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From 1934 to 1937, though I had been in Pondicherry (now called Puducherry), most
of the time and had many friends in the Ashram, I had never entered the Ashram main
building or felt like going for a 'Darshan'. I was just busy making money and having
a good time. My friends in the Ashram were first Amal (K. D. Sethna), Purani, Ambu,
Dr. Ramchandra and some others.
Mona and I were married in February 1937 and then we had several more friends in
the Ashram. They suggested that we should go for a Darshan and it was arranged for us
to go on August 15th, 1937. In those days those who went for Darshan had their names
listed and the time for each person to be present was indicated on it. Our time was just
before noon.
- Udar-
We dressed in our best clothes and went upstairs and were led into the Darshan room
and then I received a shock, which I had not at all expected. |
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It was my first sight of Sri Aurobindo and the words
that came into my head were, "I have seen majesty at last!" - This word, 'majesty', had attracted me, both for its sound and meaning, and I had often regretted not ever having
seen it. I had seen majestic robes and crowns, but no majestic person. Here I saw - no wonderful robes or any crown - just
a simple dhoti and chaddar, but such a wonderful figure of Majesty. I was also a bit awed. Then I looked at the Mother and
saw there so much sweetness and love that I just went up to Her and put my head into Her lap. Mona did the same.
I may mention here that our entry was specially noted by Sri Aurobindo. I saw that when we entered he looked at the list
and asked the Mother about us. She confirmed all this later. We were a fine-looking pair. The Mother even remarked to Datta
that she did not know English girls could be so beautiful. She was referring to Mona, of course.
Then, after the Mother had blessed me and caressed my head in Her lap, I took up courage to put my head in His
lap and felt His love and sweetness that went with His majesty. Then I put my head between Them and both blessed me
together. Such a marvellous experience! I feel I must share the thrill of it with others so I write about it in so much detail.
- Udar -
This was the turning point in his life. Slowly he came closer to the Ashram and more particularly to the Mother.
- Golden Chain - |
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Page - 09
UDAR
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Then I come to my name. My name was formerly
Laurence Marshal Pinto. I asked the Mother for a new name and I received the
name of 'Udar' from Sri Aurobindo Himself, in His own handwriting, which was
given to me by the Mother. There He wrote the name as follows:
To Udar with blessings-
Sri Aurobindo
The Mother's signature
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Generosity |
'Udara' - the Sanskrit name for a divine
quality - Generosity. (Giving and Self-Giving
without bargain). The Mother gave this name
to the flowers of the Impatiens Balsamina and
Sri Aurobindo had given this name to one of his
early disciples, Mr. Pinto, who recently passed
away. Now, since a few years, we have been
sending flowers from Promesse for the Ashram
Samadhi and the Master's room, by the power of
Her Grace.
During 5th December till the 9th of December
2001 / we programmed a regular flower offering for
all the days except the 7th. But, on the 7th of December, my amma brought me a lot of the Generosity flowers. I was a bit upset, as I had not thought of giving flowers to Her that day. But then, Varadhrajan volunteered to
take me to the Samadhi and offer the flowers himself. We started for Pondy by 3:00 p.m. Varadhrajan went and offered
these with a prayer: "Lord give Udar to all". |
As he came out, a well-wisher met us and conveyed to us the news of Udar's passing away.
We humbly remembered Sri Aurobindo giving him the name; his consecration to the Lord and the Mother's
work; his relation to the Samadhi and his early morning readings of Savitri which many Aurovilians would
remember.
- Shyamala and Varadhrajan - |
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Page - 10
Letters
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The story of his life after he came to the Ashram
runs parallel to the story of the Ashram's growth. He was involved in
practically every new project. When we started putting his story together we
soon realised how difficult it was going to be because he was a man of so many
facets that no one knew all of them, not even his family.
- Golden Chain -
Mother could not have built this
world-within-a-world with only poets and artists. She needed people with sound
technical knowledge and a head for organisation. The whole edifice stood on
columns like Pavitra, Dyuman, Purani, Udar and others, all men of action. They
came to Her, through strange twists of Fate, pulled towards Her by an invisible
force. Udar and the others had all the skills needed for Her work but above all
they had an unshakable devotion to Her.
- Golden Chain -
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Udar 8th Oct 1933 |
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Blessing, Mother
Prostrate at your feet I beseech you, my beloved Mother, to grant me this my
most earnest prayer.
Be with me and of me always and in all things. In work and in play, asleep or
awake, be always the sole object of my delight, of my very existence. When I
am sad, console me with Thy Divine Presence. Answer my every doubt with Thy
Beautiful Smile. Have compassion in my weakness and pardon my numerous
mistakes. Take me. Mother, and make of me what you will, a thing of Thine
own.
That is my aspiration. Grant me Thy Divine Grace that it may remain before me
throughout this year and for all the years to come.
Udar
Yes, my dear child, I shall always be with you, in success and in failure, in
joy and in sorrow as an eternal and unfailing presence. - with my love and
blessings,
The Mother's signature |
Page - 11
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My beloved Mother,
31st December 1946
1st January 1947
This last year has been for me, indeed, a year of Grace in which the Promise of Thy
"Eternal and unfailing presence" has been amply fulfilled.
For the year that is coming, I beseech Thee, my sweet Mother, to still keep open to
me the fountain of Thy Grace that I might continue to find solace and strength in the
stream of Thy Love and Compassion.
Please give me your blessings for the year 1947 and obtain for me also, I pray Thee,
the benediction of Our Lord.
Udar
Indeed last year has given you the opportunity of being drawn much closer to us, and
thus in many occasions we could appreciate fully your faithfulness and ability. In this
regard we enter with full confidence the New Year which begins to-night.
With our love and blessings
The Mother's signature
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Udar
If there is an order of the kind to give, Mother will be glad to do it through you.
She sends you her blessings for your work which you are starting tomorrow.
Sri Aurobindo |
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