Sri Aurobindo
Autobiographical Notes
and Other Writings of Historical Interest
Part Two. Letters of Historical Interest
3. Other Letters on Yoga and Practical Life 1921–1938
To and about Public Figures 1930–1937
About Morarji Desai [1]1
A. B. Purani: This is a telegram from Dr. Chandulal Manilal Desai. . . . The other gentleman about whom he writes is Mr. Morarji Desai, originally a district deputy collector who resigned his post in the Non-cooperation movement and has been in public life since. I heard that he had spiritual inclinations.
In case they are permitted [for darshan], they would
naturally remain outside. The wire can be sent even tomorrow, on the 16th
– and they would have time to reach in time.
It is better if they have no time. Why should prominent politicians come trooping down here like this? I don’t understand. Better wire that it is too late.
15 February 1935
1 Morarji Desai (1896–1995) was Prime Minister of India between 1977 and 1979. In 1934, Desai proposed coming to the Ashram with his friend Chandulal Manibhai, who wrote to A. B. Purani asking for permission to attend darshan. Sri Aurobindo’s reply was addressed to Purani.