CWSA 8: Karmayogin 1

Karmayogin was launched by Sri Aurobindo on the 19th June 1909 as a weekly review of National Religion, Literature, Science, Philosophy etc. six weeks after his acquittal from the Alipore trial case. It is well known that this period of one year during which Sri Aurobindo was kept in solitary confinement turned to be a period of rapid transformation for him. The revolutionary yogi of the Bande Mataram days was transformed into a Yoga-Siddha of the highest order. The imprisonment had released him completely from the prison of Ignorance. The person who went into the prison was the Editor of Bande Mataram. The person who came out was a Jivanmukta and Karmayogi. The name of the journal that he now launched was perfectly apt. The very first issue of the journal reproduced contents of his first speech delivered on the 30th May 1909 soon after his release from the Alipore Jail. He spoke as one who had seen God as indeed he had. The fire of Bande Mataram had entered a depth wherein it had become one with the Fire that we carry within our hearts as the secret godhead immanent in man. He spoke as one moved by God.