At the Feet of the Master

In the Divine Presence

From the time I got a glimpse of Sri Aurobindo, I aspired to have his close darshan. How to get at him? My friend had made enquiries about the Mother’s residence which was about 200 yards away from the Master’s residence and we soon got there. It was about 6 p.m. As soon as we entered the building, the Mother was seen coming out of the house dressed in western style, on her way to Sri Aurobindo’s house (so we were told later on). She was a serene personality with sweet transparent eyes and we saluted her and requested an interview. She showed us into the presence of Mr. Paul Richard and went away smiling.

Mr. Paul Richard was a tall well-built person, with a broad forehead, keen blue eyes. We told him about the purpose of our visit and I added that I was reading the Arya and his illuminating quotations and writings in the said journal under the caption “Eternal Wisdom” and that I was anxious to be enlightened on Yoga. He answered some of our questions and asked us to meditate with him for some time, which we did. We requested him to get us darshan of the Master, which he promised and asked us to see him next day evening. We took leave of him and went back to our hotel, and spent the night in the company of mosquitoes.

Sir Aurobindo was staying in one of the rooms on the first floor of this building at the time. There were then about half a dozen persons with him. There was a rush of political visitors at the time, as the Non-Cooperation Movement was in full swing and everyone was anxious to have his darshan and get political wisdom from him. But he was leading a secluded life of the spirit and avoided seeing politicians generally, unless it was quite necessary in the interests of the country. He was seeing visitors in the morning between 9 and 10 a.m. every day. We called at Amrita’s room at about 9.30 a.m. the next day and he said that we could see Sri Aurobindo for a few minutes. At the proper time we went upstairs.

Sri Aurobindo was seated behind an oblong table covered with a blue cloth on the verandah and was glancing through the morning newspapers. We stood before him and saluted him with folded hands and he made a sign asking us to sit in the chairs before him. An effulgent personality he was, radiating light from his golden body. With his luminous eyes, he looked deep into me and I felt a thrill passing through my being, and I became speechless. My friend asked some questions about Yoga and whether we should appear for the final B.A. degree examination, which was to come off in the next three months, or give up our studies and join the political fray, or take to Yoga. He advised us to appear for the examination, remarking that the question of Yoga or politics could be finally decided afterwards. I asked whether Pranayama was quite necessary and whether it could be practised without it. He replied in the affirmative and asked me to surrender everything to the Divine and call in the Higher Power to do the Sadhana. Several doubts I had, disappeared on seeing him and so I could not further question him. After a short silence, he blessed us as we took leave of him. When departing, I prayed for permission to see him whenever I wanted, which he granted graciously.

In the evening, we went to Mr. Paul Richard to take leave of him at the appointed time. He was pleased to give us tea and made further enquiries of us and said that he would be visiting Madras shortly and would be at Adyar, the Theosophical headquarters, and wanted us to meet him there. We then took leave of him and left for Madras the same night. I was feeling Sri Aurobindo’s presence throughout the journey.

Sri Aurobindo was a dynamic force which could be felt in his presence, as he was radiating it all round and into those that could hold it. He sowed the seed of divinity in me and awakened the aspiring soul in me to go forward, more by his will, than words, in the manner of the great Rishis of old, who worked wonders through their silence and looks and will power.