Sri Aurobindo
Letters of Sri Aurobindo
Volume 2. 1934 — 1935
If Maya has written no more than what she remembers, I do not think she has committed herself, although it would have been better if she had omitted the suggestion that if he changed she might return, because it has given him a hope and encouraged him to press for a change of her decision. Promises he will be always ready to make, but she must know by this time that these promises have no value and that if she went back it would be to the same conditions and the same troubles.
No one can force her to return – with the letter in her hands the husband’s right becomes inoperative – it is a sufficient ground for her electing to live apart. Under French law here in Pondicherry the husband’s right of compulsion does not exist. And the value of the letter remains undiminished so long as she does not live again of her own free will with her husband or does not pledge herself or offer to forgive his offence and resume the old relations. If she does either, then the letter has no further value and she will lose the hold it gives her against him.
Esha is a different matter, but here too I think the letter gives a sufficient ground for her to refuse to leave her under his guardianship. But on this side I have to consult Duraiswami as there are one or two points that are doubtful. In any case there will be before his eyes the fear of a scandal if he uses legal means to claim her and if Maya remains firm and is not affected by anything he may say, he may come to terms here also.
As soon as Duraiswami comes I will get all the questions that rise solved by him. Meanwhile the best is to correspond as little as possible with Shankar as the position is quite definite and clear – sending at most a colourless wire if D. is delayed; he may come for a day this week.
I have not been able to do the page this time – too many preoccupations.