Sri Aurobindo
Bande Mataram
Political Writings and Speeches. 1890–1908
Part One. Writings and a Resolution 1890 – 1906
India Renascent1
The patriot who passes judgment on a great movement2 in an era of change and turmoil, should be very confident that he has something worth saying before he ventures to speak; but if he can really put some new aspect on a momentous question or emphasize3 any side of it that has not been clearly understood, it [is] his bounden duty however obscure he may be to ventilate [it.]
*
The4 commonplace that India is in transition has of late been strongly impressed on us by certain English empiricists; they have devoted whole articles and pamphlets to marshal proofs and enumerate instances in support of this proposition
*
It is time that an Indian who has devoted his best thoughts and aspirations to the service of his country, should have in his turn a patient hearing
*
India5 is indeed a snake who has rejected her outworn winter weeds
Earlier edition of this work: Sri Aurobindo Birth Century Library: Set in 30 volumes.- Volume 1.- Bande Mataram: Early Political Writings. 1890 - May 1908.- Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, 1973.- 920 p.
1 Jottings from a notebook used by Sri Aurobindo at Cambridge in 1891 and 1892.
2 1973 ed.: who offers advice to a great nation
3 1973 ed.: emphasise
4 This paragraph is absent in the edition of 1973 year.
5 This phrase is absent the edition of 1973 year.