Sunday, July 15, 2007

When did it surface? From where?

Tusar N Mohapatra said... Thanks for replying. I never demanded immediate publication of the Series. The basic thrust of my post was:
[What is the progress with respect to different volumes. The subscribers are totally in dark. It is astonishing why a simple letter is not issued every quarter or so.]
You have not commented on that. Further, you have mentioned that:
[Even now new letters of Sri Aurobindo are surfacing.]
This is what we outsiders are eager to know. When did it surface? From where? These kind of tidbits can light up our day. And these facts are of enormous historical significance.
You have asked me to [elaborate on charges such as "those who have access go on to publish books and articles by leveraging their privilege"]
I am willing to do so provided, 1) You disclose your full identity and location, and 2) You assert that they have not published books or articles.
Personally, you are free to defend [the quality of what has come out so far], but that cannot be taken as a critical acclaim. 9:51 AM

2 comments:

  1. > Thanks for replying.

    Same here.

    > I never demanded immediate publication of the Series. The basic thrust of my post was:
    [What is the progress with respect to different volumes.The subscribers are totally in dark. It is astonishing why a simple letter is not issued every quarter or so.]
    You have not commented on that.


    Your original post doesn't have 'one' basic thrust. You seem to vent your (anger? / frustration? / unhappiness? / irritation?) on a number of fronts. What you posit as your 'baisc thrust' is one of them, and perhaps the most justified of these. The PD could indeed let subscribers know how things are progressing every once in a while. My comment and observation on the rather harsh and accusative tone of your original post continues to stand. On this of course we may both choose to disagree...

    > Further, you have mentioned that:
    [Even now new letters of Sri Aurobindo are surfacing.]
    This is what we outsiders are eager to know. When did it surface? From where? These kind of tidbits can light up our day. And these facts are of enormous historical significance.

    Indeed, but would you rather they work on completing the set first, or start a journal to disuss new finds?

    > You have asked me to [elaborate on charges such as "those who have access go on to publish books and articles by leveraging their privilege"]
    I am willing to do so provided, 1) You disclose your full identity and location,

    You don't hesitate to make charges publicly, so why do you refrain from elaborating them publicly? Is my identity so important? Consider me a fellow-sadhak with another point of view.

    > and 2) You assert that they have not published books or articles.

    I have no clue, and you are the expert, it seems! On one hand, you want them to provide you with 'tidbits', what research is going on and what findings are taking place, and on the other you would not like them to use the information they are 'privileged' to access, for writing articles. Strange contradiction this!

    > Personally, you are free to defend [the quality of what has come out so far], but that cannot be taken as a critical acclaim.

    You are quite right on this. I am curious though, what do you think about what has come out so far?

    "May we grow wide", as the Vedas say.

    V

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  2. from saroj patnaik sarojpatna@gmail.com to tusarnmohapatra@gmail.com date 15-Jul-2007 17:29 subject Complete works of Sri Aurobindo - Publication

    Please refer to the debate on the issue. It is understandable that devotees who are having with them the letters written by the Mother & Sri Aurobindo may not part with the same so easily. I would have also not done so. After all it was a letter written by the Supreme Avatar, which one may consider as a personal treasure. May be a letter is written to an individual but its relevance is for the whole humanity. However, human beings have their own tendencies. A large number of letters may still not surface. But for this will it be proper to withhold the publication of the complete works?

    Some letters surfacing after the publication could be accommodated in the next revised edition. Everybody will agree that there will be addition every time a fresh edition is brought out. So why late. Hurry up. May be the publishers want to bring out the best, and if that be the reason one can wait for a reasonable period of time, but certainly not for an indefinite period of time.

    The debate, however, is good, a healthy one. We can not consider it as an accusation or criticism. A devotee has the right to know more and more about the Lord and there is nothing wrong to be restless for the same. It may just be a process in that direction.

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