For my uncle Nolinaksha-babu's wedding, Kazi Nazrul Islam came to our house. He was my uncle's friend. He also the friend of my eldest uncle, Fenu Bhattacharya Calcutta, Kaka had a music-school and I believe his friendship with Nazrul was linked to this. A Muslim being invited to a Brahmin's wedding? What if he be a poet? Some members of the family had raised the i and some had even objected to it. Obviously none from family raised any objection; on the contrary, everyone delighted that Nazrul had accepted the invitation. Nazrul came to know about this probably through run and so he composed a song on the day of the wedding it And set it at once to music. He sang

those times. This huge house occupies a very large area. Obviously it was the residence of the first governor-general of British Asia. And this is what is called divine irony. In the beginning Hastings was an ordinary clerk at the English head-office at Kasimbazaar. When Nawab Sirajuddala attacked Calcutta he ordered all the Englishmen in Kasimbazaar to be killed. Hastings in order to save himself sought refuge at Kantomudi's whose actual name was Krishnakant Nandi. He was of the 'tili' caste. Everybody called him 'Kantomudi'. Ignoring danger to his own life this Kantomudi then offered refuge to Hastings by keeping him hidden in a secure place for a few days. Hastings survived

BY THE WAY Part - II Note from the Publisher Dada (Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya) is present in his office every morning from 8.30 to 11.45. During this time boys, girls and growing-ups from the Ashram come to see him. He also receives visitors. They all have something to ask him and he answers their questions. The visitor goes back happy. All those who are present in his office also enjoy his replies as well as all the stories and humorous incidents he recounts. Time is happily spent. Amalesh Bhattacharya who has transcribed these conversations sits in a corner of the office and quietly notes everything down. The present selection of these jottings is the seco

"But you give me money for my pocket-expenses. If, I don't buy anything then what will I do with the money? I don't lack anything, I replied." From the savings I made of the money given to me Mother I bought a watch for my own mother, a small watch made in Switzerland. It was as small as a ting My mother showed this to the Divine Mother and to that I had gifted it to her. The Mother asked me later: 'You gave your mother a watch? How much did you spend?' "Just sixty rupees. Mother. It was from the saving! from your money." The Mother didn't say anything more. While Dada was talking to us a lady came and wished him for his coming birthday. She ask

The Mother and Sri Aurobindo want us to transform all the impurities of our lower nature and raise them to conscious Truth. To transform human life into God-life, into divine life. We cannot give it up and become indifferent. We have to get down into this life and purify it. Like descending into hell and converting it into heaven. The Mother said that Sri Aurobindo was of the line of Shiva. Shiva is the Lord of transformation. Sri Aurobindo's yoga too is in that line. * Someone asked: 'Dada, it has been said that Sri Aurobindo used to appreciate your physical build and grace very much.' This reference to his being praised made Dada a little hesitant. But seeing ou

28.11.91 My dear Pranab, I thank you for your characteristically generous response to my letter. Agreeing with you that we have to wait in patience, I wanted to let matters lie there. But of late there is a feeling that I must amplify my thinking. First let me assure you that there is no question of diluting the tradition of the Guru. It is understood that for all time to come Sri Aurobindo and the Mother will continue to be the Gurus for every one taking to the path of Integral Yoga. There cannot be a successor to the Mother. When Dakshinapada asked Her (unwisely) in the early fifties: 'Sri Aurobindo has left us, one day you also will leave us. Then who is to l