Chapter 137March (? ) 1959

wills coming from the vital plane which try to express themselves, and most often they are truly deadly. If you are annoyed, for example, if someone says something unpleasant to you and you react ... It always happens in the same way; these little entities are there waiting, and when they feel it’s the right moment, they introduce their influence and their suggestions. This is what is vitally symbolized by the being with his dagger rushing forward to stab you – and in the back, at that! Not even face to face! This then expresses itself in the human consciousness by a movement of anger or rage or indignation: ‘How intolerable! How ... !’ And the other fellow says, ‘Yes! We shall put an end to it!’

It is quite interesting to watch it once, but it isn’t very pleasant.

(Letter to Mother from Satprem)

Pondicherry Sweet Mother,

X has just left my house. He began by saying that he had your permission to speak to me about certain things concerning the black forces that attacked you. I asked him why he did not speak to you directly, because surely you would understand better and more than I. He replied in this way: ‘Several times Mother asked about these black powers, and every time I felt in myself a “great confusion.” There (in your room) it is such a Place, Place of supreme Power, Place of Divinity, and I CANNOT talk about small matters. I CANNOT talk English. I have tried but it disturbs my “meditation.” Thus I have asked Mother permission to talk to you; with you I can talk of these matters.’131 These were almost exactly his words. Sweet Mother, he said this in such a way, there was something so sacred when he spoke of you up in your room, that I felt like prostrating myself at his feet. (Ah, Sweet Mother, how inadequately we approach you! ... )

He began his story thus: ‘This girl in Mother’s entourage132 was, while she was alive, attacked by an extremely powerful mantric magician.

But the Protection was there, and finally the attack fell back on the mantric, who died from it.

130In this Commentary on the Dhammapada.

131X’s words are given in their original English when they appear in italics.

132A young woman very close to Mother and Sri Aurobindo who did a great deal of harm to Mother. She died a few