Life of Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo was born in Calcutta on August 15th 1872 and was sent to England at the age of seven for education, where he studied at St. Paul's School and King's College, Cambridge where he excelled academically and became known for his literary talent. Upon returning to India, he started to work in the service of the Maharaja of Baroda and got involved in revolutionary activities, becoming a prominent leader in the Indian nationalist movement, advocating for complete independence. 

In 1908 Sri Aurobindo was jailed in solitary confinement and during this time, his spiritual practice intensified, leading to profound enlightening experiences and visions of Swami Vivekananda and Krishna. Two years later, Sri Aurobindo withdrew from politics in Pondicherry to dedicate himself to spiritual practice, focusing on intense inner experiences and the study of Indian scriptures followed by a few disciples. 

In 1914, he began publishing a monthly philosophical review called the Arya, from which he later published his major books, including The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, Essays on the Gita and Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol. In 1920, Mirra Alfassa (known as "The Mother") settled permanently in Pondicherry to become Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual companion and as more seekers arrived to follow their spiritual path, she took on the responsibility for organizing and managing the growing ashram 

In 1926 Sri Aurobindo went into complete seclusion to continue his intense spiritual work, revise his major works and guide his disciples primarily through letters. He focused on bringing down the Supramental Consciousness to transform the physical reality, a task he considered essential for humanity's evolution until he left his body on December 5, 1950.