Not many people are aware of the fact Mahatma Gandhi had visited Pondicherry on 17 February 1934. Ever since his return to India from South Africa in 1915, he was desirous of meeting Sri Aurobindo. For the purpose of arranging a meeting with Sri Aurobindo, the Mahatma had written to Govindbhai Patel, a follower of Sri Aurobindo who was initially associated with him. But when the permission for an interview was refused by Sri Aurobindo, the Mahatma wrote directly to Sri Aurobindo on 2 January 1934.
Below we take the opportunity of sharing with you a portion of the letter Mahatma Gandhi had written to Sri Aurobindo and Sri Aurobindo’s reply to him dated 7 January 1934.
Mahatma
Gandhi’s letter to Sri Aurobindo
…Perhaps you know that ever since
my return to India I have been anxious to meet you face to face. Not being able
to do that, I sent my son to you. Now that it is almost certain that I am to be
in Pondicherry, will you spare me a few minutes &see me! I know how
reluctant you are to see anybody. But if you are under no positive vow of
abstinence, I hope you will give me a few minutes of your time…
Sri
Aurobindo’s reply to Mahatma Gandhi
Dear Mahatmaji,
It is true that I have made no
vow, for I never make one, but my retirement is not less binding on me so long
as it—and the reason for it—lasts. I think you will understand that it is not a
personal or mental choice but something impersonal from a deeper source for the
inner necessity of work and sadhana. It prevents me from receiving you but I
cannot do otherwise than keep to the rule I have adhered to for some years
past.
( Source :The above article has been sourced in it’s
entirety from : http://savitrieradevotees.blogspot.in/2013/06/sri-aurobindos-letter-to-mahatma-gandhi_2808.html )
No comments:
Post a Comment