NEW PUBLICATIONS

ENGLISH

This collection of letters, written by Sri Aurobindo in answer to questions from members of his ashram, covers poetry and other forms of literature, art, aesthetics, and the relation of all these to the practice of yoga. The letters are organised by subjects such as the sources of poetry, poetic technique, comments on his own and others' poetry, practical guidance for aspiring writers, and the appreciation of all forms of art. The book incorporates material from volumes of the Sri Aurobindo Birth Centenary Library: Letters on Poetry, Literature and Art; Letters on Savitri; Collected Poems; and On Himself, and also contains around five hundred letters that have not appeared in any previous collection published under his name.

The primary focus of this study is to show how closely Sri Aurobindo's thought is related to European philosophy. The author maintains that Sri Aurobindo's own inner experience and spiritual perception presented a deeper understanding and a larger vision of the basic thought of some Western philosophers: Heraclitus, Plato, Plotinus, Schelling, Hegel, Nietzsche, Bergson, Teilhard de Chardin, Gebser, and Whitehead. The final two chapters comprise Sri Aurobindo's 1915 essay Evolution and a look at how the philosophers discussed in the book are represented in an analysis of modern theories of evolution.

The editorial premise of this compilation from the works of Sri Aurobindo is to demonstrate how, long before the formal articulation of the postcolonial, anti-imperial spirit in the closing decades of the twentieth century, Sri Aurobindo had focused on the complex nature of the opposing ideas behind the West-East cultural confrontation and rejected the Western interpretation of India's ancient culture. After a scholarly introduction the editor has arranged selected texts by Sri Aurobindo in five categories: his writings on the Veda, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, Indian culture, and the beginnings of a linguistic study.The second part contains additonal texts by Sri Aurobindo related to these five categories.

These extracts from the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother highlight the aim of the Integral Yoga, the process of its sadhana, including how to overcome difficulties along the way, and definitions of some important terms specific to its practice.

The author spent his formative years from 1944 to 1958 at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. This brief account conveys his understanding and his experience of the purpose and goal of the Ashram as a spiritual laboratory where everyone had the freedom to progress and seek self-perfection. Blending personal recollection with an exposition of the ideals and vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, his book urges a continued effort to work for the transformation of human nature.

ENGLISH/FRENCH

Written by the Mother as a school essay in 1893, this simple story of a young student points to the moral lesson of heeding one's inner voice and choosing the right path, and never postponing that choice for a later time. The DVD presents two sixteen-minute film versions of the story, one in French and the other in English, each set to music, told by a narrator, and illustrated with a series of black-and-white sketches. The printed text, in French and in English, is included in the DVD case.

GERMAN

HINDI

Hindi translation of The Greatness of India and its Culture

Description of content for original work:
        This compilation addresses a number of aspects of Indian civilisation and culture, from its essential spirit to its best accomplishments, and measures its power of survival, renewal, and adaptation to the ever-changing needs of its peoples. The passages examine the spirit and forms of Indian religion and culture and how it was characteristic of the race to apply these ideals to everyday life. The extracts also consider the ancient Indian spirit and the Aryan system of education, the value of Indian art and literature, the true nature of Indian polity, the power of the sanatana dharma in India's history and development, and India's mission in the world.

Hindi translation of The True Aim of Life - 2

Description of content for original work:
        These extracts from the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother highlight the aim of the Integral Yoga, the process of its sadhana, including how to overcome difficulties along the way, and definitions of some important terms specific to its practice.

Hindi translation of Auroville: A Dream Takes Shape

Description of content for original work:
        This brochure highlights how the Mother envisioned Auroville from its inception, the achievements realised in thirty years, and the difficulties in implementing the guidelines she has given. It introduces all aspects of the functioning of this international township. With numerous photographs.

SANSKRIT

GUJARATI

BENGALI

TAMIL

Tamil translation of Hymn to Durga

Description of content for original work:
        Written in 1909 in Bengali, this short prose piece invokes Mother Durga to make herself manifest in India, giving her sons and daughters the courage, strength, and knowledge to fight the powers of darkness that keep her in bondage. Included is the Mother's message: "For those who love India and wish to work for her greatness."

TELUGU