Nirodbaran
Talks with Sri Aurobindo
Volume 1
10 December 1938 – 14 January 1941
17 May 1940
Evening
Sri Aurobindo: It seems it is not merely five or six of our people but more than half that are in sympathy with Hitler and want him to win1.
Purani (laughing): Half?
Sri Aurobindo: No, it is not a matter to laugh at. It is a very serious matter. The Government can dissolve the Ashram at any moment. In Indo-China all religious bodies have been dissolved. And here the whole of Pondicherry is against us. They cannot do anything only because Governor Bonvin is friendly towards us. But even he, if he hears that people in the Ashram are pro-Hitler, will be compelled to take steps, at least to expel those who are so. If these people want the Ashram to be dissolved, they can come and tell me and I will dissolve it instead of the police doing it. They have no idea about the world, and talk like children. Hitlerism is the greatest menace that the world has ever met. If Hitler wins, do they think India has any chance of being free? It is a well-known fact that Hitler has an eye on India. He is openly talking of world-empire. He will turn towards the Balkans, crushing Italy on the way, which would be a matter of three weeks, then Turkey and then Asia Minor. Asia Minor ultimately means India. If there he meets Stalin, then it is only a question as to who wins and comes to India.
I hear K says that Russia can come now and conquer India. It is this kind of slave mentality that keeps India in bondage. He pretends to spirituality. Doesn’t he know that the first thing that Stalin will do is to wipe out spirituality from India, apart from the fact that his own class will be crushed out2?
They say Hitler is applying his Poland-method on the Western Front – leading with armoured tanks and following up with infantry. (Addressing Purani) The Americans are waiting and comfortably thinking that the Allies will win.
Purani: It doesn’t look as if they will join the war now.
Sri Aurobindo: No, it is very difficult for them unless they are compelled to – later on.
Purani: The American group that came here was talking bitterly against the war and said, “No more of it.” They have sacrificed heavily in the past and spent a lot of money. They want peace now.
Sri Aurobindo: If they want peace they have to help in keeping it. They fled away after leaving Wilson in the lurch.
Purani: Their loans also have not been paid back and they are bitter.
Sri Aurobindo: That, of course.
Purani: Sir Akbar Hydari has got a full set of the Arya.
Sri Aurobindo: How?
Purani: It seems his own bookseller from whom he has bought many books had a set. As soon as he knew that Sir Akbar wanted it, he gave the whole set gratis. Naturally Sir Akbar was very pleased.
Sri Aurobindo: Yes, having it gratis would be an added pleasure. (Laughter)
1 It may be mentioned that the pro-Hitler bias was due not to perversity but to ignorance. Most regrettably, the true nature of Hitlerism was not realised in the midst of the animosity against England and the other so-called imperialist powers, the possessors of colonies in Asia and Africa, who happened to be Hitler’s enemies. This dangerous ignorance was a widespread phenomenon in the East.
2 The same morning, it seems, the Mother also spoke to Nolini to the following effect: “It is treachery against Sri Aurobindo to wish for Hitler’s victory. Sri Aurobindo’s cause is closely connected with that of the Allies and he is working night and day for it. It is because my nationality is French that the Ashram is allowed to exist. Otherwise it would have been dissolved long ago. There were many attempts to do so. If Hitler or Stalin wins, spirituality is doomed. Stalin will come to India and there will be no chance for freedom for a century.”