Sri Aurobindo
Autobiographical Notes
and Other Writings of Historical Interest
Part Two. Letters of Historical Interest
2.Early Letters on Yoga and the Spiritual Life
1911–1928
To People in India, 1914–1926
To A. B. Purani1
Pondicherry
Feb 21. 1920
Dear Purani,
It is not easy to get a letter out of me, I hardly
write more than a dozen in the year, so you must not be surprised at my long
delay in answering you. On the two matters you mentioned in your first letter –
what word did you want? There is no need of a word, when there is
personal contact; the spirit is always greater than the word. And if there was
anything that needed to be said, I believe it was spoken between us. I do not
know if there is anything definite of which you feel the necessity. If there is,
the best way is to try and get it from within first, and only if there is still
doubt, would there be the need to come for it to 
a definite word from me. It would be well, however, to let me know from time to
time how you are proceeding with your Yoga and especially of any obstacles or
difficulties you experience; for, even if I do not answer, I can always then
give the silent help which I have usually found to be the most effective. As
regards malady or illness, it is true that the chief reliance should be on the
inner will and secondly on simple remedies. But this rule should not at first be
rigorously applied in affections of a strongly physical character, because the
gross body is the most obstinately recalcitrant to the will; there it is better
in the earlier stages to respect to a certain extent the habits of the bodily
consciousness which being physical relies upon physical remedies. When you find
that the will is strong enough to deal rapidly with even these affections, then
you can dispense with remedies.
You have written to Amrita about a translation of the
“Secret of the Veda” and “To the Nations.” The latter book is not my property,
it is M. Richard’s and it is possible that he has given the rights of
translation to the publisher who, if he knew, might take objection to your
publishing a translation without his permission. M. Richard himself would no
doubt give the permission at my request, but I do not know whether he has kept
the right in his own hands. Please therefore do not publish that at present, but
let me know the name of the translator. M. Richard is expected here at any time
during the next month or two; but even if he does not come, I can ask the
publisher for permission on behalf of the translator. The “Secret of the Veda”
is not complete and there are besides many imperfections and some errors in it
which I would have preferred to amend before the book or any translation of it
was published. Perhaps, however, it does not matter so much in a Gujerati
translation which will not come under close criticism such as would meet a book
on the subject in English. It would be better, however, whenever there is
question of a translation of a book – as opposed to an article or chapter here
and there – to let me know first so that I may see whether there is any
modification needed or indispensable change.
Yours
Aurobindo Ghose
