Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra
It is highly unlikely that Matthew Arnold influenced Sri Aurobindo's early fervor for nationalism; in fact, available evidence suggests the opposite. Sri Aurobindo had an attachment to European thought and literature, but specifically stated he was not attached to England as a country.
Key points regarding Sri Aurobindo's nationalism and his view of Arnold:
- A Personal Aversion to English Rule: Sri Aurobindo's mission for India's liberation was a deep, personal resolve that began in his youth, long before his public political career. He developed a profound dislike for British rule while in England and perceived his mission as a divine impulse for India's freedom.
- "New Lamps for Old": Sri Aurobindo's public political life began with articles in Indu Prakash under the title "New Lamps for Old" where he vehemently denounced the moderate, pro-British policies of the Indian National Congress.
- Critique of English Society: Sri Aurobindo actually used Matthew Arnold's phrase "an aristocracy no longer possessed of the imposing nobility of mind" in one of his writings (likely an early political piece), but to critique the debased nature of the English middle class and lower classes, which he saw as "without any germ of high ideas". This indicates he was familiar with Arnold's work but used it to support his own anti-British colonial perspective, not as a source of nationalist inspiration.
- Other Influences: Sri Aurobindo's nationalism was primarily inspired by Indian spiritual and cultural ideals (Sanatan Dharma), leaders like Tilak, and a belief in India's unique spiritual destiny in the world. His Bande Mataram newspaper and other writings focused on complete independence and passive resistance, a strategy informed by a study of the British character and a belief in India's spiritual strength.
Therefore, Matthew Arnold's ideas on culture and society were known to Sri Aurobindo, but they served as a point of critique of British society, not as an inspiration for his fervent Indian nationalism, which was rooted in indigenous spiritual and political thought.
- GoogleAI
The suggestion by someone named "Ulrich" in Situating Sri Aurobindo that British Romanticism influenced Sri Aurobindo's nationalism is a scholarly interpretation, and its validity is a matter of academic debate and perspective, rather than a universally accepted fact.
Scholarly Context
- The book Situating Sri Aurobindo: A Reader (2013), edited by Peter Heehs, is a collection of essays that offer various scholarly interpretations of Sri Aurobindo's life and work. An argument within such a collection is typically an academic thesis that needs to be evaluated based on the evidence presented.
- The validity of "Ulrich's" specific argument regarding British Romanticism would depend on the evidence provided in his/her chapter and the reception of this specific argument among other scholars of Sri Aurobindo and Indian nationalism. The search results provide no direct information on this particular argument's reception.
Dominant Interpretations of Sri Aurobindo's Nationalism
While a British Romanticism influence might exist, the prevailing scholarly consensus, as seen in the search results, emphasizes the following primary influences on Sri Aurobindo's concept of nationalism:
- Spiritual and Religious Foundation: Sri Aurobindo's nationalism is most notably described as "spiritual nationalism" or "religious sadhana" (spiritual discipline). He viewed the nation, specifically India, as a Mother Goddess (Shakti) and believed the freedom struggle was a divine mission rooted in the Sanatan Dharma (eternal truth/religion).
- Indian Philosophical Texts: His political and philosophical views were significantly influenced by the study of the Gita, Upanishads, and Vedanta. He sought to blend Indian philosophical idealism with Western thought.
- Bankimchandra Chatterjee: The Bengali author Bankimchandra's writings, especially the novel Anandamath and the song Bande Mataram, were a major inspiration for Sri Aurobindo's conception of the nation as "Mother".
In conclusion, while an author in a scholarly book might suggest an influence of British Romanticism, the primary and dominant influences on Sri Aurobindo's nationalism, widely acknowledged in academic discourse, are rooted in Indian spirituality, philosophy, and the writings of contemporary Bengali figures like Bankimchandra. The validity of the Romanticism claim is debatable and less prominent than the spiritual interpretation.
- GoogleAI
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