Publisher's Note

This book contains the Mother's correspondence with a disciple who is identified in the text simply by his initial, R. Raised in Gurukul Kangri in Uttar Pradesh, the disciple came to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in July 1938, at the age of twenty-one, and has remained ever since. He sought to serve the Mother especially through his work, and this concern is reflected in his letters, most of which deal directly with problems of work. The disciple began corresponding shortly after his arrival. At first his letters were answered by Sri Aurobindo, but from 1939 onward it was the Mother who replied. The correspondence covers the thirty-three-year period from 1938 to 1971. It is entirely in English, with the exception of one reply in French.

During his fifty years in the Ashram, the disciple has served in many positions. The main ones, mentioned here because they are referred to in the correspondence, are: the preparation of fruit juices for Sri Aurobindo and the Mother; the allotment of work to new Ashramites; the distribution of fuel and foodstuffs to Ashramites; the management (in conjunction with others in some cases) of the Fruit Room. Dining Room, Bakery and Laundry; editor of Purodha and Agnishikha, two monthly journals in Hindi; Hindi teacher at the Ashram's Centre of Education; and Hindi translator of many works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.

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THE MOTHER