Religion, Yoga of Bhakti and the Conception of the Divine
Sri Aurobindo explains the commonalities and differences between popular religion and Yoga of Devotion. Fear of God, he says, has no place in true Bhakti.
Champaklal – The Epitome of Self-giving
In our Book of the Month, we feature Nirodbaran’s book titled ‘Twelve Years with Sri Aurobindo’ and zoom in on a special excerpt where he describes some delightful aspects of Champaklal’s ‘bhakta’ personality. Reading these excerpts is an entire education in what it means to truly serve the Divine.
Shilpi – Who Saw and Sang
For her first contribution to Renaissance, Gayatri Majumdar pens a poem that evokes a range of subtle emotions that make up most of our human relations. And yet there is always that gentle reminder, a call even to transcend the bondage of those emotions toward an inner freedom.
Sādhanā: To Transfigure Egoism into Goodness
This prayer reminds us to take refuge in Divine Love to transfigure our consciousness and manifest goodness.
Sādhanā: To Become a Truly Strong Being
This prayer from the Mother’s Prayers and Meditations, reminds us to break all the resistances and aspire to be a courageous instrument of the Supreme Mother.
A Little Girl and Her Big Brother – Stories of a Personal Relation with the Divine
Two short stories written by a young author and artist whose work is primarily inspired by her devotion and adoration for Gampu bhai, the name she uses to lovingly call her ishta devata, Lord Ganesha.
Stick to the Practice and Let the Gratitude Flow
The author reflects on how sincerely persevering in one’s sādhanā becomes the key to allow the heart to experience a deeper gratitude and peace.
A Deep, Intense, Constant and Total Gratitude
In addition to exploring Gratitude in a variety of hues, the issue also features pieces on the inner significance of Navaratri, the festival of Devi, and the cultural significance of Ramayana. Other highlights include a reflection on patriotism and leadership in the light of recent events in Afghanistan, and ‘The Real Gandhi’, an insightful essay approved by Sri Aurobindo.
Goddess Durga and the Festival of Devi: An Inner Meaning (Part 1)
Though outwardly the festival of Durga Puja symbolizes the victory of Truth over falsehood, this 3-part essay explores the festival’s deeper, inner significance concerning the process of individual and cosmic evolution.
Goddess Durga and the Festival of Devi: An Inner Meaning (Part 2)
The author outlines how the nine forms of the goddess form an ascending hierarchy of shakti or energy rising from the mulādhara, traveling upwards gaining strength and force and momentum with each upward gust and impulsion until it reaches the crown and passing beyond unites with its Lord.
Goddess Durga and the Festival of Devi: An Inner Meaning (Part 3)
The author, in this part, cites some significant descriptions given by the Mother of her realisations. These passages speak of how Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga takes a giant leap over tradition wherein he is not content with the slaying of a demon or many demons but by their conversion or dissolution for good. But for this not only man but even the gods must collaborate.
A Humble Offering (Poem)
These few lines on Humility and Grace came in a moment of gratitude when the author was reading the Sunlit Path, a compilation of some of the Mother’s writings and talks on Integral Yoga.
