Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1. 1936

Letter ID: 1550

Sri Aurobindo — Nirodbaran Talukdar

February 15, 1936

How is it, Sir, that my letter and the poem came away as they went? Because I was late or some Supramental forgetfulness?

Never had a glimpse of either of them. Must have been hiding scared in your bag.

After the day’s hard work, you can understand my disappointment when with all froth and bubble of joy I opened the letter to find that not a line of your hand was there! I had to sigh and say:

(Tagore) “For this have I kept awake all night and done sadhana,” or (Nishikanta) “I have endured mosquito-bites all over my body for this and it has come back without receiving your gracious look,” or (Nirod) “Now I am bursting into tears of despair. I’ll send it again at your door. You will kill me, O Guru, if you forget it this time!”¹

(শ্রী অরবিন্দ)² O must I groan and moan and scarify my poor inspired bones

To get my poem back as if it were a bill from Smith or Jones?

N.B. Abstract poetry, very abstract.

By the way, today is the date of my arrival, if you remember. I had forgotten it myself until Sanjiban reminded me. When you read this the day will be a past date, but the blessings won’t!

Blessings and plenty of them!

For J’s eczema I suppose a stimulating ointment should be given.

Umph! If it is necessary.

¹ Original in Bengali.

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² Sri Aurobindo

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