I was reading a book on Sri Aurobindo where in response to a message “ about an Aurobindo Matt” from Shri Motilal Roy of Chandranagore who ran a Pravartak Sangh under the inspiration of Aurobindo, he said, “You must understand that my mission is not to create Matts, ascetics and Sannyasis, but to call back the souls of the strong to the Lila of Krishna and Kali. That is my teaching as you can see from the Review, and my name must never be connected with monastic norms or the monastic ideal. Every ascetic movement since the time of the Buddha has left India weaker and for a obvious reason. Renunciation of life is one thing, to make life itself national, individual, world-life greater and divine is another. You cannot enforce one ideal on the country without weakening of the other. You cannot take away the best souls from life and yet leave life stronger and greater. Renunciation of ego, acceptance of God in life is the Yoga I teach - no other renunciation”.

The essay attempts to understand Sri Aurobindo’s mind. Although said before 1920, the period covered starts from Buddha, Mahavir, Ashoka, Gandhi - Nehru and ends with Vajpayee i.e. from about 500 BC to 2000 AD. This essay is based on inputs from The History and Culture of Indian People by the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Defending India by Shri Jaswant Singh. Special thanks to the late Kulpati K M Munshi whose words I have liberally borrowed. I am most grateful to my email Guru, an exponent on Vedanta, for correcting the manuscript wherever necessary. The essay is dedicated to Lord Krishna, Chandragupta Maurya, Guru Gobind Singh, Sri Aurobindo and soldiers of the Indian armed forces. My job is to read, compile and analyze, period. Oh Ishwar please forgive me if I have not understood Aurobindo’s mind correctly. There are eight chapters.

1. It covers Dharma, Buddha and Mahavir, their teachings and impact on our lives.
2. Asoka - It covers political events during Asoka’s rule, his teachings and concept of Dharma, Post Asoka, reasons for downfall of the Mauryan empire and impact.
3. Rulers after Asoka - Yavanas, Sakas, Kushanas in brief and their impact.
4. Prosperous India (320 to 750 AD) - Gupta Rule, Arab invasions the myth and impact.
5. 750 to 1000 AD - Rule of Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, Palas in brief with impact.
6. Gandhian Asceticism: Gandhi’s definition of Satyagraha, Did India get independence because of Ahimsa, Will Ahimsa work everywhere and Was Ahimsa followed by all.
7. Impact of Ahimsa on Independent India, the Nehruvian legacy has left India weaker.
8. What says the Holy Geeta and Solution - have quoted a few slokhas from the Holy Geeta by Swami Chinamayananda. Can we follow our Islamic, Chinese enemies when non-violence is part of our soul?