Nirodbaran

Correspondence with Sri Aurobindo

Second Series

2. Art and Literature

Poetic Inspiration and Yoga

Amal says Cousins ignored your poem “Rishi” while speaking of the others. Isn't that far worse?

Neither worse nor better. What does Cousins' bad opinion about “Rishi” matter to me? I know the limitations of my poetry and also its qualities. I know also the qualities of Cousins as a critic and also his limitations. If Milton had written during the life of Cousins instead of having an established reputation for centuries, Cousins would have said of “Paradise Lost” and still more of “Paradise Regained”, “This is not poetry, this is theology.” Note that I don't mean to say that “Rishi” is anywhere near “Paradise Lost”, but it is poetry as well as spiritual philosophy.

13.11.1936