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Description
The programme begins by looking at the concept of avatar as it is illumined by the intervention of Krishna on Arjuna's battlefield. Krishna restored Arjuna's dharma; that is, he restored equilibriu...m to the varying duties or desires of Arjuna. When the avatar restores the dharma of an individual that individual is able to transcend dharma to achieve the ego-less moksha and to become one with brahman, the divine. There have been many avatars in the Hindu tradition. In this century, two individuals have been perceived as avatars by their followers - Gandhi and the less known Aurobindo Ghose (Sri Aurobindo as he became). Aurobindo was gaoled by the British for nationalist activities. In gaol he perceived, through Krishna, a spiritual philosophy which the rest of his life enacted. After decades of meditation, thought and writing he founded the Sri Aurobindo ashram and, in partnership with "the Mother", the idealistic city of Auroville. It is a testing ground for Aurobindo's concept of man's evolution towards the state of 'supermind'. The programme ends with shots of the building of the great prayer temple which will be the heart of Auroville.
The programme begins by looking at the concept of avatar as it is illumined by the intervention of Krishna on Arjuna's battlefield. Krishna restored Arjuna's dharma; that is, he restored equilibriu...m to the varying duties or desires of Arjuna. When the avatar restores the dharma of an individual that individual is able to transcend dharma to achieve the ego-less moksha and to become one with brahman, the divine. There have been many avatars in the Hindu tradition. In this century, two individuals have been perceived as avatars by their followers - Gandhi and the less known Aurobindo Ghose (Sri Aurobindo as he became). Aurobindo was gaoled by the British for nationalist activities. In gaol he perceived, through Krishna, a spiritual philosophy which the rest of his life enacted. After decades of meditation, thought and writing he founded the Sri Aurobindo ashram and, in partnership with "the Mother", the idealistic city of Auroville. It is a testing ground for Aurobindo's concept of man's evolution towards the state of 'supermind'. The programme ends with shots of the building of the great prayer temple which will be the heart of Auroville.
| Module code and title: | AD208, Man's religious quest |
|---|---|
| Item code: | AD208; 06 |
| First transmission date: | 08-04-1978 |
| Published: | 1978 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:25:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nuala O'Faolain |
| Contributor: | Robert McDermott |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Aurobindo; Hinduism; Krishna |
| Footage description: | Still shot of a painting depicting Krishna in the battlefield urging the reluctant Arjun to fight against his own relatives. Opening credits. At the Aurobindo Centre in London, Dick Batstone discusses the activities of the Centre as they relate to Krishna and Sri Aurobindo. Over a still shot of the painting of Krishna and Arjuna, the concept of the avatar and the dharma is explained. Some use of animated diagrams. The various avatars are shown through painting photographs and sculptures. Commentary explains the influence of Krishna on Sri Aurobindo and Mahatma Gandhi, over stills of both. Writings of Aurobindo regarding Krishna and the avatar concept and a series of paintings of Krishna illustrate the commentary. At the Aurobindo Centre, Mr. Durabai explains the status of Sri Aurobindo as an avatar. The narrator describes the life and spiritual experiences of Sri Aurobindo, over stills of his house and "the mother". Mr. Durabai talks about "the mother" and explains the concept of Shakti and Shiva in Hindu philosophy with reference to "the Mother" and Sri Aurobindo. Amateur film about Aurobindo Ashram. The basic concepts of Hindu philosophy are explained along with Sri Aurobindo's interpretation of the Atman. The Supreme Being is explained through captioned quotations and diagrams. The concept of Auroville as being put into practice is shown through still shots of the place and its inhabitants. Tim Wrey talks about Auroville. The narrator sums up the programme, over of construction scenes at Auroville. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72533 |
| Production number: | 00525_3276 |
| Videofinder number: | 452 |
| Available to public: | no |
