Aurobindo Ghose was educated in England, served the princely state of Baroda, and in 1906 plunged into the freedom struggle as a leader of the radical nationalists in Bengal. After a year in prison during the Alipore bomb trial he turned to yoga, settled in Pondicherry, and became one of modern India's great philosophers, seeing India's freedom as part of a spiritual destiny for humanity.
Life
- 1872Born in Calcutta on 15 August.
- 1879–93Educated in England — St Paul's School, London, and King's College, Cambridge; passes the Indian Civil Service examination but does not take up the service.
- 1893–1906In the service of the Maharaja of Baroda; learns Sanskrit and Indian languages and writes on politics.
- 1906–08Moves to Bengal; edits the nationalist paper "Bande Mataram" and becomes a leader of the radical ("extremist") wing of the Congress.
- 1908–09Arrested in the Alipore bomb case; spends a year in prison, where he has profound spiritual experiences; acquitted in May 1909.
- 1909Delivers the Uttarpara speech on Sanatana Dharma and nationalism.
- 1910Withdraws to Pondicherry, then French territory, to devote himself to yoga.
- 1914–21Publishes the monthly "Arya", in which his major works first appear.
- 1926The Sri Aurobindo Ashram takes shape under the guidance of the Mother (Mirra Alfassa).
- 1947Issues a message on 15 August — his own 75th birthday — on India's independence and future.
- 1950Dies in Pondicherry on 5 December.
Spiritual nationalism
Aurobindo was among the first to demand complete independence (purna swaraj) openly, and to argue for passive resistance and boycott on a national scale. For him, nationalism was not only politics but a spiritual calling: India was to be free so that it could fulfil its spiritual mission to the world.
I say no longer that nationalism is a creed, a religion, a faith; I say that it is the Sanatan Dharma which for us is nationalism.
Philosopher of Integral Yoga
In Pondicherry Aurobindo developed Integral Yoga — a path aimed not only at individual liberation but at the transformation of life on earth through a higher, "supramental" consciousness. His major works, many first published in "Arya", include The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, Essays on the Gita, The Secret of the Veda and The Foundations of Indian Culture, as well as the epic poem Savitri.
Essays on the Gita in particular remain widely read as a commentary that reads the Gita as a guide to divine action in the world.
Legacy
The Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry and the international township of Auroville (founded in 1968) carry his vision forward. His 15 August 1947 message spoke of hopes for a united India, the resurgence of Asia, world unity, India's spiritual gift to the world and a new step in human evolution. Thinkers across the political spectrum, including the founders of Integral Humanism, drew on his idea of India as a civilization with a spiritual core.
Read more
Frequently asked questions
When was Sri Aurobindo born?
On 15 August 1872 in Calcutta — exactly 75 years before India's independence.
What is the Uttarpara speech?
A speech Sri Aurobindo gave on 30 May 1909, soon after his release from prison, describing his spiritual experiences in jail and declaring that Sanatana Dharma was, for him, nationalism.
What is Integral Yoga?
Sri Aurobindo's spiritual path, which seeks not only individual liberation but the transformation of earthly life through a higher consciousness.
Found this useful?
Light a diya, add a note, or share it with others.
Read nextDr B. S. MoonjeSources & copyright status
- Sri Aurobindo, Uttarpara speech (1909), in Karmayogin and later collected works — public domain; short quotation
- Sri Aurobindo, The Life Divine; Essays on the Gita (first published in Arya, 1914–21) — public domain
- Peter Heehs, The Lives of Sri Aurobindo (2008) — biography; facts only
- Historical facts: not subject to copyright.
- Commentary and translations on this page: original to The Hindu Book. © The Hindu Book, all rights reserved.
The Hindu Book is an independent educational platform. It is not affiliated with any political party, religious organisation or movement, and nothing here implies endorsement by any organisation. This page is published for education and review. If you hold rights in any material quoted here, or believe a source is misrepresented, please write to [email protected].