“I revere Krishna today as one of the first architects of a unified India. Yes, I believe he did exist in the obscure history of India…. Abhaya has been my window to explore and experience Krishna Vaasudeva.” This is how Saiswaroopa Iyer introduces the second lead of her debut novel, Abhaya, in... Continue Reading →
A Series Inspired by India’s Rebirth – 4
Author: Beloo Mehra (2019). Published under the title ‘When Young India Awakes’ in Sri Aurobindo’s Action, Vol. 50 (4), pp. 8-10 CONTINUED FROM Part 3 CHAPTER III Yuvaan had been in Kashi for only two days. And he was already on his way elsewhere — to Rishikesh. His mother had gone for... Continue Reading →
A Note on the Future of Inter-religious Harmony in India
Reblogged from the ‘Beauty’ blog – an excerpt from Matriwords e-book ‘The Thinking Indian’
[The following is an excerpt from a longer essay titled ‘Hinduism and the Future of Inter-religious Harmony in India’ published in my e-book – The Thinking Indian: Essays on Indian Socio-cultural Matters in the Light of Sri Aurobindo.]
Let us now go a bit deeper to see if Sri Aurobindo means something more when he says that Hinduism would have or could have taken religions like Islam and Christianity within itself. To do so it is also important to consider this assimilation process that is being spoken of here, and also what is meant when we say that Hinduism is an inclusive religion.
In order to remain inclusive, Hinduism should have the capacity to integrate the spiritual realizations, truths, and experiences revealed within the fold of other religious traditions, otherwise it is not inclusive at all. Going by historical record, we can see that what we now know as…
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A Series Inspired by India’s Rebirth – 3
Author: Beloo Mehra (2019). Published under the title ‘When Young India Awakes’ in Sri Aurobindo’s Action, Vol. 50 (2 & 3), pp. 16-19. Continued from Part 2 CHAPTER II The words that continued to float around in his mind that evening…. Sri Aurobindo’s words, words that he had read in that little book... Continue Reading →
A Series Inspired by India’s Rebirth – 2
A series written by Beloo Mehra for Sri Aurobindo's Action, about a young Indian's awakening to the soul of India, to himself.
Faith that is Śraddhā
Many years ago at a bookstore in a small university town in the US, I came across a beautiful picture book which I had to immediately buy. The book titled Living Faith: Windows into the Sacred Life of India is a collection of photographs taken by the noted Indian photographer, Dinesh Khanna. I had seen some... Continue Reading →
Some Musings on “Musings on Hinduism”
"You will often hear it said that it was the forms of Hinduism which have given us so much national vitality. I think rather it was its spirit." Sri Aurobindo wrote the above in his essay titled, "On Original Thinking" (CWSA, Vol. 12, p. 38). I am reminded of this as I get ready to... Continue Reading →
Wit and Humour in Sri Aurobindo’s Tales of Prison Life (by Kalpana Bidwaikar)- Part 3
CONTINUED FROM PART 2 Sri Aurobindo a great observer as he was, not only of the material arrangements in the prison but also of the people around him, the Britishers and especially the jail authorities could not escape his attention. The prisoners had to go to the court for trials at regular intervals.... Continue Reading →
Wit and Humour in Sri Aurobindo’s Tales of Prison Life (by Kalpana Bidwaikar)- Part 2
CONTINUED FROM PART 1 Sri Aurobindo’s prison life began on May 5, 1908. During the solitary confinement he was uneasy in the beginning, “but after three days of prayer and meditation an unshakable peace and faith again overwhelmed the being” (p. 11). He was confined to a solitary cell which was nine feet... Continue Reading →
Wit and Humour in Sri Aurobindo’s Tales of Prison Life (by Kalpana Bidwaikar)- Part 1
We are pleased to present for our readers a very special essay, which reveals a deeply charming side of Sri Aurobindo's magnificent personality and expression. Written by Dr. Kalpana Bidwaikar, this essay brings to light some of the remarkable wit and humour we come across in Sri Aurobindo's account of his life in the... Continue Reading →
Dussehra Special: Rama, the Avatar of the Sattwic Mind (Book Excerpts from “The Thinking Indian”)
Dussehra, the day when Sri Rama became victorious over the Rakshasa named Ravana. The day when the Good conquered over the Evil. The day when Dharma won over Adharma. With time as more and more sections of humanity have made stupendous progress in the realm of mental development, along with which there is increasing emphasis on rationalism we are also witnessing greater... Continue Reading →
Book Review: The Thinking Indian
I am happy to share today a review of "The Thinking Indian: Essays on Indian Socio-Cultural Matters in the Light of Sri Aurobindo" written by Gilu Mishra, a friend and a fellow lover and student of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Gilu and I met several years ago in Pondicherry when she joined the institution where I... Continue Reading →
Book Review: ABC’s of Indian National Education (Dr. Larry Seidlitz)
This review was published in New Race: A Journal of Integral and Future Studies, Vol. 1 (2), pp. 44-45. It is my great joy and privilege today to share another review of my book, ABC's of Indian National Education. This one is a very special review as it is written by a friend and colleague, Dr.... Continue Reading →
Book Excerpt and an Article: On Indian History Wars
In my book on Indian National Education, published last November, one chapter takes up the topic of History and Heritage. A few weeks ago I read an article in Daily News and Analysis (DNA), which made me revisit that chapter. Not because I raise some similar points there, but because in my chapter I ask even... Continue Reading →
