Sri Aurobindo

The Hour of God

and other writings

V. Essays Divine And Human

China, Japan and India

It is significant of the tendencies of the twentieth century that all its great and typical events should have occurred no longer as in the last few centuries in Europe, but in Asia. The Russo-Japanese war, the Chinese Revolution, the constitutional changes in Turkey and Persia and last but most momentous the revival however indeterminate as yet of the soul of India, are the really significant events of the young century. In Europe except in only one Asiatic corner, there has been no event of corresponding magnitude and importance. The abortive orgy of revolutionary fury in Russia, the growth of enormous strikes, the failure of the peace movement, the increase of legislation stamped with the pressure of a materialistic Socialism, although they may hold in themselves germs of greater things are so far mere indistinct material symptoms of disorganisation and a disease vainly doctored with palliatives, not events of a definite movement of new birth and regeneration. The importance of this new tendency lies in the fact that great events in Europe, even when they are outwardly spiritual, have usually an intellectual or social trend and significance but great events in Asia have a spiritual significance even when they are outwardly intellectual, social or political. Therefore when Asia once more becomes the theatre of the world's chief events, it is a sure sign that a great spiritual revolution, perhaps a great age of spirituality is preparing for humanity.

(Incomplete)