Works of Sri Aurobindo

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-19_April 9_1966.htm

April 9, 1966

(About the book Satprem is writing, “The Sannyasin”)

Page 81


I still see that vision I had. [[The vision of the Sannyasin with his back to a bronze door. See Agenda 1, November 20 and 22, 1958. ]] Strangely, it was one of the most unexpected visions, in the sense that I had no mental preparation: all of a sudden I saw that Sannyasin, with his back to a wall and a sort of hurricane approaching. It was a hurricane of noise, of clamor…. Nothing could be seen; nothing could be seen but the force of the vibrations coming up like a storm: he had his back to the wall, there was a sort of gale, and a chasm in front.

And that vision of mine struck such a deep chord that every time I hear “Sannyasin,” I see it. It’s strange…. With his back to a wall: here, the sky; here, a chasm; and here, the clamor and the wind and the storm – like whirlwinds gathered over the earth by a storm. That and the wind blowing the robe and … he throws himself into the void.

His back to the wall, on top of a hill. Not a high mountain: a hill. On top of a hill: I can see the ground rising in a slope like that, and the wall of the monastery.

This vision is still living and clear, clear…. I could almost make an illustration for the cover of your book!

It’s quite symbolic, besides: the storm of revolt, of course, the revolt OF THE EARTH against the principle of the Sannyasin. Quite symbolic. And it’s a magnificent image in the sense that there is great majesty in the appearance.

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