Sri Aurobindo

Source: IE

Context: Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Sri Aurobindo on his birth anniversary (15 August 1872), highlighting his role as a philosopher, spiritual leader, and freedom fighter who linked nation-building with spiritual evolution.

About Sri Aurobindo:

• Who He Was?

• Yogi, philosopher, poet, and nationalist leader. Propounded the philosophy of Integral Yoga, aiming at spiritual transformation of life on Earth.

• Yogi, philosopher, poet, and nationalist leader.

• Propounded the philosophy of Integral Yoga, aiming at spiritual transformation of life on Earth.

• Early Life:

• Born: 15 August 1872, Calcutta (now Kolkata). Educated in England at St. Paul’s School, London, and King’s College, Cambridge. Mastered multiple European languages and developed interest in Indian culture.

• Educated in England at St. Paul’s School, London, and King’s College, Cambridge.

• Mastered multiple European languages and developed interest in Indian culture.

• Contribution to Freedom Movement:

• Radical Nationalism – First Indian leader to demand complete independence through his paper Bande Mataram. Revolutionary Role – Member of Anushilan Samiti and involved in armed resistance against British rule. Alipore Bomb Case (1908) – Arrested but acquitted and transformed spiritually during imprisonment. Advocated direct action over moderate politics.

• Radical Nationalism – First Indian leader to demand complete independence through his paper Bande Mataram.

• Revolutionary Role – Member of Anushilan Samiti and involved in armed resistance against British rule.

• Alipore Bomb Case (1908) – Arrested but acquitted and transformed spiritually during imprisonment.

• Advocated direct action over moderate politics.

• Literary Contributions:

• Philosophical Works – The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, Essays on the Gita. Poetry and Epics – Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol. Political and Cultural Writings – The Human Cycle, The Ideal of Human Unity.

• Philosophical Works – The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, Essays on the Gita.

• Poetry and Epics – Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol.

• Political and Cultural Writings – The Human Cycle, The Ideal of Human Unity.

• Other Contributions:

• Founded Sri Aurobindo Ashram in 1926 with Mirra Alfassa (“The Mother”). Developed Integral Yoga, blending material progress with spiritual growth. Advocated spiritual nationalism, linking India’s freedom with cultural renaissance.

• Founded Sri Aurobindo Ashram in 1926 with Mirra Alfassa (“The Mother”).

• Developed Integral Yoga, blending material progress with spiritual growth.

• Advocated spiritual nationalism, linking India’s freedom with cultural renaissance.