Each nation must practice the political creed which is the most suited to its temperament and circumstances; for that is the best for it which leads most surely and
completely to national liberty and national self-realization."
'
September 19, 2018
The book is a collection of Sri Aurobindo's essays,written by him or recited by him to his disciples over almost 45 years.Running at about 250 pages,this is probably the densest amalgamation of ideas I have ever read.The book is brimming with many,many ideas about education,art,ancient civilizations,India's culture,India's history,European culture & history,Gandhi's ideologies,views on Independence,spirituality,etc.The book might be a tough read for an atheist and the ideas on spirituality will sound very mystical.Similarly,the book will be a tough read for people who hold European civilization in very high regard.However,even such people won't be able to deny that the rest of Sri Aurobindo's thoughts paint a picture of a rational,level-headed,very well-read,intellectual man with a very deep sense of patriotism.It is interesting to note that Sri Aurobindo was one of the first 'Nationalists' of the Indian Independence movement.However,he relinquished all political positions and dealings somewhere around 1910 and dedicated his life to awakening of the population via spiritual & internal means in his Ashram.He became active again only in the 1940s.
I found all the insights on the prevailing Indian community very fascinating.It was heart-breaking to read that the Indian population had accepted British rule & their sheer tyranny as the will of God.So,leave alone fighting for freedom,the masses didn't even consider it.Sri Aurobindo also stresses a lot on India's heart & soul through various allusions to its past and the scriptures.He also covers International events(both WWI and WWII,with WWII getting more attention) and the rise of the Muslim League and the preceding Marley-Minto 'reform' upto eventually,the end of WWII and India's partition.His mastery of English & Sanskrit is also note-worthy.
The book is not only about the political happenings in India and the world.It also covers the aspects of Human nature which are less talked about.Even Art & Literature are touched upon.I paraphrase,"Since the invention of the camera,paintings only try to mirror what's in front of them.Art must go beyond what is visible." The depth of thought is immaculate and it's almost impossible to not be influenced.
I highly recommend this book.
I found all the insights on the prevailing Indian community very fascinating.It was heart-breaking to read that the Indian population had accepted British rule & their sheer tyranny as the will of God.So,leave alone fighting for freedom,the masses didn't even consider it.Sri Aurobindo also stresses a lot on India's heart & soul through various allusions to its past and the scriptures.He also covers International events(both WWI and WWII,with WWII getting more attention) and the rise of the Muslim League and the preceding Marley-Minto 'reform' upto eventually,the end of WWII and India's partition.His mastery of English & Sanskrit is also note-worthy.
The book is not only about the political happenings in India and the world.It also covers the aspects of Human nature which are less talked about.Even Art & Literature are touched upon.I paraphrase,"Since the invention of the camera,paintings only try to mirror what's in front of them.Art must go beyond what is visible." The depth of thought is immaculate and it's almost impossible to not be influenced.
I highly recommend this book.
May 29, 2019
If anyone wants to start reading Aurobindo. This book will be good start. It gives you a birds view on the personality of Aurobindo, his ideas, his spiritual insights. After reading this book i felt like Sri Aurobindo's writings are timeless.
February 14, 2021
landed on this book by accident tracking the source of the below quote that floated on fb around the time of the infamous farm-broker riots in Bharath in 2021 .this book is a collection is short quotes from Aurobindoji
"" We should be absolutely unsparing in our attack on whatever obstructs the growth of the nation, and never be afraid to call a spade a spade. Excessive good nature, chakshu lajja [the desire to be always pleasant and polite], will never do in serious politics. Respect of persons must always give place to truth and conscience;
and the demand that we should be silent because of the age or past services of our opponents, is politically immoral and unsound. Open attack, unsparing criticism, the severest satire, the most wounding irony, are all methods perfectly justifiable and indispensable in politics. We have strong things to say; let us say them strongly; we have stern things to do; let us do them sternly. But there is always a danger of strength degenerating into violence and sternness into ferocity, and that should be avoided so far as it is humanly possible.""
the quote was spot on and relevant even today. Auroibindoji was a visionary beyond his times
some other striking quotes:
Our actual enemy is not any force exterior to ourselves, but our own crying weaknesses, our cowardice, our selfishness, our hypocrisy, our purblind sentimentalism.
"Each nation must practise the political creed which is the most suited to its temperament and circumstances; for that is the best for it which leads most surely and
completely to national liberty and national self-realisation."
The spirit and ideals of India had come to be confined in a mould which, however beautiful, was too narrow and slender to bear the mighty burden of our future. When that happens, the mould has to be broken and even the ideal lost for a while, in order to be recovered free of constraint and limitation
"" We should be absolutely unsparing in our attack on whatever obstructs the growth of the nation, and never be afraid to call a spade a spade. Excessive good nature, chakshu lajja [the desire to be always pleasant and polite], will never do in serious politics. Respect of persons must always give place to truth and conscience;
and the demand that we should be silent because of the age or past services of our opponents, is politically immoral and unsound. Open attack, unsparing criticism, the severest satire, the most wounding irony, are all methods perfectly justifiable and indispensable in politics. We have strong things to say; let us say them strongly; we have stern things to do; let us do them sternly. But there is always a danger of strength degenerating into violence and sternness into ferocity, and that should be avoided so far as it is humanly possible.""
the quote was spot on and relevant even today. Auroibindoji was a visionary beyond his times
some other striking quotes:
Our actual enemy is not any force exterior to ourselves, but our own crying weaknesses, our cowardice, our selfishness, our hypocrisy, our purblind sentimentalism.
"Each nation must practise the political creed which is the most suited to its temperament and circumstances; for that is the best for it which leads most surely and
completely to national liberty and national self-realisation."
The spirit and ideals of India had come to be confined in a mould which, however beautiful, was too narrow and slender to bear the mighty burden of our future. When that happens, the mould has to be broken and even the ideal lost for a while, in order to be recovered free of constraint and limitation
July 11, 2020
Excellent read! Though it doesn’t focus much on his spiritual writings, a great way to learn more about Sri Aurobindo.
July 3, 2024
A great introduction to the thought process of Sri Aurobindo https://www.anuradhagoyal.com/sri-aur...
February 3, 2025
It is very interesting to understand Aurobindo's writings over a period of 50 years from almost 1900 to 1950. He was way ahead of others in taking the right stance on almost any issue. It could be his opposition to non violent movement of Gandhi, uselessness of Congress, not believing in Aryan invasion theory, his thoughts on caste and untouchability, opposition to minority appeasement by Congress, his opposition to Subhash Bose taking Hitler and Japan's help - it is amazing to see his clarity on all these complex subjects.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews