Truth should be put in the front

 Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra

Sri Aurobindo was not significantly indebted to Theosophy for his core philosophy; in fact, he was often a sharp critic of the movement, considering it a "pseudo-science" and "Devavidya" (knowledge of the Many) rather than "Brahmavidya" (knowledge of the One). 

While he acknowledged that Theosophy had a general influence in "spread[ing] the belief in karma, reincarnation, other planes of existence, [and] evolution" in a Western-dominated intellectual climate, he strongly differentiated his own integral yoga and philosophy from Theosophical doctrines and methods. 

Key Points of Sri Aurobindo's View on Theosophy

• Critique of Methodology: Sri Aurobindo found Theosophy's methods unreliable, often based on "imagination" and a "hopeless amalgam & jumble of science, religion & philosophy". He believed it mixed genuine truths with much error and imagination, especially concerning experiences on the vital plane. He sought a more rigorous, "scientific" approach to spiritual truth (which he termed "Veda") that was open and verifiable, without "mystery" or "jugglery".
• "Mahatmas" and Authority: A major point of contention was the Theosophists' reliance on "Mahatmas" (Masters) in the background as an infallible authority. Sri Aurobindo insisted that truth should be put in the front and that Theosophy should enthrone "the intellectual conscience of mankind" instead of a "Papal or mystic infallibility".
• Focus on the One vs. the Many: He felt Theosophy focused too much on the "knowledge of the Many" (various planes of consciousness, beings, etc.) which he called Avidya, rather than the "knowledge of the One" (Brahmavidya), which leads to ultimate liberation and transformation.
• Annie Besant: He viewed prominent Theosophist Annie Besant primarily as a political figure with a "dry" vital energy, whose involvement in Theosophy distracted her from her potential in politics.
• Pioneering Role: Despite his criticisms, Sri Aurobindo recognized the Theosophical movement's valuable service in appealing to the imagination of people in India and Europe and helping to counter an exclusively European materialist mentality by re-awakening interest in ancient Eastern spiritual ideas. 

In summary, while Theosophy helped create a receptive atmosphere for Eastern spiritual ideas, Sri Aurobindo considered his own path and philosophy to be fundamentally different and more profound, moving beyond what he saw as the limitations and inaccuracies of Theosophy. 

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