Today, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, we also honour the 150th birth anniversary of a profound visionary, Sri Aurobindo. Born on August 15, 1872, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Sri Aurobindo Ghose emerged as a pivotal figure in India’s struggle for freedom. His roles as a philosopher, yogi, and political activist highlighted his belief that India’s spiritual legacy was the key to liberating the nation from British rule.

In the Indian Renaissance and nationalist movement, Sri Aurobindo’s brilliance shone through his poetry, philosophical insights, metaphysical depth, and unwavering patriotism. His writings reflected the burgeoning spirit of a new India while conveying a profound spiritual message with universal relevance.

A Spiritual Vision for Independence

At the heart of Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy was a deep emphasis on spiritual evolution. He believed that India’s greatest strength lay in its spiritual heritage and that reclaiming this heritage was essential for attaining independence. He saw the struggle for independence as a political fight and a spiritual quest.

Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual doctrines centred around integral yoga, a practice seeking the harmonious union of the individual and universal selves. He believed this union was essential for ascending to higher consciousness and ultimately liberating humanity.

A Staunch Advocate for Complete Independence

Sri Aurobindo’s political activism was marked by his demand for complete liberation from British rule. He advocated for a self-governing body grounded in India’s distinct cultural and spiritual principles. Notably, he was the first Indian political leader to use the term “Independence” instead of “Swaraj,” asserting that true progress required political freedom as a precursor.

Political freedom is the life-breath of a nation; to attempt social reform, educational reform, industrial expansion and moral improvement of the race without aiming first and foremost at political freedom is the very height of ignorance and futility.

Sri Aurobindo

At the foundation of Sri Aurobindo’s political philosophy lay his concept of spiritual nationalism and the sanctity attributed to the motherland. His theory of Spiritual Nationalism represents a profound synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophies amalgamated into a singular ideology. According to him, the rise of India as a nation held a divine purpose, transcending borders for the benefit of all humanity, not confined solely to the Indian populace.

Spiritual Nationalism and the Divinity of Motherland

Sri Aurobindo’s concept of spiritual nationalism blended Eastern and Western philosophies into a singular ideology. He believed India’s rise as a nation had a divine purpose, benefiting all humanity. Central to his perspective was the distinction between the ‘national ego’ and the ‘nation-soul.’ He saw the nation-soul as integrating the global community, in contrast to the limiting national ego.

A nation is not a piece of earth, not a figure of spirit, nor a fiction of the mind, it is a mighty Shakti composed of the shaktis of all the millions of units that make up the nation

Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo asserted that the commonly held notion that unity could be achieved through shared race, religion, and language did not withstand critical examination. He believed that while these elements might contribute to the development of nationalism, they were not indispensable for true unity. Drawing on historical examples, such as the Roman Empire, he highlighted that despite creating a uniform system with a common language, religion, and way of life, it failed to forge a truly great and unified nation. According to Sri Aurobindo, the superficial imposition of these factors did not ensure genuine unity; a deeper and more profound understanding of shared values and aspirations was necessary for the formation of a truly cohesive nation.

We answer that there are certain essential conditions, geographical unity, a common past, a powerful common interest impelling towards unity and certain favourable political conditions which enable the impulse to realise itself in an organised government expressing the nationality and perpetuating its single and united existence. A common enthusiasm coalescing with a common interest is the most powerful fosterer of nationality.

Sri Aurobindo

A Sacred Struggle for Independence

Sri Aurobindo viewed the fight for independence as a sacred ‘yajna’ or ritual for national emancipation. Every action taken during this period was considered an offering to the divine, resonating particularly with the younger generation. This perspective aligns with Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts on nationalism, where spirituality played a central role in unifying the nation.

We are so many sanyasis wandering about, and teaching the people metaphysics — it is all madness. Did not our Gurudev use to say, ‘An empty stomach is no good for religion?’ We as a nation have lost our individuality and that is the cause of all mischief in India. We have to raise the masses.

Swami Vivekananda

A Vision for Human Unity

Sri Aurobindo’s influence extended beyond India, advocating for human unity. He envisioned a new society rooted in spirituality, emphasizing the interconnectedness of nations and the need for a spiritual foundation in shaping a better world.

He believed that India carried a vital spiritual message urgently needed by people worldwide. Aurobindo was convinced that a liberated India had a profound role to play in fulfilling its true destiny on the international stage. He championed the concept of human unity, advocating for India’s independence in the broader interest of humanity.

In the contemporary world marked by darkness and turmoil, Sri Aurobindo’s ideas offer a beacon of hope for mankind. He envisioned a new society and civilization rooted in spirituality, a vision that holds even greater significance today as humanity moves beyond the goal of merely uniting as nation-states. Sri Aurobindo’s foresight encompasses a global perspective, recognizing the interconnectedness of nations and emphasizing the need for a spiritual foundation in shaping a better world.

Sri Aurobindo was the greatest intellectual of our age and a major force for the life of the spirit. India will not forget his services to politics and philosophy and the world will remember with gratitude, his invaluable work in the realm of philosophy and religion.

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

A Living Legacy

Sri Aurobindo’s legacy lives on through the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, established in 1926 near Pondicherry. This spiritual community continues to perpetuate and disseminate his teachings and philosophy.

In celebrating 75 years of India’s independence, we also honour the enduring legacy of Sri Aurobindo Ghose, whose vision and philosophy remain influential, inspiring generations to come. His contributions to spiritual thought and national consciousness are integral to India’s historical narrative, symbolizing a journey towards higher consciousness and true liberation.