The Purpose of Art – From Beauty to Bliss
This new series explores the Spirit and Forms of Art in India. The first issue focuses on the theme: The Purpose of Art – From Beauty to Bliss.
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Art for Art’s Sake? Certainly, But Also Art for the Soul’s Sake
This remarkable letter of Sri Aurobindo, with relevant examples and detailed explanations, is a perfect response to the slogan – Art for Art’s Sake.
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The Uses of Art – A 1905 Lecture
The timely relevance of the key points made by E. B. Havell in this lecture delivered in 1905 is remarkable, despite the references to the context of his time.
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“Beauty is his footprint…” (with video)
How is Beauty connected with delight, harmony and life? How does one experience the delight of beauty? Read and reflect. Also, watch a video featuring an insight from the Mother on how “the anguish of desire” distorts the experience of beauty.
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The Realisation of Beauty
This essay is excerpted from Rabindranath Tagore’s book titled Sādhanā: The Realisation of Life. Don’t miss a beautiful poem by Tagore translated in English.
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“To find highest beauty is to find God”
What do we are truly seek when we seek beauty? How can one consciously appreciate that which is beautiful and true? Read and discover.
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Rasa: Its Meaning and Scope – 1
A few selections from a comprehensive essay, first published in two parts in the annual journal, Sri Aurobindo Circle (1949 and 1950).
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The Upanishads Elucidated: The Enigmatic Seed
Enjoy this beautiful retelling of how the Supreme seated Itself in all Manifestation – in a seed form, waiting to blossom in full.
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From Nature to Supernature
What is the relation between the hidden Divinity in our nature and the evolutionary inner journey that is called Yoga when pursued consciously?
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Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti and Karmayoga
These passages from Sri Aurobindo’s writings help us deepen our understanding of the phrase वासुदेवः सर्वमिति from the Bhagavad Gita (7.19).
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In the Playhouse of Infinite Forms
From Guru Nanak to William Blake and Kahlil Gibran, from Tagore to Sri Aurobindo — immerse yourself in the beautiful poetic expressions the author shares of the Immanent Divine, the Divine present in myriad forms in Nature.
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Do We Really Believe in God? (Transl. by Narendra Murty)
In this extract translated from original Bengali, Rabindranath Tagore speaks of how his mother’s love made him aware of the Divine Grace in his life.
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The Angirasa Legend in the Veda
Sri Aurobindo summarizes the symbolism behind the legend of Angiras Rishis from the RigVeda, and touches upon who is truly an Aryan in the Veda.
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The Legend of the Lost Cows
The legend of the lost Cows helps us understand the deeper secret of the Veda. For this we first must know the symbolism behind the word ‘go’.
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Of Dogs, Gods and Elements: Symbolism in the Upanishads
From the original essay titled ‘Upanishadic Symbolism’ we take up three aspects – about the Five Elements, Triple Agni and Number of Gods.
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Deva and Asura in the Bhagavad Gita
The psycho-spiritual interpretation of Daivic and Asuric natures as described in the Bhagavad Gita finds its origin in the ancient Vedic symbolism.
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Of Pratīka and Pratimā: Why Do We Need Images and Symbols?
Three excerpts from Swami Vivekananda’s addresses on Bhakti Yogain in which he speaks of the significance and the symbolism of images and forms for a devotee.
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The Gods and Goddesses of the Veda – 1
This 2-part article summarizes Sri Aurobindo’s explanations of the deeper symbolism of Vedic Gods and Goddesses, powers and names of the One Supreme.
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The Gods and Goddesses of the Veda – 2
Read in this part about the deeper symbolism of several Vedic goddesses such as Saraswati, Ila, Mahi, Dakshina and Usha.
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Daksha and Kali – Decoding the Symbols
The author helps us understand the deep symbolism behind the story of Daksha Prajapati’s head being severed, and his acquiring the head of a goat.
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