Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo
Rudolf 1922 · Public domain · source
Name	Sri Aurobindo
Birth date	August 15, 1872
Birth place	Calcutta, British India
Death date	December 5, 1950
Death place	Pondicherry, India

Sri Aurobindo was a renowned Indian philosopher, yogi, guru, and nationalist who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against the British Empire. He was heavily influenced by the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and his own philosophical ideas were shaped by his interactions with Max Müller, Paul Deussen, and Annie Besant. Aurobindo's thoughts on spirituality and philosophy were also impacted by his studies of Vedanta, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita, as well as his interest in Theosophy and the Theosophical Society. His connections with Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose further solidified his position as a key figure in Indian nationalism.

Early Life and Education

Sri Aurobindo was born in Calcutta, British India, to Krishnadhan Ghose and Swarnalata Devi, and spent his early years in Darjeeling and Deoghar. He was educated at St. Paul's School, London and later at King's College, Cambridge, where he studied classics and developed an interest in European philosophy, particularly the works of Plato, Aristotle, and Immanuel Kant. Aurobindo's time in England also exposed him to the ideas of Charles Darwin, Herbert Spencer, and Thomas Henry Huxley, which would later influence his own philosophical thoughts. Upon his return to India, he became involved with the Indian National Congress and began to develop his skills as a writer and orator, drawing inspiration from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and Swami Vivekananda.

Spiritual and Philosophical Thought

Sri Aurobindo's spiritual and philosophical ideas were shaped by his studies of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, as well as his interest in Western philosophy, particularly the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Arthur Schopenhauer, and Henri Bergson. He developed the concept of Integral Yoga, which aimed to integrate the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of human existence, drawing on the ideas of Patanjali, Adi Shankara, and Ramana Maharshi. Aurobindo's philosophical thoughts were also influenced by his interactions with Nolini Kanta Gupta, Champaklal, and M.P. Pandit, and his connections with the Theosophical Society and its leaders, including Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott. His ideas on spirituality and philosophy were further shaped by his studies of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Vedas, as well as his interest in Sufism and the works of Rumi and Hafiz.

Literary Works

Sri Aurobindo was a prolific writer and published numerous works on philosophy, spirituality, and literature, including The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, and Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol. His writings were influenced by the works of William Shakespeare, John Milton, and Dante Alighieri, as well as his interest in Sanskrit literature and the Mahabharata. Aurobindo's literary style was shaped by his studies of classical Greek and Latin literature, particularly the works of Homer, Sophocles, and Virgil. His connections with Rabindranath Tagore, Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Buddhadeva Bose further solidified his position as a key figure in Indian literature.

Political Activism and Imprisonment

Sri Aurobindo was a key figure in the Indian independence movement and was involved with the Indian National Congress and the Anushilan Samiti. He was influenced by the ideas of Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal, and his own thoughts on nationalism were shaped by his interactions with Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose. Aurobindo's political activism led to his imprisonment in Alipore Jail during the Alipore Bomb Case, where he spent a year in solitary confinement and developed his spiritual practices, drawing inspiration from Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. His experiences in prison were also influenced by his studies of Marxism and the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

Later Life and Legacy

After his release from prison, Sri Aurobindo moved to Pondicherry and established the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which became a center for spiritual and philosophical inquiry, attracting visitors such as Mirra Alfassa, Nolini Kanta Gupta, and Indra Sen. Aurobindo's legacy extends beyond his philosophical and literary works, as he played a significant role in shaping Indian nationalism and inspiring future generations of Indian leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His connections with The Mother and the Auroville community further solidified his position as a key figure in Indian spirituality and philosophy. Today, Sri Aurobindo's ideas and legacy continue to inspire scholars and spiritual seekers around the world, including those associated with the California Institute of Integral Studies, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Indian Council of Philosophical Research. Category:Indian philosophers