Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 4

Letter ID: 982

Sri Aurobindo — Roy, Dilip Kumar

October 22, 1943

I am so grateful for your grace and Mother’s deep consideration. The fact is I owe to Sachin a great lot. When all turned against me re. Esha – my uncles, aunts and even Sachin’s elder brother who came this time believed Maya – Sachin was one of the few who stuck to you and believed me against Maya. Also he has more than once collected money for the Ashram Rs. 300 once from the film and sends his pranam offerings whenever he can spare. And he never asked my monetary help. Now you see he lost his little saving Rs. 500 as the bank failed and then he is in debt. Also they all want to come for darshan very eagerly. That is why I made an exception for him only.

All others who came here have paid, I think. I can’t place the rich man you speak of. I remember only one rich man staying with me who forgot to pay, that was K.N. Mitra. But he sent a cheque from the Cape within a fortnight apologising. Perhaps this cheque which I gave to Mother was not reckoned as part payment? Could you tell me who this rich man was? Only other rich man I remember was Abani Chatterji, I.C.S. but he did pay. Who then can it be – this defaulting rich absconder?

Mother doesn’t remember the name; it was long ago; nothing recent; since then things have been all right in that respect. My own impression is that it was a zamindar, perhaps from Assam side, but I may be mistaken.

I am very grateful for your kind letter. If the rationing, etc. becomes too stringent I will put Sachin off. W. Dutt (and his wife) has written. They sent Rs. 16 for [hotel]. But I will put them off now. I hope you will agree?

Yes.

But what about the poem on Prahlad, Guru ? I am eager to see your corrections. I am working at music now and reading your masterly Psychology of Social Development. Also doing meditation, japa, etc. of Mother’s name. May the inner surrender grow.

I have read the poem once but I am now going through it line by line slowly and carefully – it can’t be done quickly. I have finished about twelve pages. The corrections are only of details of language and rhythm, but such details are very important in a poem of this kind.