As part of the Research and outreach activity, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society held an orientation session titled “The Brain of India in the light of Sri Aurobindo” on January 1, 2026. The session was led by Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary of AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry.
Dr. Tripathy highlighted Bharat's greatness rooted in its profound spirituality, rich cultural heritage, and timeless wisdom that harmonizes human life with nature. Sri Aurobindo saw India not just as a nation-state, but as a vibrant spiritual force crucial for the evolution of human consciousness.
Delving into the deeper meanings of Sri Aurobindo's concept of the Brain of India, Dr. Tripathy pointed out several issues, including the loss of Traditional Knowledge, Guru–Śiṣya Paramparā, the faculty of Cognition and Knowledge, the relationship between Man and the Universe, Metaphysical Theory, and the necessity for a New System of Education.
The session underscored Sri Aurobindo’s worries about the decline of India’s traditional knowledge systems due to colonial impact and modern materialism “While calling itself national, it neglected the very foundation of the great achievement of our forefathers and especially the perfection of the instrument of knowledge.” It stressed the importance of rediscovering indigenous wisdom as a dynamic, evolving source for national rejuvenation.
Dr. Tripathy reiterated that Sri Aurobindo emphasized the Guru–Śiṣya Paramparā as the cornerstone of Indian education, where the transmission of knowledge was integral, experiential, and character-building. The session highlighted its significance for fostering values, discipline, and inner development in contemporary times.
On this occasion, eminent scholar and academician Shri Sunder Subramaniam, Shri Ravindra Gupta and Shri Varun Vidyarthi also shared their opinions on the specific areas.
Shri Ravindra Gupta stated that rooted in dharma and the idea of unity in diversity, India presents the world with sustainable ways of living, moral integrity, and routes to inner enlightenment, steering humanity towards balance, peace, and shared prosperity.
Shri Sunder Subramaniam expressed concern over the critical issues facing human society and mentioned that the moral values and ethics found in scriptures can provide a foundation for sustainability.
Shri Varun Vidyarthi described Sri Aurobindo’s view on cognition as multidimensional, extending beyond intellect to encompass intuition, inspiration, and revelation. He emphasized that education should therefore develop the whole cognitive faculty, integrating reason with higher forms of understanding.
Sri Aurobindo’s metaphysical framework was presented, depicting reality as a progressive unfolding of consciousness. Final discussions centered on a new educational system proposed by Sri Aurobindo—integral, value-driven, and focused on consciousness—designed to foster the physical, vital, mental, psychic, and spiritual aspects of the learner.
