Nirodbaran

Talks with Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1

10 December 1938 – 14 January 1941

22 September 1940

Purani: It seems Bonvain called all the European officials today to discuss the support to De Gaulle.

Sri Aurobindo: How do you know? It may not have been for that reason.

Purani: What else could it be for?

Sri Aurobindo: We are not told. It seems the representative of De Gaulle found the French people lacking in enthusiasm.

Purani: Yes. They all want safety and self-interest. Even the Governor’s statement looks dubious.

Sri Aurobindo: How?

Purani: He has said, “The Vichy Government has said to us, ‘Marchez avec les voisins.’ According to that advice we have joined De Gaulle.” (Laughter)

Sri Aurobindo: He is not sure of British victory. If the British lose, then he will say to Vichy, “You asked me to be friendly with them.” He wants to keep his path clear. De Gaulle is getting very good support, it seems. He wants to raise a French army and take offensive action in France.

Purani: That would be very good. They may have many supporters there too.

Satyendra: But it won’t be an easy job. The number of men has to be very high.

Nirodbaran: They have one million, they say.

Sri Aurobindo: Not only number; the men must have equipment too. De Gaulle is a man who understands the need for equipment; without it he won’t do anything.

Evening

Sri Aurobindo (after reading Bonvain’s statement): He can be compared with Mark Twain! (Laughter) Bonvain doesn’t believe that England will win.

Purani: It seems the French were asking De Gaulle’s representative many questions about their future situation if England got defeated. How can one answer all that now? Besides, one must take a certain amount of risk.

Sri Aurobindo: Quite so. He has replied to them as far as he could, but also said, “If we go on predicting we will lose everything.” In times of revolution everything is unsettled; how can anything definite be said? Some risk has to be taken. When a course of action is chosen, emergencies have to be met with as they come.

Satyendra: According to an Italian source, the British have a 230,000-strong army in Egypt.

Sri Aurobindo: How the devil can they give an exact figure? If it is really true, they are almost equal to the Italians. Why then don’t they enter into an encounter?

Satyendra: I think it is either to prove their prowess or prepare their people for any reverses. (Laughter)