When friendship ends

Some great Indian figures lived long, but their friendship did not last. The saddest story is about Sri Aurobindo and C.R. Das. C.R. Das gave up everything, day in and day out, to save Sri Aurobindo in his political days. Then Sri Aurobindo said to C.R. Das, “If you want to realise God, you should be out of politics. Politics and God-realisation do not go together.” C.R. Das had been the greatest admirer of Sri Aurobindo, but he went away to follow another spiritual Master. This spiritual Master was like an anthill, whereas Sri Aurobindo was the Himalayas. C.R. Das became very devoted to the other spiritual Master. Then he begged and begged Gandhi to become the disciple of that Master. Gandhi said, "I admire him, but I cannot become his disciple.”

Sri Aurobindo’s brother was so close to him, but his brother left the Ashram.

Friendship does not last. Perhaps this message has come down from Heaven. This is the saddest story in my Indian life. One man was very wealthy. His family ran a business. They used to sell Indian ghee. He and his assistant were dearer than the dearest to each other. You have never seen such friendship! They were so devoted to each other. Everybody said, “How dear they are, how close they are to each other!”

Alas, the assistant fell in love and he started spending time with his girlfriend. He was neglecting his work. The friendship was dwindling and it ended in the most deplorable way. The assistant brought his boss to court and the boss lost. Finally the boss committed suicide. I have never heard such a sad experience. They were dearer than the dearest friends. The end of this friendship was so painful for me. Friendship stories we know end in different ways, but not in this way, with suicide.