Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 2. 1937

Letter ID: 1903

Sri Aurobindo — Nirodbaran Talukdar

April 7, 1937

Valle seemed to say that one of their members has to be present, to write down the reports etc. which has to be done in a special way and on the spot. It can’t be done by one person. I said we have assistants, we can very well manage it, once shown how. As I pressed my point, Valle seemed rather annoyed thinking, perhaps, “What’s the harm if just a compounder or infirmier comes?”

In their letter they very distinctly stated that they did not want to impose their doctors and infirmiers on us, we could do it well enough on our own and they wanted only our report as to persons vaccinated, reactions, etc. Now they are going back on what they said. I suppose it is because you have shown too clearly that you were somewhat new over the matter –

He also said, “It may not be effective, for the vaccine may solidify or get spoilt in some way.”

It is true of course about the vaccine.

André seemed more liberal yesterday. He said he would come and do the whole thing. He will perhaps bring an assistant.

Do the whole? In a single day? with the same knife? with what kind of sterilisation?

He didn’t insist on all the members. So I suppose he can bring the compounder and finish the servants in one day.

Certainly, all the members are not to be vaccinated. There are people in ill health, some with weak hearts etc. You are going to expose them also to the risk of ‘the reactions’? Sometimes the vaccination knocks people ill for a day or two. If many of the workers are to be down together, who will do the work? People in a state of debility, e.g., N, T, L, X, A, S, those who have already fever, or skin disease, those who are otherwise contra-indicated are all to be included in the hecatomb? The whole thing is preposterous and you must not allow yourself to be hustled into doing anything they tell you. We must first know what we are prepared to do, who have not on any account to be exposed to this poisoning, etc., etc. and do only what we consent to, not what they insist on. I am farther informed that for two days after vaccination one is supposed not to do any physical work or exertion. How then are you going to vaccinate all the servants or workmen in one day? If there are 20 or 30 people down with fever together are you going to trot about all day and night looking after all? This won’t do at all. Everything will have to be carefully considered and arranged beforehand and you must not allow yourself to be hustled into any premature action and arrangements. There is no epidemic raging that all should be done in maddening haste – it must be done little by little in a manageable way. We have not to take them into confidence as to whom we vaccinate and whom we don’t, either, or let them know that we are not doing it to all – unless they themselves say it need not be done to all.

The only way out for the vaccination seems to be that the compounder can come and do a few servants at a time (3 or 4) and you can be there and learn and afterwards you can take up the rest of the thing yourself.

Guru, C’s letter! Do you notice what he says about outside disciples and D’s going? Any truth?

Can’t make out anything from the fellow’s Bengali flourishes. What does he say? I can only make out that B has told to him what Bishwanath told to B about what Mother told to Bishwanath; but what it was I can’t make out – Only that for that reason D and others were allowed to flit. Kindly enlighten.