Leaves for Chandernagore (age 38)

Repression of the Freedom Movement is in full swing and the Government is determined to imprison or deport Sri Aurobindo. Edward Baker approves the proposal to deport him. A few months later, the government decides to arrest Sri Aurobindo at the Karmayogin office for sedition. Sri Aurobindo receives a command from a familiar voice above him: Go to Chandernagore.

He comments on plans to leave the political scene: “I may also say that I did not leave politics because I felt I could do nothing more there; such an idea was very far from me. I came away because I did not want anything to interfere with my Yoga and because I got a very distinct adesh in the matter. I have cut connection entirely with politics, but before I did so I knew from within that the work I had begun there was destined to be carried forward, on lines I had foreseen, by others, and that the ultimate triumph of the movement I had initiated was sure without my personal action or presence. There was not the least motive of despair or sense of futility behind my withdrawal. For the rest, I have never known any will of mine for any major event in the conduct of the world affairs to fail in the end, although it may take a long time for the world-forces to fulfil it. As for the possibility of failure in my spiritual work, I shall deal with that another time. Difficulties there are, but I see no cause for pessimism or for the certification of failure.”