Nirodbaran

Talks with Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1

10 December 1938 – 14 January 1941

8 January 1941

Dr. Manilal: The knee is bending a little more, Sir.

Sri Aurobindo: Do you think so?

Dr. Manilal: Yes, Sir.

Nirodbaran: Is it the Inconscient that stands in the way of a rapid cure?

Sri Aurobindo: Partially and many things in between.

Nirodbaran: If diseases arise from the Inconscient, then when it is worked out, all diseases should cease – Dr. Manilal’s too.

Sri Aurobindo: That depends on Manilal.

Nirodbaran: If by Sri Aurobindo’s working on the higher planes we can open more easily to them, then by his working on the Inconscient our diseases ought to be cured.

Purani: Yes, but we can open only in the reverse way! (Laughter)

There was news that Hitler was trying to persuade Bulgaria to allow German passage or to join the Axis orbit.

Sri Aurobindo: That is the danger now. I don’t think an invasion of England is likely. If Britain can’t help the Balkan powers with sufficient anti-tank guns, aeroplanes, etc., it will be difficult for them to resist Germany.

Nirodbaran: Turkey may come in to help Bulgaria if the latter is attacked.

Sri Aurobindo: Don’t know. If Turkey waits till Bulgaria is attacked it will be too late. In that case Hitler may turn towards Palestine and help Italy there, and then move on to Africa. Next he will ask Spain to join him so that the English army in Africa will be caught between two forces.

Purani: Yes, that is why England is trying to hurry up the Libyan campaign so that it can move its forces to Greece.

Evening

Dara has reported that Roosevelt in his speech mentioned three things, one of which was freedom from care.

Sri Aurobindo: Freedom from care? Is it material or spiritual freedom? Take for instance Manilal’s shoulder. Material freedom would mean freedom from pain, while spiritual freedom would mean it does not matter even if there is pain. Which do you want, Manilal?

Dr. Manilal: Both, Sir! (Laughter)

Afterwards it was found that Roosevelt had said “freedom from want”.

There was a difference of opinion about a case of chronic appendicitis. Dr. B.C. Roy advised an immediate operation, while others said it should be postponed for a year. Nirodbaran asked Dr. Manilal’s view.

Dr. Manilal: I don’t know the case, but if it is chronic it is better to remove the appendix. But it may not be appendicitis at all. Many mistaken operations have been performed even in cases of pneumonia, typhoid, pleurisy. At one time it was the fashion to blame the appendix for any trouble and remove it. Doctors sometimes make much of a little thing.

Sri Aurobindo: I remember in England Sarat Ghose had a small pimple on his lip. A doctor was called. He examined it and said with a long face, “Very serious, very serious!” The way he said it with a grave shaking of his head was most comical!

Nirodbaran: I had an urgent call today from X. I got a little frightened as she has been having the haemorrhage trouble. But when I went in, I saw that she had called me for just a few patches of leukoderma she had suddenly discovered under her breasts. She was on the point of weeping and asked me to tell you to stop them. She said, “God has made me sufficiently ugly. Why this further addition?” (Laughter)

Sri Aurobindo: If she were a professional beauty I could understand her fear! (Laughter)

Nirodbaran: You must have seen that K.S. Roy has become the leader of the Bengal Congress party.

Sri Aurobindo (smiling): Yes. Y and Z have seen that the game is up now. They are the most wonderful people for creating splits. I haven’t seen anyone else like them.