My present understanding is as follows. Sri Aurobindo has already stated that the Universal Will always fulfils its own aim, cannot be deflected by egoistic prayer, and that an individual’s desires are not the true determining factor in the world-order. However, he then immediately adds that the execution of the Universal Will is not mechanical, but takes place through various powers and forces, among which human will, aspiration and faith are especially important.
This seems to suggest that, although the ultimate aim of the Universal Will remains unchanged, its execution is a living and dynamic process rather than a fixed mechanical one, and that human will, aspiration and faith genuinely participate in, and therefore influence or condition, the manner in which that execution unfolds.
Otherwise, I find it difficult to understand why Sri Aurobindo would emphasise that the Universal Will is not executed mechanically, or why he would specifically describe human will, aspiration and faith as important forces. Is this understanding consistent with Sri Aurobindo’s intention, or have I misunderstood his meaning?
[The Godward Emotions: https://incarnateword.in/cwsa/24/the-godward-emotions#p9]
This is absolutely correct understanding. Very simply put, the Divine Will is not a mechanical determinism but a living conscious process. It will fulfil itself is the first most important fact. But this fulfilment is not through an arbitrary disregarding of all other forces and wills as if they were non-existent. Instead, the Divine Will takes up and uses all the different elements of creation and, even though it eventually fulfils itself, it does so by taking up all the other elements that are part of creation. It uplifts and sublimates them, ennobles what is ready to be aligned, negates what resists obstinately and thus, even in the process of fulfilling, evolves everything in a way so that each element gradually comes closer to the original Divine Plan. In that process, the world takes on the appearance of a battlefield. If the Divine Will were simply pushing itself arbitrarily without taking into account anything else, then it would quickly create a world that is perfect but artificial, like a robotic machine. But the Divine wants the instruments of nature and the players too to evolve, grow conscious in the process. It is not a world of mechanical static perfection but a fully conscious and divinely perfect world in its dynamic dance that is the original plan. The Divine Will is not an arbitrary bulldozer but an All-knowing, All-powerful Player who is helping the world march move forward and the world grow through all the apparent successes and failures, victory and defeat.
When we pray, our limited human will begins to make contact with the Divine Will and thus grows through the process, both when granted and when denied. Granting of a prayer may sometimes mean a detour but always an eventual arrival at the Divine Intention.
Affectionately
Alok Da
