Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 2. 1936

Letter ID: 1717

Sri Aurobindo — Nirodbaran Talukdar

September 6, 1936

G has signs of inflammation in the left lung. Better to take an X-ray tomorrow; sputum examination if necessary after that.

Better not X-ray etc. unless it is absolutely necessary. Feed him, tonic him, coddle with cod-liver oil and see how it works out before plunging into these soul-shaking measures.

Should be made a little civilised! He has hardly any bedding; no blanket, no mosquito net. He says there are not many mosquitoes.

A blanket, banyan, mattress have been given. Mother did not know about mosquito net – but if he is not accustomed to it, he may find it rather suffocating. But you can ask Amrita for one if you think it indispensable. Civilisation is good, but not at all points for everyone.

I can’t decide if he should be given any work, but if he sits all the time at home, that may act adversely.

It will certainly act adversely.

At any rate, his wandering work has to be stopped.

On the contrary, to move in the open is surely one of the best things for him – provided it is not under the rain. He has most probably not been eating enough and ought to be fed. Also cod-liver oil and tonic may be good for him. He must have got cold and neglected it.

What a powerfully effective “stotra”! the boil couldn’t but burst... I couldn’t make out one word. Is it “make thy bows thrill”?

I thought you’d boggle over it. “Boss” man “boss” = yourself as owner, proprietor, patron, capitalist of the boil.

[Because of some inconvenience I wanted meals at home.] But if you want, the “home-eating” tendency can be stopped.

D.R. says more and more people demanding home consumption – carrying capacity exhausted. Will have to double Dayabhai’s work if this goes on – he will spend the whole day tiffin-carrying – and finally what will be the damned use of the Dining Hall? Your name among the home-consumers – so gave you a jog. If we omit the visitors, 50 per cent of the Asram are taking home-meals and most of these all meals at home. All do not take by cart, but even so the cart has to carry more than its proper capacity.