Yoga of Perfect Sight

On Eyesight without Glasses

At present I have my eye-clinic at Bulandshar. I go to Delhi to work twice a week. I now find that there is a better field at Delhi for my profession. So I propose to move wholly over to Delhi in the month of October. But first I must know what you think about it. I need your permission and protection above all. For the shifting of the clinic to the capital is a matter of great responsibility.

It seems to me that Delhi is clearly indicated—so you can start your work there in October.

7 July 1934

You have given me your Blessings to start the Eye-hospital at Delhi. Sometimes I get dejected owing to my poor financial condition; but at once you appear before me and, changing into Lord Krishna, you say, "Why do you fear about anything? I have already arranged everything for you. Simply proceed and begin the work there. It is I who am to take care and not you." Is this really an inner voice or an imagination?

No, it is not an imagination.

8 July 1934

The Mother might be using glasses for reading. Would she like to try my treatment?

The Mother has seen that these methods are perfectly effective, but she cannot follow a treatment because she has no time. Her sight is variable: when she can rest and concentrate a little and do what is necessary, she can read without glasses.

Sri Aurobindo, The Mother with Letters on The Mother: The Mother and Eye Treatment

8 July 1934

I propose three names to the Mother to select from for my Delhi hospital.

(1) Eye sanatorium.

(2) Dr. Agarwal's Eye Institute.

(3) Ram Eye Charitable Hospital.

The Mother put a cross at the second proposal and wrote below:

"A name for Agarwal's institution."

14 July 1934

Keep a complete trust and work. You have a sufficient openness in you in your work for the Power to act; but a complete faith and courage are needed.

Our blessings are with you.

6 January 1934

I am in receipt of two letters from you. We are glad to hear that the opening ceremony (of the Delhi hospital) passed off well.

Certainly, if it is helpful for you to take students, then you can do so. If the student from Patna comes. you can keep him or anyone else who offers and seems to have capacity for the work.

Whatever difficulties occur, call down the help and force of the Divine and go through. But keep in the midst of your work a part of your mind turned towards them ¹ and open to receive the force of the Mother.

28 October 1934

We are glad to hear that the hospital work was successful in October. It is sure to expand, keeping the Force behind you, and become more successful. That is the condition of success always, faith, courage, openness to the Force.

10 November 1934

During my lectures, people ask me this question: "In Yoga, while concentrating on a picture or idol one should not blink. Why then do you advise us to blink always?" I used to think they were wrong in raising this question. But now I see the truth of that side. Blinking automatically stops when one is deeply concentrated on an outer image. For one becomes almost blind to the external environment. I want to know if such non-blinking will cause strain and defective eyesight.

It is partly true. But the Yogin who practise trāṭak put a force in the eyes which counteracts the effects of the non-blinking.

6 April 1935

You wrote to me that you had kept me under your protection. Till recently I was unable to understand the working of the protection. Now its action becomes visible in my hospital work. I find that every patient is under its influence: it is especially marked when his disease is serious or efficient treatment is not offered to him by my assistants; then it is just astonishing to watch how the Mother makes the patient all right. When I am much interested in a particular case, because of the complexities of the symptoms, I invoke the Mother's help. I feel that her Force does come down. What do you say about all this?

Yes, it is true. That is quite the right way.

6 April 1935

We are very glad to learn of your success in Nepal; it shall be a great help to you in your work. If they ask you in May, you should certainly accept the offer. I trust that now you are there the hospital work will pick up again and go on with more activity and success.

Keep yourself open by steady sadhana, bhakti and self-offering. Our blessings and protection are with you.

31 December 1935