We feature a special essay by Sri Aurobindo from Bande Mataram in which he writes about the birth and growth of Indian nationalism invoking the advent and avatāric work of Sri Krishna. The selection of this piece is most appropriate since this month we also celebrate Krishna Janmashtami.
The Life of Nationalism: When Sri Aurobindo Invoked Sri Krishna Read More »
This three-part essay was first published on August 15, 1950 in Mother India. It presents a remarkable overview of various world-forces that were at play around the time of India’s independence, and highlights the significance of the date August 15, heralding a new direction for the world and humanity.
August 15: Its World-Significance (Part 1) Read More »
In this part, we learn the inner meaning of why August 15, a date of momentous implications for the values of civilisation has been chosen by India to celebrate her independence. Amal Kiran reminds us that behind the conscious thought of individuals there is the working of that invisible yet potent being which is the national soul or genius.
August 15: Its World-Significance (Part 2) Read More »
Amal Kiran helps us contemplate on how befitting it is that the Independence Day of a country whose chief glory has been God-realisation should coincide with the occasion of Sri Aurobindo’s birth. It would be purblind on our part to miss a signal so pregnant with meaning and fail to see our future bound up with Sri Aurobindo’s presence—our future of true self-growth political as well as cultural and of leadership among the nations on the path of human evolution towards Godhead.
August 15: Its World-Significance (Part 3) Read More »
Exploring the theme of sincerity in history, we feature excerpts from a couple of introductory chapters from a book authored by Prof. Kittu Reddy, a long-time resident of Sri Aurobindo Ashram and teacher of Indian History and Culture at Sri Aurobindo International Center of Education. The author suggests that when examining Indian history from a subjective point of view, external events gain greater importance in the light of the inner psychological vision and deeper forces behind them.
Book Excerpts – ‘History and Culture of India: A New Approach’ Read More »
India needs Shakti alone, said Sri Aurobindo once. What can help Indians, and especially the youth of India grow in Shakti? What factors hold us back? What is necessary to infuse our knowledge with courage? What needs to be done to strengthen our society from within? These and other related questions were explored in this conversation with Sandeep Balakrishna, presented here in three parts.
“Solid Grounding in Fundamentals” – A Conversation with Sandeep Balakrishna (Part 1) Read More »
In this second part, Sandeep Balakrishna speaks of the devastating impact of bad educational policy especially concerning Indian languages, and the role of ideologically-biased textbooks and cinema in progressive indoctrination of the students’ minds.
“A Cohesive National Education” – A Conversation with Sandeep Balakrishna (Part 2) Read More »
In this part, the author emphasises that only a decisive turn to spiritualise all life can be the true basis of a spiritual nationalism. He reminds that this decisive and all-encompassing turn of spiritual evolution is India’s true mission and role for the future of humanity.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism -13 Read More »
The author highlights the triple basis of a spiritual turn of the society if that is the future destiny of humanity and nations. This is – Divine, Freedom and Unity. The significance of individual freedom is brought to light because individual indeed is the basis of evolution of consciousness.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism -14 Read More »
In this concluding part of the 15-part series, the author summarises the inner evolution of Indian national consciousness of which the political idea of nationalism is only a small part. He reminds us that the future course of Indian nationhood lies in spiritualising all the outer aims and activities including science, art, literature, politics and socio-economic organisation.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 15 Read More »
Continuing with the analysis presented earlier, in this part the author argues that Indian national consciousness must arrive at a deeper subjectivity and make spirituality the sole principle of its new effort if India is to be true to her age-long endeavour and render to the world the gift of her spiritual knowledge and her means for the spiritualisation of life to the whole race.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 11 Read More »
In this part, the author brings the readers’ attention to the deeper reason why the Western idea of secularism, which is a natural outcome of the Western emphasis on outer life and mind is not in harmony with the true spirit of Indian view of life and its purpose.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 12 Read More »
In this part, A V Sastri briefly outlines how the unique Indian spirit of nationalist struggle for independence led by Sri Aurobindo, Lokmanya Tilak and others was gradually replaced by the moral-ethical nature of Gandhian call for political freedom. He also writes of the limits of such moralistic attempts.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 9 Read More »
In this part, the author argues that the time of moral phase of nationalism is over. The need of the hour is a spiritual nationalism, but before we get there we must recognise the ethical-moral development as a necessary stage in human evolution.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 10 Read More »
In this part, A. V. Sastri speaks of the imitative nature of the early nationalist movement in 19th century India. Indian leaders at that time were so mesmerised by the British versions of Indian political history that they never explored India’s unique line of political development in the past.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 6 Read More »
With a religious reawakening in Bengal, the early imitative nationalism became more aligned with the Indian historical and temperamental truth. The religious consciousness extended to the political field and the movement in Bengal prefigured the coming struggle on the wider stage of India.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 7 Read More »
Sri Aurobindo envisages a future for the Indian nation for which there is no example or exact parallel in history, a new type of people lifting nationalism to a new pinnacle justifying the separate existence, separate effort of a whole people in fundamental unity with entire humanity.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 8 Read More »
An issue focusing on yoga, in honour of International Yoga Day, June 21. Ongoing series on Psychology of Indian Nationalism continues with focus on ancient Rishis envisioning a polity in alignment with the spirit and ideals of Indian culture.
India for Yoga, Yoga for India Read More »
Highlights of an interview with Aravindan Neelakandan, where he speaks about the inner unity of India, the meaning of India as a Shakti, and the need to develop a good knowledge of our languages and heritage as the most effective way to counter the ‘Breaking India’ forces.
On Making India: An Interview with Aravindan Neelakandan Read More »
This book by Bharat Gupt presents a novel way of understanding contemporary Indian society and its challenges by applying an Indian sociological framework. Selected excerpts from the book are presented along with a brief review.
“India – A Cultural Decline or Revival?” Read More »