Sri Aurobindo and the New Age

     Sri Aurobindo and the New Age is a landmark for two conspicuous reasons: One, it commemorates the life, work and yoga sadhana of Professor Kishor Gandhi, a devotee of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother in a class by himself; and, two, it turns out to be a useful guide to all sadhaks of the Integral Yoga. Kishor Gandhi was not merely "a devotee par excellence", more significantly, he was a fit instrument chosen for the Yoga of transformation. The essays in his memory bear the felicitous caption, "Sri Aurobindo and the New Age". They are arranged in four parts, at the head of which is placed the "Introduction: Celebrating a Legacy". The judicious choice of titles for the Parts and the apt introductions cannot be sufficiently admired. The Editors of the book being what they are, they leave nothing to be desired. The writers are pre-eminently qualified to pronounce judgement on so worthy a person as Kishor Gandhi. They are "God's plenty" and bearing out all his extraordinary qualities. And it was because of such qualities that the Mother put the late Prof. Gandhi in charge of the New Age Association, besides appointing him as the sole arranger, dispenser and editor of Sri Aurobindo's innumerable letters to his disciples.

     The fourteen essays comprising "Part I: The Vision of Sri Aurobindo" serve well the symbolic purpose of hinting at the multitudinous facts of the "decisive action direct from the Supreme" that was Sri Aurobindo. Selection of the topics and their authors for this Part is as much purposive as it is inspired. They serve as a fit foundation not only for Part III and Part IV but also for Part II. Professor K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar's essay, "Towards the New Age", and R.Y. Deshpande's essay on "Society in the New Age" are invaluable as an authentic explication of Kishor Gandhi's "Incisive Intellect", illuminating illustrations of which are included in "Part IV: Selections from Kishor Gandhi."

     What, however, outshines every other admirable aspect of his personality is Kishor Gandhi's place and contribution as the "Bhakta of the Mother and scholar par excellence." Each one of his admirers highlights his incomparable role as editor of Letters on Yoga and his everlasting endeavour to be a worthy instrument chosen for the great work. His ‘phenomenal' knowledge of the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and his original interpretation of their teaching especially in social perspective, as well as editorship were, indeed, ‘Sacerdocy' for him since he was ‘essentially a yogi' with ‘high-mindedness and natural self-control.' As a teacher, too, he was always serious, sincere and thorough in his approach to the subject of his choice. It is, in fact, extraordinary qualities of this order which claim the attention and adoration of the reader of Kishor Gandhi's writings. Quite a few of his virtues in this regard are effectively brought out by the associates of his in their personal reminiscences which form Part II of the book. The reminiscences are of immense importance, help and guidance to every other devotee since they enable him to find solutions to numerous doubts and difficulties in his aspiration to pursue the path of integral devotion with utmost egolessness and unswerving equanimity, samata. For one thing, ‘They comprise a valuable chronicle for fellow seekers' and, secondly, serve as useful milestones for ‘The devout.' In this respect, Sri Aurobindo and the New Age can be claimed to be in direct line with several previous publications such as The Mother: Past – Present – Future, Memorable Contacts with the Mother, Amrita: Birth Centenary – 1995, etc. Reminiscences and anecdotes recorded in these books are at once a revelation and a kindly guide directing all sincere aspirants towards the Sunlit Path.

— Dr. S.S. Kulkarni
Retired Professor,
University of Bombay

April 1999