Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 2. 1934 — 1935

Letter ID: 664

Sri Aurobindo — Roy, Dilip Kumar

December 23, 1935

I told Mother the figures. She found it scandalous that after spending Rs. 2100 two or three years ago, you should again be asked to spend Rs.1400 now. Usually in Europe house owners put aside one month’s rent in the year for repairs. At that rate 1400 represents ten years; you are asked to spend ten months’ rent after two or three years only. But of course if mosaics are to come in or other palatial features, any expense is possible.

I presume the best thing is to ask Meghen as you propose to use his discretion accepting his figure as a fair amount to spend. But all depends on the actual condition of the house – if doors have to be replaced, that is a costly item. If we had more time we could have asked Chandulal to examine the estimate; although he does not know the Calcutta prices, he might have suggested some points, but as time presses I return the papers.

Mother understands and appreciates very much your wish to surrender and give the houses; but there are certain points to be considered. Sale could be managed, but it is doubtful if it could be done advantageously now. For the rest there is the difficulty of arranging for the management and Mother would not like to take the responsibility without having someone she could entirely trust. Uday Singh is such a man of course, but he has been persistently asking to be relieved of work and responsibilities so that he may come here. Anyhow you can talk of all these things with the Mother when you see her today.