Nirodbaran

Talks with Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1

10 December 1938 – 14 January 1941

5 August 1940

Purani: I was reading Okakura’s book on Japan. He says that even if the Japanese have to be Westernised to protect their independence, they will go to that length.

Sri Aurobindo: Being Westernised won’t serve. As you say, the Western nations lost their independence.

Evening

Champaklal and Purani standing at either extremity were making gestures at each other; Champaklal burst suddenly into laughter and Purani joined in. Sri Aurobindo looked at them. They continued to laugh.

Sri Aurobindo: Unspoken jokes seem to be more successful.

Purani: Champaklal was showing different poses of standing.

The British have started arresting the Japanese.

Sri Aurobindo (laughing): Yes, and they say it is not retaliation. Extraordinary coincidences, I suppose.

Purani: Yes, many such coincidences are possible in this world.

Satyendra: This is better than wordy warfare.

Purani: The Bengal Government is taking many communal measures. The Hindus should organise.

Nirodbaran: They held a protest day on the 4th.

Sri Aurobindo: Mere protest won’t do anything.

Nirodbaran: Shyama Prasad is the only figure now who says other measures have to be taken.