Read Parichand's correspondence with The Mother - in two parts, 'Sadhana and Life' and 'Gardening Work'; it covers the period from 1936 to 1961.
The Mother : correspondence
THEME/S
Born on 30 October 1904, the Bengali disciple Parichand Kothari joined the Ashram on 11 November 1934 at the age of thirty. During the first few years, he worked as a gatekeeper, librarian and English teacher. Then in 1938 he began working in the garden of the Ashram's main building. For the next fifty years he was head of that garden and head also of the Ashram Garden Service. He lived in the Ashram for fifty-six years, until his passing on 27 August 1991 at the age of eighty-six.
Parichand's correspondence with the Mother is arranged in two parts, "Sadhana and Life" and "Gardening Work"; it covers the period from 1936 to 1961.
SADHANA AND LIFE
Mother,
Sometimes the vegetables in the Dining Room have an unpleasant taste, but I am eating them in spite of it in order to break old formations and achieve an equality of taste. Is this what You wish me to do?
Certainly it is indispensable to break down the narrowness and limitations of taste—the vegetables that taste bad to you others find excellent.
c. 1936
In Your prayer of 7 December 1912, there is the following sentence: "Thy Peace is in me, and in that Peace I see Thee alone present in everything, with the calm of Eternity." Does the phrase "the calm of Eternity" refer to "I" or "Thee"?
It is not so clear-cut as that. It is the atmosphere in which the experience takes place.
In Your prayer of 5 December 1912, there is the line "Thou, nothing but Thou, without any analysis or any objectivising". What is the exact meaning of the word "objectivising"?
To consider nothing as being outside the Divine and oneself.
1936
We are having some difficulty in understanding the true meaning of the following sentence in Your prayer of 17 May 1914: "The first, as though the power of the prayer would not be complete unless it were traced on paper." One makes one's prayer with the help of words, but is a written prayer more powerful than a spoken one? Please clarify the meaning of this sentence.
One should never read this book as if it were giving general rules. Each experience recorded there is a particular case. Moreover, the very form of the sentence implies that it is a particular case, even an exceptional one. These are subtleties of form that no one with a good knowledge of French could mistake.
From the occult point of view:
1) Something formulated in words is more powerful than something only vaguely thought.
2) Something spoken aloud is more powerful than something formulated in words.
3) And lastly, something written is more powerful than something only spoken aloud. But this concerns an occult action exclusively.
c. 1937
Half an hour, from 10.00 to 10.30, does not seem to be enough time for my work on the "Visions". I can work until 11.00 if You permit it. But then I will not be able to join the meditation because I will be on gate duty.
I don't think it would be good to give up the meditation, which is an opportunity to immerse oneself again in the true consciousness.
c. 1938
Meditation is a time of recollection during which one should renew one's offering, one's dedication, one's surrender to the Divine. It is important for the poise of the day not to miss it.
This evening during meditation I felt a sense of suffocation and dizziness on two occasions and I thought that I was going to faint. This sensation interrupted my meditation twice. I noticed that my trust in You was wavering; otherwise nothing could interrupt my meditation. I have felt a similar sensation in the past, especially in the midst of a large crowd or in a room too full of people.
Perhaps this dizziness comes precisely because the room is too full of people. Wouldn't it be better for you to sit outside in the open air?
When the outer nature becomes too restless and the spontaneous peace and concentration are lacking, any effort on my part to concentrate turns into a kind of tapasya. Various suggestions are coming to divert me from this effort, saying that this attitude of tapasya is not as effective as an effortless state. But it seems to me that this effort, this tapasya is necessary so long as the outer nature is not purified. Please give me some direction.
Both are necessary and each comes in its own time.
Something in me says that You should not be disturbed by my asking questions about unimportant things. Is this suggestion true?
It cannot be said that it is either false or true, for each case is different. A general mental rule cannot be true. It is only through the inner contact that one can be guided with a certain sureness. In any case, it is better to ask too many questions rather than too few.
Questions in plenty have been cropping up about work and my inner attitude, some clearly and others vaguely. One part of me says, "Catch these questions as best you can, even the smallest ripples, and put them before the Mother." But another part suggests, "That the Mother won't like because She has very little time to spare. Wait until things become clearer from within." But in following this latter suggestion, I have sometimes committed blunders which would not have been done if I had referred to You.
What attitude on my part will smoothen Your purifying work?
A general attitude of quiet opening to the Light and the Force is more important than to go into details. Always remember the will to surrender, the precision in details will surely come afterwards.
My love and blessings
You once told me that the impulses or suggestions which strike the mind first when one sets about doing something were the right and true ones. But so often the perverse forces of the mind and vital lie in wait and bring about a great confusion. As my discernment is not yet clear and sure, I feel I should refer these first intuitions to You physically, in writing, in order to do away with any chance of distorting the movement.
But will this not involve going into details, which You told me is not so important at present as a general attitude of quiet opening? How then can this going into details be avoided?
It is the inner attitude of surrender and consecration which is the most important and must be kept all through day and night, if possible.
The physical referring to me by writing must come only occasionally as a control of what has been received in the inner silence. That is to say, if you have asked a question and received an inner answer and you are not quite sure of the exactitude of your perception, you can write to know from me the truth about it.
1940
While at work, unpleasant vibrations keep my mind and heart unsettled and perverse movements blind my vision. Sometimes I feel that I am pushed not by impulses coming from You but from undivine sources, and yet I cannot clearly discern the right from the wrong. Mother, because of the dark forces still reigning over my nature it will take time to turn it into Your instrument.
It is in the quietness of the mind that the discrimination between the forces can come. Keep your mind silent and most of the problems will be solved.
There is a growing tendency in me towards lessening rather than increasing work—doing less work but in a better and more careful way. Mother, is my attitude right or is some wrong idea activating me?
Yes, it is all right, better do well than do much.
The constant push to activity after activity has now given place to a tendency to inaction. Exhaustion follows after a little work and the body sinks down forcefully. No zeal, no conquering will. How can I shake it off for good?
Most probably it is only a period and it may leave you soon. But do not worry about it and remain quiet. It is the best way to quicken its departure.
The day before yesterday I took tea and other preparations at X's and just after tea I drank a glass of water. That night 1 could not sleep until 1.00 a.m. The next day and today I suffered from a dry cold, uneasiness, heaviness, feverishness and a slight headache. Are these not due to my accepting tea without Your permission?
No, not for that—most likely it is due to the cold water on the hot tea.
Mother divine,
Although my mind says that even if the Mother gives no reply to my letters I should not despond in the least, still my vital shrinks and sinks a little. It craves for some stimulant and tries to cloud the mind. Today I have felt a sort of dryness and laxity.
I pray, O Mother, let me know inwardly or outwardly where I stand and let me fulfil Your intention. I want to be Yours, my Mother, take me up.
You must not worry—depression and anxiety are the result of a hostile influence; they must be rejected at once. It is not by a mental brooding on one's own mistake or [sentence incomplete]
c. 1940
Some parts of my nature are in turmoil. Is it due to some wrong attitude or to subconscient upsurgings? By Your grace my inner poise is intact, but my outer nature is still subject to heaviness, weakness and unrest. I aspire to know how to get over them.
Ignore them and turn your attention elsewhere.
24 December 1945
In spite of enough physical movement, my constipation persists and there is a consequent lethargy in the body. Since my inner consciousness is still subjected to the body, there is often a depression in the vital and mental parts. If a purgative such as Milk of Magnesia is taken, this disturbance may be avoided. But that will mean dependence on an external aid. Moreover, I doubt whether You approve of taking purgatives.
Mother, I humbly and earnestly pray for Thy guidance and uplifting Grace so that I may be able to shake off these morbidities and become a strong, glad and illumined servitor of Thee.
Take the Milk of Magnesia at once and also the resolution to be (and not to become) "a strong, glad and illumined servitor"; there is no need of waiting any longer for that.
9 September 1946
The past failings and falterings of my nature, its insincerities and faithlessnesses, occasionally cut me to the quick. Should I pay any attention to them?
It is better not to brood over these things. A simple detachment is the first step towards liberation.
c. 1946
Month after month, year after year pass away, yet no decisive opening is made in my being, no definite change in my consciousness. Sometimes my heart shudders at the thought that there is something wrong in my attitude, that there are certain perverse habits in my nature which oppose a sweet, devotional, childlike psychic relation with You.
Today I feel a strong urge to approach Thee, 0 Mother, for enlightening me on the real nature of the opposition and showing me a rapid way out of this tangle.
The smallest change in the nature, especially in the physical, needs a very long time to be realised—so the first condition is to be very patient.
9 April 1947
My sweet Mother,
Should I also get my hair cut for marching in the Playground? If so, should I simply get it bobbed or clipped closer?
Bobbed is all right.
31 January 1949
Dr. X proposes that on the day of Y's operation (Friday) and one or two days after, Z and I should arrange to remain by turns in the hospital both in the daytime and at night. He says You have permitted it. Should we act accordingly?
Y is very frightened by the perspective of the operation. Consequently I advised him not to get operated.
c. 1949
These days I meet with a difficulty. Special food preparations are widely prevalent and occasionally I am requested to partake of them. Sometimes I refuse, sometimes I find it hard to do so. But whenever I accept I feel a prick of conscience. What should be my attitude?
It depends mostly on the people who invite you. I cannot give a general answer.
My blessings
18 March 1950
X and I were surprised to hear that Y wrote to You for work due to our pressure. I proposed his name to You because I was impressed by his words; I thought he had no objection to taking up the work. Now I hear that You are displeased with our moves. I am not quite conscious of my faults, but it seems I was wrong in my judgment. I pray to You for pardon for any wrong done unconsciously.
I have never shown or expressed the slightest displeasure for your moves. Beware of what people may say or express in my name because usually it is disfigured.
In any case do not worry. Everything will be all right.
With my love and blessings
25 May 1961
GARDENING WORK
In preparing the bed of the third plot, it may be found necessary to cut away some roots of the trees.
This is not possible. No roots of trees must be cut.
Apart from that—if the trees are respected, you can prepare these plots.
Blessings
1938
I explained the whole thing to Z today. Of course this poor Service tree has already suffered much by the last storm and I do not wish to inflict any more difficulty upon it—but in this case it is not the main point. The objection to putting the eucalyptus plant there is that as the Service tree has already grown roots there, especially when some fresh good soil is put, it will grow some new roots much stronger than those of the eucalyptus plant, suck all the nourishment out of the soil and leave the eucalyptus plant starving if not even crushed out of existence.
Hair roots can be cut if indispensable but in small quantity and not often.
One "Engine" rose plant, received from Calcutta last November and transplanted early in January, was growing nicely, but now the leaves have crinkled and turned blackish. Liquid manure was twice applied within nine days.
I suspect the liquid manure to be the culprit in almost all cases. In France the first thing taught to those who look after rose plants is that liquid manure and in general all unfermented manure must never be used.
9 April 1938
In the summer many buds become weak, malformed and discoloured. Is it not good to nip them?
You may try on one and see the result.
Do You approve of restricting the number of buds, shoots and fruits so that the remaining ones may be more vigorous?
It is in the choice of those to keep and those to remove that lies the difficulty.
14 May 1938
In the summer we are accustomed to seeing the tips of branches drying, foliage losing its greenness, shoots lacking in vigour, leaves crinkling and plants presenting a weak and sickly appearance. The mind suggests that this is more or less inevitable in places like this where for almost six months the hot season prevails. But something in me counters this suggestion and says, "Plants can remain quite fresh and full of life throughout the year if one knows how to keep them. If proper precautionary measures are taken, climatic changes can have no influence on the plants and it is not indispensable for them to undergo such suffering. Certain plants may take rest in summer, growth may be held in check for that period, but no trace of suffering will be visible."
Certainly, if the necessary care is given the plants need not suffer. Blessings
28 May 1938
...This incident has brought the following suggestion to me: "Put the umbrellas over the plants at 11 or 11.30 a.m. and take them off at 2 or 2.30 p.m. This will be enough protection from the sun. Let the watering also be regulated." I pray for Your direction.
From the point of view of the rose plants it would be evidently better—but what about you?
4 June 1938
In the pit unused croton compost is kept. Along the wall and behind the kitchen there is palm compost.
I hope all this is not smelling and making the house uncomfortable.
13 July 1938
These rose plants are under the shade of the mango tree and around them foliage plants have been put to provide shade and yet admit diffused light. I am keeping the soil of these plants always moist and on very hot days I am thinking of watering the plants in the afternoon and syringing them in the morning.
Take care not to water too much, the plants may get rotten.
29 July 1938
The rain is often so violent that it may be better if they [rose plants] do not receive it directly.
In X's house, there is a bael-fruit tree. It is a thorny tree, with some branches at the bottom which are in the way. X suggests cutting the bottom branches and allowing the tree to spread at the top; it is now about ten feet high.
It seems always a pity to cut branches—will it not spoil the tree?—while the convenience cannot be very great.
1 September 1938
The thirty rose plants in Red House present a most sickly appearance. Even those shifted there from Vigie House are worse than before. One reason for the sickliness of these plants may be their being too near the sea. The moist and saltish air constantly blowing from the sea may have an injurious effect upon them. But is this the real cause? If so, shall I remove them at once without waiting till they are gradually transplanted?
Surely it is the neighbourhood of the sea that is harmful. It is better to remove them as soon as possible.
12 September 1938
While top-dressing the rose plants, we very often come across roots only an inch or so below the surface; the roots come practically to the surface. In such cases we cannot provide the plants with sufficient manure and soil unless we damage the roots.
I feel that I should not allow the roots to be cut, but the question of nourishment comes in. I am, of course, applying bone meal to almost all the plants. What else can I do?
The roots must be coming at the surface because when pushing downward they meet with the obstacle of the pot. Is it good to bury the pot in the ground like that? I always heard it was not as it favours the growth of worms.
In this connection I should like to know if You approve of the use of chemicals such as sulphate of ammonia, sulphate of potash, super-phosphate of lime, etc. in the case of rose plants. I remember reading somewhere that such chemical manures should be used very cautiously, otherwise they may spell disaster. So I have refrained from applying them till now. But if You permit me to apply them, I shall inform You of the chemicals prescribed by the Rosarians and also the dose to be given.
It would be better to know first if these chemicals are at all recommended for the rose plants by the experts.
15 September 1938
In Y's proposal, which was submitted to You yesterday and which You have approved, we see that we shall start the work with our own supply of manure and that of a few private houses.
You gave us two alternatives. One was to arrange for the manure supply separately; the other was for the Garden Service to take the whole charge of the manure.
We should like to know which of the two You prefer.
I have no preference for any of the two solutions. It is the way in which it is worked out that is most important. Whatever can be done in good organisation and harmony, avoiding carefully all wastage and all quarrels, will have my full support.
17 September 1938
Certain rose plants are apt to suffer from excessive moisture, either due to bad drainage or to the texture of the soil used in transplanting. It becomes necessary for such plants to be sheltered from the rain. This means shifting them to sheltered places each time it is raining or there is a chance of rain and bringing them back for sunning when the sky is clear. Do You like this?
I thought that plants did not like to be carried about too often ...
Now and then the squirrels gnaw away mercilessly at the tender shoots of the rose plants on the Prosperity and Rosary terraces. Today I found a number of shoots lying on top of the pots and on the roof. How can I prevent the squirrels from this ravaging?
It seems impossible. Z tried all sorts of things and never succeeded. We are freely feeding these beasts to diminish their devastation, but without any result.
26 September 1938
There is a general complaint against one of our gardeners, A. Though young and healthy he is dull in intellect, lazy in habit, prone to idle away his time and apathetic in the work entrusted to him. Moreover, he has expressed his dissatisfaction with the pay he receives and is sometimes irreverent in his attitude towards us. How to mend his habits or effect a change in his nature?
This is perfectly impossible. For a sadhak it is already a big job to change his outward nature; how can you expect it from an ordinary uneducated man?
4 October 1938
While X was taking rest after his mid-day meal, he saw two paid gardeners, N and M, proceeding towards the broken branch of the sandal tree. M first tried to break a piece out of it but failed. Then N began cutting the branch with his knife when X caught him red-handed. On cross-examining these gardeners and also R, X came to know that R and N had tried to cut bits in the morning also. What do You advise us to do?
A good scolding from Amrita and a warning that if they begin doing again such things, they will be dismissed.
19 October 1938
Some difficulty has arisen in connection with the heap of manure purchased yesterday. We settled the manure price at Rs. 7 mainly on the owner's assurance than it will be at least seven carts of manure. We also thought that the heap would be seven carts, if not more; but now we find that the heap has come to four carts only.
The owner sent a bearer to collect Rs. 7 from us, but we have paid only Rs. 4 and have written to the owner. "We settled the price at Rs. 7 on your giving us the assurance of getting seven carts but as we got only four carts we hope you will have no objection to accept Rs. 4."
We have taken a signed receipt of Rs. 4 from the bearer. If the owner comes or sends a man for the settlement, should we try to cut the price or give him Rs. 7 as settled with him?
If he insists on getting the Rs. 7, I do not see how you can refuse. When you arranged the bargain, instead of giving a lump sum for the heap, you ought to have said R. 1 per cart.
25 October 1938
Today at noon two goats entered into Santal House and mercilessly ate away the tender leaves and shoots of four rose plants. It is a pitiful sight. A month's labour spoilt in a few minutes. We shall henceforward try to keep the doors always shut and ask the inmates to do so. One of the doors has no bolt to lock it from outside. Can we ask Amrita to get it done?
Well, I have repeatedly said that gates must remain closed. You can ask Amrita about the locking arrangement.
28 October 1938
(Regarding differences of opinion among members of the Garden Service Committee)
My decision is that you should all give up your selfish egoistic reactions and face the problems in the spirit of true sadhaks, from the yogic point of view.
Especially Y seems to have made a point to contradict and discuss all that the others have decided. I do not approve of this attitude.
And I will repeat what I have said in the Words: When people quarrel all of them are wrong.
Blessings to all
June 1939
You have asked us to stop discussing and quarreling. Accordingly we have dissolved the daily evening meeting of the Garden Service from today. Is it all right?
Yes, at least for the moment—and until the minds have become quieter and the vital reactions are more under control.
29 June 1939
We wish to inform You that although X had been looking after our Garden Service manure in the capacity of general supervisor, it seems that he has no special experience in this line. We therefore thought of giving charge of this section to X and Y together. But Y fears that there might remain some chance of disharmony in this combination, so we propose instead to entrust the charge to Y and Z.
I do not approve of this kind of fear. Each one's duty is to abolish not only all quarrels but also the very idea that they can take place.
1939
In submitting to You this shocking report about the plants I feel like writing something. My heart has borne without much shock the death of an appalling number of plants. This is due, I have often felt with pain, not to a settled calm and equality but a deep-rooted tamasic indifference, insensibility, callousness and apathy. If some day, by Your grace, 0 Mother, a drop of Your pure love gives a magic touch to my heart, the plants too will get back the elixir of life.
Time and labour have not been spared, but I fear that they have not been applied usefully and systematically. Daily twice or thrice I have paused beside these suffering plants and yet felt helpless in removing their suffering. What a pitiful state!
Among my inner defects are a confused atmosphere of mind and a lack of clear perception, conquering will, boldness in taking steps, sympathetic touch, and openness to the inner guidance. How can I get over these defects and be a more perfect manifesting instrument of Yours?
It seems to me that what has happened is chiefly the result of lack of experience—if you persevere in your efforts you will succeed.
July 1939
The condition of the rose plants in my charge pains my heart whenever I go near them. I am ready to spare no efforts for their betterment if only Your will itself manifests more and more clearly and shows me the right way of nursing them.
So many plants have died without giving me sufficient experience! Tell me, Mother, what I should do to fulfil Your will more perfectly.
From the spiritual point of view, in your work, there are two defects that are to be removed. One is a kind of restlessness which compels you to try always new things and to make too many experiments—and the other is a certain rigidity in the mind which prevents the true inspiration from being properly received. Once these obstacles are removed you will more easily feel my force and my consciousness working through you.
My inner being fails to form any decision about how to help my roses, but an immediate decision is called for. One suggestion comes: "When a plant is suffering, meditate upon it. The mind will bring many ideas, but quietly wait. If not at once, eventually the real cause will become evident if you draw near the plant and meditate upon it now and then." Is this a right suggestion?
You can try the meditation but unless you quiet your mind completely it will not be of much help.
In connection with the grubs eating the roots of the plants, I can do two things: either free the mind from fear and develop an inner quiet and confidence in Your grace, or take precautionary measures such as applying soot-water, permanganate of potash etc. In the latter solution I have little faith, but I can do so if that be Your will.
Why this or that? Can you not rely on the Grace always, whatever is the exterior step taken?
About two months back I prepared some compost for roses with one part activated compost and one part garden soil. But in that compost, too, I have come across grubs. Thus although I have been washing plant after plant to make them grub-free, the grubs may have introduced themselves through the compost.
Mother, is it because I am afraid of the grubs that they appear so often? What should I do to keep the plants and compost free from grubs? Should I not banish these apprehensions and be rather careless of such things?
It may indeed be that by your fear and apprehension you actually attract the difficulties. An attitude of quiet confidence is much more helpful.
The watering and sunning of washed plants and new plants from outside still perplexes me.
On 3rd October, we washed, thinned and watered one plant and put it under the shade of the mango tree. Six days later, it was watered again because the soil did not get sufficiently dry. It was brought a little out from the trunk and given three-fourths of an hour's sun, but still under the tree. No eye opened, many leaves yellowed and fell.
From the 12th it began raining. The plant was brought farther out to get three hours' sun, but from the 12th to the 23rd there was practically no sun, but on the contrary heavy showers. As a result of this rain about three-and-a-half dozen eyes opened almost at the same time, and many of them sent forth very tiny shoots. Thinking that the plant would not be able to nourish so many shoots, I nipped one dozen weak ones.6
On the 24th, the sun was once again bright and hot. I noticed at about 10.30 or 11.00 a.m. that some tender shoots had drooped. This I attributed to the sudden change of weather. I shifted the plant to a still sunnier position so that next day it got about four and-a-half hours' sun—from 7.30 to 12.00 a.m. I noticed that some shoots had drooped again, but I did not give the plant any shade for two reasons:' (1) The soil was still very wet and I feared root-rot if it rained again, and (2) I wanted to accustom the leaves to more sun and thought they would stand up. But what I saw at 1.30 was that some four shoots had wilted badly beyond any hope of reviving.'
Mother, I have given at length the after-treatment of one plant as an example, but I pray for Your direction applicable to all such plants because it is upon the after-treatment that their life and progress depend.
The above statements you make describe most clearly the mess that the mind can do when it interferes in plant life. How much I wish you could stop thinking! Then, I suppose, the plants will grow and be happy.
Your reply to my letter concerning the after-treatment of washed plants has come as a revelation to me. It is my mental formations and suggestions that have not been allowing me to hear the small inner voice and distorting and disfiguring the true inspirations and impulses coming from You.
Mother, when it is Your will that I stop thinking I must do so. I pray to Your grace to remove the obstacles standing in the way. For the purpose of work should I not quietly and constantly look up to You for inspirations and follow them boldly, lending a deaf ear to all counter-suggestions? I feel that these two things are lacking in me: boldness and inner certitude. It is by Your grace that they will grow.
It is in quietness of the mind that you can get the certitude and the consequent boldness to act.
But before and above all, you must get this mental quietness; it is most important for both sadhana and work, inner growth and outer expression.
Aspire for silence and quietness.
The plant I referred to You has, I suppose, got sunstroke. As a result, a few more tender shoots have collapsed and a few thin branches are dying in spite of my giving shade to the plant after only two-and-a-half or three hours' early morning sun. How to counteract the anxiety this is causing me?
Do not worry—the plants also need quietness to live happily.
Now the roses cause anxiety to me whenever I draw near to them. Should I not throw away this anxiety? Should the least lowering of the consciousness be allowed in the presence of others because of this grave failure?
It is always better not to allow anxiety or depression to overcome you. A quiet, steady, confident will is the thing needed.
Remove all hindrances, accustom my being to commune more deeply with the plants and hear Your voice through them—otherwise I do not see any way to their improvement.
With much hesitation I am writing to You about roses. Suggestions of incapacity and egoistic persistence on my part have been coming now and then. If, due to my present state of non-receptivity in service to You, it is better that I hand over the charge of roses to X or anybody else, I shall gladly do so, even if the outer nature groans a little. Let the roses grow and be happy.
I do not want you to give up the work—but for the roses to grow happily you must not worry so much about them.
Some suggestion discourages me from watering the roses lightly three times a day as advised by You. This has not been found profitable by me for two reasons: (1) It has not been systematically done and not at regular intervals; (2) I have gone on watering even when it was not necessary and when a day's withholding would have done good.
I have thought of watering all the new plants according to Your method, rejecting any counter-suggestion as false. Is it all right?
If the method has not proved successful, why continue? It was not my method as I have never tried it myself. It was only a suggestion.
In Arogya House there is a rose plant which is growing nicely. Y told Z to bring it to Santal House, pluck the flowers and send them to You. Z will keep the plant under his treatment. Is it all right?
I do not quite understand why the plant is to be removed if it is growing all right? It is not good to move plants like that.
We do this shifting of all kinds of plants caladiums, maidenhair ferns, etc.—from Your garden without asking for Your permission, thinking that You will have no objection to this regular rotation. Is this idea in tune with Your will?
If the garden remains well decorated with ferns and other green plants I have no objection.
Out of fifteen mangoes kept by me for ripening in Cocotiers, two were found slightly eaten by cockroaches, thus rendering them unworthy of being offered to You. Another mango cracked when it fell from the tree and later got ripe. These three mangoes X and I tasted, following some impulse which was perhaps vital, for I felt some inner agitation when Y refused to share them with us. What ought we to do with such damaged or spotted fruits in future?
You can very well eat them, there is no harm.
This evening I was shocked to hear from Z that You had expressed Your displeasure that none of us were present to supervise the work of the gardener who was found breaking off the dry branches of the Service tree and throwing them roguishly on the ferns below. But he was asked by me Mèrely to remove nests of insects and inject "Agrisol" into their hiding holes. The day before yesterday, when I saw him throw a twig which almost hit a fern plant I rebuked him and directed him to throw such twigs on the concrete floor. X also checked him once. That he acted against our directions proves that he is a knave; he cared little for the plants and thought of stealthily collecting fuel for himself.
Mother, should I take any step against the gardener?
Do not give this work any more to that gardener and if he asks later on for some favour (loan or leave) you can refuse saying that these are reserved for the workmen who are honest, obedient and careful.
26 January 1945
Y wants me to see that Z gets the flowers and leaves he needs daily for distribution. Y does not like to have direct dealings with him on this matter because of some disharmony. I was not quite willing because of the existing pressure of work. But I pray to know Your will in this affair.
My will is that people should not quarrel.
5 January 1946
There are a lot of dry branches on the Service tree in the Ashram. Can I have them removed?
Just now it is not possible because one cannot distinguish between those which are truly dry and those that have lost their leaves.
For beauty's sake do You approve of our painting with green solignum a few dozen stakes that we use for supporting plants? We could get it done by our workmen?
Who says that it will look more beautiful? Not I.
29 January 1946
For plucking night flowers such as "Faithfulness" and "Peace in the Vital" from various houses, I would like to send some paid gardener. Do You approve of it?
If you send servants to pluck flowers, soon you will have no flowers at all.
27 March 1946
The Renuka House garden seems overcrowded and is kept untidy. One papaya tree is enough for the small place, but X is growing another. Then she has planted a branch of the tree "Psychological Perfection", and this will soon grow big. Finally, she is, I suppose, growing more vegetable creepers than the place can accommodate.
Yes; and you warn her not to increase her garden any more because all the plants will suffer.
6 April 1946
We have a small lawn-roller. Y wanted it for levelling the new playground, but I refused, saying that it was meant for lawns. He says he is going to make a lawn there. Should I issue the roller to him? I fear that it may get damaged by shifting, if carelessly done.
I do not advise you to lend the gardening tools to anyone.
2 May 1946
Once I informed You of the regularly irregular attendance of a gardener named A, and the unsatisfactory nature of his work with us. This gardener is about one year in our service. Should we take any steps to rectify his habits?
To rectify the habits of anybody is not an easy thing—but he can be threatened with dismissal if he continues.
13 June 1946
Z spoke to me about the lawn-roller. He said, "I told the Mother that I needed the roller for a day only. The Mother then enquired if any written permission from Her was necessary. I replied I would speak to you orally."
Should I issue the roller to him, or should I refuse it, saying it is reserved for the Ashram lawns?
In this connection it now occurs to me that I would have done better if I myself had refused flatly and not consented to Z's suggestion to refer the case to You. But as I was not quite sure of Your will, I could not do it with strength. I humbly pray to know for future guidance how I should have behaved.
Evidently if you had at once refused it would have been easier—but it is difficult to get rid of Z. I fear that now we will have to compromise. You can say that it cannot be lent but one of you will go and do the work himself.
29 July 1946
Before writing to You I had a talk with Y about the roller affair. This morning I told him what You had written to me; sometimes I am free speaking with him. But I felt later that I ought to have kept to myself what You had written about Z. I pray to know if I acted on a wrong suggestion.
It is always better not to repeat to others what I tell or write to you.
30 July 1946
About the garden inside the Ashram courtyard. May we temporarily arrange potted plants around the trunk of the Service tree for decoration till the last week of September?
No, it will not look nice, it is better as it is.
For beauty's sake Dr. X once suggested covering with red earth the portion of the ground unoccupied by pots. Instead of red earth, I think red sand would be better. Do You approve of the idea?
No, it looks too artificial.
8 August 1946
Under the Araucaria tree in front of X's room, can we plant in its bed one row of "Generosity" plants and another row of "Caladium" leaves?
Is it not bad for the tree to plant these flowers below?
17 September 1946
In dealing with our new young gardeners, who are somewhat arrogant and defiant, I experience a weak, timid and confused reaction in some parts of my nature. I have been opening these parts to Your force, praying for light and courage and strength.
It is in perfect calm that you can get unfailing strength.
6 November 1946
Yesterday there was a quarrel between X and Y. Desirous of harmony, Y wants me to convey some suggestions to X. He wants my mediation because a direct approach on his part may meet with a rebuff. I have been avoiding this because I find the task not only unpleasant and ineffective but in a way harmful. But I will refer Y's suggestions to You if it be Your will that I should take part.
It is not, indeed, very good to interfere in these meaningless quarrels.
4 January 1947
Yesterday when You came to the Cocotiers garden my mind was calm and glad, but later it was overshadowed for a certain reason. As the clouding effect still endures, I approach You for succour and guidance.
I heard from Z that his workmen were all present when You went to his farm. So also at Cazanove and Nanteuil. Thus when You came to Cocotiers and our workmen stayed on at the end of work, instead of going home, I did not object to their staying inside the garden.
After work, some of them went out to smoke without our notice and came back to foul the garden atmosphere. This incident caused trouble in me and then I felt that as the work was over I had better ask them to go home. But they remained, evidently in expectation of tips.
I pray to know the right procedure for future guidance. Also, will it be advisable now for me to tell them anything about the smoking affair?
There is nothing to say about the smoking provided they smoke outside the working hours and also outside the premises. For another time those who wish to stay may stay but they must not believe I will give them tips because I refuse to make this a habit.
8 February 1947
O Gracious Mother,
The number of workmen, permanent or temporary, is now sixteen. We can get satisfactory work from most of them only under strict supervision; otherwise they are prone to idle away their time, and the more the number of men the less the output. We need two more supervisors for better management.
For the moment I have nobody to give you.
The supervision of the workmen and the stores demands much of my time and attention. As a result the cultural and decorative side of gardening in the Ashram and Cocotiers does not get proper care and attention. A suggestion comes therefore to look for a sadhak to help me full-time, preferably a Tamil sadhak or Tamil-speaking one, and gradually entrusting him with responsibility.
Yes, if such a man can be found it is good; but for the moment I see nobody.
But there is another thing. Dealing with the workmen these days has increasingly helped to embolden my weak parts, to strengthen my nerves and to instil faith and courage in my vacillating heart. This seems to be a gain. So a counter-suggestion comes: "Continue till you find that no part shrinks or shudders even in the teeth of opposition."
I ardently pray to know, Mother, which suggestion to accept in order that I may best fulfil Your will in life.
Do not plan in advance, do not decide beforehand, keep silent and do at each moment the thing that you can do while inside being concentrated on me.
8 May 1947
Under the Araucaria tree in front of X's room, may I plant "Sri Aurobindo's compassion" plants? They are short-lived and surface-rooting and so will not be harmful to the tree, I believe.
I do not care much for plants and flowers under trees.
10 May 1947
Mother Divine,
There is something I should tell You in order to be free from all vibrations. Many of our 16 workmen, after the morning work, take their bath and food inside the Cocotiers Garden, then lie down there till they are called for work. Taking advantage of my absence, they may let in outsiders and create noise and other disturbances.
You certainly cannot leave the workmen all alone in the garden.
12 May 1947
This morning when Y went to call the gardeners at 6.30 a.m., he found them all absent, although we had seen some of them sitting and chatting outside before roll-call time. They appeared five minutes later, at 6.35 a.m. When Y informed them that they were late by five minutes, one gardener complained, "Five minutes in the morning—how can it be late?" Another gardener joined him and they grumbled a little.
They were late again today; I suspect it was intentional, and they may try to repeat it.
Z told me that in the Domestic Service five or ten minutes' lateness is not so strictly noted, but if someone is persistently late then he is marked so. It occurred to me that if the lateness is occasional, we too might ignore it. If we dissatisfy the gardeners for a few minutes delay, we may not get good work from them during the day. Y, however, seems to be more strict about punctuality in attendance.
I pray for Your guidance, Mother. I confess that I felt weakness and uneasiness in this connection.
It is always better not to make a fuss about small things.
11 June 1947
About two gardeners still on trial: S has been absent without authorisation for ten days and M for thirteen days. Both not satisfactory in their work. (They might be working elsewhere.) We propose that their names should be struck off the roll. Do You approve of it?
You must give them first 3 warnings and notices and finally give them one month's pay.
As one of these two gardeners is comparatively better, do you permit us to keep an opening for him in our service if he turns up? We have an order from You not to fill up the vacancy. If he appears in a few days, then we could consider his case.
I advise always to keep people unless it is truly impossible to do so, because if you send one away you are never sure that the one you will get in exchange will truly be better.
20 June 1947
About the gardener, P. He is very irregular. He was dismissed last May, but our work-men went on strike, so he was taken back after he apologised, saying he would no more absent himself without authorisation.
This month he took two days of unauthorised absence. If I take him to Amrita, some drastic step will be taken against him, I believe. As this workman is very lethargic, we will not mind losing him. But I am not sure if You would approve of it.
It is no use dismissing servants and be obliged to take them back again.
27 June 1947
Five gardeners of the same locality have been absenting themselves for the last three or four days without informing us. Only one of them, after two days' absence, appeared yesterday to ask for three days' further leave.
About this group we have a proposal to make. As they sometimes remain absent in a body, causing much inconvenience to our work, we would like to transfer two out of them to some other section—the two who are the most irregular and not always well-behaved. These gardeners will surely oppose this transfer and may even try to foment a strike, but that we are ready to face because our work suffers much when they remain absent together.
I pray to know Your will.
I am sure that not one out of ten of these workmen can be called honest and satisfactory, but it seems to me wiser to make the best out of the evil one knows rather than to run the risk of a worse combination.
14 July 1947
As you know two of our gardeners have remained absent from work since the 26th of last month without informing us. X got Your permission to send them away. One of them turned up for work this morning, after 18 days' absence. Amrita has already given me his official letter of dismissal (referring there to an article in the Convention Collective), copies of which have been sent to the Labour Office and the President. This letter I will hand over to the man tomorrow.
This gardener, although he came from a communist quarter and belonged to a group of four other very undesirable gardeners, was not found by us unsatisfactory in respect to his conduct, work and attendance. So the suggestion comes: "Dismiss him and then after some days take him back on trial with a reduced pay." But another suggestion says; "Do not take him back and give him no hope of further employment."
I pray for Your decision.
If the man is a good worker why don't you simply keep him in service?
13 September 1947
A question has risen again in me. I pray for Your guidance. The gardener whom You have asked us to keep in service has already been given his official letter of dismissal. X had Your permission and Amrita had already informed the Labour Office and the President.
Now the dismissed man is again seeking work. May we safely and unhesitatingly take him back into service with his old roll-number and at the existing rate of pay, telling him: "As all of us have been satisfied with your work and conduct, we put your case before the Mother and got Her sanction for your re-employment?"
Yes, but you must add that henceforth he must prove that he is worthy of this treatment by remaining always very regular in his attendance and his work.
16 September 1947
By Your grace, we have got rid of two undesirable workmen. But one still remains, the worst. He is a young but shrewd and mischievous boy. Other workmen soon may fall under his influence. I heard from Y that the man has even killed someone in a political party scuffle. Because of all this, sometimes when I want to curb his wrong movements, plainly expose his misdeeds, refuse him privileges or take steps against him, I feel a nervous shrinking and the suggestion comes: "Be careful. He may do harm to you, he may even resort to violence."
So I open these weak parts in me to You, praying for courage, strength and enlightenment.
Quietness, calm, fearlessness.
2 October 1947
The workman N served as a gardener for about 71/2 months, then left the work due to illness. His work was satisfactory, his conduct was fairly good, but his attendance was very irregular. Recovered from illness, he now seeks re-employment. We do not want to engage him because he was very irregular and is not very hardy.
He says he can get work in some Government department if we give him a certificate, and he has been asked to bring one from the Ashram. Should we give him anything in writing?
Yes.
If so, can I write in English as follows: "The bearer, N, worked as a gardener for about 71/2 months last year and then left the work on account of illness. His work was found by us satisfactory"?
Whenever a servant asks for a certificate, it must be given, unless the man has proved to be very unsatisfactory.
11 October 1947
I approach You for the solution of a problem before me. Two gardeners were dismissed three or four months back. In spite of our repeated refusals, they persist in beseeching us for re-employment. On 1st December both appeared and, when refused employment, made an appeal for certificates saying, "Without certificates, we will not be given work by anybody."
We did not issue them certificates when they left, because all of us found them unsatisfactory—at times very unsatisfactory—in respect to conduct, work and attendance. Should I tell them that it is not possible for us to give them certificates because none of us found them satisfactory?
Legally we have to give a certificate stating the kind of work they did (gardener for instance), the date of their entering the service, the date of their leaving the service. If you have nothing favourable to say, you write nothing, because you must not write anything that would prevent them from finding a job in another house. If you give me the required particulars I shall write down a sample of such certificates.
5 December 1947
I have read some articles from the "Rose Annual" of 1925. But the idea came to me this morning that You would not like me to read the articles in the other issues and stuff my mind with a lot of information. If the idea is true, I shall see the pictures only and send the books back to You.
If you find some useful information in the book I do not see why you should not read.
1947
Last year for Ayudha Puja, our workmen did not approach us for Sri Aurobindo's and Your photos while doing the Puja. This year may we give them Your photos for worship, even if they do not of themselves ask us for them?
No.
Love and blessings
9 October 1948
The palm trees along Your windows are very dirty. Syringing them from below does not clean them properly. Will You permit me to syringe them from the roofs? The gardeners will supply me with water by ladder and I will carry the cans up to the top. Morning-time will be suitable. I pray for Your sanction.
I do not find it advisable with the present scarcity of water.
Moreover there is a risk of the water coming in the rooms through the windows. Let things stand as they are until the rain comes.
19 May 1950
The gardener P has been in our service about nine years. This year he has again started absenting himself now and then on some excuse or other. He seldom takes my permission. Each time he is absent like this, I ask him to give his reason in writing and show displeasure and deduct from his pay. But he seems not to care for all these deterrents. Sometimes I am prompted to refer his case to the Labour Office, but then a counter-suggestion comes: "There is a general unrest. So better wait for an opportune moment."
I pray for Your guidance.
All depends on the quality of his work. If he works well, be patient.
If the work he does is unsatisfactory, refer to the Labour Office.
6 April 1955
I have to get three hundred pots made by Z for the winter season. He is busy making fancy pots and other things on a small scale. So I proposed to him to engage an extra potter for a few days and when the pots are ready, to fire them all at one time. Z is ready to do this, provided he gets money for the potter, fuel and clay—Rs. 25/- approximately. I pray for Your sanction.
What is this commercial spirit!
The whole of Z's installation and work is paid by me—and his work must be useful to the Ashram. How can he ask for extra money for a work done for the Ashram? This is an intolerable attitude.
11 July 1955
APPENDIX
(Parichand's Garden Service notebook of 1938 contains the Mother's replies to the questions of three other members of the Garden Service. The concluding text is a general note she wrote to the Garden Service.)
It might be better to keep me informed if you make important changes, especially in the entrance garden and the mango tree garden under our windows. But if you speak of the flowers with their significance rather than with their botanical name it will be easier for me.
11 July 1938
Do you have any objection to our using sulphate of ammonia and other such chemicals in liquid form in the main Ashram garden to accelerate the growth of the plants? They have neither any smell nor any colour.
I have no objection provided you use it moderately and with great care as it can destroy as well as accelerate.
Can I remove the branches of shrubs which are overhanging and causing inconvenience to the inmates?
I cannot say yes or no, as all depends on the way it is done. It is not only the welfare of the inmates that must be taken in consideration but also the welfare of the shrubs.
18 July 1938
(Asked to choose between three methods of treating crotons, the Mother replied:)
It is by experimenting that one gets knowledge.
29 August 1938
26 pots of caladium sent here by X are in a very unhealthy condition, due to being crowded together and kept in deep shade for too long. This has made their leaf-stalks too long; not being able to carry the weight of their own leaves, they have fallen and started rotting. To save the bulb and help new growth, I have cut all the damaged and fallen leaves and kept them in sunny shade, which they like. All the caladiums should be removed from there for some time and kept in a less crowded way and in semi-shade; otherwise they will all perish.
You must, by this time, have received my letter sent to the Garden Service and seen what impression all these poor cut leaves have made upon me. Some were evidently spoilt and faded but many were in perfect condition, fresh and strong, and surely did not need to be cut.
These caladium were brought purposely for the decoration of the N.S. garden. I like them very much as they are extremely decorative. It seems to me that they can be put in the N.S. courtyard at least for one month every darshan and also at the Christmas holidays and in between they can be kept in a more sunny place.
30 August 1938
I am extremely sorry for having made this pruning mistake. It would not have happened if I had informed You beforehand and done it myself, instead of asking the paid gardener M to do this work.
Indeed it was a great mistake to give the work of cutting these leaves to a gardener. In future when such a work is to be done it is always better to do it yourself.
31 August 1938
Here is a passage from G regarding the cultivation of Supramental Guidance in Matter (Hamelia patens): "It stands close clipping and trimming to any form; trimmed shrubs grown along side-walks or roads are of striking beauty. Hamelia makes a very good ornamental hedge, it is propagated from cuttings." Shall I follow the advice?
I do not like clipped and trimmed plants, it looks too artificial.
3 September 1938
Fruits are better when they are plucked ripe. But this kind of fruit bursts very easily, so it may be better to pluck them a little sooner.
8 September 1938
In Deconzanet House the position is very sunny, but the atmosphere is stuffy and the cement floor gets heated.
It is no use putting anything there as the plants suffer.
13 September 1938
Six palms and one "Purity in the mind" have come for repotting. They are pot-bound and their roots have enveloped the drainage materials. To take out the potsherd, charcoal etc. and put the plant in the next size pot, the lower portion of the roots will have to be cut. Do You allow me to do this?
Is it not possible to repot them without their roots being cut? With a little care and time it seems to me quite possible.
I could not start the transplanting of ferns as yet, but I should not wait any longer as the season is advancing. There are two methods for transplanting them. In both methods they recommend splitting up the fern clumps and planting them thinly, giving ample room for them to spread.
I have noticed that there are two kinds of growth, one like a bamboo clump and the other like the strawberry plant in which suckers are sent far off from the mother-plant. The ferns growing like a bamboo clump can be potted without entire removal of the old soil, but with the strawberry type I have found it impossible to do so. Last time I repotted a few of them by taking the plants out separately and trimming off all their dead stems, roots and broken leaves. Perhaps because of this they suffered a little longer, but after a few months they recovered. The long recovery period may be due to untimely repotting and a little rough handling.
Do You allow me to follow the above method? Or do You suggest any other method?
The only thing I insist upon is care, gentleness, consideration as you would have for a living being—for plants are living and they feel and suffer.
Water-logged and droopy-leaved crotons, caladiums and other plants are coming here for repotting from the main compound. I have tried repotting a few of them, but they have died. So I am leaving them as they are, using just enough water to save them from being bone dry. If after a few days I find some new growth in them, I intend to top-dress them. Do You approve of the above procedure?
Yes, when a plant is tired or sick give it rest for a few days, in a proper place, and it will recover. Repotting is always a blow and to give a blow to a sick plant is just the way of finishing it.
14 October 1938
I find some difficulty in repotting without cutting the mould just a little. The mouths of almost all the pots are smaller than the middle, so cutting the sides of the moulds is necessary to bring them out easily. While doing this, some roots will necessarily be cut; to avoid this I have to break open nearly all the pots and also the tubs, because the mould in the tub sticks tightly to the sides and does not come out easily unless I cut this mould (with roots) from the sides just a little. Do You allow me to cut only that much in order to bring out the mould?
If there is no other way, I suppose you will have to do it—but I wish you would repot only those for which it is absolutely indispensable.
Y wanted some green mangoes from the Santal House garden and having got Your permission he took some twice or thrice. But the other day, finding very few in the tree, he asked me whether I would like to send them directly to you—ripe or unripe. I answered, "Whatever the Mother wishes." But I do not know which You like better, ripe or unripe mangoes. Z is telling us that the Mother never takes ripe mangoes. I pray for your direction.
Sri Aurobindo eats the ripe mangoes. So it is better to keep the mangoes on the tree and to send them to me when they are ripe.
24 October 1938
Every year at this time, we used to make cuttings and layerings of shrubs, crotons and other plants which can be propagated. Fearing that the mother plants may not last long, we feel a need to do this. Shall we do it this year also?
Yes, provided you have time to do it carefully. It is better to do a few with much care, than plenty in great haste.
29 October 1938
To the Garden Service
I have read X's and Y's letters of this day and take this opportunity to formulate two remarks that I have made since some time already.
When I founded the Garden Service it was to put an end to the old dictatorial regime of a single man at the head of the service with all its results of arbitrary decisions and fanciful rules. But I seem to have failed in my attempt, because instead of a single big state, there have been formed several small states each one under a ruler and all the rulers quarrelling among themselves. Indeed since the beginning of the Garden Service scarcely one day has passed without a quarrel being brought to my notice; constantly I was hearing of hot discussions and quarrels about the most insignificant matters, the smallest things, the most petty disagreements—and always these points of dissension could have been settled by themselves, without a word of discussion, if each one had done his work quietly, free from vanity, self-esteem and a domineering spirit.
As a result and in spite of much effort, work and labour the general standard of the gardens seems to have much gone down. At any rate the only garden I see physically—that of the main compound—is far from being what it used to be when at its best. For the past few days, when I walk on the roof, I am seeing with much regret the back garden of the Library House unkept, almost unwatered—as if nobody was supervising the gardeners' work. This is said only as an instance and I am formulating no criticism of somebody in particular. It is the general spirit of the Garden Service that appears to be wrong and I fear that our attempt at democracy has been a failure. The remedy does not appear clearly, as yet. But as a transition it might be better to stop discussing, each one being busy with the portion of the work which is allotted to him and trying to carry it out as well as possible without attempting to impose his will on others. If in carrying out this programme some real problems arise they can be reported to me and I shall try to solve them.
28 June 1939
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