Better known as the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Mirra Alfassa was a French woman who found solace in India. Despite her immense contributions, many are still unaware of the work that ‘The Mother’ did for India. Her love for the country was such, that she once described herself as ‘French by birth and an Indian by choice’.
The Mother was born Mirra Alfassa in Paris on 21 February 1878. A pupil at the Academie Julian, she became an accomplished artist, and also excelled as a pianist and writer. Interested in occultism, she visited Tlemcen, Algeria, in 1905 and 1906 to study with the adept Max Theon and his wife. Her primary interest, however, was spiritual development. In Paris, she founded a group of spiritual seekers and gave talks to various groups.
In 1914 the Mother voyaged to Pondicherry to meet Sri Aurobindo, whom she at once recognised as the one who for many years had inwardly guided her spiritual development. After a stay of eleven months she was obliged to return to France due to the outbreak of the First World War. A year later she went to Japan for a period of four years.
In April 1920 the Mother rejoined Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry. When the Sri Aurobindo Ashram was formed in November 1926, Sri Aurobindo entrusted its full material and spiritual charge to the Mother. Under her guidance, which continued for nearly fifty years, the Ashram grew into a large, many-faceted spiritual community. In 1952 she established Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education and in 1968 an international township, Auroville. The Mother left her body on 17 November 1973.
Sri Aurobindo recognised in her an embodiment of the dynamic expressive aspect of evolutionary, creative Force. After the recognition, Alfassa became the Mother. She played an important role in motivating women like Annie Besant and Nellie Sen Gupta through her spiritual teachings.
It was her teachings that motivated Besant to fight against the British for India’s independence. She became a supporter of Indian self-rule.
Alfassa also aided in the formation of Auroville and infused a sense of pride among Indians of its age old history and heritage, thwarting cultural homogenization attempt of Britishers.
After Jawaharlal Nehru’s first visit to meet the Mother in 1955, many politicians started visiting her on regular basis for her guidance. Indira Gandhi was in close contact with her and often visited her for guidance. At an event in Kanpur, Indira Gandhi had said: “The Mother was a dynamic lady, who came from France and adopted the Indian culture. She played an important role in motivating women like Mrs. Annie Besant and Mrs. Nellie Sen Gupta, The Mother had also contributed to enrich India’s age-old heritage and culture.”
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