THE MOTHER

THE MOTHER

The Mother was born Mirra Alfassa in Paris on February 21, 1878. A pupil at the Academie Julian, she became an accomplished artist, pianist and writer. Interested in occultism, she visited Tlemcen, Algeria, in 1905 and l906 to study with the Max Theon and his wife. Her primary interest, however, was spiritual development. In 1914 the Mother voyaged to Pondicherry to meet Sri Aurobindo, whom she at once recognised as the one who for many years had inwardly guided her spiritual development. After a stay of eleven months she was obliged to return to France due to the outbreak of the First World War. In April 1920 the Mother rejoined Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry. When the Sri Aurobindo Ashram was formed in November 1926, Sri Aurobindo entrusted its full material and spiritual charge to the Mother. In 1952 she established Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education and in 1968 an international township, Auroville. The Mother left her body on November 17, 1973. The symbol of The Mother has a central circle representing the Divine consciousness. The four petals represent the four powers of the Mother. The twelve petals represent the twelve powers of the Mother manifested for Her work – sincerity, peace, equality, generosity, goodness, courage, progress, receptivity, aspiration, perseverance, gratitude and humility.