The Century of Life: The Nitishataka of Bhartrihari freely rendered into English verse by Sri Aurobindo

by Sri Aurobindo

A collection of over a hundred epigrams on:

• ancient Indian morals
• policy
• worldly wisdom
• the law of ideal conduct
• giving insight into the turns and forces determining the movement of human character and action.

Originally written in Sanskrit, the Neetishataka of Bhartrihari contains and expresses, in Sri Aurobindo's words, "high ethical thought or wordly wisdom or brief criticisms of aspects of life".

This work is particularly significant as it underlines one of "the three leading motives of the mind of the age, its reflective interest in life and turn for high and strong and minute thinking".

This book contains the original Sanskrit verses with English transliteration and translation.

About the Author:

Sri Aurobindo was an Indian/Hindu nationalist, scholar, poet, mystic, evolutionary philosopher, yogi and guru. After a short political career in which he became one of leaders of the early movement for the freedom of India from British rule, Sri Aurobindo turned to the development and practice of a new spiritual path which he called the "integral yoga," the aim of which was to further the evolution of life on earth by establishing a high level of spiritual consciousness which he called the Supermind that would represent a divine life.

Sri Aurobindo wrote prolifically in English on his spiritual philosophy and practice, on social and political development, on Indian culture including extensive commentaries and translations of ancient Indian scriptures, on literature and poetry including the writing of much spiritual poetry.