During my 44 day adventure in the Auroconf forum during the spring of 2006, a person named Constance [1] instantly questioned the four Auroconf moderators why they would facilitate my interest in discussing the ‘schism' that exists between their group and those who consider Patrizia Norelli-Bachelet a valid successor of the Supramental Descent.
I shared much of what happened while I was in Auroconf with Ms. Norelli-Bachelet and other students of her work; and questions regarding Constance arose that led to an important discussion about the events surrounding Auroville, the Mother and Ms. Norelli Bachelet in the mid 1970's.
For those of us who weren't there to see for ourselves what happened in those crucial years after the Mother left, these accounts are precious.
Patrizia Norelli-Bachelet: ‘If I recall, it was Constance who went to the Bhrigu Astrologer in Bangalore in 1975 or 1976 to ask about the Inner Chamber. The astrologer replied, from ancient papyrus leaves, that the 24 metres HAD TO BE INNER MEASUREMENT, and he gave him the references from the Scriptures to uphold the Mother's insistence. Of course this was never taken seriously, by Constance as well. I am almost certain that it was Constance. But I may be wrong. What is certain is that Constance lived in Auroville at the time the Matrimandir dispute came up and that he was not in favour of the Mother's original plan being implemented. Therefore any experience he remembers of me from those days can only be negative. But this was all after the Mother left, not before.'
I asked PNB who Davoud was and who sent him to the astrologer and more of the story unfolded.
Patrizia Norelli-Bachelet: ‘It was Davoud who made trips to the astrologer on his own initiative. He was an ashramite in the early 1960s, left around 1965 and returned about the time when I arrived. He never lived or had anything to do with Auroville. (Bear in mind that the two places are 20 kms apart and miles apart in the level of commitment and consciousness.) ...
‘His trips to the astrologer were entirely his thing. He used to ask all sorts of questions, some of the answers he would pass on to me when we met from time to time. The custom was to write 9, 6, or 3 questions, and place them in a sealed envelope before the astrologer. He would ask you to pick a card. I remember Davoud asking who Jesus was, and many times about Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Things like that.
'When Davoud put the question about the Mother's temple, the astrologer's reply from the old papyrus leaf was that "the Mother is grateful to Udar Pinto [name given in full!] and only to Udar Pinto for his help."
'Udar was the Ashram engineer she asked to draw up her plan originally. That is the plan that Piero brought to me and I worked with. He continued:
' "The diameter 24 mts must be INNER measurement," or to this effect. Again, the exact wording is on my files.
'With this reply, then Auroville agents stepped in and rushed to the same astrologer, believing, I suppose, that Davoud had fabricated his answer. Instead, this 'Constance' (or whoever) came away with the same command: INNER ONLY; but this time the astrologer even added the references in the Scriptures to support the inner measurement. But even with this, they defiantly chose to leave the measurement outer, and thus the crosswise axial balance was lost forever.
'When word spread about the Bhrigu reading, the main financial support of the temple, Madanlal Hematsinka, got HIS astrologer to CONFIRM that all was well just as it was being built, OUTER measurement and all. This was outrageous and a total sham. But that just goes to show you how shabbily they treated the Mother's knowledge. ANYTHING GOES!'
Ms. Norelli-Bachelet later noted that Madanlal's visit to his own astrologer, supposedly confirming that the OUTER measurement of 24 meters was correct, is possibly included in a history of Auroville that Gilles Guigan is compiling with various letters and similar anecdotes (We will try to confirm this.) She noted, however, that Gilles is not likely to make any mention of the Bhrigu astrologer's prior reading to Davoud and then to Constance, or whoever it was that paid him a visit after Davoud, for obvious reasons.
I encourage any readers concerned with these issues, who were around in those years, to add to this unfolding story by sending me their accounts of the events discussed above – in support or in opposition of the accounts given by Ms. Norelli-Bachelet. Soon there will be a time when those of you who have direct experience of the events as they unfolded, will no longer be around to share your contributions to the historical record of these important matters. Accounts can be posted to pnb-controversies.blogspot.com or sent to me at lotus@saber.net.
Lori Tompkins
13 June 2006
endnote:
[1] In the article ‘AuroExpose', Robert Wilkinson identifies Constance's original name as David E. Walker.
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