Nirodbaran

Talks with Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1

10 December 1938 – 14 January 1941

2 February 1940

Purani: Somebody from Oundh is trying to bring out the Vedas, classifying the Suktas according to hymns and also according to the Rishis addressed.

Sri Aurobindo: That was my idea too. I wanted to translate and arrange the Suktas in that way.

Evening

Purani: Abhay was telling me that in his presence an Arya Samaj leader had a talk with Gandhi about the Hindu-Muslim problem. Gandhi and other Congress leaders seem to have realised that these Muslims are becoming more and more threatening and it would be good for the Hindus also to organise themselves. Gandhi seems to have said to this leader that instead of sitting idle and being beaten by the Muslims they should also organise and fight. “If you can’t accept non-violence as your principle I have never asked you to accept defeat. Instead of sitting like cowards, violence is better.”

Sri Aurobindo: The leader should have said, “It will help our cause if you do some violence.” (Laughter)

Purani: C.R. also gave him the same advice; only, he asked him not to mention his name. (Laughter)