Essays Divine and Human (CWSA Volume 12) collects Sri Aurobindo’s short prose writings from after his arrival in Pondicherry in 1910 that were not published before his passing in 1950. None of the contents were prepared by the author for publication; many were left in an unfinished state. The title was adapted from headings found in his notebooks.

Structure

The volume is arranged in four parts:

Part One: Essays Divine and Human — Complete essays on yoga and related subjects, arranged in five chronological sections (circa 1911–1919):

  • Section One (circa 1911): “Certitudes”, “Moksha”, “Man”, “Philosophy”, “The Siddhis”, “The Psychology of Yoga”
  • Section Two (1910–1913): “Na Kinchidapi Chintayet”, “The Interpretation of Scripture”, “The Balance of Justice”, “Social Reform”, “Hinduism and the Mission of India”, “The Psychology of Yoga”, “Sat”, “Sachchidananda”, “The Silence behind Life”
  • Section Three (circa 1913): “The Object of Our Yoga”, “Purna Yoga” (three parts), “Natural and Supernatural Man”, “The Evolutionary Aim in Yoga”, “The Fullness of Yoga”, “Nature”, “Maya”
  • Section Four (1914–1919): Further essays on yoga and philosophy
  • Section Five: Later essays

Part Two: From Man to Superman — Notes and fragments on philosophy, psychology, and yoga, arranged in three thematic sections.

Part Three: Notes and Fragments on Various Subjects — Arranged in five thematic sections covering diverse topics.

Part Four: Thoughts and Aphorisms — As arranged by the author in three sections, with a section of additional aphorisms.

Key Themes

  • The nature of consciousness and the structure of the being
  • The method and aim of integral yoga
  • The evolution from man to superman
  • The relation between the individual, the cosmos, and the Divine
  • Reflections on society, religion, and spirituality
  • Aphoristic expressions of spiritual insight

Source Summary

CWSA Volume 12 contains material exclusively from manuscripts. The editors have provided critical apparatus for textual difficulties, including doubtful readings, illegible passages, and lacunae. The volume offers a unique window into Sri Aurobindo’s evolving thought process and the range of topics that occupied his spiritual exploration.

See Also