In this essay written originally in Bengali, Sri Aurobindo highlights the subtle but important difference between the tamasic, rajasic and sattvic ego. He reminds us that just as pride has ego, in the same way humility also has ego; just as strength has ego, in the same way weakness also has ego.
Ahankāra – Sri Aurobindo on Tamasic, Rajasic, Sattvic Ego and More Read More »
Written in response to a disciple’s query about a particular statement of Gandhi, this letter of Sri Aurobindo strongly emphasises the need to develop a deeper and wider understanding of truth that is beyond mental-moral-ethical ideals. We also get a glimpse of a significant difference between the Christian or Semitic and the Hindu understanding of virtues or qualities, particularly Humility, which are considered important from a spiritual point of view.
Of Caste, Hierarchy and Humility: Sri Aurobindo Responds to the Gandhian View Read More »
In this part 3 of our ongoing series, the focus is on verses 6-8 of Isha Upanishad. We are reminded that it is the Brahman that is the origin, the end and the container of the things; creating, he indwells the forms of his manifestation, enjoys variously his thousand abodes. He is the One, the same everywhere. And if each individual formation behaves and acts as if it is a separate entity, different from others, it is because it is clouded in its outer consciousness, it has temporarily lost touch with the unifying knowledge and consciousness at its back—that which sustains it as well as it does all the rest in a common extension.
Sri Aurobindo on Isha Upanishad – Part 3 Read More »
As per the Advaita Vedantic thought, man can attain union with the Divine even while living in the body on earth by abiding in perfect inner knowledge and discrimination. Our sages and seers used this spiritual truth to develop an excellent method of self-healing. Their approach did not involve any external aid such as medicines or mental training, but it focused on achieving oneness with the Supreme Power at a spiritual level. Read more about this approach in part 4 of this ongoing series.
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः – May All be Free from Illness – 4 Read More »
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 »
Our conversation with two educators takes us beyond the ordinary ideological and political debates that have plagued the discipline of Indian History and Historiography, and invites us to explore a more integral approach to learning and teaching of History.
Indian History in Indian Education: Beyond Ideologies and Politics (Video) Read More »
In this part, the author focuses on the first 4 verses of Isha Upanishad. He reminds that this Upanishad addresses itself to the question of world-existence, the problem of harmonising human life and activity with the Reality of Immutable Brahman. The solution it finds is one of the most remarkable found by the ancient Indian mind.
Sri Aurobindo on Isha Upanishad – Part 2 Read More »
We explore two inter-related themes. One is Choice and Wisdom, related to which is the faculty of viveka, the intuitive discriminating reason which is developed by a purification of the organs of thought and knowledge. But all this is possible only by the grace of the Guru, which is our second theme for this issue.
Choose Wisely, Grow in Knowledge, Surrender to the Guru Read More »
We present four brief passages from Sri Aurobindo’s writings done in early 1910. The immense significance of these passages for today’s India can’t be missed.
On Ācāra, Vicāra, Viveka, Jñāna Read More »
In this six-part series, we present an essay by M.P. Pandit which summarises some of Sri Aurobindo’s commentaries on the Isha Upanishad. The first introductory part highlights Sri Aurobindo’s comments on translating the Upanishads, and the errors made by Max Muller and other Indologists who fail to capture the spirit of the scripture because they lack the inner vision of the Truth expressed in scripture.
Sri Aurobindo on Isha Upanishad – 1 Read More »
Read here some insights from Sri Aurobindo on the guru-shishya parampara focusing on why one needs a Guru and the true role or work of a Guru.
Insights from Sri Aurobindo on Guru-Shishya Parampara – Part 1 Read More »
In the tale of Samudra-manthan, the appearance of Mohini creates a situation where only the right discernment, viveka, can help the seeker of amrita separate the truth from falsehood, eternal from the transient, and make the right choice.
A Story about Viveka, Mohini, Vishnumāya and Mrityu Read More »
In our Insightful Conversations series, we bring to you a fascinating conversation on a topic highly significant for our times – Dharma, Shastra and Future Society. Our guest today is Nithin Sridhar.
Dharma, Shāstra and Future Society (Video) Read More »
Volume II, Issue 2Author: Nithin Sridhar Editor’s note: For our Book of the Month, we bring for our readers a few excerpts from Nithin Sridhar’s latest book ‘Īśopaniṣad: An English Commentary’ published by Subbu Publications (2021). Don’t miss Nithin Sridhar in a conversation with Renaissance team on the topic – Dharma, Shastra and Future Society,
Excerpts from the Book – “Īśopaniṣad: An English Commentary” Read More »
In this concluding part, Sandeep Balakrishna shares some general advice for the youth of India so that they can rise up in their being, grow and expand their imagination and intellect, and be a positive force for India’s cultural renaissance.
“Try and Be Old-fashioned for a Day” – A Conversation with Sandeep Balakrishna (Part 3) Read More »
According to A V Sastri, the triple realisation of the Divine helped the Rishis to conceive a social order reconciling all conflict between the individual and society or nation by submitting both to a higher, the highest Truth. Essential ideals of the polity shaped by the Rishis are also mentioned.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 4 Read More »
Exploring India’s mission for the humanity, A V Sastri in this part explains that Indian nationalism at its core must be as inclusive, as many-sided, as much rooted in Divine and Humanity, at once as disciplined and liberal, as much one in spirit but myriad in expression as Sanatana Dharma.
The Psychology of Indian Nationalism – 2 Read More »