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 →

Sambhavami Yuge Yuge – Part 2

CONTINUED FROM PART 1 In this part 2 of our special photo-feature the focus is on a few selected teachings from the Bhagavad Gita that speak of the Karmayoga, the Yoga of Works. Invoking the grace of Sri Krishna and taking guidance from the relevant explanations and passages from Sri Aurobindo’s ‘Essays on the Gita’ we present here a few summary notes – based... Continue Reading →

Sambhavami Yuge Yuge – Part 1

"...the colloquy at Kurukshetra will yet liberate humanity." (Sri Aurobindo) The Bhagavad Gita brings to us the essence of all the experiences and teachings found in the Upanishads and Vedas. Just as the Upanishads mark a culmination or fruition of Vedic knowledge, the Gita is considered as another grand synthesis of all Upanishadic and Vedic... 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 →

Chintan: India and Me – Part 7: Essence

Have you read the previous parts: 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6?   The group meets once again in their usual garden-classroom after an extended break. After the initial catching up and a small concentration led by Mridula Di, the group settles down for the day's session. For the first few minutes Mridula Di briefly revisits some... Continue Reading →

Wealth and Society, an Indian Perspective (by R Y Deshpande) – Part 2

CONTINUED FROM PART 1 REGULATED ACTION AND FOURFOLD ORDER OF SOCIETY Man is a fourfold being. In him operates the fourfold force of the soul. He is a worker and a skilled craftsman; he is engaged in commerce; he is a warrior and a conqueror; he is also a seeker of knowledge and a savant.... Continue Reading →

Wealth and Society, an Indian Perspective (by R Y Deshpande) – Part 1

Given that money is in the news these days, especially in India, a lot is being said and written about money and economic development these days. We also published two short columns on our blogs (see here and here). We think that it is also an appropriate time to take a closer and deeper look at the Indian... Continue Reading →

Citizen Responsibility: Invoking the Sacred

My fellow Indians, Unless you are living on another planet you have all probably heard, read, watched most of the news and analyses there is about the recent bold step introduced by the Government of India led by Prime Minister Modi. Yes, I am speaking of the demonetisation of the large currency notes (of the... Continue Reading →

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