-06_The Mothers Flower Significances.htm

Abelmoschus esculentus

Okra, Gumbo, Lady’s-finger

light yellow rotate flower with dark

maroon centre; seasonal vegetable

Mentalised Power

Power becomes utilisable.

Abutilon hybridum

Chinese lantern. Flowering Maple

several colours of pendulous bell-shaped flowers; shrub

Promise

The future is full of promise.

Abutilon hybridum

bright yellow flowers

Mental Promise

The assurance that the Supramental goal will be realised.

Abutilon hybridum

deep red-purple flowers with

darker veins

Vital Promise

The vital is full of possibilities

ready to develop.

Acacia auriculiformis

Wattle

fragrant golden-yellow catkins; tree

Work

Let us offer our work to the Divine,

this is the sure way of progressing.

Let us work us we pray, for indeed work is the body’s

best prayer to the Divine

The essential character of Supermind is a Truth-Consciousness which knows by its own inherent right of nature, by its own light: it has not to arrive at knowledge but possesses it.

Supramental Knowledge

Acacia farnesiana

Sweet acacia, Popinac, West Indian blackthorn

small fragrant golden-yellow fluffy balls; shrub or thorny hedge

Supramental Knowledge

An infallible vision of all problems.

Acacia leucophloea

terminal panicles of very small cream-white

fluffy balls; tree

Detailed Knowledge

Manifold and minute, it forgets nothing.

Acalypha

Copperleaf

prominent multi-coloured leaves, often twisted and

variously folded, with prominent or inconspicuous catkins; shrub

Continuity

Knowing how to persist in one’s effort.

Acalypha wilkesiana ‘Godseffiana-

green leaves with white border and short light green catkins

Attempt towards Continuity

Vigorous and repeated but not lasting.

Acalypha hispida

Chenille plant, Red-hot cattail

very long velvety red catkins and green

leaves

Physical Continuity

Prolongs itself indefinitely and never comes

to an end.

Acalypha wilkesiana ‘Macafeeana’

Jacob’s coat, Fire dragon

large red leaves with russet patches and

long sombre red catkins

Material Continuity

Powerful, enduring, solid.

Acalypha wilkesiana

Jacob’s-coat

partly curled brown-green leaves veined

red and short sombre red catkins

Vital Continuity

Rich, abundant, persistent.

Acanthus ilicifolius Sea holly

tall spikes of deep blue bilabiate flowers set in spiny bracts;

countryside shrub

The Guardian

Vigilant and thorny, it knows how to protect what it has.

In the Yoga of Bhakti it is the emotional nature that is made the instrument Its main principle is to adopt some human relation between man and the Divine Being by which through the ever intenser flowing of the heart’s emotions towards him the human soul may at last be wedded to and grow one with him in a passion of divine Love.

Acanthus montanus

Bear’s-breech

tall spikes of small lavender-rose bilabiate flowers

tinged white, set in spiny bracts; low countryside shrub

Emotions Awake to the First Contact with the Divine

The Light begins to work in the emotive consciousness.

Acer

Maple

brilliant red autumn leaves; tree

Flame of Aspiration

A flame that illumines but never burns.

Achimenes grandiflora

Japanese pansy

light violet salverform flower with short

corolla tube; tuberous herbaceous plant

Silence in the Vital

A powerful help for inner peace.

Acidanthera bicolor

Abyssinian sword lily. Peacock flower

mildly fragrant white flower with long

corolla tube and six pointed petals, dark

brown-maroon centre; bulbous plant

The Vital’s Possibility of Perfection

The day the vital will be converted it

will have much to give.

In truth a cultivated and illumined vital can be as noble and heroic and disinterested as it is now spontaneously vulgar, egoistic and perverted when it is left to itself without education. It is enough for each one to know how to transform in himself the search for pleasure into an aspiration tor the supramental plenitude. If the education of the vital is earned far enough, with perseverance and sincerity, there comes a time when, convinced of the greatness and beauty of the goal, the vital gives up petty and illusory sensorial satisfactions in order to win the divine delight.

Aegle marmelos

Bael tree, Bengal quince

small fragrant fleshy white star-shaped

flower, trifoliate leaves and edible fruit;

fruit tree

Devotional Attitude

Modest and self-effacing, it gives remarkable fruit.

Aerva tomentosa

tiny white woolly flowers in short

branching spikes; large seasonal

herbaceous plant

Aspiration for Integral Immortality

An organised, tenacious and methodical

development of the consciousness.

Aganosma roxburghii

airy clusters of fragrant white star-like

salverform flowers; creeper

Rising Star

We must hope that it is the right one!

Aglaia odorata

short spikes of fragrant yellow pinhead

flowers; large shrub

Mental Suggestions of Organisation

Abundant and clustered but a little

dull.

Ageratum houstonianum

Flossflower, Pussy-foot

clusters of minute lavender compositae

flowers in soft brushlike heads; seasonal

plant

Vital Patience

Indispensable for all progress.

Albizia lebbeck

Fry wood tree, Lebbeck tree

fragrant white powderpuff flower with

green centre; tree

Integral Wisdom

Obtained by union with the Divine.

When the resolution has been taken, when you have decided that the whole of your life shall be given to the Divine, you have still at every moment to remember it and carry it out in all the details of your existence. You must feel at every step that you belong to the Divine; you must have the constant experience that, in whatever you think or do, it is always the Divine Consciousness that is acting through you. You have no longer anything that you can call your own. you feel everything as coming from the Divine, and you have to offer it back to its source.

Alcea rosea

Hollyhock

various colours of tall erect spikes bearing

single or double rotate flowers; seasonal

plant

Offering

The only offering that truly enriches

is the one that is made to the Divine.

Alcea

white

Integral Offering

The surest road to realisation.

Alcea

red

Offering of the Physical

Let the physical offer itself sincerely

to the Divine and it will be

transformed. This is proof of the

resolution to liberate oneself from the ego.

Alcea

all bicoloured flowers

Combined Offering of Two Parts of

the Being

This indicates the efficacy and

progress of the being.

Alcea

mauve-pink

Offering of the Emotions

Emotions put at the service of progress.

Alcea

light pink

Psychic Offering

It is the spontaneous attitude of the

psychic in relation to the Divine.

Alcea

dark red

Offering of the Vital

The immediate result of conversion.

Alcea

white with mauve centre

Integral Offering of the Vital

An important stage towards

transformation.

Ofter yourself more and more-—all the consciousness, all that happens in it,

all your work and Action

Alcea

red-violet

Offering of the Material Vital

Indispensable for conversion.

Alcea

very dark sombre red

Offering of the Most Material Vital

The first step towards transformation.

Alcea

dark purple, almost black

Offering of All Obscurities

Offer your obscurities sincerely to

the Divine and you will be able to

receive the Light.

Allamanda cathartica

medium to large golden-yellow

funnel-shaped flower; heavy creeper

Victory

Will triumph over all obstacles!

Allamanda violacea

Purple allamanda

mauve-pink; spreading shrub

Victory in the Vital

In the vital even a little victory has

great consequences.

More than one third of our existence is spent in sleeping, consequently, the time devoted to physical sleep well deserves our attention

All the desires that have been repressed without being dissolved—and this dissociation can only be obtained after much sound and wide-ranging analysis—seek satisfaction while the will is dormant.

And since desires are true dynamic centres of formation, they tend to organise, within and around us. the combination of circumstances that is most favourable to their satisfaction.

In this way the fruit of many efforts made by our conscious thought during the day can be destroyed in a tew hours at night. . . .

We must therefore learn to know our dreams, and first of all to distinguish between them, for they are very varied in nature and quality.

* * *

When at night we put a problem to ourselves, the problem goes to the higher regions of our being and in the morning we get the answer, the solution, because there, in the depths of our consciousness, we know things which we do not know in our external consciousness.

Aloe barbadensis

Barbados aloe, True aloe

long stem bearing clusters of pendulous

light orange tubular flowers tinged yellow

and green; medicinal succulent

Dreams

One can learn much by controlling one’s dreams.

Alpinia galanga

short spikes of white flowers with

prominent light yellow lip striped

maroon-red; rhizomatous plant

To Know what has to be Said

Neither too many, nor too few

words—just what is needed.

Alpinia speciosa

Shellflower, Porcelain ginger,

long racemes of light pink or white buds

tipped light red opening to show

prominent yellow lip streaked and spotted

red; large rhizomatous plant

Eloquence

We know how to express ourselves

in a convincing way.

Alternanthera

Joseph’s-coat

small rounded heads of white papery

flowers, dark maroon red leaves; erect

groundcover

Integral Immortality

It is a promise! When will it be a material fact?

Amaranthus caudatus

Love-lies-bleeding, Tassel flower

terminal dense and branching sombre red

spikes covered with tiny flowers, red stems

and long reddish-green leaves; tall seasonal plant

Fearlessness in Action

Manifold, unfettered and fearless.

All truth and practice too strictly formulated becomes old and loses much, if not all. of its virtue; it must be constantly renovated by-fresh streams of the spirit revivifying the dead or dying vehicle and changing it. if it is to acquire a new life. To be perpetually reborn is the condition of a material immortality.

Amaranthus ‘Molten Fire’

Amaranth

maroon-red foliage with brilliant crimson

upper leaves and clusters of tiny deep

mauve flowers surrounding the stem;

seasonal plant

Bravery

Fears nothing and knows how to

hold tight against adversaries.

Amaryllidaceae

yellow trumpet-shaped flowers borne on

short or long scapes; bulbous plant

Conversion of the Mind

The mind has freed itself from its

arrogance and knows it is only an

instrument.

Anemone coronaria

Windflower, Lily-of-the-field

several colours of delicate rotate flowers;

low rhizomatous plant

Fragile Elegance

Easily troubled, it needs to be treated with care.

Anemopaegma carrerense

small cream-white trumpet-shaped flowers

with light yellow corolla tube; creeper

Voice of the Higher Mind

In quest of Truth.

Anethum graveolens

Dill

umbels of numerous tiny yellow flowers;

soft feathery leaves have pungent

fragrance; seasonal herb

Light in the Blood

When the blood becomes receptive

to the higher consciousness.

Plants have feelings, they are alive; they should not be treated brutally.

Anemopaegma chamberlaynii

Yellow trumpet vine

large bright yellow trumpet-shaped flower;

heavy creeper

Joy of Victory

It resembles victory without having

victory’s strength.

If we are awake in the physical, we shall feel the light, power or Ananda flowing through the body, the limbs, nerves, blood, breath and, through the subtle body, affecting the most material cells making them conscious and blissful and we shall sense directly the Divine Power and Presence.

There is a sovereign royally in taking no thought for oneself. To have needs is to assert a weakness; to claim something proves that we lack what we claim. To desire is to be impotent; it is to recognise our limitations and confess our incapacity to overcome them If only from the point of view of a legitimate pride man should be noble enough to renounce desire.

Angelonia

very small purple two-lipped cup-shaped

flowers studding the erect stems, aromatic .

leaves; semi-herbaceous perennial

Renunciation of Vital Desires

It has understood the emptiness of

desire.

Angelonia

white with pale purple lines and dots

Renunciation of Emotional Desires

Indispensable for transformation.

Renunciation of Vital Desires

Angelonia

white

Integral Renunciation of Vital .

Desires

An indispensable condition for true

progress.

Anthocephalus cadamba

Kadam tree

striking mildly fragrant orange-yellow

ball-shaped flowers with white stigmas; tree

Supramental Sun

We aspire that its rays may enlighten

and transform us.

There is a force of purity, not the purity of the moralist but an essential purity of spirit, in the very substance of the being. When that comes then sex waves either cannot approach or they pass without imparting any impulse, without touching anywhere.

Anthurium andreanum

Flamingo lily

firm waxy deep red spathe and prominent

bright red spadix; rhizomatous foliage plant.

Mastery of Sex

Instead of being dominated by the

sexual impulses, they must be put

under the domination of the highest will.

Anthurium andreanum

white

Purified Sex Centre

Is transformed into a force for

progress.

Anthurium andreanum

pink

Sex Centre Aspiring to Be Purified

The awakening of the consciousness

to a higher life.

Antigonon

Coral vine, Corallita

long trailing sprays with small delicate

lantern-shaped flowers in several colours;

creeper

Harmony

Let us strive that the day may come

when this will be the means and the

goal.

Antigonon

deep pink

Harmony in the Material Vital

No disputes, no quarrels—the .

sweetness of a life without clashes.

Antigonon

bright pink

Harmony in the Vital

To harmonise the vital is a

psychological masterpiece; happy

is the one who accomplishes it.

Antigonon ‘Album’

white

Integral Harmony

Harmony between things, harmony

between persons, harmony of

circumstances and above all,

harmony of all aspirations directed

towards the Supreme Truth.

Antirrhinum

Snapdragon

several colours of long erect spikes of

velvety two-lipped tubular flowers;

seasonal plant

Power of Expression

It is the power to manifest that

which is latent.

Antirrhinum

all multi-coloured flowers

Power of Manifold Expression

The result of suppleness and

plasticity.

Antirrhinum

red

Power of Physical Expression

One of the benefits of conversion.

Antirrhinum

purple to violet

Power of Vital Expression

Is useful only when the vital is converted.

Antirrhinum

white with yellow throat

Power of Integral Expression

Nothing is too difficult for it to say.

Antirrhinum

yellow

Power of Mental Expression

Has no value unless it is at the

service of the Divine.

Antirrhinum

pink

Power of Psychic Expression

The psychic obtains its power of

expression when it governs the

whole being.

Antirrhinum ‘Butterfly hybrid’

several colours of open-throated flowers

Progressive Expression

What you cannot say today, you

will know how to say tomorrow!

Aphelandra tetragona

short spikes of tubular pointed orange-red

flowers; shrub

Sharp Tongue

Unhappily too frequent!

Arctotis

Blue-eyed African daisy

several colours of delicate compositae

flowers; seasonal plant

Cheerful Endeavour

The joy that one finds in the effort

towards the Divine.

Areca catechu

Betel-nut palm

branching spikes of tiny fragrant white

flowers; palm tree

Steadfast Vitality

The vitality that depends on integral consecration.

Aristolochia elegans

Calico flower

cream-white cup-shaped flower heavily

blotched maroon with dark maroon centre,

recurved and inflated corolla tube; creeper

Inspiration

Brings its manifold gifts to one who knows how to receive them.

Aristolochia ringens

Pelican flower

greenish-yellow flower with dark purple

veins, one petal hood-shaped and one long

and trailing

Lasting Inspiration

Waits patiently to be received.

Oft inspiration with her lightning feet,

A sudden messenger from the allseeing tops,

Traversed the soundless corridors of his mind

Bringing her rhythmic sense of hidden things.

Artabotrys Ylang-Ylang

very fragrant greenish-yellow solitary

flowers with thick leaf-like petals; creeper

Clear Mind

The first step on the road to

conversion.

Artabotrys

clusters of small rounded fragrant yellow

fruits

Reason

An excellent instrument when at the

service of the Divine

Asclepias curassavica

Butterfly weed

terminal umbels of small yellow flowers,

each with prominent central yellow crown;

low shrub

Response of the Mind to the

Supramental Light

Represents an important step

towards realisation.

Asclepias curassavica

scarlet-red flowers

Response of the Physical Mind to

the Supramental Light

The physical mind eager to

understand and be transformed.

When a thought is expressed in speech, the vibration of the sound has a considerable power to bring the most material substance into contact with the thought, thus giving it a concrete and effective reality. That is why one must never speak ill of people or things or say things which go against the progress of the divine realisation in the world. This is an absolute general rule. And yet it has one exception. You should not criticise anything unless at the same time you have the conscious power and active will to dissolve or transform the movements or things you criticise. For this conscious power and active will have the capacity of infusing Matter with the possibility to react and refuse the bad vibration and ultimately to correct it so that it becomes impossible for it to go on expressing itself on the physical plane.

Asparagus densiflorus

Sprenger asparagus

tiny white starlike flowers in short spikes;

rhizomatous plant with pendulous sprays

of delicate foliage

Spiritual Speech

All-powerful in its simplicity.

Asparagus racemosus

delicate snowy clusters of tiny fragrant

starlike flowers; creeper with small or

larger leaf-like cladodes

Beauty Arising from Consecration

Be sincere and absolute in your

consecration to the Divine and your

life will become harmonious and

beautiful.

Simple Sincerity

Aster amellus

white with yellow centre

Simple Sincerity

The beginning of all progress.

Sincerity means to lift all the movements of the being to the level of the highest consciousness and realisation already attained.

Sincerity in the vital is the most difficult to have and the most needful.

Aster amellus

Perennial aster

clusters of single compositae flowers,

mauve-pink with yellow centre; perennial

suckering plant

Emotional Sincerity

Does not try to travesty the

emotions.

Aster amellus

lavender-blue with yellow centre

Sincerity in the Vital

The sure road to realisation.

Trust in the Divine

Asystasia dalzelliana

short racemes of small pale violet

salverform flowers with white lines; low

herbaceous plant

Aspiration for Trust in the Divine

An intense need for that immutable

peace given by the certitude of the

Divine Grace.

Asystasia

white

Integral Trust in the Divine

The trust that gives the true support

to life.

It is not possible to enter utterly into the spiritual truth of the Eternal and Infinite if we have not the faith and courage to trust ourselves into the hands of the lord of all things and the Friend of all creatures and leave utterly behind us our mental limits and measures.

Asystasia

several colours of larger flowers;

countryside herbaceous rambler

Trust in the Divine

Most indispensable for the

impulsive vital.

Asystasia

cream-yellow

Mental Trust in the Divine

Firm and definite, it does not argue.

Asystasia

white, marked mauve on throat

Trust of the Emotive Vital in the

Divine

Smiling and sweet, it is sheltered

from grief.

Asystasia

predominantly lavender shades

Vital Trust in the Divine

Full of courage and energy, it fears

nothing.

Averrhoa carambola

Carambola

compact clusters of small fragrant

rose-pink bell-shaped flowers with red

calyces; fruit tree

Organised Team-Work

Each in his place and all together.

Asystasia

pale yellow, marked light mauve on throat

Trust in the Vital Mind for the

Divine

Opens itself to the Divine

Consciousness without trying to

hide anything.

Atalantia monophylla

clusters of small fragrant white star-shaped

flowers; tree

Absence of Desire

Fragrant and luminous, it expresses

at the same time peace and joy.

We want an organisation which is the expression of a higher consciousness working to manifest the truth of the future.

Azadirachta indica .

Neem, Margosa

airy clusters of tiny fragrant white

star-shaped flowers; tree with medicinal

value

Spiritual Atmosphere

Light, fluid, clear, transparent —

and so clean!

A spiritual atmosphere is more important than outer conditions; if one can get that and also create one’s own spiritual air to breathe in and live in it, that is the true condition of progress.

Barleria

several colours of small trumpet-shaped

flowers with prominent bracts; shrub

Opening

The help is constant on all levels; it

is for us to know how to benefit from it.

Barleria

white

Integral Opening of the Being

towards the Divine

The first step of the ascent,

The opening is the same for all. It begins with an opening of mind and heart, then of the vital proper — when it reaches the lower vital and the physical the opening is complete. But with the opening there must be the full sell-giving to what comes down, which is the condition of the complete change.

Barleria

white with lavender stripes

Emotional Opening

The progress of the emotions

towards the Divine.

Barleria

yellow

Mental Opening

The first step of the mind towards

transformation.

Barleria

pink

Opening of the Emotive Vital

One of the first steps on the way to

transformation.

Baleria

lavender-blue

Elegance in the Emotions

Delicate and refined, does not

permit itself any vulgarity.

The perfect supramental action will not follow any single principle or limited rule. … It will proceed by a spontaneous outflowing from the summits in the totality of an illumined and uplifted being, will and knowledge and not by the selected, calculated and standardised action which is all that the intellectual reason or ethical will can achieve.

Barringtonia asiatica

Mudilla

large fragrant white flower with

innumerable white stamens tinged pink;

tree

Supramental Action

An action that is not exclusive but

total.

Bauhinia tomentosa

St. Thomas tree

pendulous light yellow elongated

cup-shaped flower; shrub

Gold

Should only be used in the service

of the Divine.

Bauhinia purpurea

Butterfly tree. Orchid tree

light pink to red-violet rotate flowers with

long recurved stamens; tree

Stability in the Vital

One of the important results of

conversion.

Bauhinia acuminata

Dwarf white bauhinia

white open cup-shaped flower with

conspicuous golden pollen; shrub

Purified Gold

Placed at the service of the Divine it

is purified.

Beaumontia jerdoniana

Herald’s trumpet

large mildly fragrant white open

bell-shaped flower; heavy creeper

Unselfishness

Deeply open so as not to refuse

anything.

Begonia

several colours of small waxy flowers in

delicately balanced cymes; succulent with

variously coloured leaves

Balance

Each seeks one’s own balance in

order to stabilise oneself.

Begonia

yellow

Mental Balance

Mind governed by reason.

Begonia

white

Integral Balance

It multiplies so as not to be static.

Begonia

pink

Psychic Balance

Under the psychic influence all

activities become balanced.

The maximum a human being can attain just now is an equilibrium which is not progressive. He may attain perhaps a static equilibrium but all that is static can be broken for lack of progress. . . .

Perfection will be attained in the individual, the collectivity, on the earth and in the universe, when, at every moment, the receptivity will be equal in quality and quantity to the Force which wants to manifest.

That is the supreme equilibrium.

Begonia

large double flowers in several colours

Perfect Balance

One of the most important

conditions of a growing peace.

Begonia

yellow, large double

Perfect Mental Balance

Indispensable for facing the

difficulties of life.

Belamcanda chinensis

Leopard flower

scapes bearing orange rotate flowers with

scarlet spots and erect stamens; bulbous

plant

Attachment to the Divine

Wraps itself around the Divine and

finds all its support in Him so as to

be sure of never leaving Him.

Begonia

white, large double

Perfect Integral Balance

One is ready for transformation.

Begonia

pink, large double

Perfect Psychic Balance

On the way to transformation.

Live constantly in the presence of the Divine, live in the feeling that it is this presence which moves you and is doing everything you do.

We thirst for perfection. Not this human perfection which is a perfection of the ego and bars the way to the divine perfection. But that one perfection which has the power to manifest upon earth the Eternal Truth.

Beleperone guttata

Mexican shrimp plant

small white tubular labiate flowers borne

beneath russet or greenish-yellow showy

bracts; low rambling shrub

Thirst for Perfection

Constant and manifold aspiration.

Berrya cordifolia

tiny white flowers and large clusters of green to brown papery winged fruits; tree

Liberation in the Vital

Another result of conversion.

Bignonia purpurea

clusters of rose-purple trumpet-shaped flowers; creeper

Vital Opening

The vital is ready to receive the Divine Influence.

Billbergia

bright red inflorescence resembling a large candle formed of coloured bracts and narrow dark red to violet tubular flowers; perennial succulent

Control

Control over the lower impulses is the first step towards realisation.

When we begin to live the spiritual life, a reversal of consciousness takes place which is for us the proof that we have entered the spiritual life; well, another reversal of consciousness occurs when one enters the supramental world.

Besides,, perhaps each time that a new world opens up. there will again be a new reversal of this kind. Thus even our spiritual life — which is such a total reversal in relation to ordinary life — is and appears to be, in relation to the supramental consciousness, the supramental realisation, something so totally different that the values of the two are almost opposite.

Bixa orellana

Annatto, Lipstick tree pink, lavender-pink or white rotate flowers with a centre of short golden stamens; dry fruits with bright orange seeds; tree

The New World

The result of transformation.

Bombax ceiba Red silk-cotton tree

fairly large deep pink to red cup-shaped flower with thick petals and innumerable stamens; tree

Solid Steadfastness in the Material Consciousness

The material consciousness has a firm and solid steadfastness.

Bougainvillea

clusters of colourful showy bracts arranged

in groups of three, each bract enclosing a

very small cream-white flower; heavy

thorny creeper

Protection

Let us give ourselves entirely and

sincerely to the Divine and we shall

enjoy His protection.

When we are in close contact with the Divine, a protection can come which helps or directly guides or moves us; it does not throw aside all difficulties, sufferings or dangers, but it carries us through them and out of them—except where for a special purpose there is need of the opposite.

Bougainvillea ‘Trinidad’ very pale lavender

Bougainvillea light lavender-pink

Discreet Protection

Does its work discreetly without

drawing attention.

Bougainvillea

white

Integral Protection

That which can be given only by the Divine.

Bougainvillea

light lavender-pink

Emotional Protection

Surrender to the Divine is the bestemotional protection.

Bougainvillea ‘Mary Palmer’

two or more different coloured bracts,

usually white and deep pink

Manifold Protection

A protection working not only on

life as a whole but on each of its details.

Bougainvillea

magenta red

Physical Protection

Is possible only with a total surrender to the Divine and the absence of all desire.

Bougainvillea

pink

Psychic Protection

The protection resulting from

surrender to the Divine.

Bougainvillea

shades of yellow and gold

Protection of the Gods

Luminous and clear-visioned.

Brassaia actinophylla

Queensland umbrella tree long spikes bearing groups of very small solid red ball-shaped flowers; shrub-like tree

Organised Material Energy

Well-arranged, compact and methodical, it is powerful by its organisation.

Bougainvillea

violet

Vital Protection

Surrender to the Divine is the best vital protection.

Bougainvillea ‘Blondie’

subtle shadings of orange, gold and pink

Triple Protection

Protection in the mind, the vital and the physical.

Bougainvillea ‘Mahara’

fully double with small magenta bracts

Attempt towards Protection

Irregular efforts are not always effective.

One’s entire physical activity should be organised to help the body to grow in balance and strength and beauty.

Consent of the Vital

Browallia

Amethyst flower

clusters of delicate light blue salverform

flowers; seasonal plant

Consent of the Vital

Amiable, smiling, ever ready for

action—with a great goodwill.

The consent of all the being is necessary for the divine change, and it is the completeness and fullness of the consent that constitutes the integral surrender. But the consent of the lower vital must not be only a mental profession or a passing emotional adhesion; it must translate itself into an abiding attitude and a persistent and consistent action.

Browallia

pale lilac, lined white

Enthusiastic Vital Consent

Here all the resources of its

enthusiasm are put at the service of

its adhesion.

Brownea coccinea

Scarlet flame bean

large striking ball-like inflorescence

formed of numerous pendulous orange-red

flowers; tree

Divine Love Governing the World

A beautiful and happy world for

which we all aspire.

Brunfelsia americana

Lady-of-the-night

small clusters of fragrant cream-white to

pale yellow salverform flowers with long

corolla tube; shrub

Resolution

Nothing can stop its development.

Brugmansia suaveolens

pendulous large double white funnelform

flowers; tree-like shrub

Perfect Tapasya

That which will reach its goal.

Brunfelsia australis

Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow

short fragrant salverform flower, each

flower changing from purple to pale

lavender to white

Refinement of Emotions

With progress even the emotions

become refined.

Buddleja

Butterfly bush

several colours of dense terminal spikes

bearing tiny fragrant salverform flowers;

shrub

Refinement

Grossness is gradually eliminated from the being.

Butea monosperma

Flame-of-the-forest
dense racemes of medium-sized br ight
red-orange papilionaceous flowers ; tree

Realisation Beginning of the Supramental

Realisation

With its charming beauty it is the

herald of victory.

Cactus

all colours and forms of cactus flowers

Riches

It is the Divine to whom all riches

belong, it is the Divine who lends

them to living beings, and it is to

Him that they must naturally return.

Beginning of the Supramental

Caesalpinia coriaria

Divi divi

clusters of very small fragrant light yellow

star-shaped flowers; tree

Intuitive Knowledge

Innumerable and vast for

exploration, it is pure and fragrant.

Caladium

Angel wings

mildly fragrant white spadix partly

ensheathed by a greenish-white spathe;

bulbous plant with large decorative

arrowhead leaves

Transformed Sex Centre

Has no more desires and offers

itself to the Divine.

Calandrinia grandiflora

Rock purslane

small cymes of delicate magenta flowers;

edible seasonal or perennial herbaceous

plant

Material Power to Heal

Demands a great sincerity in one’s

goodwill.

The most material form [of endurance] is perseverance. Unless you arc-resolved to begin the same thing over again a thousand times if need be… You know, people come to me in despair. But I thought it was done and now I must begin again!" And if they arc told . "But that’s nothing , you will probably have to begin again a hundred time s , two hundred lime s. a thousand times ; you take one step forward and think you a re secure . but there will always he something to bring back the same difficulty a little farther on. You think you have solved the problem. you must solve it yet once again : it will turn up again looking just a link different, but it will be the same problem ."

Calendula officinalis

Pot marigold

orange or yellow compositae flowers; low

seasonal plant

Perseverance

The decision to go to the very end.

Calliandra

large white flower

Striving towards Integral Wisdom

Like everything that belongs to

creation, wisdom is progressive.

Calliandra

Powderpuff bush

various colours and sizes of powderpuff

lowers; shrub

Striving towards Wisdom

A bit of wisdom is welcome.

Calliandra

large red flower

Wisdom in the Physical Mind

A first step towards the Supramental

Manifestation upon earth.

Joy of Vegetal Nature in Answer to the New Light

The Force is here. Rejoice, O you whoare

waiting and hoping: the new manifestation is

sure, the new manifestation is at hand.

The Force is here.

All nature exults and sings in gladness, all

nature is at a festival: The Force is here.

Callistemon

Bottlebrush

red bottlebrush flowers; tree

Joy of Vegetal Nature in Answer to

the New Light

It dances with joy and laughs

happily.

Someone is in front of me and I am looking at him; I look into his eyes. And if this person is sincere or "transparent", through his eyes I go down and I see his soul — clearly. But — this is precisely the experience — when I look a t so me body and see a little cloud. then I continue. I see a screen. and then sometimes it is a wall. an d afterwards it is some thing quite black ; and all this must he crossed , and holes bored in order to go through . . . of such a person I can immediately say that he is not sincere . But I ca n also say . figuratively. that he is not transparent.

Callistephus chinensis

China Aster, Annual Aster

erect clusters of semi-double to double

compositae flowers in many colours;

seasonal plant

Transparency

Can come only as a result of

perfect sincerity.

Callistephus

double, white with yellow centre

Integral Transparency

The result of perfect goodwill and

sincerity.

Callistephus

semi-double, white with yellow centre

Illumined Transparency

An effect of the Divine Grace.

Callistephus

semi-double, pink

Psychic Transparency

Manifests fully only when the

psychic is perfectly developed.

Callistephus

fully double, pink

Supramentalised Psychic Activity

Luminous, manifold, balanced it

meets all needs.

Callistephus

semi-double, red

Transparency in the Physical

The physical prepares itself for

transformation.

Callistephus

semi-double, deep mauve to violet

Vital Transparency

Indispensable to conversion.

Callistephus

fully double, violet

Supramentalised Vital Transparency

One of the results of conversion.

Callistephus

semi-double, very light mauve

Transparency of the Emotive Vital

At once the condition and the result

of the abolition of the ego.

. . . like something which is not opaque or does not distort; something clear, transparent, sincere, which does not obstruct.

Calluna vulgaris

Heather, Scotch heather

dense branching clusters of tiny fragrant

rose-pink flowers; low countryside shrub

Blossoming of Nature

Abundant and solid, nothing can

stop its growth.

Calophyllum inophyllum

Alexandrian Laurel, Indian Laurel

branching racemes of fragrant white rotate

flowers with numerous yellow stamens; tree

Peace in the Physical

To want what God wills is its best

condition.

Calotropis

white flower

Integral Courage

Whatever the domain, whatever the

danger, the attitude remains the

same—calm and assured.

Campanula medium

Canterbury bells

open racemes of blue bell-shaped flowers;

herbaceous perennial

Joy’s Call

It is modest and rarely makes itself heard.

Calonyction alba

Moonflower

large fragrant white salverform flower;

creeper

Entire Self-Giving

Fully open, clear and pure.

Calotropis

Mudar, Crown plant, Bowstring hemp

pale lavender star-shaped flower with a

sturdy crown at the centre; shrub

Courage

Bold, it faces all dangers.

Camellia japonica

medium to large formal sessile flowers in

several colours; shrub

Static Beauty

Transfixed in an immutable beauty.

Cananga odorata

Ylang Ylang

very fragrant pale yellow flower with long

twisting petals; tree

Accurate Perception

A perception that does not deform

the Truth.

Carina indica

Indian shot

racemes of small glowing red flowers

with slender petals; rhizomatous plant

Friendship with the Divine

Delicate, attentive and faithful,

always ready to respond to the

smallest appeal.

Canna indica

several colours of slightly larger flowers

Progressive Friendship with the

Divine

As we progress and purify ourselves

of our egoism, our friendship with

the Divine becomes clearer and

more conscious.

Canna

cream-white with pink specks

Ananda in the Centres

This will be one of the benefits

resulting from physical conversion.

Canna

yellow, spotted or blotched red

Connection between the Light and

the Physical

Awakens to the necessity of growth

and blossoming .

Canna indica

bright yellow flowers

Supramental Friendship with the

Divine

Luminous and light, always

smiling.

Canna

racemes of large showy multi-coloured

flowers with soft petals

Complexity of the Centres

Responds to several influences at a

time.

Canna

cream-white with red centre

Ananda in the Physical Body

Purified of all desire and all

repulsion, with perfect equality and

surrender, the physical body is

ready to enjoy the Divine Ananda.

Canna

bicoloured, orange and red

Connection between the Supermind

and the Physical

On the way to transformation, it is

generous and powerful.

Our hidden centres of celestial force

Open like flowers to a heavenly atmosphere;

Mind pauses thrilled with the supernal Ray,

And even the transient body then can feel

Ideal love and flawless happiness

And laughter of the heart’s sweetness and delight

Freed from the rude and tragic hold of Time,

And beauty and the rhythmic feet of the hours.

Canna

predominantly orange shades

Future Supramental Centre

What is involved in Nature will

evolve and become manifest.

Canna

light yellow shades

Intuitive Mind Centre

The activity of correct perception.

Canna

pink

Psychic Centre

Luminous and calm, it is created to

govern the human being.

Canna

deep rose-pink

Emotive Centre

Vibrant and sensitive, it needs to be

controlled.

Canna

luminous yellow shades

Illumined Mind Centre

In the peace that comes from the

perfect light.

Canna

red

Physical Centre

Occupied mainly with material

things, it likes to have an ordered

life.

Canna

dark red

Vital Centre

Passionate and strong, it demands

control.

Capparis brevispina

Thorn straggler

medium-sized white flowers with

numerous stamens and a yellow patch on

two petals; thorny rambler or shrub

Triple Aspiration

Recognising their Master love, life,

and light respond to Sachchidananda.

O Thou, sole Reality. Light of our light and Life of our life. Love supreme. Saviour of the world, grant that more and more I may be perfectly awakened to the awareness of Thy constant presence

Intolerant of imperfection, she [Mahakali] deals roughly with all in man that is unwilling and she is severe to all that is obstinately ignorant and obscure; her wrath is immediate and dire against treachery and falsehood and malignity, ill-will is smitten at once by her scourge. … If her anger is dreadful to the hostile and the vehemence of her pressure painful to the weak and timid, she is loved and worshipped by the great, the strong and the noble; for they feel that her blows beat what is rebellious in their material into strength and perfect truth.

Capsicum annuum

Chilly pepper

tiny white or purple star-shaped flower

and spicy fruits; seasonal condiment

A Whipping

A little brutal, but useful sometimes.

Carlina acaulis

Carline thistle

white or red compositae flower and

everlasting silky seed pod; countryside

thorny perennial

Incorruptible Faithfulness

Nothing can turn you away from

the duty you have chosen.

Grant that we may be faithful to Thee utterly and for ever.

We would be completely under Thy influence to the exclusion of every other.

Grant that we may never forget to own towards Thee a deep, an intense gratitude.

Imagination

Cassia alata

Candlestick senna. Ringworm cassia

candelabra spikes of ochre bracts and

half-hidden yellow flowers; shrub

Idea

Essential for all organisers, on its

quality depends the quality of the

organisation.

Cassia fistula

Golden shower tree, Indian laburnum

long pendulous clusters of fragrant

canary-yellow rotate flowers; tree

Imagination

Abundant and varied, may be

charming, but must not

be substituted for Truth.

Cassia javanica

Apple-blossom cassia, Java cassia

pendulous clusters of fragrant rose-pink

flowers turning white

Psychic Work

A work governed by harmony.

Cassia roxburghii

Red cassia

clusters of terracotta to pink flowers

Refinement of Sensations

Manifold, complex, perceiving the

variety of details.

Cassia

other yellow-flowered Cassias; tree or

shrub

Attentive Mind

The mind attains its full utility when

it knows how to listen to the higher

inspiration.

A new humanity means for us the appearance, the development of a type or race of mental being. It would be possessed already of what could be called a mind of Light, a mind capable of living in the truth, capable of being truth-conscious and manifesting in its life a direct in place of an indirect knowledge.

Castanospermum australe

Moreton bay chestnut

large pendulous clusters of reddish-orange

flowers; tree

Mind of Light Acting in Matter

A powerful aid to progress.

Catesbaea spinosa

Lily thorn

pendulous lemon-yellow funnel-shaped

flower; shrub

Certitude of Victory

It is not noisy, but it is sure.

Catharanthus roseus

Madagascar periwinkle, Rose periwinkle

several colours of starlike flowers with

rounded petals and narrow corolla tube;

countryside perennial

Progress Progress

The reason why we are on earth.

Catharanthus

light pink with red centre

Constant Progress in Matter

The result of an ardent aspiration.

Catharanthus light pink-violet

Vital Progress

Organisation around the Divine

Will and progressive surrender to

this Will.

Catharanthus

light pink-violet, streaked white

Uninterrupted but Spasmodic

Progress

Now here, now there, it seems very impulsive!

Catharanthus

white

Integral Progress

Cannot be satisfied except by

integrality, it is the best way of

progressing quickly.

Catharanthus

white with red centre

Integral Progress in Matter

Matter awakens to consciousness.

Catharanthus

white with violet centre

Integral Progress in the Vital

The vital consents to be purified.

When the resolution has been taken, when you have decided that the whole of your life shall be given to the Divine, you have still at every moment to remember it and carry it out in all the details of your existence. You must feel at every step that you belong to the Divine; you must have the constant experience that, in whatever you think or do. it is always the Divine Consciousness that is acting through you. You have no longer anything that you can call your own; you feel everything as coming from the Divine, and you have to offer it back to its source.

Cattleya Orchid

several colours of large showy exquisite

orchids with delicately frilled lips; epiphyte

Attachment to the Divine

Wraps itself around the Divine and

finds all its support in Him so as to

be sure of never leaving Him.

Cattleya

large white flower

The Aim of Existence Is Realised

Exists only by and for the Divine.

Cattleya

lavender-pink with lime-green throat

marked magenta

Beauty of the Attachment to the

Divine

When the physical world will

manifest the divine splendour, all

will become marvellous.

Ceiba pentandra

Kapok tree, White silk-cotton tree

clusters of cream-white rotate flowers with

velvety petals; tree

Material Enterprises

Many projects, many attempts,

many constructions!

Celosia argentea

long slender spikes of minute

greenish-white papery flowers; seasonal

countryside plant

Attempt towards Immortality

Persistent and co-ordinated.

Celosia plumosa

red

Physical Aspiration for Immortality

Intense aspiration, but ignorant of the means.

Celosia plumosa

Chinese woolflower

several colours of long feathery spikes;

seasonal plant

Aspiration for Immortality

Pure, soaring, trusting.

Celosia plumosa

dark magenta

Vital Aspiration for Immortality

Clustered, intense, but short-lived.

Celosia cristata

Cockscomb

several colours of dense rounded or flared

velvety heads with intricate convolutions

Boldness

Do fearlessly what must be done,

not dreading any difficulty.

Celosia cristata

yellow

Mental Boldness

Let your mind be capable of

foreseeing the perfections of

tomorrow.

Celosia cristata

dark magenta

Vital Boldness

Must surrender to reason.

Celosia plumosa

golden-orange plumes

Joyful Expression

It amuses itself and entertains others.

Celosia cristata

green

Spontaneous Boldness

One of the results of perfect trust in

the Divine.

Celosia cristata

red

Physical Boldness

Does not know the impossible in its

consecration to the Divine.

Celosia plumosa

Feathered amaranth

dense branching golden-yellow plumes

Abundant Expression

Has much to say and says it fully.

It is through flowers that Nature expresses herself most harmoniously.

Centaurea cyanus

Bachelor’s button, Cornflower

several colours of soft rounded heads of

compositae flowers; seasonal plant

Idealism

Delicate and harmonious, it gives

elegance to life.

Always the Ideal beckoned from afar. Awakened by the touch of the Unseen, Deserting the boundary of things achieved. Aspired the strong discoverer, tireless Thought, Revealing at each step a luminous world.

Cereus peruviana

Cactus night flower, Hedge cactus

large many-petalled white cup-shaped

flowers filled with innumerable stamens

Fortune

Very attractive, but beware, it pricks!

The true fortune is to spend in the right way.

You become truly rich when you dispose of your wealth in the best possible way.

* * *

Money is meant to increase the wealth, the prosperity and the productiveness of a group, a country or, better, of the whole earth. Money is a means, a force, a power, and not an end in itself. And like all forces and all powers, it is by movement and circulation that it grows and increases its power, not by accumulation and stagnation.

Cestrum diurnum Queen-of-the-day

branching clusters of small fragrant white

tubular flowers; shrub

Light

Light and airy, it radiates.

Cestrum elegans

white to pale purple star-shaped flowers

with elongated corolla tube; shrub

Light in the Vital

One of the first steps on the long

road.

Even if there is much darkness—and this world is full of it and the physical nature of man also—vet a ray of the true Eight can prevail eventually against a tenfold darkness. Believe that and cleave to it always

Cestrum nocturnum

Queen-of-the-night

intensely fragrant greenish-white to cream flowers; rambling shrub

Air

Light, subtle, almost invisible.

Cheiranthus cheiri

Wallflower

clusters of small very fragrant

four-petalled autumn-coloured flowers;

seasonal plant

Optimism

More helpful than its opposite!

Chloris barbata

Finger grass

branching spikes of tiny reddish-brown graminae flowers; low perennial grass

Repentance

The first step towards correcting

mistakes.

True psychology is the knowledge of the soul, that is, the knowledge of the psychic being. And if one has the knowledge of the psychic being one has at the same time the knowledge of all the true movements of the being, the inner laws of the being. This is true psychology.

Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’

Spider ivy, Ribbon plant

small white star-shaped flowers on long

branching scapes, decorative foliage; low

spreading perennial

Care

To be careful in what one does.

Chonemorpha tragrans

soft fragrant cream-white salverform

flower with a golden-yellow centre; heavy

creeper

Perfect Radiating Psychology

Can be obtained only by acquiring

divine vision.

Chrysanthemum leucanthemum

Ox-eye daisy

medium-sized single white flower with

yellow centre; countryside seasonal

plant

Spontaneous Aspiration of Nature
towards the Divine

Wide open. spontaneous.
irrevocable in its spontaneous power

Life Energy

Chrysanthemum morifolium

Florist’s chrysanthemum

several colours of medium to large double

flowers; perennial suckeing plant

Life Energy

Powerful and manifold, it meets all

needs.

Chrysanthemum morifolium

light mauve flowers

Life Energy in the Vital

Supple and resistant, it is tireless.

There are all kinds of old traditions, old Hindu traditions, old Chaldean traditions in which the Divine, in His aspect as Creator, pronounces a word which has the power to create. So it is this… And it is the origin of the mantra. The mantra is the spoken word which has a creative power. An invocation is made and there is an answer to the invocation; or one makes a prayer and the prayer is granted. This is the Word, the Word which, in its sound… it is not only the idea, it is in the sound that there is a power of creation. It is the origin, you see. of the mantra.

In Indian mythology the creator God is Brahma, and I think that it was precisely his power which has been symbolised by this flower, "The Creative Word". And when one is in contact with it, the words spoken have a power of evocation or creation or formation or transformation; the words… sound always has a power; it has much more power than men think. It may be a good power and it may be a bad power. It creates vibrations which have an undeniable effect. It is not so much the idea as the sound; the idea too has its own power, but in its own domain—whereas the sound has a power in the material world.

Chrysanthemum x superbum

Shasta daisy

large single white flower; seasonal plant

The Creative Word

Belongs only to the Divine.

Chrysanthemum morifolium

orange-yellow flowers

Supramentalised Life Energy

Manifold and supple, it has an

immortal resistance.

Chrysanthemum morifolium

white flowers

Purified Dynamic Life Energy

Superb, indomitable, all powerful

in its purity.

Chrysanthemum ‘Cascade’ or ‘Charm’

several colours of tiny to small single or

double compositae flowers; perennial plant

Specialised Detailed Energy

Nothing is too small to merit its

attention.

This yoga demands a full ascension of the whole lower or ordinary consciousness to join the spiritual above it and a full descent of the spiritual (eventually of the supramental) into the mind life and body to transform it. The total ascent is impossible so long as sex-desire blocks the way; the descent is dangerous so long as sex-desire is powerful in the vital. For at any moment an unexcised or latent sex-desire may be the cause of a mixture which throws back the true descent and uses the energy acquired for other purposes or turns all the action of the consciousness towards wrong experience, turbid and delusive. One must therefore, clear this obstacle out of the way; otherwise there is either no safety or no free movement towards finality in the sadhana.

Citharexylum

Fiddlewood

slender pendulous racemes of very small

fragrant white salverform flowers; tree

Spiritual Ascension

Fearless, regular, uninterrupted.

Citrus

Lemon tree

white flowers with fleshy petals; fruit tree

Chastity

A little proud and austere, it is very reserved.

Citrus maxima

Pummelo tree

fragrant white flowers

Continence

Control over oneself.

Clarkia

Farewell-to-Spring, Godetia

several colours of erect spikes bearing

flowers with soft delicate petals; seasonal

plant

Glad Remembrance

In activity and in silence, in taking

and in giving, always the glad

remembrance of Thee!

My thought is filled with Thee, my heart is full, all mv being is filled with Thy Presence, and peace grows ever deeper, giving rise to that happiness, so special, so unmixed, of a calm serenity which seems vast as the universe deep as the unfathomable depths which lead to Thee.

One cannot do the yoga if one does not take it seriously. For one must be very serious to have a constant aspiration and do tapasya. If one is not serious, for five minutes one has an aspiration and for ten hours one hasn’t; for one day there is a great urge and for a month nothing, and so on. Well, one can’t do yoga in these conditions. It must be a continuous, constant thing which does not flag. If one forgets or slackens, one cannot do yoga.

Should not one be born with a great aspiration?

No, aspiration is a thing to be developed, educated, like all activities of the being. One may be born with a very slight aspiration and develop it so much that it becomes very great. One may be born with a very small will and develop it and make it strong. It is a ridiculous idea to believe that things come to you like that, through a sort of grace, that if you are not given aspiration, you don’t have it—this is not true.

Clematis triloba

Virgin’s bower

full panicles of fragrant white star-shaped

flowers; creeper

Sentinel

Always awake!

Cleome

Spider flower

erect racemes bearing pink to white

flowers with long protruding stamens;

seasonal plant

Soaring of Aspiration

Nothing is too high, nothing too far

for its insatiable ardour!

Clerodendrum fragrans

Glory bower, Kashmir bouquet

compact clusters of fragrant white

rose-like flowers with red calyces;

spreading shrub

Integral Even Basis in the Physical

What you have, I have; what you

can do, I can do; what you express,

I express—we are all alike! .

To be equal-souled to all things, unmoved by joy and sorrow, the pleasant and the unpleasant success or failure to look with an equal eye on high and low, friend and enemy, the virtuous and the sinner, to see in alt beings the manifold manifestation of the One.

Clerodendrum indicum

Tube flower, Turk’s turban

dense clusters of delicate white flowers

with long corolla tubes; shrub

The Divine Will Acting in the

Subconscient

The rare moments when the Divine

asserts Himself visibly.

Clerodendrum inerme

small white salverform flowers with violet

or white elongated stamens; shrub or hedge

Faultless Planning of Work

Can only be obtained by the Divine

Consciousness.

Clerodendrum paniculatum

Pagoda flower

large erect terminal inflorescence with

innumerable small orange flowers; shrub

Grouping

Indispensable for collective action.

Clerodendrum minahassae

erect clusters of small fragrant

cream-white salverform flowers; shrub

The Divine Will Acting in the

Inconscient

Is all powerful even when we

are not aware of it.

Clerodendrum wallichii

small clusters of sturdy white flowers with

long slender corolla tubes, short recurved

petals and erect reddish-violet stamens;

shrub

Prevision

The power of projecting one’s

consciousness into the future.

Clerodendrum serratum

erect terminal panicles of white flowers

with long tubes and prominent calyces

turning red when mature; countryside

shrub

Belief

Simple and candid, it does not

argue.

Clerodendrum speciosissimum

few-flowered panicles of soft light orange

salverform flowers with recurved petals;

shrub

Right Attitude

Simple and open, it is without

complications.

Clerodendrum speciosum

Java glory bean, Pagoda flower

large flattened cymes of red or crimson

flowers with greenish-pink or white

calyces; creeper

Aspiration for the Right Attitude

Energetic, willing, determined.

Aspiration for the Right Attitude

Clerodendrum splendens

erect clusters of dark orange-red

salverform flowers with recurved petals;

creeper

Right Attitude Established

There is a moment when the right

attitude comes spontaneously and

without effort.

Clerodendrum ugandense

small groups of blue flowers

with recurved stamens; low shrub

Rest

The true repose is that of a perfect

surrender to the Divine.

The minute one stops going forward, one falls back. The moment one is satisfied and no longer aspires, one begins to die. Life is movement, it is effort, it is a march forward, the scaling of a mountain, the climb towards new revelations, towards future realisations. Nothing is more dangerous than wanting to rest. It is in action, in effort, in the march forward that repose must be found, the true repose of complete trust in the divine Grace, of the absence of desires, of victory over egoism.

Radha"s Prayer

O Thou whom at first sight I knew for the Lord of my being and my God, receive my offering.

Thine are all my thoughts, all my emotions, all the sentiments of my heart, all my sensations, all the movements of my life, each celt of my body, each drop of my blood. 1 am absolutely and altogether Thine, Thine without reserve. What Thou wilt of me, that I shall be. Whether Thou choosest for mc life or death, happiness or sorrow. pleasure or suffering, all that comes to me from Thee will be welcome. Each one of Thy gifts will be always for me a gift divine bringing with it the supreme Felicity .

Clitoria ternatea

Mussel-shell creeper

papilionaceous flower with one cup-shaped

petal, pale blue with white centre;

countryside creeper

Krishna’s Light in the Senses

A first step towards transformation.

Clitoria ternatea

ultramarine, single or double flowers

Radha’s Consciousness

Symbolises perfect attachment to the

Divine.

Clitoria ternatea

white single flowers

Purified Senses

Can only be obtained by total

surrender to the Truth.

Clitoria ternatea

light mauve single flowers

Radha’s Consciousness in the Vital

Perfect attachment to the Divine

replaces all vital attractions and

passions.

Clivia miniata

Kaffir lily

umbels of apricot to bright orange

trumpet-shaped flowers borne on a short

scape; bulbous plant

Conversion of the Aim of Life from

the Ego to the Divine

Instead of seeking one’s own

satisfaction, to have the service of

the Divine as the aim of life.

Conversion of the Aim of Life from the Ego to the Divine

To give everything one is or has to the Divine and regard nothing as one’s own, to obey only the Divine will and no other, to live for the Divine and not for the ego.

What the supramental will do the mind cannot foresee or lay down. The mind is ignorance seeking for the Truth, the supramental by its very definition is the Truth-Consciousness, Truth in possession of itself and fulfilling itself by its own power. In a supramental world imperfection and disharmony are bound to disappear. But what we propose just now is not to make the earth a supramental world but to bring down the supramental as a power and established consciousness in the midst of the rest—to let it work there and fulfil itself as Mind descended into Life and Matter and has worked as a Power there to fulfil itself in the midst of the rest. This will be enough to change the world and to change Nature by breaking down her present limits.

Cochlospermum religiosa

Yellow silk-cotton tree

golden-yellow open cup-shaped flowers

with numerous stamens; small tree

Success in Supramental Work

The result of a patient labour and a

perfect consecration.

Cocos nucifera

Coconut palm

long branching spikes of small cream

flowers with stiff petals; palm tree

Multitude

Gives itself freely and satisfies

innumerable needs.

Codiaeum

Croton

variously coloured foliage and spikes of

very small mildly fragrant ball-like flowers;

shrub

Power to Reject Adverse Suggestions

The power that comes from

conscious union with the Divine.

Power to Reject Adverse Suggestions

If the attack takes the form of adverse suggestions try quietly to push them away, as you would some material object. The quieter you are, the stronger you become. . . .

The only way to fail in your battle with the hostile forces is not to have a true confidence in the divine help.

Coffea

Coffee plant

small clusters of very fragrant white

star-shaped flowers; tree

Perfect Path

For each one it is the path that

leads fastest to the Divine.

Coleus

variously coloured leaves; herbaceous

seasonal plant

Strength in the Vital

Likes to show its beauty and its

power.

Combretum coccineum

branching spikes with small brick-red

star-shaped flowers and prominent

stamens; shrub

True Action in the Material Vital

Graceful and simple in its

spontaneity.

One may say that the perfection of the integral Yoga will come when each man is able to follow his own path of Yoga, pursuing the development of his own nature in its upsurging towards that which transcends the nature. For freedom is the final law and the last consummation.

Coleus

slender spikes of tiny lavender-blue flowers

Spiritual Awakening of the Vital

It soars towards the heights in the

hope of reaching them.

Combretum gloriosum

branching spikes of yellow to light red

bottlebrush flowers; shrub

Organisation of Action in Life

Clustered, compact, its action is

irresistible.

Commelina Charity

Dayflower

prominent light blue flower emerging from

a folded bract; perennial herbaceous plant

Charity

Simple and sweet, attentive to the needs of all.

Commelina

smaller light or deep blue flowers;

countryside groundcover

First Conscious Reception of the

Light in Nature

The origin of the will to progress:

Nature has an instinctive thirst for light.

Coniferae

Conifers

trees bearing evergreen needles

Perpetual Vitality

A vitality that is not affected by

external influences.

Cordia sebestena

Geiger tree

terminal clusters of orange or

apricot-yellow salverform flowers; tree

Adoration

Manifold, smiling, regular, it offers

itself untiringly.

Cordyline terminalis

Good-luck plant, Ti

colourful pink to dark red foliage and

occasional branching terminal racemes of

small pink tubular, flowers; shrub

Return

The salvation of those who have

wandered away.

Convallaria majalis

Lily of the valley

short scapes bearing small fragrant

nodding white bell-shaped flowers;

bulbous plant

Power of Purity

Purity is the best of powers.

Flowers are the spontaneous expression of Nature’s adoration.

Coreopsis

Calliopsis, Tickweed

erect airy clusters of small single,

semi-double and double compositae

flowers in several autumn colours;

seasonal plant

Cheerfulness in Work for the Divine

Work for the Divine and you will

feel an ineffable joy filling your being.

Coriandrum sativum

Coriander, Chinese parsley

compound umbels of tiny white flowers,

aromatic leaves; low seasonal condiment

Delicacy

Charming to refined tastes.

The transformation of the sex-centre and its energy is needed for the physical siddhi; for this is the support in the body of all the mental, vital and physical forces of the nature. It has to be changed into a mass and a movement of intimate Light, creative Power, pure divine Ananda. It is only the bringing down of the supramental Light, Power and Bliss into the centre that can change it.

Cosmos

several colours of single or semi-double

compositae flowers with delicately

scalloped petals; seasonal plant

Supramental Influence in the Sex Centre

It is the assurance of the coming

conquest of desires.

Costus speciosus

Spiral ginger

rounded spike of compact bracts bearing a

mildly fragrant funnel-shaped flower

in various colour combinations; rhizomatous

plant

Revelation

True revelation is the revelation of

the Divine.

Couroupita guianensis

Cannonball tree

pendulous racemes of large very fragrant

light to deep red rotate flowers with

a central recurved hood; tree

Prosperity

Slays consistently only with those

who offer it to the Divine.

Cosmos

white flowers

Tranquillity of the Sex Centre When

under the Influence of the

Supramental Light

The Supramental influence liberates

man from all that binds him to the

animal.

Costus

white flowers

Integral Revelation

Half-way to transformation.

Couroupita guianensis

lighter coloured flowers with rosy-white

hood

Unselfish Prosperity

Those who receive it abundantly

give all they have as they receive it.

We can say that youth is constant growth and perpetual progress—and the growth of capacities, possibilities, of the field of action and range of consciousness, and progress in the working out of details.

Crataegus

Hawthorn

dense clusters of small rosy-white starlike

flowers; shrub or hedge

Spring Purity

The charm and freshness of youth!

Crataeva nurvala

Caper tree

clusters of fragrant cream-white to yellow

flowers with numerous long stamens; tree

Working of the Enlightened Mind

It is very powerful in leading the

being to the Divine and can be very

useful for progress.

Crinum

very large fragrant white and violet-pink

flowers

Disinterested Work Done for the

Divine in the Vital

Calm and powerful, it reaches its

goal.

Crinum

Spider lily

umbels of medium to large fragrant white

flowers with narrow or broad petals;

bulbous plant

Disinterested Work Done for the

Divine

The surest means of progressing.

Crinum

pendulous fragrant white funnel-shaped

flowers banded light pink

Joy of Integral Peace

Calm and tranquil, a smile which

does not disappoint.

Supramental Influence
in the Subconscient

So long as there is not the supramental change

down to the subconscient, complete and full,

the lower nature has always a hold on some

part of the being.

Crossandra

bracted spikes of orange to reddish-orange

half-salverform flowers; shrub

Supramental Influence in the

Subconscient

Under its modest appearance it is a

great force for transformation.

Crossandra

light to deep yellow flowers

Supramental Light in the

Subconscient

The essential condition for

transformation.

"The action of the subconscient is irrational, mechanical, repetitive. It does not listen to reason or the mental will. It is only by bringing the higher Light and Force into it that it can change.

* * *

The subconscient is a dark and ignorant region, so that it is natural that the obscurer movements of the Nature should have more power there. It is so indeed with all the lower parts of the nature from the lower vital downwards. But it does send up good things also though more rarely. It has in the course of the sadhana to be illumined and made a support of the higher consciousness in the physical nature instead of a basis of the instinctive lower movements.

* * *

The subconscient is to be penetrated by the light and made a sort of bed-rock of truth, a store of right impressions, right physical responses to the Truth.

Crossandra

pink flowers

Psychic Light in the Subconscient

The preliminary condition for

progress.

Crossandra

dull greenish-blue flowers; low countryside

shrub

Krishna’s Influence in the

Subconscient

The best way to be above all

contingencies

Crossostephium

Chinese lavender

short racemes of very small yellow

compositae heads, aromatic leaves;

perennial groundcover

Thirst to Understand

Very useful for transformation.

By the understanding we mean that which at once perceives, judges and discriminates, the true reason of the human being not subservient to the senses, to desire or to the blind force of habit, but working in its own tight for mastery, for knowledge.

It is the thinking mind that works out ideas—the externalising mental or physical mind gives them form in words. . . . The gift of verbal expression is comparatively rare.

* * *

The power of expression comes by getting into touch with the inner source from which these things come. A calm and silent mind is a great help for the free flow of the power.

Crotalaria juncea

Sun hemp

long erect racemes of bright yellow

papilionaceous flowers; seasonal plant

or perennial shrub

Formative Faculty in the Mind

It is a natural and very spontaneous

gift

Cucurbita

Gourd, Marrow, Squash, Pumpkin

large yellow funnel-shaped flower;

climbing vegetable plant

Abundance

Nature gives us much at a time

generously and we have the joy of

abundance.

Crotalaria

light purple or blue flowers; low

countryside shrub

Formative Faculty in the Vital

Spontaneous but not always happy,

it needs to be disciplined.

Good and well-wishing, flowers answer abundantly all the creative fantasies of Nature.

Cuphea micropetala

long spikes of narrow erect tubular

flowers, light yellow with scarlet base;

small shrub

Vegetal Goodwill towards the

Supramental Forces

Each one does what he can.

O Nature, material Mother,

Thou hast said that thou wilt collaborate and there is no limit to the splendour of this collaboration.

Like a flame that burns in silence, like a perfume that rises straight upward without wavering, my love goes to Thee; and like the child who does not reason and has no care, I trust myself to Thee that Thy Will may be done, that Thy Light may manifest, Thy Peace radiate, Thy Love cover the world. When Thou willest I shall be in Thee, Thyself, and there shall be no more any distinction; I await thar blessed hour without impatience of any kind, letting myself flow irresistibly toward It as a peaceful stream flows toward the boundless ocean.

Thy Peace is in me, and in that Peace I sec Thee alone present in everything, with the calm of Eternity.

Curculigo orchioides

small yellow star-shaped flowers appearing

from the ground; countryside rhizomatous

plant

Attraction for the Light

In its attraction it tries to imitate the

stars!

Cyclamen

Alpine violet

fragrant white, pink to deep mauve

flowers resembling shooting stars;

low tuberous plant

Scented Marvel

One of the innumerable generosities

of Nature.

Curcuma pallida

Turmeric, Zedoary

sturdy spikes of small yellow tubular

flowers set in large bracts; rhizomatous

condiment

Peace

To will what Thou wiliest, always

and in all circumstances, is the only

way of enjoying an unshakable

peace.

A fragrance wandered in a coloured haze As if the scent and hue of all sweet flowers Had mingled to copy heaven’s atmosphere.

To grow in the spirit is the greatest help one can give to others, for then something flows out naturally to those around that helps them.

Cymbopogon citratus

Lemongrass

long slender lemon-scented leaves and

long spikes bearing tiny graminae flowers;

tall perennial economic grass

Help

You bring help to those who know

how to use it!

Cynoglossum amabile

Chinese forget-me-not

loose racemes of small deep sky-blue

flowers; seasonal plant

Subconscient Remembrance

Must be purified of all that is useless.

Cytisus scoparius

Scotch broom

short spikes of yellow papilionaceous

flowers on long branches; countryside

shrub

Inventions

Have no use except when they are controlled by the Divine.

Dahlia

several colours of medium to fairly large

double flowers with flat petals and hard

centre; tuberous plant

Dignity

Affirms its worth, but asks for

nothing.

Dahlia

blood-red

Dignity in the Physical

Above all bargaining.

Dahlia

orange-yellow

Supramentalised Mental Dignity

Tolerates no pettiness in its thought

turned towards the Truth.

Dahlia

several colours of small single flowers with

flat petals and hard centre

Vanity

One of the most frequent forms of

falsehood.

Dahlia

mauve-pink

Dignity of the Emotions

Not to permit one’s emotions to

contradict the inner Divinity.

Dahlia

pink

Psychic Dignity

Refuses to accept anything that

lowers or debases.

Dahlia

several colours of small semi-double or

double flowers

Pride

A great obstacle to progress.

Just imagine, there are plants which are vain! I am speaking of plants one grows for oneself. If one pays them compliments by words or by feelings, if one admires them, well, they hold up their head—with vanity!

Dahlia

several colours of very large, often

variegated flowers

Aristocracy

Incapable of baseness and pettiness,

it asserts itself with dignity and

authority.

Dahlia

very large dark red flowers

Nobility

The incapacity for any pettiness

either of sentiments or action.

Dahlia

very large pure white flowers

Superhumanity

The aim of our aspirations.

Datura

Angel’s trumpet

large mildly fragrant white trumpet-shaped

flowers; countryside shrub

Tapasya

A discipline aiming at the

realisation of the Divine.

Datura

single or double yellow flower

Mental Tapasya

The process leading to the goal.

Datura

double white flower

Integral Tapasya

The entire being lives only to know

and serve the Divine.

Datura

single, double or triple violet flower

Vital Tapasya

The vital undergoes a vigorous

discipline in order to transform

itself.

When the will and energy are concentrated and used to control the mind, vital and physical and change them or to bring down the higher consciousness or for any other yogic purpose or high purpose, that is called Tapasya.

* * *

All life is only a lavish and manifold opportunity given us to discover, realise, express the Divine

Delonix elata

cream-white rotate flowers fading to ochre

yellow with very long stamens; tree

Mental Fantasy

Wild, dishevelled, it usually lacks

co-ordination.

Delonix regia

Flamboyant, Gul Mohur

clusters of striking orange-red to deep red

flowers, one petal white to cream or

yellow and marked orange-red; tree

Realisation

The goal of our efforts.

Without care for time, without fear for space, surging out purified from the flames of the ordeal, we shall fly without stop towards the realisation of our goal, the supramental victory.

Delphinium

Larkspur

dense erect racemes of small graceful

single or double flowers with long spur,

sky-blue and other colours; seasonal plant

Soaring

Take your flight towards the heights!

Dendrobium moschatum

Orchid

pendulous clusters of fragrant buff-yellow

orchids; epiphyte

Mental Attachment to the Divine

Beautiful in form and in expression.

Supreme Lord, Eternal Truth,

Let us obey Thee alone and

live according to

Obedience

Dianthus caryophyllus

Carnation, Clove pink

several colours of scented double flowers;

erect seasonal plant

Collaboration

Ever ready to help and knowing

how to do it.

Dianthus chinensis

Chinese pink

several colours of single rotate flowers;

seasonal plant

Obedience

To learn to obey is good; to obey

only the Divine is better.

Dianthus chinensis

Chinese pink

double flowers

Perfect Obedience

Without reserve or hesitation,

joyous obedience in every sphere to

the command of the Divine.

Dianthus barbatus

Sweet William

clusters of small fragrant single rotate

flowers in several colours; low seasonal

plant

Detailed Obedience

The obedience to the Divine Will

must be total.

The Spirit’s tops and Nature’s base shall draw

Near to the secret of their separate truth

And know each other as one deity.

The Spirit shall look out through Matter’s gaze

And Matter shall reveal the Spirit’s face.

Then man and superman shall be at one

And all the earth become a single life.

Dicentra spectabilis

Bleeding-heart

long hanging racemes of rose-pink

heart-shaped flowers; perennial

herbaceous plant

Sentimental Remembrance

Only those circumstances which

helped us in our seeking for the

Divine must be the object of this

remembrance.

Dodonaea viscosa

Hopseed bush

clusters of greenish-brown to pink

papery-winged fruits; countryside shrub

Psychic Awakening in Matter

Matter opens itself to the spiritual life.

Dombeya

umbels of small mildly fragrant white or

pink cup-shaped flowers; shrub

Conquest over the Greed for Food

A promise of good health.

Greed for food has to be overcome but it has not to be given too much thought. The proper attitude to food is a certain equality. Food is for the maintenance of the body and one should take enough for that—what the body needs; if one gives less the body feels the need and hankers; if you give more, then that is indulging the vital.

Road to the Divine

"Long and narrow is the ancient Path,-I have touched it. I have found it ,-the Path by which the wise, knowers o f the Eternal, attaining to salvation. depart hence to the high world of Paradise ."

..A perfect path of the Truth has come into being for our journey to the other shore beyond the darkness ."

Doxantha unguis-cati

Cat’s claw

luminous golden-yellow salverform

flowers, delicately scented; clinging creeper

Supramental Influence

Innumerable and rapid in its action.

Drimiopsis kirkii

clusters of very small white rounded

flowers on a long smooth scape; bulbous

plant with decorative foliage

Road to the Divine

Always long, at times apparently

dry, but always abundant in its

results!

The purification of the vital takes a long time because until all the parts are free, none is quite free and because they use a multitude of movements which have to be changed or enlightened,—and moreover there is a great habit of persistence and resistance in the habitual movements of the nature. One therefore easily thinks that one has made no progress,—but all sincere and sustained effort of purification has its result and after a time the progress made will become evident.

Aspiration for Vital Purity

Duranta repens

Skyflower, Golden-dewdrop

delicate pendulous racemes of small

sweetly scented light violet-blue flowers;

shrub

Aspiration for Vital Purity

Delicate, modest, insistent.

Duranta repens ‘Alba’

white flowers

Vital Purity

It begins with the abolition of desire.

Echinopsis multiplex

Easter-lily cactus

large fragrant white to light pink

funnel-shaped flower with innumerable

petals; small rounded cactus

Richness of Feelings

Sincere and concentrated, without

deception.

Emilia javanica

Tassel flower, Flora’s paintbrush

loose corymbs of soft scarlet tassel-like

heads; seasonal plant

Prudence

Very useful for weakness since

weakness needs prudence; strength

does not need it.

Enterolobium saman

Monkey-pod, Rain-tree

delicate pink soft powder-puff flower with

white centre; large tree

Wisdom

Can only be acquired through

union with the Divine

Consciousness.

Eichhornia crassipes

Water hyacinth

dense spikes of lilac-blue flowers, each

flower having one petal resembling a

peacock feather; floating water plant,

often growing wild

Krishna’s Play in the Vital

All is charming in His midst.

Emilia javanica ‘Lutea’

golden-yellow

Enlightened Prudence

Carefully examines its path before

advancing.

What men call knowledge is the reasoned acceptance of false appearances. Wisdom looks behind the veil and sees. Reason fixes details and contrasts them. Reason divides. Wisdom marries contrasts in a single harmony.

Epidendrum obrienanum

Butterfly orchid, Scarlet orchid

clusters of small red orchids; epiphyte

Attachment of the Cells to the

Divine

They know how to expect

everything from Him and to count

only on Him.

Episcea cupreata

Flame violet

variously coloured foliage and small

salverform flowers, coral-pink or other

colours; herbaceous groundcover or

hanging-basket plant

Will Manifesting in Life

Precise and concentrated.

Episcea reptans

bright red flowers

Vital Will Manifesting in Life

It is often the cause of the greatest

disorders!

Eranthemum hypocrateriforme

pairs of small light purple-red salverform

flowers; low shrub

Attachment of the Material Vital to

the Divine

An attachment that wants to feel the

power of contact.

Eranthemum pulchellum .

violet-blue flowers

Aspiration for Silence in the

Physical Mind

Does what it can, but cannot do

much.

Eranthemum pulchellum

short bracteated spikes bearing sky-blue

salverform flowers with elongated carolla

tube; spreading shrub

Aspiration for Silence in the Mind

Too noisy to be effective.

Eranthemum wattii

small dark blue flowers and variegated

bracts; countryside shrub

Krishna’s Light in the Subconscient

Soon there will be no subconscient.

There is the possibility of the material being transfiguring itself through the acceptation of a higher law than its own which is yet its own because it is always there latent and potential in its own secrecies.

* * *

Evolution comes by the unceasing pressure of the supra-material planes on the material compelling it to deliver out of itself their principles and powers which might conceivably otherwise have slept imprisoned in the rigidity of the material formula.

Erythrina variegata

Indian coral tree

one-sided dense racemes of dark red

sabre-shaped flowers; tree

Beginning of Realisation in Matter

Matter responds to the Divine’s

influence.

Erythrina variegata ‘Alba’

white veined light pink

Psychic Governing Matter

The psychic influence compels the

physical to turn towards the Divine.

Erythrina variegata

bright orange

Matter Prepares Itself to Receive the

Supramental

Matter tries to liberate itself from

old habits in order to prepare for

the New Creation.

The ego is what makes one conscious of being separate from others. If there were no ego, you would not perceive that you are a person separate from others. You would have the impression that you are a small part of a whole, a very small part of a very great whole. . . .

When you begin to be aware that everything is yourself, and that this is only a very small point in the midst of thousands and thousands of other points of the same person that you are everywhere, when you feel that you are yourself in everything and that there is no separation, then you know that you are on the way towards having no more ego.

Abolition of the Ego

Eucalyptus

Gum tree

clusters of white or pink rounded brushlike

flowers; tree

Abolition of the Ego

One exists only by the Divine and

for the Divine.

Human nature is shot through in all its stuff with the thread of the ego; even when one tries to get away from it, it is in front or could be behind all the thoughts and actions like a shadow. To see that is the first step, to discern the falsity and absurdity of the ego movements is the second, to discourage and refuse it at each step is the third,—but it goes entirely only when one sees, experiences and lives the One in everything and equally everywhere.

Light without Obscurity

Eucharis grandiflora

Amazon lily, Cup-and-saucer lily

umbels of fragrant pure white flowers

with a central cup emerging from

spreading petals; bulbous plant

Light without Obscurity

All-powerful in its simplicity.

Eulophia

Orchid

long erect racemes of small light green

orchids veined maroon or dark red;

ground orchid

Exclusive Turning of All Movements

towards the Divine

The sure means of security.

Concentration

Euphorbia milii

Crown-of-thorns

small clusters or pairs of red buttonlike

flowers; low shrub

Concentration

Does not aim at effect, but is simple

and persistent.

Euphorbia cyathophora

Painted leaf, Mexican fire plant

small red floral bracts surrounding clusters

of small greenish-yellow flowers;

herbaceous countryside seasonal plant

Opening of the Vital to the Divine

Love

Little by little it is no longer the ego

that governs but the Divine.

By concentration on anything whatsoever we are able to know that thing, to make it deliver up its concealed secrets. . . .

By concentration again the whole will can be gathered up for the acquisition of that which is still ungrasped. . . .

By concentration of our whole being on one status of itself, we can become whatever we choose.

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Poinsettia, Christmas flower

large white, cream, pink or red floral

bracts; shrub

Opening of the Vital to the Divine

Love

Little by little it is no longer the ego

that governs but the Divine.

Eurycles sylvestris

Brisbane lily

umbels of small milk-white funnel-shaped

flowers; bulbous plant

Silver

White and manifold, it aspires for

spirituality.

Evolvulus alsinoides

sky-blue buttonlike flowers; countryside

groundcover

First Sign of Krishna’s Light in Matter

It announces the coming

transformation.

To know is good,

to live is better,

to be, that is perfect

Fittonia vershaffeltii

Mosaic plant, Silver-net plant

decorative foliage with upright bracteate

spikes bearing very small pale yellow,

orange or red flowers; succulent

groundcover

Application

Modest, but harmonious.

Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel

wide umbels of innumerable tiny yellow

flowers and soft feathery leaves with

pungent fragrance; seasonal herb

Light in the Blood

When the blood becomes receptive

to the higher consciousness.

Fuchsia

Lady’s-eardrops

beautiful pendulous small lanternlike

flowers in many shades; shrub

Art

Living only to express beauty.

All art should be … a thing of harmony and joy and illumination, a solution and release of the soul from its vital unrest and questioning and struggle. … In the greatest art and poetry there should be something of the calm of the impersonal basing and elevating the effort and struggle of the personality, something of the largeness of the universal releasing and harmonising the troubled concentrations of the individual existence, something of the sense of the transcendent raising the inferior, ignorant and uncertain powers of life towards a greater strength and light and Ananda.

Do you know what the flower which we have called "Successful Future" signifies when given to you? It signifies the hope—nay, even the promise—that you will participate in the descent of the supramental world. For that descent will be the successful consummation of our work, a descent of which the full glory has not yet been or else the whole face of life would have been different. By slow degrees the Supramental is exerting its influence; now one part of the being and now another feels the embrace or the touch of its divinity; but when it comes down in all its self-existent power, a supreme radical change will seize the whole nature.

Gaillardia pulchella

Blanket-flower

autumn colours of single or double

compositae flowers with trumpet-shaped

florets; seasonal plant

Successful Future

Full of promise and joyous

surprises.

Gaillardia pulchella ‘picta’

flat florets in several autumn colours

Cheerfulness

A joyous- smile of Nature.

Gaillardia pulchella ‘picta’

yellow florets

Mental Cheerfulness

It knows how to take delight in

everything.

Galanthus nivalis

Snowdrop

dainty nodding white bell-shaped flowers

edged green; low bulbous plant

Promise of Renewal

May ugliness disappear from the

world!

Gardenia jasminoides

Cape jasmine

highly fragrant single white salverform

flower; shrub

Radiating Purity

It charms and fascinates making all

Nature fragrant.

Galphimia glauca

light erect racemes of small yellow

star-shaped flowers; low shrub

Honesty in the Physical Mind

The preliminary indispensable

condition for transformation.

Gardenia jasminoides

double flowers

Perfect Radiating Purity

Nothing escapes its action.

Gazania

erect compositae flowers in autumn

colours with a dark band towards the

centre; low seasonal plant

Seeking for Clarity

Likes to say clearly what has to be

said.

Genista

Broom

erect racemes of yellow papilionaceous

flowers; countryside shrub

Inventions

Have no use except when they are

controlled by the Divine.

Gerbera jamesonii

Transvaal daisy

single or double erect compositae

funnel-shaped flowers with long slender

petals, in a variety of pastel colours;

rhizomatous plant

Frankness

Says candidly what it has to say

without caring for the result.

Flowers are very receptive and they are happy when they are loved.

* * *

To be receptive is to feel the urge to give and the joy of giving to the Divine’s work all one has, all one is, all one does.

* * *

If one is inwardly open, if one is receptive, one receives right down into the subtle physical all that is necessary for one’s integral progress. And in the order of things, the outer contact should come only as a crowning and an aid so that the body—the material physical consciousness and the body—may be able to follow the movement of the inner being.

Receptivity

Gladiolus hortulanus

Gladiolus

all colours of long graceful scapes of

elegant flared or ruffled tubular flowers;

bulbous plant

Receptivity

Conscious of the Divine Will and

surrendered to it.

Gladiolus

carmine pink or light mauve

Emotional Receptivity

Emotions wanting to be di vinised .

Page-104

Gladiolus

white

Integral Receptivity

The whole being is aware of the

Divine Will and obeys it.

Gladiolus

yellow

Mental Receptivity

Always ready to learn.

Gladiolus

dark red or deep violet

Vital Receptivity

Happens only when the vital

understands that it must be

transformed; it blossoms in

aspiration for the Divine.

Gladiolus

bicoloured, pink and orange

Receptivity of the Supramentalised
Psychic

This happens to the psychic that

continues to progress.

Gladiolus

multi-coloured

Manifold Receptivity

Nothing resists the Light.

Gladiolus

predominantly bright red

Physical Receptivity

That which one should have only

towards the Divine.

Gladiolus

pink and rose-pink

Psychic Receptivity

The psychic responds joyously to

the ascending force.

Gladiolus

orange

Supramentalised Receptivity

The receptivity of tomorrow.

Gliricidia sepium

Madre, Nicaraguan cocoa-shade

dense pendulous clusters of pink and white

papilionaceous flowers; tree

Refinement of Habits

Ordered, neat and regular in their

organisation.

Gloriosa superba

Climbing lily, Flame lily, Glory lily

lilylike flowers with long stamens and slender

red and yellow twisted recurved petals;

tuberous plant

No Quarrels

A very important condition to fulfil in

order to facilitate the advent of the

Supermind.

Quarrels and clashes are a proof of the absence of the yogic poise and those who seriously wish to do yoga must learn to grow out of these things. It is easy enough not to clash when there is no cause for strife or dispute or quarrel; it is when there is cause and the other side is impossible and unreasonable that one gets the opportunity of rising above one’s vital nature.

Mental Voice

Gloxinia perennis

short racemes of small velvety light mauve

bell-shaped flowers; decorative foliage

plant

Blossoming of the Emotional Being

It broadens and opens so as to

receive better.

Gmelina

pendulous racemes of yellow

open-mouthed flowers, with or without

large russet bracts; large shrub or

countryside shrub

Mental Voice

The mind must learn to express

only what is dictated by the Divine.

Gomphrena globosa

Globe amaranth

various colours of small rounded heads of

everlasting flowers; low seasonal plant

Immortality

Forms are in perpetual

transformation; identify yourself

with the Immortal Consciousness

and you will become It.

Gomphrena

violet

Vital Immortality

Exists in its own field, but is

conditioned by surrender to the

Divine.

Gomphrena

white

Integral Immortality

It is a promise. When will it be a

material fact?

Immortality is not the survival of the mental personality after death, though that also is true, but the waking possession of the unborn and deathless Self of which body is only an instrument and a shadow.

Gomphrena

light purple

Conscious Vital Immortality

The immortality of an organised

and conscious vital being.

Gomphrena

orange

Supramental Immortality

It is an established fact, but few

human beings have experienced it.

He who acquires for himself alone, acquires ill though he may call it heaven and virtue.

Gossypium arboreum

Tree cotton

dark red; tree

Success in the Most Material Vital

Has value only when it is offered to

the Divine.

Guettarda speciosa

small cymes of fragrant white salverform

flowers; tree

Peace in the Nerves

Indispensable for good health.

Gossypium

Cotton plant

yellow or cream-white funnelshaped flower

set in green bracts; seasonal plant

Material Abundance

Nature always shows us what true

abundance is—it is overwhelming!

Graptophyllum

Caricature plant

variegated leaves and short racemes of

Vital Impulses

They look like nothing at all but

they assert themselves and are

stubborn!

Gypsophila elegans

Baby’s breath

graceful airy sprays of delicate tiny white

flowers; seasonal plant

Modesty of Beauty

It blossoms without attracting

attention.

The manifestation of the Supramental upon earth is no more a promise but a living fact, a reality.

It is at work here, and one day will come when the most blind, the most unconscious, even the most unwilling shall be obliged to recognise it.

Haemanthus multiflorus

Blood lily

short scape bearing a large striking ball of

small glowing pinkish-red flowers with

gold-tipped stamens; low bulbous plant

Supramental Manifestation

It will be welcome.

Hamelia patens

Firebush, Scarlet bush

cymes of small bright orange

tubular flowers; shrub or hedge

Matter under the Supramental

Guidance

The condition required for its

transformation.

Haematoxylum campechianum

Bloodwood tree, Logwood

clusters of small mildly fragrant light

yellow star-shaped flowers; shrub or small

tree

Fairy Freshness

Charming, it refreshes the eyes.

Hedera

Ivy

dark glossy evergreen leaves with

prominent lobes; clinging creeper

Lasting Attachment

Modest, without glamour, but

persistent.

Hedychium

Butterfly lily, Garland lily, Ginger lily

several sizes and colours of fragrant

delicate butterfly-like flowers set in

bracteated spikes; rhizomatous plant

Sachchidananda

Strong and pure, it stands erect in

its creative power.

That which has thrown itself out into forms is a triune Existence-Consciousness-Bliss. Sachchidananda. … All things that exist are what they are as terms of that existence, terms of that conscious force, terms of that delight of being.

Helianthus

Sunflower

single yellow sunflowers of several sizes

and shades; seasonal plant

Consciousness Turned towards the

Light

It thirsts for Light and cannot live

without it.

Helianthus

large flowers, sienna ray florets streaked

gold and yellow with a golden aura

radiating from the centre

Body-Consciousness Undergoing the

Supramental Transformation

Solid and resolute, it faces all

difficulties.

Helianthus

large red-brown sunflower with

golden-yellow glow at base and back of

ray florets

Supramental Artistic Genius

It blossoms in the Light and makes

it manifest.

Helianthus

orange-yellow flowers

Consciousness Turned towards the

Supramental Light

It thirsts for Truth and will find its

satisfaction only in the Truth.

Helianthus

large double yellow chrysanthemum-type

sunflower

Intensity of the Consciousness in the

Full Supramental Light

It is radiant and radiates in order to

illumine the world.

Helichrysum bracteatum

Everlasting, Strawflower

several colours of compositae flowers with

strawlike petals and golden-yellow centre;

seasonal plant

Supramental Immortality Upon Earth

This remains to be realised.

Heliconia

Lobster-claw

branching spikes of striking red

boat-shaped bracts and inconspicuous

flowers; rhizomatous plant

Bird of Paradise

A bird that never flies away!

Heliotropium

Cherry-pie, Heliotrope

compact one-sided spikes of tiny or very

small fragrant purple flowers; seasonal or

perennial plant

Vital Consecration

Delightfully modest and fragrant, it

smiles at life without wanting to

draw attention.

The highest aim of the aesthetic being is to find the Divine through beauty; the highest Art is that which by an inspired use of significant and interpretative form unseals the doors of the Spirit.

Hibiscus

large or small single red or reddish-pink flower with dark red centre and smooth petals, each petal splashed white on one lower edge; shrub

Aesthetic Power

Beauty is a great power.

Hibiscus

medium-sized double light or dark

salmon-pink flower with fine red veins and

red centre

Agni

The flame of purification which

must precede all contact with the

invisible worlds.

Hibiscus

small single pale cream-yellow flower with

pure white centre

Ananda

Calm, tranquil, equal, smiling and

very gentle in its truly simple

austerity.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single crimson-pink flower with

heavily crinkled petals shading to pale

pink on the edges, dark red centre

Beauty of the New Creation

The New Creation strives to better

manifest the Divine.

Hibiscus

medium-sized single orange-yellow flower,

often changing to apricot-yellow

Beauty of Supramental Youth

Exquisitely fresh and powerful, with

uncontested beauty.

O splendid Agni, Thou who art so living within me, I call Thee, I invoke Thee that Thou mayst be more living still. that Thy brazier may become more immense . Thy flames higher and more powerful. that the entire being ma y now be only an ardent burning. a purifying pyre .

Hibiscus

pale cream-yellow with red centre

Ananda in the Physical

It is welcome, even if it manifests

rarely.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single salmon-pink flower with pink

centre and pale pink aura or medium

single light apricot-orange flower with

light red centre

Beauty of Supramental Love

It invites us to live at its height.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

medium to large single orange flowers

with smooth or ruffled petals, centres of

various colours other than white

Beauty of Tomorrow

The beauty that will express Divine.

Power.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single orange flower with white

centre and pale pink aura

Beauty of Tomorrow Manifesting the

Divine

A beauty that exists only for the

Divine and by the Divine.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single pink flowers with crinkled

petals, centres varying from white through

dark pink

Charm of the New Creation

The New Creation is attractive for

all those who want to progress.

Hibiscus

large double flower, light pink shading to

deeper pink with dark red centre, with or

without pale cream border on outer edge

of petals

Consciousness One with the Divine

Consciousness

Smiling and happy, it no longer

knows any shadows.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large semi-double flower with rounded

outer petals and tufted centre; shades of

yellow, blended with fire-red and orange

towards the centre

Blossoming of the New Creation

The more we concentrate on the

goal the more it grows and becomes

precise.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

medium-sized yellow cup-shaped flower

splashed orange with crinkled petals and

light yellow centre

Concentration of the New Creation

Concentration on a precise goal

helps development.

Hibiscus ‘Dream’

medium to large double flower, mauve

shading to grey-lavender

Controlled Power

True power is always quiet*

Extract from a message

No matter how great your faith and trust in the Divine Grace, no matter how great your capacity to see it at work in all circumstances, at every moment, at every point in life, you will never succeed in understanding the marvellous immensity of Its Action, and the precision, the exactitude with which this Action is accomplished; you will never be able to grasp to what extent the Grace does everything, is behind everything, organises everything, conducts everything, so that the march forward to the divine realisation may be as swift, as complete, as total and harmonious as possible, considering the circumstances of the world.

As soon as you are in contact with It, there is not a second in time, not a point in space, which does not show you dazzlingly this perpetual work of the Grace, this constant intervention of the Grace.

And once you have seen this, you feel you are never equal to it, for you should never forget it, never have any fears, any anguish, any regrets, any recoils… or even suffering. If one were in union with this Grace, if one saw It everywhere, one would begin living a life of exultation, of all-power, of infinite happiness.

And that would be the best possible collaboration in the divine Work.

Hibiscus mutabilis

Changeable rose, Confederate rose

large double flower with soft delicate

petals, opening pure white, gradually

turning pink

The Divine Grace

Thy goodness is infinite; we bow

before Thee in gratitude!

What is lacking is a spiritual knowledge and spiritual power, a power over self, a power born of inner unification with others, a power over the surrounding or invading world-forces, a full-visioned and fully equipped power of effectuation of knowledge; it is these capacities missing or defective in us that belong to the very substance of gnostic being, for they are inherent in the light and dynamis of the gnostic nature.

Hibiscus ‘Rosa-sinensis’

medium-sized single light to dark red erect

or pendulous flowers, separated recurved

petals and often with crenate border

Dynamic Power

Indispensable for progress.

Hibiscus ‘Viceroy’

small single magenta flower

Individual Power

Limited in capacity and action.

Hibiscus

medium to large single reddish-pink

shaded orange cup-shaped flower with

light orange border and large deep pink

centre

Effective Power of the Supermind

All-powerful, it imposes itself on all

in the certitude of its knowledge.

Hibiscus

small to medium single coral-pink flower

with cream border, luminous pink veins

and intense red centre

Enlightened Individual Power

Limited in its action but of a very

high capacity.

Hibiscus miniatus

small delicate single white flower; small

shrub

Eternal Smile

A boon only the Divine can give.

Hibiscus miniatus

small salmon-orange flower

Eternal Youth

A gift that the Divine gives us when

we unite ourselves with Him.

The eternal smile means the self-existent joy and gladness of the Spirit.

* * *

To know how to be reborn into a new life at every moment is the secret of eternal youth.

* * *

There is one kind of faith demanded as indispensable by the integral Yoga and that may be described as faith in God and the Shakti, faith in the presence and power of the Divine in us and the world.

Hibiscus albo-variegata

medium-sized double flower, variegated

red and white

Faith

You flame up and triumph!

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single flower with long smooth

yellow petals flecked and veined

orange-red, deep red or bright pink centre

and lighter pink aura

Firmness of the New Creation

The New Creation wants to be firm

in its manifestation.

Flame

O seeing Flame.

thou earnest man of the crooked ways

into the abiding truth and the knowledge

Hibiscus schizopetalus

Japanese-lantern

medium-sized single light red pendulous

flower with separated, deeply indented

and fully recurved petals edged white

Flame

Triumphant and elegant in its

ardour!

Hibiscus ‘Cromwell’

large single cream or very pale

golden-yellow flower with flat or crinkled

petals and a light pink centre

Godhead

Pure and perfect, it puts out its

force in the world.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

medium-sized single light mauve

cup-shaped flower with heavily crinkled

petals and intense violet centre; edge of

petals pink, nearly white

Ideal of the New Creation

The ideal must be progressive in

order to be realised in the future.

Hibiscus ‘Splash’

medium to large single bi-coloured or

variegated flower with crinkled petals,

usually orange-red splashed with gold and

white

Manifold Power of the New Creation

The New Creation will be rich in

possibilities.

Hibiscus

medium to large single white flower with

slender or rounded milk-white petals

Light of the Purified Power

Of irresistible simplicity in its power

solely consecrated to the Divine.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

medium to large single lemon-yellow

flowers with centres varying from light red

to scarlet

Mentalised Power

Power rendered utilisable.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

medium-sized single bright cardinal-red

flower with firm petals, with or without

reddish-purple centre

Power- of Action

The power resulting from true

surrender to the Divine.

Hibiscus

medium to large double flowers ranging

from raspberry-pink through red to crimson

Power of Consciousness

All the powers of controlling and

dominating the lower movements of

inconscient nature.

The liberated individual being, united with the Divine in self and spirit, becomes in his natural being a self-perfecting instrument for the perfect outflowering of the Divine in humanity.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single bright ochre-yellow flower

with crinkled petals

Power in the Converted Mind

When the mind turns towards the

Divine it becomes a powerful

instrument.

Hibiscus ‘Comet’

large sturdy single deep magenta flower

with rounded petals

Power of the Future

To be capable of working for the

future.

Hibiscus ‘Sebactini’

large single light grey to deep lavender

flower with thin flat petals and

magenta-purple centre

Power of Effort

Efforts well-directed break down all

obstacles.

Hibiscus

medium to large single light or bright

yellow flowers with smooth petals; pink,

red or light orange centre

Power of Harmony

Simple, noble, dignified, powerful,

and charming.

Hibiscus syriacus

Rose-of-Sharon. Shrub althaea

medium-sized single deep lavender

cup-shaped flower changing to blue,

magenta centre and white anthers

Power in the Higher Vital

Power that wants to be at the

service of the Divine.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single bright orange-red flower with

smooth or crinkled petals, orange border

and deep red centre

Power of Perseverance

The perseverance that overcomes all

obstacles.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single pink to light red flower with

smooth petals; centre white often shading

to lavender-pink

Power of Progress

Progress is the sign of the

divine influence in creation.

Hibiscus

small or large single white flower with

long or rounded separate petals and bright

red or vermilion centre

Power of Integral Purity

The power to accept only the divine

influence.

The power needed in yoga is the power to go through effort, difficulty or trouble without getting fatigued, depressed, discouraged or impatient and without breaking off the effort or giving up one’s aim or resolution.

Hibiscus ‘Sweetheart’

small to medium single cream-white

flower with mauve-pink veins and deeper

coloured centre, orange stigmas

Power to Progress

Precious because of its rarity, it

must be cultivated with care.

Hibiscus

medium to large double flowers with

delicate petals, light to dark pink

Power of the Psychic Consciousness

The psychic power organises the

activities of the nature to make it

progress.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single deep magenta flower with

sturdy separated petals

Power in Service of the Future

Without haste, but sure of its

success.

In a gnostic life, a life of superreason and supernature, a self-aware spiritual unity of being and a spiritual conscious community and interchange of nature would be the deep and ample root of understanding: this greater life would have evolved new and superior means and powers of uniting consciousness inwardly with consciousness; intimacy of consciousness communicating inwardly and directly with consciousness, thought with thought, vision with vision, sense with sense, life with life, body-awareness with body-awareness, would be its natural basic instrumentation. All these new powers taking up the old outward instruments and using them as a subordinate means with a far greater power and to more purpose would be put to the service of the self-expression of the Spirit in a profound oneness of being and life.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

medium-sized or large single

salmon-orange to golden-yellow flower

with soft crinkled petals, deep magenta

centre and silver-white aura

Power of Spiritual Beauty

Spiritual beauty has a contagious

power.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single cream-white flower with

crinkled petals and magenta pinwheel

centre

Power of Success

The power of those who know how

to continue their effort.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

medium-sized single cup-shaped yellow

flower with heavily crinkled petals and

large reddish-orange firelike centre

Progress of the New Creation

Each must find the activity

favourable to one’s own progress.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single bright orange-red flower with

firm crinkled petals

Puissance of Realisation

With realisation all obstacles will be

overcome.

Hibiscus

medium to large double golden-yellow or

light orange-yellow flower and red to deep

orange centre

Power of the Supramental

Consciousness

Organising and active, irresistible

in its influence.

Hibiscus

small, medium or large single pink flowers

Psychic Power in Existence

Manifold, imperious, irresistible in

its comprehensive sweetness.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single lemon-yellow or luminous

yellow flower with crinkled or smooth

petals and white or light pink centre

Realisation of the New Creation

It is for this that we must prepare

ourselves.

Hibiscus

medium to large single golden-orange or

deep salmon flowers often fading to

yellow; red or deep crimson centre

Supramental Beauty in the Physical

Its promise is charming!

Hibiscus ‘Daffodil’

medium to large double bright yellow or

golden-yellow flower

Supramental Consciousness

Gloriously awake and

powerful—luminous, sure of itself

and infallible in its movements!

The one rule of the gnostic life would be the self-expression of the Spirit, the will of the Divine Being: that will, that self- expression could manifest through extreme simplicity or through extreme complexity and opulence or in their natural balance, -for beauty and plenitude, a hidden sweetness and laughter ir things, a sunshine and gladness of life arc also powers and expressions of the Spirit.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single light golden-yellow or

apricot-yellow flower with crinkled petals

and white or light pink pinwheel centre

Sweetness of the Power Surrendered

to the Divine

Sweetness itself becomes powerful

when it is at the service of the

Divine.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

medium to large single uniformly pink

flower with rounded petals and

reddish-pink centre

Usefulness of the New Creation

A creation which aims at teaching

men to surpass themselves.

Hibiscus Hawaiian

large single golden-ochre to mustard

flower with crinkled petals, vermilion

centre with silver-white aura

Victorious Beauty

When it has resolved the ugliness of

life!

One may feel within oneself the touch the Approach of something positively beautiful and true, and willingly drop all the rest so that nothing may burden the journey to this new beauty and truth

Hibiscus mutabilis ‘rosa’

Changeable rose, Confederate rose

large double light to medium pink flower

with delicate petals; large shrub

Victorious Love

Sure of itself, fearless, generous and

smiling.

O victorious power of divine Love. Thou art the sovereign Master of this universe. Thou art its creator and its universe. Thou art its creator and its saviour. Thou hast permitted it to emerge from chaos and now. Thou leanest it to its eternal goal

The will to enjoy is proper to the vital being but not the choice or the reaching after the enjoyment which must be determined and acquired by higher functions; therefore the vital being must be trained to accept whatever gain or enjoyment comes to it in the right functioning of the life in obedience to the working of the divine Will and to rid itself of craving and attachment.

Hibiscus

medium-sized double cream-white or light

yellow flower

Will in Course of Uniting with the

Divine Will

On the way to perfection.

Hibiscus syriacus

Rose-of-Sharon, Shrub althaea

small to medium-sized double white flower

Will One with the Divine Will

The condition for surmounting all

obstacles.

How am we know what the divine Will is.

One does not know it, one feels it. And in order to feel it one must will with such an intensity, such sincerity, that every obstacle disappears. As long as you have a preference, a desire, an attraction, a liking, all these veil the Truth from you. Hence, the first thing to do is to try to master, govern, correct all the movements of your consciousness and eliminate those which cannot be changed until all becomes a perfect and permanent expression of the Truth.

A complete and radical change can only he brought about by bringing in persistently the spiritual light and intimate experience of the spiritual truth power bliss into the recalcitrant elements until they too recognise that their own way of fulfillment lies there that they are themselves a diminished power of the spirit and can recover by this new way of being their own truth and integral nature

Hippeastrum

Amaryllis

long sturdy scapes bearing umbels of large

trumpet-shaped flowers in several colours;

bulbous plant

Conversion

The starting point of realisation.

Hippeastrum

medium-sized bright red flower

Conversion of the Physical

Compact and stable, without

fluctuations.

Hippeastrum

medium-sized dark red or violet flower

Conversion of the Vital

Enthusiastic and spontaneous, it

gives itself unstintingly.

Hippeastrum

white specked pink, curly-edged petals

Integral Conversion with the Help of

the Psychic

Sweetness mingles with resolution.

Hippeastrum

light pink with carmine-pink lines and a

white streak through the middle of each

petal

Conversion of the Emotional Being

It blossoms in harmonious

receptivity.

Hippeastrum

medium-sized salmon-orange flower

Conversion of the Physical Mind

Ready to understand everything and

to grow continuously.

Hippeastrum

large fragrant white flower

Integral Conversion

A harmonious blossoming above all

conflicts and struggles.

Hippeastrum ‘Dutch hybrid’

large flower with thick fleshy petals, red

or other colours

Total Conversion

The whole being has given itself in

all its movements.

Spiritual Success

Hiptage benghalensis

clusters of small fragrant white flowers,

recurved and frilled petals, one splotched

yellow; heavy creeper

Spiritual Success

Spiritual success is conscious union

with the Divine.

Hollarrhena antidysenterica

Conessi bark, Easter tree

loose cymes of small fragrant cream-white

salverform flowers with recurved petals;

tree

Psychic Peace

It is spontaneous and does not

make a fuss.

Holmskioldia

Chinese-hat plant, Parasol flower

few-flowered clusters of small striking

parasol-like flowers in various colours;

shrub

Curiosity

If we want to be exceptional, may it

be our capacities that make us so!

Holmskioldia

lemon-yellow

Mental Curiosity

Must be earnestly controlled so as

not to be dangerous.

Every child has an insatiable intellectual curiosity and turn for metaphysical enquiry. Use it to draw him on slowly to an understanding of the world and himself.

Holmskioldia

orange-red

Physical Curiosity

Its value depends on its purpose.

For all problems of existence arc essentially problems of harmony. They arise from the pereeption of an unsolved discord and the instinct of an undiscovered agreement or unity. . . . For essentially, all

Hoya carnosa

Wax flower

full umbels of small pale pink waxy

star-shaped flowers; creeper

Power of Collective Aspiration

A harmonious collective aspiration

can change the course of

circumstances.

Hydrangea

large rounded heads of small four-petalled

flowers ranging in colour from white

through pink to blue; shrub

Collective Harmony

Collective harmony is the work

undertaken by the Divine

Consciousness; it alone has the

power to realise it.

Hyacinthus orientalis

Hyacinth

short scapes bearing densely clustered

fragrant bell-shaped flowers with flared

petals, several colours; bulbous plant

Pride of Beauty

Likes to show itself and be admired.

Hymenocallis

Crown-beauty, Spider lily

umbels of fragrant white flowers; each

flower with slender recurved petals and

elongated stamens emerging from a

central cup; bulbous plant

Alchemy

Plastic and supple, ready to take

any form.

The more a person is quiet in front of all occurrences. equal in all circumstances, and keeps a perfect mastery of himself and remains peaceful in the presence of whatever happens. The more he has progressed towards the goal

Iberis

Candytuft

heads of small white, pink to blue

irregular rotate flowers; low seasonal plant

Equanimity

Immutable peace and calm.

Ilex

Holly

red berries set in shiny glossy evergreen

spiny leaves; shrub

Courageous Goodwill

Is solid and resistant, fearing neither

inclemency nor the cold.

Impatiens balsamina

Balsam, Snapweed

several colours of single or double flowers

with delicately recurved petals and a long

spur; low seasonal plant

Generosity

Giving and self-giving without

bargain.

Impatiens balsamina

rose-purple

Generosity in the Vital

Gives itself unstintingly.

Impatiens balsamina

pink

Psychic Generosity

Gives for the joy of giving.

Impatiens walleriana

Busy Lizzie, Perennial balsam

several colours of small single rotate

flowers with flat petals and a long spur;

low herbaceous plant

Works of Love

The best condition for work.

Impatiens balsamina

red

Generosity in the Physical

Likes abundance and gives

abundantly.

Impatiens balsamina

all multi-coloured shades except

pink-red

Manifold Generosity

All in Nature is spontaneously

generous.

Impatiens balsamina

pink-red

Psycho-physical Generosity

Generosity of thought and act.

Iochroma cyaneum

pendulous clusters of deep violet tubular

flowers; low shrub

Seeking the Light in the Lower Vital

Does more work, makes less noise!

The plants offer their beauty to the Supreme.

Ipomoea

delicate funnel-shaped flowers in many

colours; cultivated or countryside creeper

Nature Makes an Offering of Her

Beauty

It is a spontaneous and effortless

offering.

Ipomoea beveriensis ‘Candy king’

large striking scarlet flower with large

yellow centre streaked scarlet; perennial

creeper

Nature Aspires to Be

Supramentalised

The first vegetal response to the

action of the Supramental forces.

In the world of forms a violation of Beauty is as great a fault as a violation of Truth in the world of ideas. For Beauty is the worship Nature offer to the supreme master of the universe; Beauty is the divine language in form . And a consciousness of the Divine which is not translated externally by an understanding and expression of beauty would be an incomplete consciousness

But true Beauty is as difficult to discover, to understand and above all to live as any other expression of the Divine; this discovery and expression exacts as much impersonality and renunciation of egoism as that of Truth or Bliss. Pure Beauty is universal and one must be universal to see and recognise it.

Ipomoea acuminata

Morning glory, Blue dawn flower

large violet-blue flower fading to mauve;

perennial creeper

Artistic Taste

Pleased with beautiful things, it is

itself beautiful.

Ipomoea tricolor ‘Scarlet O’Hara’

large bright magenta flower

Joy of Beauty

Beauty is the joyous offering of

Nature.

Ipomoea tricolor

Blue dawn flower

large light blue flower; seasonal creeper

Artistic Sensibility

A powerful aid to fight ugliness.

Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly blue’

medium to large translucent sky-blue

flower

Pure Sense of Beauty

Can be acquired only through a

great purification.

Ipomoea tricolor ‘Cornell’

medium to large rose-pink flower with

white centre and border

Spontaneous Beauty

Delicate and magnificent, it has an

incomparable charm.

Ipomoea cairica

Railway creeper

small light mauve to purple flower;

perennial creeper

Detachment from All That Is Not

the Divine

A single occupation, a single aim, a

single joy—the Divine!

Ipomoea carnea

large pale lavender-pink to light mauve

flower with deeper mauve throat; shrub or

heavy creeper

Gratitude

It is you who open all the closed

doors and allow the saving Grace to

enter.

Ipomoea horsfalliae

small magenta star-shaped flower with

waxy petals; heavy perennial creeper

Heroic Thought

To the conquest of the unknown

without fear of difficulty and

incomprehension!

Ipomoea tricolor ‘Pearly Gates’

large radiant translucent white flower with

cream-yellow throat

Integral Unconditional Offering

The joy of offering oneself without

asking for anything in return.

Iris

Fleur-de-lis

tall scapes bearing large flowers in various

colours with three crested and three

recurved petals; bulbous plant

Aristocracy of Beauty

So perfect a form as to compel

admiration!

Purity means freedom from soil or mixture The divine purity is that in which there is no mixture the turbid ignorant movements of the lower nature

Isotoma longiflora

pure white star-shaped flower with long

corolla tube

Divine Purity

Happy just to be, in all simplicity!

When I speak of aspiration in the physical I mean that the very consciousness in you which hankers after material comfort and well-being should of itself, without being compelled by the higher parts of your nature, ask exclusively for the Divine’s Love. Usually you have to show it the Light by means of your higher parts; surely this has to be done persistently, otherwise the physical would never learn and it would take Nature’s common round of ages before it learns by itself. Indeed the round of Nature is intended to show it all possible sorts of satisfactions and by exhausting them convince it that none of them can really satisfy it and that what it is at bottom seeking is a divine satisfaction. In Yoga we hasten this slow process of Nature and insist on the physical consciousness seeing the truth and learning to recognise and want it.

Ixora

small or full corymbs of dark red flowers

with narrow corolla tube and pointed

petals; shrub

Aspiration in the Physical

Manifold, simple and joyous.

Ixora

yellow flowers

Mental Aspiration

Its expression is clear, precise and

very reasonable!

Ixora singaporensis

smaller orange to brick-red flowers with

less pointed petals

Aspiration in the Physical for the

Supramental Light

Clustered, persistent, it is obstinately

organised and methodical.

Ixora chinensis

tiny to small mildly fragrant pink flowers

Psychic Aspiration

Constant, regular, organised, at the

same time gentle and patient—it

resists all opposition, overcomes all

difficulties.

Ixora thwaitesii

very fragrant white flowers; small tree

Peace in the Cells

The indispensable condition for the

body’s progress.

Ixora arborea

Torch tree

branching clusters of very fragrant tiny

white flowers; countryside shrub or tree

Straightforwardness

Shows itself as it is, without

compromise.

Jacaranda

Green ebony

large panicles of lavender-blue tubular

flowers with flared petals; tree

Attempt at Vital Goodwill

An attempt is a small thing, but it

can be a promise for the future.

Jacquemontia pentantha

small light blue rotate flower; creeper

Hope

Paves life’s path.

Purity is perfect sincerity and one cannot have it unless the being is entirely consecrated to the Divine.

* * *

On earth, true purity is to think as the Divine thinks, to will as

Jasminum

Jasmine

fragrant single white star-like salverform

flowers; shrub or creeper

Purity

True purity is fragrant!

Jasminum

small semi-double white flowers

Psychic Purity

The natural condition of the psychic.

Jasminum

fully double white flowers

Integral Purity

The whole being is purified of the

ego

Jasminum

Italian Jasmine, Yellow Jasmine

sparse clusters of mildly fragrant yellow

flowers

Correct Self-Evaluation

Simple and modest, it does not try

to assert itself.

Flowers lilt towards the sky their fragrant prayer and aspiration.

* * *

By communing with flowers we can see that the vegetal kingdom has her own way of aspiring towards the Divine.

Jatropha integerrima

Peregrina, Spicy jatropha

terminal cymes of small pink or red rotate

flowers; shrub

Awakening and First Response of

Nature to the Supramental

Manifestation

Interested, she opens herself and

tries to understand.

Jatropha multifida

Coral plant, Physic nut

sparse cymes of very small deep pink

flowers and palmate leaves with deeply cut

lobes; shrub

First Emergence of the Psychic in

Matter

A messenger of beauty!

Jatropha podagarica

Guatemala Rhubarb

flat cymes of very small bright orange-red

flowers and round or violin-shaped leaves;

low shrub with swollen base

First Response of the Subconscient

to the Supramental Action

The open door to realisation!

Justicia aurea

dense terminal bracteated spikes of yellow

tubular labiate flowers; shrub

Aspiration of the Mind for the

Supramental Guidance

The mind feels that its complexity is

powerless and asks for a greater

light to illumine it.

Justicia oblongata

short one-sided racemes of pink tubular

labiate flowers; low shrub

Psychic Influence in the Emotions

Indispensable for beginning the

sadhana.

Fundamentally, without this kind of inner will of the psychic being. I believe human beings would be quite dismal, dull, they would have an altogether animal life. Every gleam of aspiration is always the expression of a psyehic mfluence. Without the presence of the psychic. without the psychic influence, there would never he any sense of piogiess or any will for progress.

Would there be a sense of beauty?

Yes. Perhaps not the highest sense of beauty. but in the vital one linds a complete sense of beauty and harmony. The beauty which is fundamental. profound. universal, constant belongs only to the psyehic. but the sense of the beauty of form, of appearance, of colour, the educated, relincd vital fully possesses.

Kaempferia pulchra

small delicate lavender flower with white

throat appearing between beautifully

marked leaves; tuberous ornamental

Refined Taste

Lovable and delicate, always avoids

the mistakes of bad taste.

Kaempferia rotunda

Tropical crocus, Resurrection lily

fragrant delicate pale lavender flowers

with deeper coloured inner petals veined

purple, coming directly from the ground

before the leaves appear; tuberous

ornamental

Vital Honesty

Not to allow our sensations and

desires to falsify our judgment or

determine our actions.

Light in Fairyland

Kalanchoe pinnata

Air plant, Floppers, Life plant

clusters of pendulous bell-shaped calyces

and deep pink to maroon corollas; low

succulent or countryside herbaceous plant

Light in Fairyland

Fairies are ready to allow

themselves to be guided by the

Divine.

Kigelia pinnata

Sausage tree

pendulous racemes of mildly fragrant dark

red open funnel-shaped flowers with thick

crinkled petals; tree

First Response of the Inconscient to

the Divine Force

The first step towards

transformation.

Kleinhovia hospita

terminal airy panicles of very small

delicate light pink flowers and papery

green-brown fruits; tree

Joy in Fairyland

Light, smiling and effortless, it

invites us to share its joy!

Kopsia fruiticosa

light pink salverform flower with dark

pink centre and narrow corolla tube; shrub

Determination

Knows what it wants and does it!

An inner fullness has come in like the coming in of light in dark caves. It fills, it illumines, it vibrates the multiple strings of life; it has found the contact with the forgotten achievements of the past to enable me to start the new ones of the future on the basis of the changing formations of the present. The currents of life well up to meet the descending rays of light from the upper heavens for transmutation of the base and the dark into the luminous and the true, for transmutation of the ugly and the wrong into the beautiful and the right.

Laburnum anagyroides

Golden-chain tree

cascading racemes of silky golden-yellow

papilionaceous flowers; tree

Descent of the Light

It flows towards the earth in a

harmonious movement!

Lagenaria siceraria

Bottle gourd, White-flowered gourd

large white funnel-shaped flower;

seasonal climbing cucurbit

Emotional Abundance

Good feelings expressing

themselves unstintingly.

A divine force shall flow through tissue and cell

And take the charge of breath and speech and act

And all the thoughts shall be a glow of suns

And every feeling a celestial thrill.

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Lagerstroemia

Crape myrtle

rounded panicles of rotate flowers with

delicate deeply crinkled and lacy petals,

several colours; shrub or small tree

Intimacy with the Divine

Complete surrender to the Divine

and total receptivity to His influence

are the conditions of this intimacy.

Lagerstroemia

deep cerise

Intimacy with the Divine in the

Physical

Possible only for one who lives

exclusively for the Divine and by

the Divine.

Lagerstroemia

light to deep mauve

Intimacy with the Divine in the Vital

Only a pure, calm and desireless

vital can hope to have access to this

marvellous state.

Lagerstroemia

white

Integral Intimacy with the Divine

The entire being no longer vibrates

except with the Divine’s touch.

Lagerstroemia

pink

Intimacy with the Divine in the

Psychic

The natural state of the fully
developed psychic.

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Pride of India, Queen’s flower

larger pink or purple flowers with flat

petals; tree

Intimacy with Universal Nature

This intimacy is only possible for

those who are vast and who are

without preference or repulsion.

In sadhana vital intimacy would ordinarily signify inner intimacy with the Divine on the vital plane.

Now they by the effect of the grace. We are slowly emerging out in conscience and waking to a conscious life an ardent prayer rises in as for more light more consciousness

"O Supreme Lord of the universe we implore thee given us the strength and beauty the famous perfection needed to be thy divine instruments upon earth"

Lantana

Shrub verbena

compact heads of very small salverform

flowers in many hues and colour

combinations; rambling countryside shrub

with aromatic leaves

Supramental Influence in the Cells

Unexpected variety in colours and

qualities.

Lantana

white

Purity in the Cells

Can only be obtained through the

conquest of desires; it is the true

condition for good health.

Lantana

yellow

Light in the Cells

The first step towards purity in the

cells.

Lantana

mauve to violet

Emotional Beauty in the Cells

Seeking and emanating all the

emotions of beauty.

Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet Pea

racemes of fragrant papilionaceous flowers

in a range of pastel colours; seasonal

creeper

Gentleness

Always gracious and loves to please.

Lawsonia inermis

Henna, Mignonette tree

intensely fragrant compact clusters of very

small cream-yellow or red flowers; large

shrub or hedge-

Leonotis nepetifolia

Lion’s tail

ascending column of separate spiny round

heads studded with small velvety orange

labiate flowers; seasonal countryside plant

Ascension

Step by step one climbs towards

consciousness.

Spiritual beauty illumining human sight Lines with its passion and mystery Matter’s mask And squanders eternity on a beat of Time.

* * *

To find highest beauty is to find God; to reveal, to embody, to create, as we say, highest beauty is to bring out of our souls the living image and power of God.

Leontopodium alpinum

Edelweiss

many-pointed white starlike flowers with a

woolly texture and tufted yellow centre;

low mountain plant

Spiritual Beauty

Immaculate whiteness, sweetness

and purity, you. seem to come from

another world!

Leucaena

White popinac

small mildly fragrant cream-white fluffy

balls; shrub or small tree

Knowledge

It is conversant with all sides of a

question whatever it may be.

Liliaceae

yellow trumpet-shaped flowers borne on a

long or short scape; bulbous plant.

Conversion of the Mind

The mind has freed itself from its

arrogance and knows it is only an

instrument

Linaria maroccana

Baby snapdragon, Fairy flax

erect spikes of small labiate flowers with

long spurs in several pastel colours;

seasonal plant

Expressive Silence

Certain silences are revealing and

more expressive than words.

Leucas aspera

rounded heads of green calyces with small

white labiate flowers; low seasonal

countryside plant

True Worship

Total and constant, without demand

or claim.

Lilium candidum

Annunciation lily, Easter lily, Madonna lily

pearl-white trumpet-shaped flowers on a

long scape; bulbous plant

Purity Arising from Perfect

Consecration

Perfect purity can be realised by

living only for the Divine and by

the Divine.

The plants are very psychic, but they can

express it only by silence and beauty,

Sri Aurobindo came upon earth to announce the manifestation of the supramental world. And not only did he announce this manifestation but he also embodied in part the supramental force and gave us the example of what we must do to prepare ourselves for this manifestation. The best thine we can do is to study all he has told us, strive to follow his example and prepare ourselves for the new manifestation.

Remembrance of Sri Aurobindo

Lobelia erinus

Lobelia

small blue half-salverform flowers; low

seasonal or perennial plant

Remembrance of Sri Aurobindo

Let us strive to realise the ideal of

life that Sri Aurobindo has shown

us.

Lobularia maritima

Sweet alyssum

compact rounded clusters of tiny fragrant

white or mauve flowers; low seasonal or

perennial plant

Goodwill

Modest in appearance it does not

make a noise and is always ready to

be useful.

Lonicera japonica

Japanese honeysuckle

small clusters of fragrant cream-white

tubular flowers with recurved petals;

creeper

Constant Remembrance of the Divine

Spontaneous and joyful, it is the

ideal condition.

This, in short, is the demand made on us, that we should turn our whole life into a conscious sacrifice. Every moment and every movement of our being is to be resolved into a continuous and a devoted self-giving to the Eternal. All our actions, not less the smallest and most ordinary and trifling than the greatest and most uncommon and noble, must be performed as consecrated acts.

Loranthus

short racemes of long yellow or orange

tubular flowers with small green petals;

parasitic plant

Mental Spirit of Imitation

What you cannot find out for

yourself, you copy!

Luffa acutangula

Ridge gourd, Sing-kwa, Sponge-gourd

mildly fragrant yellow rotate flower;

seasonal climbing cucurbit

Kind Mind

The mind prepares itself for

conversion.

Lupinus

Lupin

showy erect spikes of small papilionaceous

flowers in ascending tiers, several pastel

colours; seasonal or perennial plant

Steps to the Supreme

We will take as many steps as are

needed, but we will arrive!

Lycoris africana

Golden spider lily

long scapes bearing umbels of bright

golden-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers with

slightly twisted and recurved petals;

bulbous plant

Conversion of the Higher Mind

Receives its inspirations from the

Divine Consciousness.

Malpighia coccigera

Miniature holly, Singapore holly

small delicate light pink to white rotate

flowers studding the branches; small shrub

Sensitivity

One result of the refinement of the

being.

Magnolia grandiflora

large fragrant ivory-white cup-shaped

flower with firm rounded petals; tree

Perfect Vigilance

Its observation neglects nothing.

Malpighia glabra

Acerola, Barbados cherry

dark to light pink rotate flower; small fruit

tree

Sensitivity

One result of the refinement of the

being.

Malvaviscus arboreus

Turk’s-cap

medium-sized red tubular flower with

twisted petals; shrub

Divine Solicitude

Always active, even when we do not
perceive it.

Malvaviscus arboreus

pink

Divine Solicitude Rightly Understood

Let us understand and receive with

gratitude this Divine Solicitude, so

often misunderstood.

O Lord, Thou art my refuge and my blessing, my strength, my health, my hope and my courage. Thou art supreme Peace, unalloyed Joy, perfect Serenity.

Malvaviscus drummondii

small red candlelike flower

Divine Help

Modest in appearance, powerful in

action!

All knowledge is ultimately the knowledge of God, through himself, through Nature, through her works. Mankind has first to seek this knowledge through the external life; for until its mentality is sufficiently developed, spiritual knowledge is not really possible, and in proportion as it is developed, the possibilities of spiritual knowledge become richer and fuller.

Mangifera indica

Mango tree

large panicles of compact racemes bearing

tiny fragrant cream flowers changing to

light red; tree

Nature’s Hope for Realisation

Nature knows that one day she will

realise.

Mangifera

fruit

Divine Knowledge

Succulent, nourishing,

strength-giving!

Martynia annua

Tiger-claw plant

delicate velvety white and pink tubular

flower with red-purple on petals and

yellow on throat; seasonal countryside

plant

Regularity

Indispensable for all serious

accomplishment.

Melampodium paludosum

small yellow compositae flowers densely

covering the plant; seasonal

Birth of True Mental Sincerity

With its birth the mind will

understand that it is only a means

and not an end in itself.

To he perfectly sineere it is indispensable not to have any preference, any desire, any attraction, any dislike, any sympathy or antipathy, any attachment, any repulsion. One must have a total, integral vision of things, in which everything is in its place and one has the same attitude towards all things: the attitude of true vision

Melia azedarach

Chinaberry, Indian lilac, Persian lilac

panicles of small fragrant light mauve

star-shaped flowers with recurved petals

and purple centres; tree

Distinction of the Vital

Light and graceful, with refined

elegance.

It is by educating the vital, by making it more-refined, more sensitive, more subtle and. one should almost say, more elegant, in the best sense of the word, that one can overcome its violence and brutality, which are in fact a form of crudity and ignorance, of lack of taste.

In truth, a cultivated and illumined vital can be as noble and heroic and disinterested as it is now spontaneously vulgar, egoistic and perverted when it is left to itself without education.

Memecylon tinctorium

Ironwood

tiny mildly fragrant brilliant deep blue

flowers in clusters studding the branches;

countryside shrub

Miracle

Marvellous, strange, unexpected!

Merremia quinquefolia

clusters of small white funnelform flowers;

seasonal creeper

Detailed Gratitude

The gratitude that awakens in us all

the details of the Divine Grace.

There is nothing which gives you a joy equal to that of gratitude. One hears a bird sing, sees a lovely flower, looks at a little child, observes an act of generosity, reads a beautiful sentence, looks at the setting sun, no matter what, suddenly this comes upon you, this kind of emotion—indeed so deep, so intense—that the world manifests the Divine, that there is something behind the world which is the Divine.

Merremia tuberosa

Yellow morning-glory

medium-sized bright yellow flower; heavy

creeper

Mental Gratitude

The gratefulness of the mind for

what makes it progress.

Michelia champaca

Champak

highly fragrant cream-yellow or light

orange flower with separate slender

pointed petals; tree

Supramentalised Psychological

Perfection

A psychological perfection aspiring

to be divinised.

Merremia tuberosa

Hawaiian wood rose

dark brown rattlebox fruit with light

brown persistent calyx

Call of the Divine Grace

Not noisy but persistent and very

perceptible to those who know how

to listen.

Michelia champaca ‘alba’

spicy fragrant cream-white flower

Divine Smile

We can contemplate the smiles of

the Divine when we have conquered

our ego.

Have you noticed this flower? It has twelve petals in three rows of tour. We have called it "Supramental psychological perfection".

I had never noticed that it had three rows: a small row like this, another one a little larger, and a third one larger still. They are in gradations of tour: four petals, four petals, tour petals,

Well, if one indeed wants to see in the forms of Nature a symbolic expression, one can see a centre which is the supreme Truth, and a triple manifestation—because four indicates manifestation in three superimposed worlds: the outermost—these are the largest petals, the lightest in colour that is a physical world, then a vital world and a mental world, and then at the centre, the supramental Truth.

And you can discover all kinds of other analogies.

Do you know the slower I have called Transformation"? Yes, You Know it has tour petals: well, these tour petals are arranged like a cross one at the top which represents the transcendent. two on each side: the universal, and one on the bottom: the individual.

the transcendent is one and two (or dual) at the same time this Slower is almost perfect in its form. This was the original meaning of the cross also, but that was not as perfect as the flower for it was on. two and three. It was not

Millingtonia hortensis

Indian cork tree

loose panicles of fragrant white flowers

with long corolla tubes; tree

Transformation

The goal of creation.

Mimusops elengi

Medlar

very fragrant small cream-white

star-shaped flowers; tree

Patience

Indispensable for all realisation.

Mimosa pudica

Sensitive plant. Touch-me-not

small lavender-pink fluffy ball-like flower

with sensitive leaves which fold when

touched; low rambler

Vital Sensitivity

Is excessive if not controlled.

Mimusops elengi

Spanish cherry

small oblong orange fruits

Accomplishment

Accomplishment is undoubtedly

the fruit of patience.

God has all time before him and does not need to in a always in a hurry. He is sure of Ins aim and success and cares not it he break his work a hundred limes to bring it nearer perfection. Patience is our first great necessary lesson, but not the dull slowness to move of the timid, the sceptical, the weary, the slothful, the unambitious of the weakling: a patience lull of a calm and gathering strength which watches and prepares itself for the hour of swift great strokes, few but enough to change destiny

Thirst to Learn

Mina lobata

Spanish flag

erect racemes of prominent orange-red

buds blossoming into small cream-yellow

candlelike flowers; seasonal creeper

Thirst to Learn

One of the qualities that facilitates

integral progress.

The true wisdom is to be ready to learn from whatever source the knowledge can come.

We can learn things from a flower, an animal, a child, if we are eager to know always more, because there is only One Teacher in the world—the Supreme Lord, and He manifests through everything.

Mirabilis jalapa

Beauty-of-the-night, Four-o’clock, Marvel

of Peru

several colours of plain or variegated

fragrant salverform flowers; low perennial

herbaceous plant with tuberous root

Solace

The blessings the Divine grants us.

Mirabilis jalapa

yellow

Solace in the Mind

A silent peace.

Mirabilis jalapa

carmine red

Solace in the Vital

Modest but effective.

Mirabilis jalapa

white

Integral Solace

One can receive it only from the

Divine.

Peace carries with it a sense of settled and harmonious rest and deliverance

Momordica charantia

Balsam-pear, Bitter gourd, Karela, La-kwa

small fragrant yellow rotate flower;

seasonal climbing cucurbit

Sweetness

Adds its smiling touch to life

without making a fuss.

In the physical world, of all things it is beauty which best expresses the Divine. The physical world is the world of form, and the perfection of form is beauty. … Its true role is to put the whole of manifested nature into contact with the Eternal through the perfection of form, harmony, and through a sense of the ideal which raises you towards something higher

Morea

African iris, Fortnight lily

short erect scape bearing waxy white

iris-like flowers with petals marked

golden-orange; rhizomatous plant

Aristocracy of Beauty

So perfect a form as to compel

admiration!

Morinda citrifolia

Awl tree

small fragrant white star-shaped flowers

with thick petals and short corolla tube,

appearing singly from a hard rounded

base; tree

Peace in the Sex Centre

Indispensable for beginning the

Yoga.

Muntingia calabura

Calabur, Singapore cherry

small white rotate flowers and round red

fruits; tree

Primitive Succulence

Pleasing to a simple taste.

Mussaenda

small yellow star-shaped flower

surrounded by one or five conspicious

sepals, white, yellow, pink or red; shrub

Mental Goodwill

Likes to show off a little, but is

very useful.

Moringa

Drumstick tree

airy clusters of small fragrant white

flowers with recurved petals and yellow

throat; household tree

Hygienic Organisation

Cleanliness, order, utility.

Murraya paniculata

Cosmetic-bark tree, Orange jessamine,

Satinwood

clusters of small very fragrant white

star-shaped flowers with recurved petals;

shrub

Peace in the Vital

The result of the abolition of desires.

Myosotis sylvatica

Forget-me-not

clusters of tiny exquisite sky-blue flowers;

low seasonal plant

lasting Remembrance

The remembrance of that which has

helped the being to progress.

To Live only for the Divine

Myrtus communis

Myrtle

small white flower with innumerable

delicate stamens; shrub

To Live Only for the Divine

This means to have overcome all

the difficulties of the individual life.

Some give their soul to the Divine, some their life, some offer their work, some their money. A few consecrate all of themselves and all they have—soul, life, work, wealth; these are the true children of God.

The preoccupation with universal beauty even in its aesthetic forms has an power for refining and subtilising the nature and at its higher it is a great force for purification.

A complete and universal appreciation of beauty and the making entirely beautiful our whole life and being must surely be a necessary character of the perfect individual and the perfect society.

Narcissus

Daffodil, Trumpet narcissus

scape bearing an umbel of fragrant

yellow-shaded flowers, each with a

trumpet emerging from spreading petals;

bulbous plant

Power of Beauty

Beauty has its full power only when

it is surrendered to the Divine.

Narcissus poeticus

Poet’s narcissus, Polyanthus narcissus

cream-white petals with white trumpet

edged orange

Beauty Aspiring for the Supramental

Realisation

Beauty is not sufficient in itself, it

wants to become divine.

The One whom we adore as the Mother is the divine Conscious Force that dominates all existence.

* * *

She is the golden bridge, the wonderful fire ,

The luminous heart of the unknown is she,

A power of silence in the depths of god:

She is the force, the inevitable world ,

The magnet of our difficult ascent,

The sun from which we kindle all our suns,

The joy that beckon from the impossible,

the might of all that never yet came down.

* * *

The Avatar is always a dual phenomenon of divinity and humanity: the Divine lakes upon himself the human nature with all its outward limitations and makes them the circumstances, means, instruments of the divine consciousness and the divine power, a vessel of the divine birth and the divine works.

Nelumbo nucifera ‘Alba’

Sacred lotus

pointed bud on long stem opening into

large fragrant many-petalled white flower

with narrow stamens and unique golden

centre; aquatic rhizomatous plant

Aditi—the Divine Consciousness

Pure, immaculate, gloriously

powerful.

Nelumbo

pink, single or double flowers

Avatar—the Supreme Manifested in

a Body upon Earth

The pink lotus is the flower of Sri

Aurobindo.

Nerine sarniensis

Guernsey Lily

umbels of white, pink or red trumpet-

shaped flowers with narrow twisting

recurved petals and long stamens; bulbous

plant

Exclusivism

The incapacity to do several things

at the same time.

Nerium oleander

Oleander, Rosebay

terminal clusters of mildly fragrant single

pink salverform flowers with delicate

corona and light yellow throat; tall shrub

Sweetness of Thought Turned

Exclusively towards the Divine

Pretty, joyful, sweet and calm,

sheltered from all conflict!

Sweetness of Thought

Turned Exclusively

Towards the Divine

Nerium oleander

double pink

Surrender of All Falsehood

Let us offer our falsehoods to the

Divine so that He may change them

into joyous Truth.

Nerium oleander

single magenta or deep red

Changing of Wrong Movements into

Right

An extreme goodwill always ready

to be transformed.

Nerium oleander

single, pale pink

Contemplation of the Divine

Exclusively occupied with its joyful

contemplation.

Nerium oleander

double, white

Perfect Quietness in the Mind

An essential condition for true

progress.

Nicotiana alata

Flowering tobacco, Jasmine tobacco

several colours of salverform flowers;

seasonal herbaceous plant

Common Sense

It is very practical and avoids

making mistakes, but lacks flight.

Nierembergia

Cupflower

small blue-violet cup-shaped flower with a

very slender corolla tube; low perennial

Vital Joy in Matter

The reward for abolishing egoism.

Nerium oleander

single, white

Quiet Mind

The best way of learning,

Nerium oleander

single white flower with elongated petals

Quietness Established in the Mind

The essential condition for

transformation.

Nicotiana plumbaginifolia

smaller white flowers; countryside seasonal

plant

Certitude

Assured and calm, it never argues.

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

fragrant white star-shaped salverform

flower with orange corolla tube; large

shrub

Aspiration

Innumerable, obstinate, repeating

itself untiringly.

All wealth belongs to the Divine and those who hold it arc trustees, not possessors. It is with them today, tomorrow it may be elsewhere. All depends on the way they discharge their trust while it is with them, in what spirit, with what consciousness in then use of it. to what purpose.

Nymphaea

Water lily

many colours of large or small star-shaped

flowers with numerous petals and yellow

centre; aquatic rhizomatous plant

Wealth

True wealth is that which one offers

to the Divine.

Nymphaea

fragrant lavender to mauve flowers

Emotional Wealth

The only true emotional wealth is

love from the Divine.

Nymphaea

yellow flowers

Generous Wealth

Likes to be given and spread far

and wide.

Nymphaea

white flowers shaded pink

Wealth under the Psychic Influence

Wealth ready to return to its true

possessor—the Divine.

Nymphaea

large vivid pink flowers

Wealth in the Vital

Comes willingly to generous natures.

Nymphaea

variously coloured flowers with prominent

yellow centres

Supramentalised Wealth

Wealth put at the service of the

Divine.

Nymphaea

large white flower with golden centre

Integral Wealth of Mahalakshmi

Wealth of feeling and action in all

fields of activity—intellectual,

psychological and material.

Nymphaea

fragrant blue flowers with golden centre

Wealth in the Mind of Light

Open to all higher ideas.

Nymphaea

magenta or dark red flowers

Wealth in the Most Material Vital

Can be stable only after conversion.

Ochna kirkii

Bird’s-eye bush, Mickey Mouse plant

small glossy black fruits set on a little red

dome and surrounded by persistant sepals;

shrub

Greed for Money

The surest way to decrease one’s

consciousness and narrow one’s

nature.

By knowledge we seek unity with the Divine in his conscious being: by works we seek also unity with the Divine in his conscious being, not statically, but dynamically, through conscious union with the divine Will; but by love we seek unity with him in all the delight of his being.

* * *

To be constantly and integrally at one with Thee is to have the assurance that we shall overcome every obstacle and triumph over all difficulties, both within and without.

Ocimum basilicum

Sweet basil

spikes of very small white flowers set in

green calyces; aromatic herb

Joy of Union with the Divine

Lavishly scented, it fills the heart

with joy.

Ocimum basilicum

Basil

heads or spikes of very small white to light

mauve labiate flowers with green or purple

calyces; aromatic plant

Discipline

Sets the example and hopes to be

followed.

Ocimum canum

spikes of small white flowers set in furry .

calyces, leaves have lemon fragrance;

medicinal plant

Conquering Fervour

An ardour which fears no obstacles.

Ocimum sanctum

Rama tulsi, Krishna tulsi

tiny pale mauve or cream-white flowers set

in green or dark maroon calyces; sacred

plant with medicinal properties

Devotion

Modest and fragrant, it gives itself

without seeking for anything in

return.

Mental Chastity

Odontonema strictum

racemes of small red salverform flowers;

small shrub

Matter Aspiring for the Supramental

Guidance

Dissatisfied and troubled, Matter

asks for a powerful guide to put it

in order.

Oncoba spinosa

fragrant white saucer-shaped flower with

prominent centre of innumerable yellow

stamens; small tree

Mental Chastity

Precious and magnificent in its

purity.

Compassion and gratitude are essentially psychic virtues. They appear in the consciousness only when the psychic being lakes part in active life.

The vital and the physical experience them as weaknesses, for they curb the free expression of their impulses which are based on the power of strength

As always, the mind, when insufficiently educated, is the accomplice of the vital being and the slave of the physical nature, whose laws, so

It is only when the psychic consciousness is all-powerful in the being that compassion for all that needs help, in whatever domain, and gratitude for all that manifests the divine presence and grace, in whatever form, are expressed in all their original and luminous purity, without mixing compassion with any trace of condescension or gratitude with any sense of inferiority.

Operculina turpethum

pure white funnel-shaped flower with

prominent light green calyx; heavy creeper

Integral Gratitude

The whole being offers itself to the

Lord in absolute trust.

Operculina turpethum

Wood rose

light green rattlebox fruit and

buff-coloured persistent calyx

Call of the Divine Grace

Not loud but persistent and very

perceptible to those who know how

to listen.

Orchidaceae

Orchid

several colours and shapes of exquisite

flowers with five petals, a central lip and

column; epiphytic or terrestrial plant

Attachment to the Divine

Wraps itself around the Divine and

finds all its support in Him, so as

to be sure of never leaving Him.

What is called "new birth" is the birth into the spiritual life, the spiritual consciousness; it is to carry in oneself something of the spirit which, individually, through the soul, can begin to rule the life and be the master of existence. But in the supramental world, the spirit will be the master of this entire world and all its manifestations, all its expressions, consciously, spontaneously, naturally.

* * *

We can. simply by a sincere aspiration, open a sealed door in us and find… that Something which will change the whole significance of life, reply to all our questions, solve all our problems and lead us to the perfection we aspire for without knowing it, to that Reality which alone can satisfy us and give us lasting joy, equilibrium, strength, life.

Origanum majorana

Knotted majoram, Sweet majoram

sprigs bearing small aromatic leaves, tiny

white to light mauve flowers clustered on

mature stems; perennial aromatic herb

The New Birth

Birth of the true consciousness—that

of the Divine Presence in us.

Ornithogalum umbellatum

Star-of-Bethlehem, Summer snowflake

short scape bearing a raceme of small

white star-shaped flowers; bulbous plant

Beauty in Collective Simplicity

Each element plays its role in the whole.

The first determining element of the Siddhi is, therefore, the intensity of the turning, the force which directs the soul inward. The power of aspiration of the heart, the force of the will, the concentration of the mind, the perseverance and determination of the applied energy are the measure of that intensity.

Orthosiphon

erect spikes bearing very small rose-purple

flowers with elongated stamens; low

countryside perennial

Aspiration for Spiritual Intensity

Bold, elegant, persistent.

Oxalis

Wood sorrel

groups of small lavender-pink to

rose-purple rotate flowers on a short

scape; countryside rhizomatous

groundcover

Candid Simplicity in the Vital

One of the most difficult qualities

for the vital to acquire.

Orthosiphon

small white flowers and elongated pale

lavender stamens; low shrub

Spiritual Intensity

It is an intensity without

violence—the ardour it gives you

manifests without big gestures and

loud words.

Pachira rosea

large cream-white flower with innumerable

red-tipped stamens; tree

Liberation

The disappearance of the ego.

Aspiration for the Supramental Guidance in the Subconscient

Pachystachys coccinea

Cardinal’s-guard

terminal heads of bright red labiate

flowers with elongated corolla tubes set in

prominent green bracts; shrub

Aspiration for Supramental

Guidance in the Subconscient

Intense need of order, light and

knowledge in the subconscient

penumbra.

The subconscient is to be penetrated by the light and made a sort of bed-rock of truth. a store of right impressions, right physical responses to the Truth. Strictly speaking it will not be subconscient at all, but a sort of bank of true values held ready for use.

Paeonia

Peony

several colours of showy fragrant rotate

flowers with numerous petals and a yellow

centre; shrub

Beauty in Art

A beauty that displays itself and

allows one to contemplate on it.

Pandanus tectorius

Screw pine

highly fragrant tiny powdery cream-yellow

flowers in dense branching spikes; large

countryside semi-aquatic plant with long

leaves

Spiritual Perfume

It has an extraordinary power of

attraction.

Papaver

Poppy

several colours of cup-shaped flowers with

numerous stamens and delicately crinkled

petals, borne on a thin stalk; seasonal plant

Spontaneous Joy of Nature

It is man who has brought pain to

Nature.

Pancratium

fragrant white funnel-shaped flower with

pointed petals borne singly on a short

scape; bulbous plant

Occultism

Does not truly blossom except when

it is surrendered to the Divine.

Pandorea jasminoides

Bower plant

clusters of mildly fragrant pale pink

to white salverform flowers with slightly

curved corolla tube and deep pink throat;

creeper

Opening of the Emotive Centre to

the Light

An important event in human

development.

Parkia pedunculata

Mungo tree, Nittu tree

large rounded heads of minute

cream-white flowers, borne on pendulous

stalks; tree

Boastfulness

Boasting, boasting—one of the

greatest obstacles to progress! It is a

foolishness to be carefully avoided

if one aspires for true progress.

Parkinsonia aculeata

Jerusalem thorn, Mexican palo verde

delicate foliage formed of long narrow

stalks bearing tiny leaflets, loose axillary

racemes of small fragrant light yellow

flowers; small thorny tree

Lightness

Charming, but thorny at times!

Passiflora

rotate flower with bright red elongated

petals with small red and white coronas;

creeper

Power Aspiring to Become an

Instrument for the Divine Work

Opening to a higher consciousness,

power awakens to the need of being

at the service of the Divine.

Passiflora incarnata

intensely fragrant flower with prominent

violet corona banded white; heavy creeper

Silence

The ideal condition for progress.

Power Aspiring to Become an Instrument for the Divine Work

Passiflora foetida

flowers with white petals and corona;

countryside creeper

Integral Silence

The source of true force.

There comes a time when one begins to be almost ready, when one can feel in everything, every object, in every movement, in every vibration, in all the things around not only people and conscious beings, but things, objects: not only trees and plants and living things, but simply any object one uses, the things around one—this delight, this delight of being, of being just as one is. simply being. And one sees that all this vibrates like that. One touches a thing and feels this delight. . . .

One moves in the midst of things and it is as though they were all singing to you their delight. There comes a time when it becomes very familial in the life around you. Of course. I must admit that it is a little more difficult to feel it in human beings, because there are all their mental and vital formations which come into the field of perception and disturb it . There is too much of this kind of egoistic asperity which gets mixed with things so it is there difficult to contact the delight there

Pavetta indica

large rounded heads of small fragrant

salverform flowers with long styles;

countryside shrub

Radiating Peace in the Cells

A happy contagion.

Peltophorum pterocarpum

Copper-pod, Rusty shield-bearer

terminal panicles of fragrant golden-yellow

rotate flowers with delicately crinkled

petals and bright yellow stamens; tree

Service

To be at the service of the Divine is

the surest means of attaining

realisation.

Pelargonium hortorum

Geranium

rounded clusters of single or double

flowers in various colours; low perennial

or light climber

Spiritual Happiness

Calm and smiling, nothing can

disturb it.

Pentapetes phoeniceae

small bright red saucer-shaped flower with

erect ribbonlike stamens; countryside

seasonal plant

Vigilance

Indispensable for all true progress.

Pentas

Egyptian star-cluster

terminal clusters of small white salverform

flowers; low shrub

Movements in the Light

This is possible only with a great

sincerity.

Pentas

vivid pink flowers

Psychic Light in the Physical

Movements

The first step towards the

transformation of the physical.

Pentas

mauve to pale purple flowers

Light in the Vital Movements

This certainly means the beginning

of wisdom.

Pentas

bright red flowers

Psychic Light in the Material

Movements

The essential condition for

transformation.

Pereskia

Leaf cactus

small clusters of pink rotate flowers with

numerous yellow stamens and a fleshy

base; rambling thorny climber

Never Tell a Lie

The absolute condition for safety on

the path.

Pergularia sdoratiSsima

West Coast creeper

discreet pendulous clusters of small

intensely fragrant greenish-yellow

salverform flowers with thick petals;

creeper

Vital Plenitude

Cannot be obtained except by

conversion.

Petrea

Oueen’s-wreath

pendulous racemes bearing small purple

salverform flowers set in pale lilac

star-shaped calyces; creeper or shrub

Spiritual Power of Healing

Opening and receptivity to the

Divine Influence.

Petunia

Garden petunia

many colours of delicate mildly fragrant

salverform flowers; low seasonal plant

Enthusiasm

True enthusiasm is full of a

peaceful endurance.

Petunia

double flowers

Joyous Enthusiasm

The best way of facing life.

Petunia

white flowers

Integral Enthusiasm

The whole being does everything

with ardour.

Petunia

red flowers

Physical Enthusiasm

The body takes a lively interest in

life and action.

Petunia

bi-coloured single flowers in several

combinations

Enthusiasm in Action

All actions are done with warmth

and energy.

Petunia

bi-coloured double flowers

Joyous Enthusiasm in Action

Action will become joyously

enthusiastic when governed by the

Supermind.

Petunia

double white flowers

Joyous Integral Enthusiasm

To ardour is united the joy of doing

things well.

Petunia

double red flowers

Joyous Physical Enthusiasm

The whole being lives only to serve

the Divine.

Petunia

deep pink to mauve flowers

Vital Enthusiasm

Care must be taken that it is in the

right direction.

Petunia

lavender flowers with deeper veins of the

same colour

Enthusiasm in the Higher Vital

The vital being takes a living

interest in what it does.

Petunia

deep rich velvety purple flowers

Enthusiasm in the Most Material

Vital

Needed to face the difficulties of life

successfully.

Petunia

light pink flowers

Psychic Enthusiasm

A state which only the Divine can

bring about.

Petunia

double deep pink to mauve flowers

Joyous Vital Enthusiasm

Very valuable if it persists in spite

of difficulties.

Petunia

double lavender flowers with deeper

coloured veins

Joyous Enthusiasm in the Higher

Vital

The result of perfect surrender to

the Divine.

Petunia

double deep rich velvety purple flowers

Joyous Enthusiasm in the Most

Material Vital

When governed by the Supermind

the most material vital will find its

joy in an enthusiastic action.

Petunia

double light pink flowers

Joyous Psychic Enthusiasm

An assurance of success in spite of

obstacles.

Whatever work you do, do it as perfectly as you can.

That is the best service to the Divine in man.

Phlox drummondii

Annual phlox

terminal clusters of small salverform

flowers, several colours; low seasonal plant

Skill in Works

Must be used knowingly.

Phlox

starred flowers in several colours with

fringed petals

Radiating Skill in Work

When the instruments of work—the

hands, the eyes, etc. become

conscious and the attention is

controlled, the capacity for work

seems to be limitless.

Phlox

very light pink flowers with indented petals

Artistic Work

Work at the service of beauty.

Phlox

white

Skill in Integral Work

All that is done is done well,

whatever the work undertaken.

No matter what you want to do, the first thing is to put consciousness in the cells of your hand. If you want to play, if you want to work, if you want to do anything at all with your hand, unless you push consciousness into the cells of your hand you will never do anything good. . . . And this is felt. You feel it. You can acquire it. All sorts of exercises may be done to make the hand conscious and there comes a time when it becomes so conscious that you can leave it to do things; it does them by itself without your little mind having to intervene.

Phlox

yellow

Skill in Mental Work

To know how to observe in silence

is the source of its skilfulness.

Phlox

bright red

Skill in Material Work

Skilful hands, precise care,

a sustained attention and one compels

Matter to obey the Spirit.

Phlox

light mauve

Skill in Emotive Work

When work becomes attractive and

is done with joy, how much better it

is.

Phlox

carmine red

Skill in Physical Work

Skilful hands, a clear vision, a

concentrated attention, an untiring

patience and what one does is done

well.

Phlox

purple to mauve

Skill in Vital Work

This is the seat of all capacities and

all skills which need only discipline

to be realised.

Phlox

light pink

Skill in Psychic Work

Listen silently to the command that

comes from the Supreme Lord and

you will have the capacity to carry it

out.

Physalis alkekengi

Chinese-lantern plant, Winter cherry

fruit enclosed in an orange-red persistent

calyx; shrub

Sun-Drop

Luminous and pretty it brings joy.

Pimpinella major

Lady’s lace

lacey umbels of tiny white flowers;

seasonal plant

Purity in the Blood

Can only be obtained by the

absence of desires.

Krishna is the Eternal’s Personality of Ananda; because of him all creation is possible, because of his play, because of his delight, because of his sweetness.

Platycodon grandiflorus

Balloon flower, Chinese bellflower

blue semi-double bell-shaped flowers with

short white stamens; herbaceous perennial

Unostentatious Certitude

It does not flaunt nor try to

convince anyone.

Plumbago auriculata

Cape plumbago

terminal clusters of delicate light blue

salverform flowers; rambler or shrub

Krishna’s Ananda

Manifold, abundant and so full of

charm!

Plumbago auriculata ‘Alba’

white flowers

Presence

Consciousness seeking for the

Presence.

Plumbago indica

light red flowers in terminal spikes;

spreading countryside shrub

Organisation of the Being around

the Psychic

The first stage of transformation.

Plumbago zeylanica

small white flowers; spreading countryside

shrub

First Appearance of Purity in the

Inconscient

The sign that the inconscient is on

the way to becoming conscious.

To become a conscious instrument, capable of identification and conscious, willed movements, you must have this inner organisation; otherwise you will always be running into a chaos somewhere, a confusion somewhere or an obscurity, an unconsciousness somewhere. And naturally your action, even though guided exclusively by the Divine, will not have the perfection of expression it has when one has acquired a conscious organisation around this divine Centre. . . .

Beginning this work of organising your being and all its movements and all its elements around the central Consciousness and Presence, this is the surest and most complete cure, and the most comforting, for all possible boredom. It gives life a tremendous interest and an extraordinary diversity. You no longer have the time to get bored.

Only, one must persevere.

And what adds to the interest of the thing is that this kind of work, this harmonisation and organisation of the being around the divine Centre can only be done in a physical body and on earth. That is truly the essential and original reason for physical life. For, as soon as you are no longer in a physical body, you can no longer do it at all.

Plumeria rubra

Champa, Frangipani, Pagoda tree. Temple

tree

clusters of fragrant rotate funnelform

flowers with soft velvety petals in a large

variety of colour combinations; shrub or

tree

Psychological Perfection

There is not one psychological

perfection but five. They are

sincerity, faith, devotion, aspiration

and surrender*

Plumeria rubra

red with orange centre, petals streaked

orange

Psychological Perfection in the

Course of Fulfilment

The state of those who undertake

the Yoga seriously.

Plumeria obtusa

white with yellow centre and slender

recurved petals; tree

Integral Psychological Perfection

One of the indispensable conditions

for transformation.

Such qualities as faith, sincerity aspiration, devotion, etc. make up the perfection indicated in our language of the flowers. In ordinary language it would mean something else such as purity, love, benevolence, fidelity and a host of other virtues

Plumeria rubra

flowers with fruit-like fragrance,

predominantly white with light pink

border and red or reddish-pink streak

on one lower edge of petals

Psychological Perfection in Matter

The first step towards

transformation.

Plumeria obtusa

white with yellow centre and broad petals;

shrub

Perfect Psychological Perfection

Psychological perfection in all parts

of the being.

* Extract from a talk by the Mother

Podranea ricasoliana

Pink trumpet vine

clusters of fragrant pink trumpet-shaped

flowers with cream-white throat lined red

white calyces; creeper

To Know How to Listen

To be attentive and silent.

Flowers speak to us when we know how to listen to them –it is a subtle and Fragrant language.

Poinciana pulcherrima

Barbados pride

erect panicles of showy orange-red flowers

with long stamens; shrub

Fire

Does not fear any obstacle.

Poinciana pulcherrima

bright yellow flowers

Fire in the Mind

An ardour that sets ideas ablaze!

What is there new that we have yet to accomplish? Love, for as yet we have only accomplished hatred and self-pleasing; Knowledge, far as yet we have only accomplished error and perception and conceiving; Bliss, for as yet we have only accomplished pleasure and pain and indifference; Power, for as yet we have only accomplished weakness and effort and a defeated victory; Life, for as yet we have only accomplished birth and growth and dying; Unity, for as yet we have only accomplished war and association.

In a word, godhead; to remake ourselves in the divine image.

Polianthes tuberosa

Tuberose

long scapes bearing single white highly

fragrant tubular flowers with waxy petals;

bulbous plant .

The New Creation

Strong, lasting and fragrant, it rises

straight towards the sky.

Polianthes tuberosa

double flowers

The Perfect New Creation

Clustered, manifold and complete,

it asserts its right to be.

Polygonum

Fleece flower, Knotweed

clusters of tiny pink flowers on slender

erect or branching spikes; countryside

perennial semi-aquatic plant

Aspiration of the Vital for Union

with the Divine

It rises straight up in an intense and

concentrated movement.

It is to offer all the vital nature and its movements to the Divine so that it may be purified and only the true movements in consonance with the Divine Will may be there and all ‘ egoistic desires and impulses disappear

Porana paniculata

Bridal-bouquet, Snow creeper

delicate branching racemes of very small

white salverform flowers; creeper

Ether

Charming and ethereal, it is bound

to please.

Porana volubilis

dense cascading racemes of small white

bell-shaped flowers

Water

Fluid, abundant and pure.

There is a point where all the virtues are united: it is a point that goes beyond the ego. If we take this faithfulness, if we take devotion, take love, the meaning of service, all these things, when they are above the egoistic level, they meet, in the sense that they give themselves and do not expect anything in exchange. And if you climb one step higher, instead of its being done with the idea of duty and abnegation, it is done with an intense joy which carries within itself its own reward, which needs nothing in exchange, for it carries its joy in itself. But then, for that you must have climbed quite high and must no longer have that turning back upon yourself which, of all things, pulls you down lowest. . . .

One must have gone far beyond all that, left it very far behind oneself, in order to truly have the joy of faithfulness, the joy of self-giving, which does not care at all, no, indeed, not at all, in any way, whether it is properly received or gets the adequate response. Not to expect anything in exchange for what one does, not to expect anything, not through asceticism or a sense of sacrifice but because one has the joy of the consciousness one is in and that is enough; this is much better than all one can receive, from whomsoever it be.

Portlandia grandiflora

large white fragrant trumpet-shaped flower

with waxy petals edged pink; shrub

Joy of Integral Faithfulness

That link of love which makes all

faithfulness so easy.

Portlandia grandiflora

fully white flower

Peace of Integral Faithfulness

Be faithful to the Divine and you will

enjoy a constant peace.

Portulaca grandiflora

Rose moss. Sun plant many

colours of small single or double

rose-like flowers with delicate petals;

seasonal succulent

Sri Aurobindo’s Compassion

Innumerable, always present and

efficacious in every instance.

Primula

Primrose

clusters of showy salverform flowers in a

wide range of colours; low perennial

Growth

It will multiply and assert its right to be.

Prunus dulcis

Almond tree

clusters of single white or rosy pink rotate

flowers covering the tree in Spring; tree

Smile of Nature

Nature rejoices at her beauty!

Why- is the flower symbolising Your compassion so delicate and why does it wither away so soon?

No, the compassion does not wither with its symbol— flowers are the moment’s representations of things that are in themselves eternal.

Prosopis glandulosa

Mesquite

catkins of tiny mildly fragrant

lemon-yellow flowers; thorny countryside

shrub or high hedge

Logic in Thoughts

Likes coherent discourses.

Prunus subhirtella

Japanese flowering cherry, Oriental cherry

clusters of small single or double light pink

flowers covering the tree in Spring; tree

Smile of Beauty

Nature is happy to be beautiful.

Pseuderanthemum

erect clusters of small salverform flowers

with rounded petals; shrub with plain or

variously coloured and variegated foliage

Organisation

Indispensable for all good work.

Pseuderanthemum

white with red centre

Aspiration for Organisation

Clear and methodical, order at the

cost of multiplicity.

Pseuderanthemum

white covered with magenta dots and

centre

Material Organisation

Manifold and well-organised to face

difficulties.

Pseuderanthemum

white with small red dots towards the

centre

Organisation of Details

Indispensable for all lasting

accomplishment.

Pseuderanthemum

white

Integral Organisation

The first requisite for

transformation.

Pseuderanthemum

magenta with small white dots, dark red

foliage

Organisation in the Vital

Indispensable for all realisation.

Pseuderanthemum

white dotted maroon with long corolla

tube and one petal marked maroon at

centre, appearing singly or in pairs

Result of Harmonious Organisation

More effective than showy!

Pseudocalymna alliaceum

Garlic-vine

showy clusters of lavender-violet changing to

light mauve trumpet-shaped flowers; creeper

Collective Emotions Open to the Divine

Crowds answering the impulsion coming

from the Divine; an event marking the

great stages of terrestrial life.

If mankind only caught a glimpse of what infinite enjoyments, what perfect forces, what luminous reaches of spontaneous knowledge, what wide calms of our being lie waiting for us in the tracts which our animal evolution has not yet conquered, they would leave all and never rest till they had gained these treasures. But the way is narrow, the doors are hard to force, and fear, distrust and scepticism are there, sentinels of Nature to forbid the turning away of our feet from less ordinary pastures.

Psidium guajava

Guava tree

fragrant white rotate flower with numerous

stamens; fruit tree

Steadfastness

What it has chosen it keeps and

does not like to change.

Pterospermum acerifolium

large fragrant cream-white trumpet-shaped

flower with separate petals and thick

downy calyx; tree

Realisation of the Supramental

Riches

It can manifest only after human

consciousness is transformed.

An Old Chaldean Legend

Long ago. very long ago, in the desert land that is now Arabia, a divine being incarnated on earth to awaken it to the Supreme Love. As one would expect, he was persecuted by men, misunderstood, suspected, hunted after. Mortally wounded by his assailants, he wished to die alone, quietly, so that his work might be accomplished; and, pursued by them, he fled. Suddenly in the broad barren plain, a tiny bush of pomegranate appeared. The Saviour stole under its low branches in order to give up his body in peace; and at once the bush expanded miraculously, increased itself, widened, became deep and luxuriant in such a way that when the pursuers passed by they did not even suspect that the One whom they were chasing was hidden there, and they continued on their way,

While, drop by drop, the sacred blood fell, fertilising the soil, the bush covered itself with marvellous flowers, scarlet, enormous—-clusters of petals, innumerable drops of blood____

These are the flowers that, for us, express and hold the Divine Love.

Punica

Pomegranate tree

single flower with round vermilion petals,

innumerable stamens and a fleshy apricot

to light reddish-orange calyx; shrub

Divine Sacrifice

For the Divine is it not a supreme

sacrifice to renounce the beatitude

of His unity in order to create the

painful multiplicity of the world?

Punica

fully double vermilion flower

Divine Love

A flower reputed to bloom even in

the desert.

Punica

hard round light pink or blood-red fruit

with innumerable seeds

Divine Love Spreading over the

World

Innumerable, succulent, it gives

strength and life untiringly.

Punica

fully double white flower

Unmanifest Divine Love

The splendour of that marvellous

love which the Divine keeps for the

pure in heart.

This is faithfulness, to admit and to manifest no other movements but only the movements prompted and guided by the Divine.

Quisqualis indica

Rangoon creeper

dense pendulous clusters of fragrant white

rotate flowers changing through pink to

red, long tubular calyces; heavy climber

Faithfulness

We can count on you; you never

fail us when we need you!

Randia

rounded clusters of fragrant cream-white

salverform flowers with long erect styles;

shrub

Order

To put a thing in its place gives

it its true value.

A thing apparently meaningful

acquires its full value when it is put

in its true place.

Mahasaraswati is the Mother’s Power of Work and her spirit of perfection and order. . . . Moulding and remoulding she labours each part till it has attained its true form, is put in its exact place in the whole and fulfils its precise purpose. In her constant and diligent arrangement and rearrangement of things her eye is on all needs at once and the way to meet them and her intuition knows what is to he chosen and what rejected and successfully determines the right instrument, the right time, the right conditions and the right process

Ravenia spectabilis

deep rose-pink solitary salverform flower

with one larger petal and very short

corolla tube; shrub

Happy Heart

Smiling, peaceful, wide open,

without a shadow!

Reseda odorata

Mignonette

very small intensely fragrant light yellow

or green-yellow flowers in loose erect

racemes; seasonal plant

Benevolence

Makes life fragrant without

attracting attention.

Beauty is the joyous offering of Nature.

Rhododendron

Azalea

dense clusters of delicate open bell-shaped

or funnelform flowers in a variety of

colours; shrub or small tree

Abundance of Beauty

A beauty that blossoms abundantly

and without reserve.

Rhoeo spathacea

Moses-in-a-boat, Purple-leaved spiderwort

small white flowers set in reddish-violet

boat-shaped bracts; low succulent with

erect violet-green leaves

Divine Presence

It hides from the ignorant eye its

ever-present magnificence!

The more we advance on the way, the more the need of the Divine Presence becomes imperative and indispensable.

Carelessness and negligence and indolence she [Mahasaraswati] abhors; all scamped and hasty and shuffling work, all clumsiness and a pen pres and misfire. all false adapation and misuse of instruments and faculties and leaving of things undone or half done is offensive and foreing to her temper. When her works is finished , nothing has been Forgotten., no part has been misplaced or omitted or left in a faulty condition: all is solid, accurate ,complete admirable.

Rondeletia

light terminal corymbs of small orange-red

or deep pink salverform flowers; shrub

Mahasaraswati’s Perfection in Works

It is not satisfied with makeshift.

Love for the Divine

The psychic love is pure and full of self-giving without egoistic demands, but it is human and can err and suffer.

Rosa

Rose

single or double fragrant flowers in a great

variety of colours; soft velvety petals

arranged in spirals of one or more whorls;

shrub or climber

Love for the Divine

The vegetal kingdom gathers

together its most beautiful

possibilities to offer them to the

Divine.

Rosa

The Mother described this rose as a

beautiful, large and multi-coloured one

Love from the Divine

There is one rose that is Love from

the Divine

Rosa canina

Brier rose. Eglantine

clusters of single fragrant light pink roses

Psychic Soaring of Nature

Nature has a soul which blossoms

very prettily!

Rosa

small white roses tinged pink

Affection for the Divine

A sweet and confident tenderness

giving itself unfailingly to the

Divine.

Rosa chinensis ‘Viridiflora’

small roses with green sepals instead of

petals

Timidity in Attachment to the Divine

Full of life, but not knowing how to

change this life into an offering to

the Divine

Rosa

small reddish-pink roses

Psychic Love for the Divine

Strong and faithful, it has a beauty

that does not belie.

Rosa chinensis

China rose

small roses in clusters of two or three,

very light pink fading to white

Tenderness for the Divine

Sweet, charming, of delicate

form—a blossoming smile!

Rosa

pink roses, except ‘Surrender’ and ‘Perfect

Surrender’

Loving Surrender

A state that can be obtained by

surrendering to the Divine.

Surrender is giving oneself to the Divine— to give everything one is or has to lite Divine and regard nothing as one’s own. to obey only the Divine will and no other, to live tor the Divine and not tor the ego.

Detailed surrender means the surrender of all the details of life, even the smallest and the most insignificant in appearance. And this means to remember the Divine in all circumstances; whatever we think, feet or do. we must do it for Him as a way of coming close to Him. to be more and more what He wants us to be, capable of manifesting His will in perfect sincerity and purity, to be the instruments of His Love

Rosa ‘Edward’

Country rose

highly fragrant semi-double pink roses

Surrender

To will what the Divine wills is

supreme wisdom.

Rosa ‘Prosperity’

white roses in small pendulous clusters;

climber with very few thorns

Pure Spiritual Surrender

Candid, simple, spontaneous and

complete in its multiplicity.

Rosa chinensis ‘Minima’

Fairy rose, Old China rose

tiny pink roses

Detailed Surrender

A surrender which does’ not leave

anything aside.

Rosa ‘Paul Neyron’

highly fragrant large pink roses

Perfect Surrender

The indispensable condition for

arriving at identification.

Rosa x rehderana

Polyantha rose

various colours of single or double roses

in erect clusters

Communion with the Divine

For one who truly has it, all

circumstances become an occasion

for it.

Rosa

bicoloured roses

Balance of the Nature in Love for

the Divine

Passive and active, calm and

ardent, sweet and strong, silent and

expressed.

Rosa

orange roses

Flaming Love for the Divine

Ready for all heroism and all

sacrifices.

Rosa

lavender or mauve roses

Humility in the Love for the Divine

Delicate, effective and surrendered,

but very persistent in its feelings.

Rosa ‘Confidence’

salmon-coloured roses

Beauty Offers itself in Service to the

Divine

Incomparable splendour, it becomes

a modest servitor.

Rosa

red roses

Human Passions Changed into Love

for the Divine

May they become a real fact, and

their abundance will save the world.

Rosa

solitary pure white roses

Integral Love for the Divine

Pure, complete and irrevocable, it is

a love that gives itself for ever.

Since we have decided to reserve love in all its splendour for our personal relationship with the Divine, we shall replace it in our relations with others by a total, unvarying, constant and egoless kindness and goodwill that will not expect any reward or gratitude or even any recognition. However others may treat you. you will never allow yourself to be carried away by any resentment; and in your unmixed love for the Divine, you will leave him sole judge as to how he is to protect you and defend you against the misunderstanding and bad will of others.

Rosa

yellow roses

Mental Love for the Divine

The nature offers its love in a

fragrant blossoming.

Rosa

yellow roses tinged orange

Mental Surrender

This happens when the mind has

understood that it is only

an instrument.

Rosa ‘Peace’

cream or yellow roses tinged pink

Mental Love under the Psychic

Influence

Under the psychic influence the

mind knows how to express its love

for the Divine in magnificent terms.

Rosa ‘Father’s Day’

small light orange roses in dainty clusters

Supramental Attachment for the

Divine

Manifold and smiling, repeating

itself endlessly.

All our earth starts from mud and ends in sky,

And Love that was once an animal’s desire.

Then a sweet madness in the rapturous heart,

An ardent comradeship in the happy mind,

Becomes a wide spiritual yearning’s space.

A lonely soul passions for the Alone,

The heart that loved man thrills to the love of God,

A body is his chamber and his shrine.

Rudbeckia hirta

Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa daisy

medium-sized yellow to brown compositae flower

with dark cone-shaped centre; seasonal plant

First Turning of the Vital towards the

Divine Light

The vital prepares itself to be transformed.

Ruellia ciliosa

small pale blue-mauve salverform flowers

appearing singly or in pairs; low

countryside perennial

Krishna’s Light in the Physical Mind

The physical mind loses all rigidity

and becomes supple and charming.

Ruellia tuberosa

mauve flowers with violet centre; erect

perennial

Krishna’s Light in the Vital

The light that directs the vital

towards the Truth.

The descent of Krishna would mean the descent of the overmind Godhead preparing, though not itself actually, the descent of supermind and Ananda. Krishna is the Anandamaya; he supports the evolution through the overmind leading it towards the Ananda.

* * *

[Krishna's light] is a special light—in the mind it brings clarity, freedom from obscurity, mental error and perversion; in the vital it clears out all perilous stuff and where it is, there is a pure and divine happiness and gladness.

Ruellia makoyana

carmine flowers

Heroic Action

Fights for the true and the beautiful

without fear of obstacles and oppositions!

Here is the flower we have called "Aspiration in the Physical for the Divine’s Love." By the "Physical" I mean the physical consciousness, the most ordinary outward-going consciousness, the normal consciousness of most human beings, which sets such great store by comfort, good food, good clothes, happy relationships, etc., instead of aspiring for the higher things. Aspiration in the physical for the Divine’s Love implies that the physical asks for nothing else save that it should feel how the Divine loves it. It realises that all its usual satisfactions arc utterly insufficient. But there cannot be a compromise: if the physical wants the Divine’s Love it must want that alone and not say, "I shall have the Divine’s Love and at the same time keep my other attachments, needs and enjoyments____"

Aspiration in the Physical for the Divine Love

Russelia equisetiformis

Coral plant, Fountain plant

small red candle-shaped flowers in light

cascading racemes; spreading herbaceous

perennial

Aspiration in the Physical for the

Divine Love

Manifold and intense, it is difficult

to satisfy.

Russelia sarmentosa

very small fire-red flowers in tiers

of ascending whorls

Spiritual Aspiration in the Physical

Comes in fits and starts to oppose

and overcome the resistances which

do not succeed in making it give in.

Saintpaulia ionantha

African violet

several colours of small single or double

rotate flowers appearing between soft

decorative foliage; compact perennial

succulent

Correct Movements

All movements coming from the

correct inspiration.

Saintpaulia

purple flowers

Correct Movements in the Vital

At once the cause and the result of

conversion.

Salix discolor

Pussy-willow

soft silky pearl-grey catkins turning bright

yellow; tree

The Future

A promise yet unrealised!

To know, possess and be the divine being in an animal and egoistic consciousness, to convert our twilit or obscure physical mentality into the plenary supramental illumination, to build peace and a self-existent bliss where there is only a stress of transitory satisfactions besieged by physical pain and emotional suffering, to establish an infinite freedom in a world which presents itself as a group of mechanical necessities, to discover and realise the immortal life in a body subjected to death and constant mutation,—this is offered to us as the manifestation of God in Matter and the goal of Nature in her terrestrial evolution.

The first movement of aspiration is this: you have a kind of vague sensation that behind the universe there is something which is worth knowing, which is probably (for you do not yet know it) the only thing worth living for, which can connect you with the Truth; something on which the universe depends but which does not depend upon the universe, something which still escapes your comprehension but which seems to you to be behind all things.

Salvia

several colours of small tubular labiate

flowers on erect spikes or curving

racemes; seasonal herbaceous plant

Aspiration for Spirituality

Conscious of the advantages of

spiritualisation.

Salvia leucantha

Mexican bush salvia

small white to pale mauve velvety flowers

with purple calyces

The Vital Consenting to Be

Spiritualised

A great victory over the lower

nature.

The Vital Consenting to be Spiritualised

Salvia farinacea

Blue sage

very small violet-blue flowers with light

blue-grey calyces

Krishna’s Light in the Overmind

The Overmind ready to be divinised.

Salvia splendens

Scarlet sage

scarlet red flowers and calyces

Matter Consenting to Be Spiritualised

The beginning of wisdom.

Sambucus

Elder, Elderberry

tiny fragrant cream-white flowers in large

rounded clusters

Charm

Envelops and conquers by its

inexhaustible sweetness.

Sanchezia speciosa

long spikes of yellow tubular flowers set in

reddish bracts; low shrub with leaves

veined white

Foresight

A perception which is under the

Divine Influence.

Spirituality is in its essence an awakening to the inner reality of our being, to a spirit, self, soul which is other than our mind, life and body, an inner aspiration to know, to feel, to be that, to enter into contact with the greater Reality beyond and pervading the universe which inhabits also our own being, to be in communion with It and union with It, and a turning, a conversion, a transformation of our whole being as a result of the aspiration, the contact, the union, a growth or waking into a new becoming or new being, a new self, a new nature.

Sansevieria

Bowstring hemp

long spikes bearing intensely fragrant

cream-white flowers with narrow corolla

tube and recurved silky petals;

rhizomatous decorative plant with thick

sturdy variegated leaves

Joy of Spirituality

The reward of sincere efforts.

Sansevieria

larger flowers

Power of Spirituality

True spirituality transforms life.

Saponaria officinalis

Bouncing Bet, Silene saponaria

light airy clusters of very small white or

pink starlike flowers; seasonal or tuberous

perennial

Right Use of the Granted Grace

No deformation, no diminution, no

exaggeration—a clear sincerity.

Absence of Grief

Saraca indica

Ashoka, Sorrowless tree of India

fragrant clusters of apricot to orange-red

salverform flowers with long stamens; tree

Absence of Grief

The contemplation that takes you

above suffering.

Scabiosa atropurpurea

Pincushions, Sweet scabious

small rounded heads of mildly fragrant

light mauve flowers with striking white

anthers; countryside or cultivated seasonal

plant

Blessings

Pure and innumerable, manifesting

itself boundlessly.

Scabiosa

deep purple flowers

Blessings on the Material World

Puissant and innumerable, they

answer all needs.

Selenicereus

Moon cereus, Night-blooming cactus

large striking white funnel-shaped cactus

flower with many petals and innumerable

stamens; climbing cactus

The Supramental Riches

The riches that are at the command

of the Supramental Being and as yet

unknown to man.

Senecio

Groundsel

mildly fragrant cream-white tassel-like

head on an erect stalk; spreading succulent

Observation

Likes to prolong its attention in

order to see better.

Sesbania grandiflora

Agati, Vegetable humming-bird

large white, pink or red papilionacous

flowers opening singly or in pairs; small

tree

Beginning of Realisation

Full of promise and hope, it

emanates confidence and joy!

Sesamum indicum

Gingelly, Sesame

erect racemes of small white pendulous

tubular flowers with spreading petals and

pale pink throat; economic seasonal plant

Conciliation

Likes smooth contacts.

Setcreasea purpurea

Purple heart

small mauve-pink flowers set in two

half-folded dark purple bracts, dark purple

leaves; spreading succulent

The Vital Governed by the Presence

The vital force is made peaceful and

is disciplined by the Divine

Presence.

Sinningia

Gloxinia

several colours of elegant velvety

bell-shaped flowers set above velvety

foliage; compact tuberous perennial

Broadening of the Being

All the parts of the being broaden

in order to progress.

Sinningia

purple flowers

Broadening of the Most Material

Vital

The limitations of the ego begin to

be shaken.

Sinningia

white flowers

Balanced Use of the Integral Power

It is true that power can only

become integral when it is used in

equilibrium.

Sinningia

white flowers covered with innumerable

purple dots

Organised Emotive Broadening

The broadening should not result

from an instinctive impulsion but

from a conscious organisation.

Solandra maxima

Chalice vine, Cup-of-gold vine

large mildly fragrant cream to light yellow

chalice-shaped flower; heavy climber

Absolute Truthfulness

Must govern one’s life if one wants

to be close to the Divine.

Solanum seaforthianum

delicate pendulous clusters of light blue

star-shaped flowers with erect stamens;

creeper

Never seek a support elsewhere than in the Divine. Never seek satisfaction elsewhere than in the Divine. Never seek the satisfaction of your needs in anyone else except the Divine—never, for anything at all. All your needs can be satisfied only by the Divine. All your weaknesses can be borne and healed only by the Divine. He alone is capable of giving you what you need in everything, always, and if you try to find any satisfaction or support or help or joy or . . . Heaven knows what, in anyone else, you will always fall on your nose one day, and that always hurts, sometimes even hurts very much.

This courage, this heroism which the Divine wants of us, why not use it to fight against one’s own difficulties, one’s own imperfections, one’s own obscurities? Why not heroically face the furnace of inner purification?. . .

Solarium torvum

light clusters of white star-shaped flowers;

countryside vegetable shrub

Fearlessness

Without fear and without hesitation

it will obey the command of the

Divine.

Solanum trilobatum

purple star-shaped flower; low thorny

countryside seasonal plant

Vital Courage

Must be controlled in order to do

good.

Solanum melongena

Aubergine, Brinjal, Eggplant

small lavender-blue cup-shaped flower;

seasonal vegetable plant

Fearlessness in the Vital

Goes straight to its goal and does

not fear inclemency.

Solanum rantonnetii

violet rotate flower; shrub

Remembrance

The constant remembrance of the

Divine is indispensable for

transformation.

Solidago

Goldenrod
tiny yellow flowers in tall feathery spikes;
rhizomatous perennial

Mental Sincerity
The essential condition for integral
honesty

Sincerity is progressive, and as the being progresses and develops, as the universe unfolds in the becoming, sincerity too must go on perfecting itself endlessly. . . .

To be perfectly sincere it is indispensable not to have any preference, any desire, any attraction, any dislike, any sympathy or antipathy, any attachment, any repulsion. One must have a total, integral vision of things, in which everything is in its place and one has the same attitude towards all things: the attitude of true vision.

Do not imagine that truth and falsehood, light and darkness, surrender and selfishness can be allowed to dwell together in the house consecrated to the Divine. The transformation must be integral, and integral therefore the rejection of all that withstands it.

Spathiphyllum

Spathe flower

cream-white to pale green spathe with

white spadix borne on a long scape;

rhizomatous perennial with decorative

foliage

Aspiration for Purity

Purity is perfect sincerity and one

cannot have it unless the being is

entirely consecrated to the Divine.

Spathoglottis plicata

Ground orchid

small white orchids on a long erect scape;

terrestrial rhizomatous plant

Integral Attachment for the Divine

On the right way towards

realisation.

Spathodea campanulata

African tulip tree, Scarlet-bell tree

clusters of large apricot to reddish-orange

bell-shaped flowers with fiery border; tree

Passion

It is a force, but is dangerous and

cannot be used unless it is perfectly

surrendered to the Divine.

Spathoglottis

light mauve to deep violet flowers

Vital Attachment for the Divine

Manifold and abundant in its

multiplicity.

Sporobolus capillaris

Dropseed

delicate airy panicles of branching

spikelets bearing minute flowers, light

green-brown to maroon; countryside grass

Humility

Adorable in its simplicity.

To be humble means for the mind, the vital and the body never to forget that without the Divine they know nothing . are nothing and can do nothing; without the Divine they are nothing but ignorance , chaos and impotence.

Stachytarpheta

very small flowers sparsely arranged on

long ascending spikes, light blue, pink or

purple; low perennial shrub

Spiritual Ascension of the Vital

It is more fanciful and less regular

[than Spiritual Ascension].

Stemmadenia galeottiana

fragrant white salverform flower with

rounded petals; small tree

Purity in Action

When action is initiated by the

Divine Will it is pure.

Strelitzia reginae

Bird-of-paradise

scapes bearing spectacular orange, yellow

and blue flowers resembling the head of a

crested bird; rhizomatous perennial

Supramental Bird

It remains just where it has

descended!

Stapelia

Carrion flower, Starfish flower

large dark purple or maroon star-shaped

flower with innumerable yellow rings,

malodorous; low succulent with fleshy

stem and minute leaves

Conquest of the Armies

Brutal and material, it does not

bring joy.

To act, to enjoy is the normal law and right of the nervous being; but to choose by personal desire its action and enjoyment is only its ignorant will, not its right. Alone the supreme and universal Will must choose; action must change into a dynamic movement of that Will; enjoyment must be replaced by the play of a pure spiritual Ananda.

Strobilanthes kunthianus

small blue-violet funnel-shaped flowers set

in short bracteate spikes blossoming

profusely once in twelve years; low shrub

The Power of a Perfect Endurance

Shows itself rarely but is very

precious.

Strophanthus

small white salverform flower with purple

ribbonlike petals; robust climber

Spreading of the Manifestation

The Divine Manifestation radiates.

Strophanthus gratus

Cream fruit

clusters of fragrant white to light pink

trumpet-shaped flowers with prominent

light maroon corona; heavy climber or

spreading shrub

Radiating Vital Purity

It is possible only by perfect

consecration of the vital.

Cease inwardly from thought and word, be motionless within you, look upward into the light and outward into the vast cosmic consciousness that is around you. Be more and more one with the brightness and the vastness. Then will Truth dawn on you from above and flow in you from all around you.

But only if the mind is no less intense in its purity than its silence. For in an impure mind the silence will soon fill with misleading lights and false voices, the echo or sublimation of its own vain conceits and opinions or the response to its secret pride, vanity, ambition, lust, greed or desire.

Syringa

Lilac

showy clusters of small very fragrant lilac

or white waxy flowers; shrub

Distinction

Of a refined beauty, it is sufficient

to itself.

Syzygium jambos

Rose apple, Star apple

small clusters of delicate white rotate

flowers with innumerable stamens; fruit

tree

Mastery

Know what the Divine wills and

you will have mastery.

Tabernaemontana

Crape gardenia, Eye flower, Pin-wheel

flower

clusters of single white salverform flowers

with yellow centre and narrow corolla

tube; shrub or small tree

Mental Purity

A mirror that does not distort.

Tabernaemontana ‘Flore-pleno’

semi-double white salverform flower with

curling petals

Integral Mental Purity

Silent, attentive, receptive,

concentrated on the Divine—such is

the path of purity.

Tabernaemontana ‘Flore-pleno’

fully double fragrant white flower with soft

crapelike petals

Perfect Mental Purity

A spotless mirror constantly turned

towards the Divine.

That which can easily change its form is "plastic". Figuratively, it is suppleness, a capacity of adaptation to circumstances and necessities. When I ask you to be plastic in relation to the Divine, I mean not to resist the Divine with the rigidity of preconceived ideas and fixed principles.

* * *

The physical being and physical consciousness must be very plastic to be able to lend themselves to all the necessary changes, so as to be of one kind one day and another the next, and so on.

Tagetes

Marigold

light yellow to gold or red-maroon double

compositae flowers; seasonal plant

Plasticity

Always ready for the necessary

progress.

Tagetes erecta ‘Spun Yellow’

Chrysanthemum marigold

small to large yellow flowers with finely

frilled florets

Energy of a Plastic Mind

Does not draw back from any effort

to progress.

Tagetes patula

French marigold

medium-sized yellow or orange flowers

streaked maroon

Physical Plasticity

One of the important conditions for

transformation.

Tagetes erecta

large lemon yellow flowers

Mental Plasticity

Indispensable for true knowledge.

Tagetes erecta

large orange or golden flowers

Supramentalised Plasticity

One of the steps on the way to

transformation.

Tagetes patula

French marigold

small or miniature light yellow, gold or

red-maroon flowers

Detailed Plasticity

The plasticity needed to always

progress.

Talinum

Fame-flower, Jewels-of-Opar, Puchero

tiny pink rotate flowers in light airy

clusters, followed by tiny yellow round

fruits; low succulent

Vital Fantasy

Ephemeral and of no importance.

Tarenna asiatica

clusters of small highly fragrant

cream-white starlike flowers; countryside

shrub

Humility before the Divine in the

Physical Nature

The first attitude needed for

transformation.

It [the physical mind] is the instrument of understanding and ordered action on physical things. Only instead of being obscure and ignorant and fumbling as now or else guided only by an external knowledge it has to become conscious of the Divine and to act in accordance with an inner light, will and knowledge putting itself into contact and an understanding unity with the physical world.

Tecoma stans

Yellow-bells, Yellow elder

showy clusters of small mildly fragrant

bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers with

red-maroon throat; large shrub or tree

Physical Mind

Becomes a good instrument of

action when it is content to be that

alone.

Tecoma alata

Trumpet bush

smaller yellow flowers with orange to light

maroon corolla tube; shrub

Higher Mind

Its superiority consists in its capacity

to open to the Divine Light.

Power of Truth in the Subconscient

Tecomaria capensis

Cape honeysuckle

erect clusters of bright orange tubular

flowers with recurved petals; shrub

Power of Truth in the Subconscient

It can act only when sincerity is

perfect.

If you call for the Truth and yet something in you chooses what is false, ignorant and undivine or even simply is unwilling to reject it altogether, then always you will be open to attack and the Grace will recede from you. Detect first what is false or obscure in you and persistently reject it, then alone can you rightly call for the divine Power to transform you.

Desire nothing but the purity, force, light, wideness, calm, Ananda of the divine consciousness and its insistence to transform and perfect your mind, life and body. Ask for nothing but the divine, spiritual and supramental Truth, its realisation on earth and in you and in all who are called and chosen and the conditions needed for its creation and its victory over all opposing forces.

Tectona grandis

Teak tree

mildly fragrant tiny cream-white rotate

flowers in large airy cloudlike panicles;

large tree

Renunciation of Desires

The essential condition for

realisation.

Terminalia catappa

Indian almond, Tropical almond

short spikes of tiny white starlike flowers;

large tree

Spiritual Aspiration

Rises like an arrow caring neither

for obstacles nor laggards!

Thespesia populnea

Portia tree

bright yellow deep cup-shaped flower with

crapelike petals, changing to carmine; tree

Health

Not to be preoccupied with it but to

leave it to the Divine!

Thevetia peruviana

Yellow oleander

fragrant yellow funnel-shaped flower;

large shrub

Mind

Its true value lies in its surrender to

the Divine.

The nature of Mind as we know it is an Ignorance seeking for knowledge; it is a knower of fractions and worker of divisions striving to arrive at a sum, to piece together a whole,—it is not possessed of the essence of things or their totality.

* * *

The transformation of the Ignorance into the integral Knowledge the growth in us of a spiritual intelligence ready to receive a higher light and canalise it for all the parts of our nature is an intermediate necessity of great importance.

Thevetia peruviana

white flowers

Purified Mind

Mind ready to surrender to the

Divine.

Thevetia

light orange flowers

Supramentalised Mind

Mind has become an instrument for

transformation.

Thunbergia alata

Black-eyed Susan

yellow-orange to orange salverform flowers

with nearly black centre; creeper

Obscurity Offering Itself to Be

Transformed

Obscurity tired of being obscure.

Thunbergia alata ‘Julietta’

pure golden-yellow flowers

Transformation Makes the Obscurity

Disappear

Obscurity will disappear more and

more as the transformation

progresses.

Transformation Makes the

Obscurity Disappear

Obscurity Offering Itself to

be Transformed

Thunbergia erecta

Bush clock vine, King’s mantle

deep violet salverform flowers with

rounded petals and yellow throat; shrub

Opening of the Material Vital to the

Light

One of the essential conditions for

peace.

Thunbergia erecta

pure white

Integral Opening to the Light

The assurance of the peace and the

joy to come.

Thunbergia grandiflora

Blue trumpet vine

medium to large lavender-blue flowers

Krishna’s Light in the Mind

A charming way of becoming

intelligent!

Thunbergia erecta

variegated white and lavender

Opening of the Higher Vital to the

Light

Existing only for the Divine, the

vital knows no other master.

Thunbergia grandiflora

Clock vine

pendulous clusters of white salverform

flowers with recurved corolla tubes; creeper

Opening to the Light

Co-operates with all that leads

towards the Light.

Thunbergia fragrans

small delicate white salverform flowers;

rambling creeper

Purity in the Emotive Centre

Indispensable for progress.

Thunbergia kirkii

very small lavender-blue salverform

flowers; low shrub

Opening to Sri Aurobindo’s Force

The help of Sri Aurobindo is

constant; it is for us to know how to

receive it.

Mental Simplicity

Thymopylla tenuiloba

Dahlberg daisy. Golden-fleece

very small yellow compositae flowers

set among finely frilled aromatic leaves;

seasonal groundcover

Mental Simplicity

Does not like complications.

Tithonia diversifolia

Perennial sunflower

large yellow sunflower with long separate

petals; shrub

First Movement of the Riches

towards the Divine

The sure sign of conversion.

I have always found that this one [Mental Simplicity] has a cleansing fragrance; when you breathe it, ah, everything becomes clean — it’s wonderful! Once I cured myself of the onset of a cold with it — this can be done when you catch it at the very beginning. It fills you completely, the nose, the throat.

Tithonia rotundifolia

Mexican sunflower

striking orange-red sunflower with velvety

petals; seasonal plant

Physical Consciousness Turned

Entirely towards the Divine

It thirsts for the Divine and wants

Him alone.

Torenia fournieri

Bluewings

erect racemes of white, mauve or lavender

two-lipped flowers with yellow spot on

throat giving the impression of a peacock

feather; low seasonal

Krishna’s Play

A power of progress veiling itself

behind appearances.

Torenia fournieri ‘Alba’

ivory-white flowers

Krishna’s Integral Play

All the parts of the being respond to

His influence.

Tribulus terrestris

Puncture vine, Burr-nut

very small yellow rotate flower;

countryside groundcover

First Mental Awakening in Matter

It has preceded and prepared the

future of man upon earth.

Torenia fournieri

purple flowers with pale lavender-blue

corolla tube

Krishna’s Play in Matter

Beauty, love and joy are comrades!

It is a play that widens and makes

for progress.

Trachymene coerulea

Blue lace flower

rounded heads of very small light

lavender-blue rotate flowers; seasonal plant

Perfect Working of the Mind

Can happen when the mind is

resolved to exclusively fulfil its role.

Trifolium

Clover

small white, pink or violet rounded heads

of tiny papilionaceous flowers; countryside

groundcover

Kindness of Nature

She is kind when she is loving.

Mental honesty: It is a mind that does not attempt to deceive itself. And in fact it is not an "attempt", for it succeeds very well in doing it!

It would seem that in the ordinary psychological constitution of man, the almost constant function of the mind is to give an acceptable explanation of what goes on in the "desire-being", the vital, the most material parts of the mind and the subtlest parts of the body.

Tristellateia australis

showy racemes of small bright yellow

rotate flowers; creeper

Mental Honesty

One does not try to deceive others

nor to deceive oneself.

Tropaeolum majus

Nasturtium

cream-yellow, red or maroon rotate

flowers with corona, spreading petals and

prominent spur; low seasonal plant with

aromatic leaves

Promise of Realisation

The best encouragement.

Tropaeolum

yellow flowers

Promise of Realisation in the Mind

The mind must be silent to allow

the Supramental Consciousness to

take its place.

Tropaeolum

dark red to maroon flowers

Promise of Realisation in Matter

The best encouragement for doing

what is necessary.

Tropaeolum

red to light maroon flowers with yellow

border

Promise of Realisation in the

Physical

Courage to face the long labour.

Promise of Realisation

Tropaeolum

yellow flowers with red centre

Promise of Realisation in the

Physical Mind

A good encouragement for the

necessary effort.

Tulipa

Tulip

many colours and forms of cup-shaped

flowers each on a short scape; bulbous

plant

Blossoming

The result of trust and success.

Turnera ulmifolia elegans

cream-white flowers with maroon centre;

perennial groundcover

Awakening of the Physical Mind

It wants to know and opens wide in

order to understand.

Turnera ulmifolia

Yellow alder, Sage rose, West Indian holly

yellow rotate flowers with delicate petals;

low countryside shrub

Wakefulness in the Mind

Let it turn to the Light and to the

Light alone.

Typhonium divaricatum

large maladorous red-maroon spathe and

bright red spadix coming out from the

ground; countryside rhizomatous plant

Gossip

Dark and pointed, this flower hurts

more than it charms.

The physical mind is that which is fixed on physical objects and happenings, sees and understands these only, and deals with them according to their own nature, but can with difficulty respond to the higher forces. . .To enlighten the physical mind by the consciousness of the higher spiritual and supramental planes is one object of this yoga, just as to enlighten it by the power of the higher vital and higher mental elements of the being is the greatest part of human self-development, civilisation and culture.

Vallaris solanacea

clusters of small white fragrant bell-shaped

flowers; heavy creeper

Psychic Tranquillity

By its very nature the psychic is

calm and tranquil.

We shall endure tranquilly the action and impact on us of men and things and forces, the pressure of the Gods and the assaults of Titans; we shall face and engulf in the unstirred seas of our spirit all that can possibly come to us down the ways of the soul’s infinite experience.

Vanda caerulea

Blue orchid

racemes of large light blue fragrant orchids

with violet lip; epiphytic orchid

Attachment in the Emotive Vital for

the Divine

An artistic and graceful attachment

that can be a little fanciful.

Vanda teres

medium-sized pale lavender-pink fragrant

orchid with golden-yellow lip

Emotional Attachment for the Divine

Cups of flowering feelings offered

to the Divine!

Vanda tessellata

long racemes of fragrant olive-lavender

orchids with curly petals speckled

ochre-brown and prominent lavender lip

Detailed Attachment for the Divine

Manifold, scrupulous, neglecting

nothing, meticulous—always ready

to make another effort.

The only way of being truly free is to make your surrender to the Divine entire, without reservation, because then all that binds you, ties you down, chains you, falls away naturally from you and has no longer any importance. . . .

And it is this freedom that I want of you—free from all attachment, all ignorance, all reaction; free from everything except a total surrender to the Divine.

Verbena hybrida

Perennial verbena

erect clusters of small salverform flowers

in several colours; low spreading seasonal

or perennial plant

Thoroughness

Indispensable for all true progress.

Verbena

carmine with cream centre

Artistic Thoroughness

Neglects nothing in its search for

perfection.

Thoroughness

Verbena

dark red

Physical Thoroughness

Takes great care of details in the

execution of work.

Verbena

violet

Vital Thoroughness

The vital must become calm and

docile.

Verbena

white

Integral Thoroughness

Nothing is neglected in order

to reach the Divine Goal.

Verbena

pink

Psychic Thoroughness

With untiring patience it works for

the perfection of the being.

Verbena tenuisecta

Moss verbena

elongated clusters of smaller light pink

salverform flowers; low spreading seasonal

plant

Aspiration for Conquest of the

Enemies in the Vital

A will concentrated and not noisy,

acting quietly but effectively.

Verbena

purple

Will to Conquer the Vital Enemies

Indispensable for the mastery over

desires.

Verbena

white

Conquest over the Vital Enemies

Of modest appearance, it has an

enduring power.

Every morning may our thought rise fervently towards Thee, asking Thee how we can manifest and serve Thee best.

Vernonia eleagnaefolia

Curtain creeper

airy clusters of tiny pale lavender to white

compositae flowers changing to soft fluffy

heads; heavy creeper

Aspiration for the Divine

Consciousness

O precious flower, blossom forth

never to close again!

Viburnum plicatum

Japanese snowball

large round clusters of small white rotate

flowers; shrub

Collective Purity

A very precious achievement, but

difficult to obtain.

Viola odorata

Violet

very fragrant small purple flower with

recurved petals and short spur hidden

behind small rounded leaves; low

rhizomatous plant

Modesty

Is satisfied with its own charm and

does not draw attention.

Thoughts Turned Towards the Divine

Viola

Pansy

several colours of flat soft velvety flowers

with five rounded petals; low rhizomatous

plant

Thoughts Turned towards the Divine

A certitude of beauty.

Viola

cream-yellow flowers

Integrally Pure Thoughts

An effect of the Divine Grace.

Viscum album

Mistletoe

tiny white flowers, small pearl-white

berries and oval leaves; perennial parasitic

shrub

Sign of the Spirit

"I am here", says the Spirit.

Vittadinia australis

Creeping daisy

very small white compositae flowers;

creeping groundcover

Integral Simplicity

The simplicity that is the

consequence of perfect sincerity.

Wedelia

small double yellow compositae flowers;

low perennial shrub or groundcover

Detailed Perseverance

To continue the work begun for as

long as is necessary.

Vitis vinifera

Cultivated grape

clusters of grapes, green, red or black

Divine Ananda

Abundant, succulent, nourishing,

full of vigour.

As soon as all effort disappears from a manifestation, it becomes very simple, with the simplicity of a flower opening, manifesting its beauty and spreading its fragrance without clamour or vehement gesture. And in this simplicity lies the greatest power, the power which is least mixed and least gives rise to harmful reactions.

Wisteria sinensis

Chinese wisteria

small lavender papilionaceous flowers in

long pendulous clusters; heavy deciduous

creeper

Poet’s Ecstasy

Rare and charming is your presence!

Truth is a difficult and strenuous conquest. One must be a real warrior to make this conquest, a warrior who fears nothing, neither enemies nor death, for with or against everybody, with or without a body, the struggle continues and will end by Victory.

Wormia bourbridgii

medium-sized lemon-yellow open

cup-shaped flower with white crown; tree

Effort towards the Truth

Should-exist in all men of goodwill.

Yucca

large erect branching spikes with fragrant

white bell-shaped flowers; perennial shrub

blooming once in its lifetime

Initiation

It is unique in the whole of its

existence.

Wrightia tinctoria

light clusters of small fragrant white

star-shaped flowers with white coronas;

tree

Religious Thought

Can only be used when liberated

from the influence of religions.

Zebrina pendula

Inch plant, Wandering Jew

very small violet flower emerging singly

from a folded bract, small purple leaves

striped green; succulent groundcover or

hanging-basket plant

Quiet Strength in the Vital

Does not like attract attention.

Flowers are the prayers of the vegetal kingdom

A prayer, a master act, a king idea

Can link man’s strength to a transcendent Force.

Then miracle is made the common rule.

Zephyranthes

Fairy lily, Rain lily

several colours of small funnel-shaped

flowers each borne on a short scare,

sometimes mildly fragrant; bulbous plant

Prayer

Self-giving is true prayer.

Zephyranthes

yellow flowers

Mental Prayer

Spontaneous in a mind aspiring for

transformation.

Zephyranthes

large pink flowers

Psychic Prayer

Spontaneous and fervent.

Zephyranthes

white flowers

Integral Prayer

The whole being is concentrated in

a single prayer to the Divine.

Zephyranthes

deep pink flowers

Vital Prayer

The vital implores for its

purification.

Zephyranthes

large yellow or orange-yellow flowers

Supramental Invocation

The spontaneous attitude of the

Supermind before the Divine.

Zinnia

many colours of small, medium or large

double compositae flowers; erect seasonal

plant

Endurance

Going to the very end of the effort

without fatigue or relaxing.

The most important is a steady, quiet endurance that does not allow any upsetting or depression to interfere with your progress. The sincerity of the aspiration is the assurance of the victory.

* * *

To maintain one’s endurance in spite of all oppositions, the support must be unshakable, and one support alone is unshakable, that of the reality, the Supreme Truth.

Zinnia

cream with red centre

Ananda of Endurance

To have the knowledge and the

power to bear and endure is

certainly the source of a firm joy.

Zinnia

white

Integral Endurance

Unfailingly it will go on till the very

end of its task.

Zinnia

variegated or multi-coloured

Manifold Endurance

Whatever the endurance needed, it

is always there to fulfil its role.

Zinnia

royal purple

Courageous Endurance

Strong and energetic, it never

complains.

Zinnia

bright coral

Joyous Endurance

It keeps smiling whatever happens.

Zinnia

yellow

Mental Endurance

It is never discouraged by

the difficulty of problems to be

resolved.

Zinnia

violet-red

Vital Endurance

What do obstacles matter, we shall

always go forward!

Zinnia

dark red

Physical Endurance

Knows neither fatigue nor

exhaustion.

Zinnia

light green

Spontaneous Endurance

Smiling, effortless and natural,

Zinnia

golden-yellow

Supramentalised Endurance

With such an attitude difficulties

lose their power to harrass you.

Zinnia

mauve-pink

Endurance of the Higher Vital

Whatever the circumstances, it does

not fail.

Zinnia

pink

Psychic Endurance

It will smile at life whatever its

difficulties may be.

Zinnia

Victorious Endurance

It will last to the end of the combat.

Zinnia angustifolia

very small single white, yellow or orange

semi-double compositae flowers; seasonal

groundcover

Detailed Endurance

Nothing is so small as to be

neglected; the same attention is

given to all circumstances.

Collected Works of Sri Aurobindo

Works of Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching

Vedas, Upanishads, Gita

On Yoga

Savitri

Philosophy

Essays on Yoga and Philosophy

Poetry and Plays

Human, Social and Political

India

On Themselves

-06_The Mothers Flower Significances.htm

Works of The Mother

Words of The Mother

Question and Answers

Prayers and Meditations

On Education

Spiritual Significance of Flowers

On Thoughts and Aphorisms

Conversations with the Mother. The Agenda