The beginning of the Ashram (age 50)

Sri Aurobindo changes his lodgings in September 1922 and moves to 9 Rue De La Marine. In due course, more adjacent buildings are acquired and a complex of constructions develop into what are today known as the central buildings of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. From this point on, Sri Aurobindo never moves out of 9 Rue De La Marine. Here, the evening sessions of talks and meditations that were started in 41 Rue Francois Martin continues in the new premises.

Letter to C.R. Das refusing leadership of Congress

In 1922, the Non-cooperation Movement launched under the leadership of Gandhiji having failed to achieve its objective, there is a move among some prominent leaders to give a new direction to the Congress activity. Sri Aurobindo is requested to take up the leadership of the Congress and again, as in 1920, declines. This time in a letter to C.R. Das, he replies:

“I think you know my present idea and the attitude towards life and work to which it has brought me. I have become confirmed in a perception which I had always, less clearly and dynamically then, but which has now become more and more evident to me, that the true basis of work and life is the spiritual, – that is to say, a new consciousness to be developed only by Yoga. I see more and more manifestly that man can never get out of the futile circle the race is always treading until he has raised himself on to the new foundation. I believe also that it is the mission of India to make this great victory for the world.
But what precisely was the nature of the dynamic power of this greater consciousness? What was the condition of its effective truth? How could it be brought down, mobilised, organised, turned upon life? How could our present instruments, intellect, mind, life, body be made true and perfect channels for this great transformation? This was the problem I have been trying to work out in my own experience and I have now a sure basis, a wide knowledge and some mastery of the secret. Not yet its fulness and complete imperative presence – therefore I have still to remain in retirement. For I am determined not to work in the external field till I have the sure and complete possession of this new power of action, not to build except on a perfect foundation.”

July 1923, Sri T.V. Kapali Sastry visits Sri Aurobindo and later settles in the Ashram

Sri T.V. Kapali Sastry meets with Sri Aurobindo in 1923. So struck by Sri Aurobindo’s presence and the downpour of Consciousness while with him, Sastry settles in the Ashram a few years later. He engages himself in intense sadhana and is responsible for many others turning to Sri Aurobindo.