Nirodbaran

Talks with Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1

10 December 1938 – 14 January 1941

7 January 1941

Dr. Manilal: Does the killing of mosquitoes come in the way of spiritual attainment, Sir?

Sri Aurobindo: Whose attainment? Of the mosquitos? (Laughter)

Dr. Manilal: No, Sir, our attainment?

Sri Aurobindo: No, it may be for the mosquitoes because you kill them before they have exhausted their mosquito propensity. But why that question?

Nirodbaran: Gandhian ahimsa, perhaps, or Jain virtue and vice.

Sri Aurobindo: It may take away from ethical qualities but it has nothing to do with spiritual principles.

Dr. Manilal: In medical practice we may sometimes be liable to kill patients because of our lack of knowledge, negligence, etc. Are we responsible for the deaths?

Sri Aurobindo: If they are due to negligence, yes, but not if they are due to lack of efficiency or knowledge. It is the spirit or intention that is more important than the act.

Nirodbaran: But is ignorance excusable?

Sri Aurobindo: If one is ignorant and goes on committing mistakes in his ignorance, then he can’t be excused. But if his intention is good, his lack of knowledge doesn’t make him responsible for his mistake. I am not speaking of those people who make experiments on patients.