Volume 1, Issue 10
Author: Kishor Gandhi
CONTINUED FROM PART 3
Furthering the Evolutionary Transition
Therefore whether at the present moment the manifestation of the supramental Truth will or will not be preceded by destruction will depend upon the choice that humanity makes. It may, however, be argued that ultimately it is not the human choice but the Divine Grace that decides everything; so in the present crisis also the final decision will rest in the Divine’s hands.
This is no doubt true, but it is also necessary to remember that in the actual workings of the world the human will and choice are not irrelevant factors.
As Sri Aurobindo explains:
If everything depends on the Divine intervention, then man is only a puppet and there is no use of sadhana, and there are no conditions, no law of things—therefore no universe, but only the Divine rolling things about at his pleasure.
No doubt in the last resort all can be said to be the Divine cosmic working, but it is through persons, through forces that it works—under the conditions of Nature. Special intervention there can be and is, but all cannot be special intervention.
(CWSA, Vol 29, p. 171)
In all the world-movements, therefore, the human will is a factor that counts, even though it is relative and cannot be the ultimate determinant of world-events. The Divine Will, even though it is absolute and unconditioned, does not altogether overrule the human will but works through it. And as man exercises his will, he has to take the consequences.
In all evolutionary transitions there is a selective process. Those that are fit for the new mutation survive and are lifted up to the higher evolutionary status, while those that are unfit are destroyed and eliminated. This principle, operating in the biological evolution, has its parallel in the psychological and spiritual evolution also.
In the evolutionary transition through which we are passing at the present moment and which is of most momentous consequence in earth’s evolutionary history, there will therefore be a similar selective process for both the individuals and the nations.
Those who will prove their fitness by answering the present call of the Time-Spirit, by collaborating with the manifestation of the supramental Truth, will be lifted up to the higher evolutionary status, while those who not only obstinately refuse to answer that call by remaining stuck up in the blind grooves of their ego’s perversity, but even side with the forces of Falsehood which are opposed to the advent of Truth, will only invite on their head the blow of the Terrible Rudra.
Here is the warning uttered by the Master of Truth in unequivocal terms:
Unhappy is the man or the nation which, when the divine moment arrives, is found sleeping or unprepared to use it, because the lamp has not been kept trimmed for the welcome and the ears are sealed to the call. But thrice woe to them who are strong and ready, yet waste the force or misuse the moment; for them is irreparable loss or a great destruction.
(CWSA, Vol. 12, p 140)