Chapter 12

Two Stories

A story, and a true one, will perhaps prove revealing here. In 1922, Amrita, one of Sri Aurobindo’s most intimate disciples, complained to him about his difficulties in sadhana. Sri Aurobindo pointed to the Mother’s room and told him, “Go and tell her about these things. It is only she who can give you the necessary practical guidance. You will not get it by remaining with me for twenty years. I can only give you some force; the rest you will have to do by yourself. But for tackling the problems of physical life she is the occult master.” So Amrita approached the Mother. About a month later he told Sri Aurobindo that he had spoken to the Mother, but after several requests he had been granted only fifteen minutes of meditation with her on two occasions, nothing more. “What chance was there,” he asked, “of discussing individual problems?” Sri Aurobindo replied, “Yes, that is how it is at present. It is because she does not want to put herself forward. But if there is a collective service to the Divine she will not be able to remain behind. She will come forward to help in the service and it will be a unique opportunity for the spiritual progress of the world.” Such was Sri Aurobindo’s hint and prophecy in 1922. But even at the end of 1925, when Pavitra came, only Amrita and Nolini recognised who the Mother was; the others at most had some formal devotion.