29 October 1969 We part, O friend, but meet again we must."[This was the quotation written on the blackboard.] Well, friends, we meet here, or there, or elsewhere. It is said that true friendship leads you to the Divine - that is the purpose of friendship, so also the purpose of love. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that you liked last session's talk very much. Since it has pleased you, perhaps I may continue in the same manner. It confirms the truth that you are very curious to know how the great of soul live; what the manner of their life is, etc. This is the very question that Arjuna asked Sri Krishna: "What is the language of one whose understanding

20 August 1969 Well, first of all, ladies and gentlemen, I'll congratulate you on having a very good Darshan! I'm sure the Lord blessed Page-104 you with both hands. And you have a special claim to His blessings because you have been so much interested in this class where we are supposed to be talking about His life, though the life of the disciple is taking a greater part. And since I've been telling now and then about my experiences, it would be justice if I demand from you some of your own experiences in return, like friends. Otherwise it will be all one-sided indeed. [Some of the listeners narrate stories of similar experiences.] ... I hope all of you can

17 June 1969 During a particular period, many sadhaks used to write poetry and send their poems up to Sri Aurobindo for his guidance and comments. Sri Aurobindo also used to send them inspiration, even asking them what time they would sit at their desk for writing poetry. About making me a poet, Sri Aurobindo once said to me, "It's like boring an artesian well in you." *** During the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965, when General JN Chaudhuri was Chief of Army staff, it was reported that some of our soldiers felt a special spiritual force working in them and driving away the Pakistanis. Have you ever realised that the world was on the brink of war more than once? A

24 October 1969 Well, friends, and members of this class, we have been presented a beautiful handkerchief in appreciation of your attendance and of my lecture, by our gracious and gentle friends from Shantiniketan. I'll leave it here so that, on every occasion we meet, we may be reminded of it. I hope you won't mind my occasional consultation of notes; it is not an examination, after all. (Laughter) My memory fails me at times and I become somewhat nervous on seeing a big crowd before me. Now, first of all, I hope my friend Sisir will excuse me if I have defied, and will continue to defy, his perfect English tongue. Though I've been made a teacher of Engli

14 October 1969 Well, I was very glad, very surprised to receive an invitation from you, through your charming teacher [Addressing the children of Progres].249 It seems, you even threatened to invade my small castle if she did not convey your invitation to me. I was glad because I would be able to meet you children, I was surprised because I didn't know why you had invited me! It seems you wanted me to give a talk. I was wondering whether it was because of my appearance, or for my talk that you have invited me. I was sure it is not because of my appearance, but because I can talk. So I seem to have gained some fame and reputation as a speaker. You understand my English? Y

10 APRIL 1940 PURANI : It seems that Germany collected all its navy, merchant ships and trawlers to carry its army to Norway. And the British navy is firing on them. SRI AUROBINDO: If the whole German fleet is out and gets attacked and intercepted by England, then it will be Germany that will have to turn back. Hitherto the Germany navy has not proved itself superior to the British navy. But it depends on what proportion of the navy is there. If it is only a part or if they have to collect it from various places, then it will be difficult for them. Of course, if the French fleet is also there, then it will be all right. If they had possessed foresight, they w

1 APRIL 1940 PURANI: A poet friend of mine has written that he met X and was impressed by him. He found X to have illimitable Bhakti for the Mother and you. SRI AUROBINDO: Illimitable? Well, X had a strange way of showing it. PURANI: Then my friend writes that X has gone very deep down in his consciousness. SRI AUROBINDO: It is always possible to go down. (Laughter) PURANI: Here is a letter from Indumati. She asks whether or not her Bhakti for Krishna is genuine and how she can dedicate herself to Krishna and pray to him to free her from all bonds. SRI AUROBINDO: It is a little dangerous to pray for that. PURANI: Then she says that some

1 OCTOBER 1940 PURANI: Hitler hasn't given up the idea of attacking Britain. He is concentrating his forces in Norway. SRI AUROBINDO: Yes. About 200,000 troops are practising jumping into the sea from the rocks! Is it a preparation, in case of reversal, to swim back from England? Any news about Gandhi's second interview with the Viceroy? PURANI: No, there is conjecture that Gandhi may have urged the release of the politicals. SRI AUROBINDO: That means there must have been some settlement. SATYENDRA: The Muslim League has also refused. SRI AUROBINDO: Yes. Jinnah wants to know what the League's status will be in case some other party co

2 SEPTEMBER 1940 PURANI: I read Gandhi's queer argument about non-violence with Kher and others. Kher said that during the Bombay riot even the non-violent leaders refused to risk and sacrifice their lives to stop the riot. Gandhi says, "That supports my argument." (Laughter) I am simply at a loss to understand how it supports his argument. Then he says, "If they had sacrificed themselves, then the riot would have stopped." SRI AUROBINDO: "If" they had! All depends on "ifs" and expectations. Gandhi is not a psychologist. During his Dandi march, though they didn't do any acts of violence, the leaders' minds were full of violence. In fact it was because o

I6 JULY 1940 PURANI: Italy has published a long article, it seems, on the New Order in Europe and if England doesn't recognise it, she will have to pay the price. SRI AUROBINDO: Even if she recognises it, she will have to pay. (Laughter) PURANI : It says war on England is to begin in a week. SRI AUROBINDO: A German paper says England won't enjoy another weekend. Hitler will appear in a triumphal march on 27th July for which windows are being hired. SATYENDRA: That means hardly two weeks. SRI AUROBINDO: Yes. I don't know how he is going to do it. NIRODBARAN: Italy says her navy will involve the British navy in engagements in the meantime.