The Mother’s Final Arrival in Pondicherry

The Mother first visited Pondicherry in 1914, and on April 24, 1920 at the age of forty-two she returned to settle there permanently. She was pursuing an intense Yoga and the Sadhana was going on in the mental and vital planes. The result was even a physical change in her appearance.

…after a month’s yoga I looked exactly eighteen. And someone who had seen me before, who had lived with me in Japan and came here, found it difficult to recognize me. He asked me, ‘But really, is it you?’ I said, ‘Obviously!’

Until the Mother’s final arrival, a few of Sri Aurobindo’s followers had lived with him as members of the household. With the coming of the Mother, there were some gradual changes and a collective life took shape. Physically things were organised and regular collective meditations were started.

Nolini Kanta Gupta, one of the oldest disciples said of the Mother: “The Mother taught by her manner and speech, and showed us in actual practice, what was the meaning of disciple and master… It was the Mother who opened our eyes.”

In 1937 the Mother reflected that the “anniversary of my return to Pondicherry … was the tangible sign of the sure Victory over the adverse forces.”

A video is available that tells the story of this important event with supporting historical images:
The Mother’s Final Arrival in Pondicherry