Nirodbaran

Talks with Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1

10 December 1938 – 14 January 1941

25 July 1940

For four days there was practically no talk. Then Bhaskar’s radio news said that Germany was making intense preparations to attack England.

Sri Aurobindo: Bhaskar doesn’t give the source of his news. He says that such intense preparations are going on that the universe is moving towards destruction. (Laughter)

Satyendra: The universe? Nehru also speaks in terms of planets. The Sunday Times has given the news that somebody in America has discovered some submarines which can be made into tanks. There is a humorous story along with this news.

Sri Aurobindo: That may be Germany’s new weapon to attack England.

Satyendra: Is that an accomplished fact?

Sri Aurobindo: It is an American and Sunday Times accomplished fact.

Here Sri Aurobindo related the humorous episode of the tank which was much enjoyed by all.

Purani (after some time, smilingly): Have you read in the Sunday Hindu the article saying that there are Hindu tribes in Arabia?

Sri Aurobindo (laughing): Yes. It is like the Tamil Christ and the Madrasi Virgin Mary.

Satyendra: What is that?

Sri Aurobindo: Oh, you don’t know? A Tamil scholar discovered that Christ was a Tamil belonging to Madras and he found all the equivalent Tamil names for Christ, Mary and even the streets.

Purani: Here also this man says that Araba equals Arava, Saracen equals Surasen and Ansari equals Anusari. (Laughter)

Sri Aurobindo: That was the fashion at one time. It was Colonel Todd, I think, who said that Krishna was Hercules who is also called Heracles. He derived the Greek name from Harikula. (Laughter)

Evening

Sri Aurobindo: It is now known what Bhaskar’s source was for the report of the coming German attack on England. A detailed document was found in the pocket of an American reporter who had died in France. It told of the German plan to attack England from Belgian and French ports, supported by aeroplanes, smokescreens, etc. The Germans will land at various places. In that case they may have some chance of success.

Purani: Yes. Otherwise I don’t see how it is possible. So they are putting Daladier and others on trial?

Sri Aurobindo: Yes, that is Laval acting out of revenge. Poor Delvos is also to be tried. Laval was ousted from politics in all the ministries. His photo in the paper shows the face of a criminal. The paper says he began as an errand boy and ended as a millionaire.

Purani: This action of his may also be to satisfy Hitler.

Sri Aurobindo: Yes, and out of revenge and fear of these people as well.