Sri Aurobindo
Letters of Sri Aurobindo
Volume 4
The Mother has never objected to people who “cannot pay” residing or visiting the Ashram without paying; she expects payment only from visitors who can pay. She did object strongly to the action of some rich visitors (on one occasion) who came here, spent money lavishly on purchases, etc. and went off without giving anything to the Ashram or even the smallest offering to the Mother, that is all.
Certainly, Sachin can come and stay for the month as you propose.
The situation is becoming very difficult: more things are being rationed and the authorities have informed us that they will give us rations only for three hundred people, though there are three hundred and fifty here and the number is increasing; we are no longer able to get the full amount of milk from the milkmen; we are threatened with a scarcity of fuel; prices of ordinary things are becoming fantastic. In short, Pondicherry is no longer a land of plenty in the general scarcity and the Ashram may soon cease to be a place of comfort and security. If things continue to get worse, there can be a series of restrictions and deficiencies. In that case, if people don’t get what they want or feel that they need, they must not think that it is bad will on our part; they must understand the situation. This is general and does not apply to Sachin’s stay. Only there is a child and you say they are not in good health. But that is for them to consider. We will always do the best we can.