A Children’s Story on Simplicity
The Mother encouraged a small group of Ashram children to write stories. We feature a short story written by Tara Jauhar and corrected by the Mother.
A Children’s Story on Simplicity Read More »
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Mahabharata – 5
Sri Aurobindo was fascinated with the legend of Savitri in the Mahabharata. With a sage’s vision he saw Savitri as the redeemer of the entire humanity.
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Mahabharata – 5 Read More »
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Mahabharata – 4
In this part, we see how Sri Aurobindo takes “with a reverent hand” a few myths and legends from the Mahabharata, and cleanses “them of soiling accretions, till they shine with some of the antique strength, simplicity and solemn depth of beautiful meaning.”
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Mahabharata – 4 Read More »
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Mahabharata – 3
Read here a few translations of Sri Aurobindo from Vyasa’s Mahabharata including a sample of the “free poetic paraphrase” of the story of Vidula.
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Mahabharata – 3 Read More »
Studies in Sri Aurobindo’s Dramatic Poems
The author reviews a book by M. V. Seetharaman which unfolds the inner significance of the five poetic dramas written by Sri Aurobindo – Rodogune, The Viziers of Bassora, Perseus the Deliverer, Vasavadutta and Eric.
Studies in Sri Aurobindo’s Dramatic Poems Read More »
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Mahabharata – 1
With this issue we begin serialising Dr. Prema Nandkumar’s essay focusing on the Mahabharata in the light of Sri Aurobindo.
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Mahabharata – 1 Read More »
Kunti – A Paradigm of Conscious Parenting
Read about the heroic motherhood that Kunti epitomises for all times to come. Kunti stands out as a symbol of patience, courage, sacrifice and forbearance.
Kunti – A Paradigm of Conscious Parenting Read More »
Peace, Persistence and Renunciation: Two Parables of Sri Ramakrishna
These two selections from Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishna bring out two distinct but complementary aspects of peace.
Peace, Persistence and Renunciation: Two Parables of Sri Ramakrishna Read More »
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Ramayana – 1
“At some fortuitous moment of time the glory of Indian civilisation met the grandeur of the Sanskrit language. The Ramayana and the Mahabharata were born.”
Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation of Indian Culture: The Ramayana – 1 Read More »
Goodness in Bhartrihari’s Nitishataka
Sri Aurobindo’s free renderings into English of Bhartrihari’s Nitishataka is a delightful reading. We feature a few verses related to the theme of Goodness.
Goodness in Bhartrihari’s Nitishataka Read More »
Pursuit of Goodness – A Resource for Teachers
This writeup featuring some aphorisms of Bhartrihari from his Nitishatakam, is included in a book titled “The Aim of Life.”
Pursuit of Goodness – A Resource for Teachers Read More »
Stories of Courage as Told by the Mother
The Mother used the art of storytelling most sweetly and effectively to inculcate higher and nobler values. Let us read a few of her stories on Courage.
Stories of Courage as Told by the Mother Read More »
Building and Destroying: The Mother’s Story about Thiruvalluvar
While being the right fit for the ‘Progress’ theme, this story also adds to our understanding of the Mahakali aspect of the Divine Mother as highlighted in this issue.
Building and Destroying: The Mother’s Story about Thiruvalluvar Read More »
Reimagining Tales from Purāna-s and Itihāsa-s: A Writer’s Journey of Engaging with Epic Heroines (Video)
A conversation with Saiswaroopa Iyer who has won great acclaim for her novels inspired by leading women characters from the Mahābhārata and the Purānas.
Rām-kathā, a Living Tradition of India
A wider view of Indian cultural forms suggests that Rām-kathā continues to thrive as an important influence despite the outer hybridity in Indian popular cultural landscape.
Rām-kathā, a Living Tradition of India Read More »
Sītā’s Banishment by Rāma in Kālidāsa’s Raghuvamśam
The featured excerpt is taken from a monograph edited by Shri Kireet Joshi and written by G. C. Nayak, titled “Selected Episodes from Kalidasa’s Raghuvamśam of Kālidāsa” (2010). This monograph is part of a series on Value-oriented Education centered on three values : Illumination, Heroism and Harmony.
Sītā’s Banishment by Rāma in Kālidāsa’s Raghuvamśam Read More »
The Grateful Beasts and the Ungrateful Man – A Story from the Panchatantra
An interesting fable from the Panchatantra which illustrates the spontaneous gratefulness of an animal which is often found missing in man.
The Grateful Beasts and the Ungrateful Man – A Story from the Panchatantra Read More »
Parable of the Snake and the Rat
The Mother reminds us that vigilance is indispensable for all true progress. As we try to grow in sincerity and practice true humility, it is important to stay vigilant and not get bloated with our own egos that we are some great sādhakas. The Mother is the path and the Mother is the goal, says Sri Aurobindo. It is always the Mother who does the sādhanā in us. Our effort is to ensure that we keep our inner temple clean and purified and for that sincerity, humility and vigilance are all very important. This little story told by Swami Sivananda emphasises how essential vigilance is for any aspirant; it also highlights what is fake humility and the necessity to be wary of that.
Parable of the Snake and the Rat Read More »
Bhārat-Bhārati – Excerpts from Rashtrakavi’s Famous Kāvya
Selected excerpts from Maithilisharan Gupt’s most famous work, Bharat Bharati, which stirred deep nationalist emotions among Indians when it was first published in 1912.
Bhārat-Bhārati – Excerpts from Rashtrakavi’s Famous Kāvya Read More »
Japanese Flower-artist: A timeless story retold in multiple languages
During her stay in Japan from 1916 to 1920 the Mother translated and adapted some stories written by F. J. Gould. Her versions, written in French and first published as Belles Histoires, later appeared in English translation as Tales of All Times. The Mother explained that these stories were written for children “to discover themselves and follow a path of right and beauty.” The timeless nature of these stories make them equally appealing to grown-ups, or shall we say, to all who aspire to be truly a child of the Mother. In this issue, we are retelling a story titled ‘Modesty’ in multiple languages.
Japanese Flower-artist: A timeless story retold in multiple languages Read More »