Nirodbaran
Talks with Sri Aurobindo
Volume 1
10 December 1938 – 14 January 1941
24 September 1940
The radio said that De Gaulle had gone to Dakar as there had been rumour of a revolt among the people. Sri Aurobindo remarked, “He would not act simply on a rumour.” There was confused and meagre news from Dakar. It was reported that naval fighting was going on between the French and the British. Then Purani described how France had given up the fight in spite of having much material – the usual story about how the French leaders and people had betrayed the cause, etc.
Satyendra: France would have been in a better position if she had not joined the war.
Sri Aurobindo: How? She would have been attacked one day. Italy was already talking of her colonies. In that case, British help wouldn’t have been available. They might have hoped that Hitler would attack Russia first but it is doubtful whether Italy would have waited such a long time.
Sri Aurobindo had been styled a Brahmo leader by some American paper in connection with George Nakashima’s talk on Nishtha – Margaret Wilson, daughter of the former President of the U.S.A.
Sri Aurobindo: So I am called a savant [British radio], a Brahmo leader and an ascetic [Bombay Times]!
Some Egyptian prince had come to India, visited Hyderabad and called it “marvellous”.
Purani: If he finds Hyderabad marvellous then one wonders what Egypt may be like.
Sri Aurobindo (laughing): Yes, Hyderabad is still half in the Middle Ages! You know Dara’s story? One of two brothers from there came for Darshan. After going back the brothers had some quarrel over property and the one who had been here filed a suit and asked our help. He won the case. Then the other brother came for Darshan and after going back he filed another suit against the brother who had won, and he also asked our help. This brother also got a judgement in his favour. I don’t understand how it was possible to have opposite judgements, when the judge was the same.
Evening
Sri Aurobindo: Bhaskar reports on his radio, “It must be remembered that the British have been shelling Dakar.” (smiling) How can we remember when we never heard of it before? There seems to be a mystery around the whole affair.
Purani: Yes, all sorts of conflicting news is coming in. Nobody knows what the truth is.
Sri Aurobindo: It appears from an Englishman bringing news from Rome that Hitler will try to take Gibraltar first, then cross to Morocco, capture Egypt, the Suez canal, the whole of Africa and finally invade England.
Purani: If the French forces side with England in Africa, even now there may be a chance of victory. There are fine French forces in Morocco.
Sri Aurobindo: Yes. If Hitler takes Gibraltar, the British can occupy Tangier as a counter-blow.