Dr. S.R Ranganathan and Shri Aurobindo Ghose

Dr. S.R Ranganathan (SRR) during his eariier career years had sought the advice of self-realized souls and mystics as to what path he should pursue - the bhakti / yoga way or the way of an intellectual. In his quest for guidance, SRR had visited Shri Aurobindo. Ghose* on the appointed day and time Shii Aurobindo was to undergo a surgical operation on one of his legs. SRR thought that the day and time was not appropriate for the consultation and suggested to Aurobindo that their meeting may be postponed to some other day. But Aurobindo replied that it was quite alright for him to discuss with SRR while the surgeons worked on his leg! The 'patient' did not even want any local anesthetic applied, although the surgeon suggested it. Indeed SRR and Aurobindo discussed as if nothing else was happening. In the end SRR received advice to meet some one else for a more definite advice regarding his quest. SRR was obviously curious to know whether the mystic felt pain while they were conversing. It appears Aurobindo said he was not sensitive to or conscious of the pain of the operation, he could cut / filter out the sensation totally! [Narrated by SRR].