Sri-aravindopanishad (श्री अरविन्दोपनिषद्)is one of the important original Sanskrit writings of Sri Aurobindo. This was written by him during the early part of his stay in Pondicherry (1910-1914).
In this small philosophical work the essence of Sri Aurobindo's philosophy has been brought out in just 27 lines only. This is the Upanishad which declares that the world is not a dream, nor illusion, nor false. It is as true as the Brahman itself. In this World that which appears as devoid of bliss, as suffering and weakness and ignorance, is truly the deformation of the Bliss, the play of the Bliss. Whom we call jeeva, a living being, he is truly the all-blissful Divine in disguise, descended to enjoy the self-luminous World-Brahman. Since the Brahman is all-blissful, all-powerful and omniscient, he alone can enjoy all suffering, ignorance, all that is devoid of bliss and weak. Ignorance is the root of the idea that I am but finite and therefore incapable, weak and sorrowful. Ego is the seed of ignorance. When one is free from ego, he is free from ignorance, and free from ignorance means free from all suffering. At this stage the jeeva knows that he is All-blissful, One and Infinite and All. Knowing this he becomes all-blissful. This is moksha, liberation. Thus liberated he enjoys the enjoyment of all without any attachment. Enjoying all joys infinitely he is not separated from the finite, enjoying the finite he is not deprived of the Infinite.
The All-blissful has created this world for Leela(play). Therefore this Upanishad declares, “O sons of Bliss, being united with the god be engaged in Leela. Enjoy the bliss. Knowing the omnipresent Divine as the only enjoyable, enjoy him in all things. Remove the darkness and let the bliss shine.” This, in short, is the essence of this Upanishad, which has arisen directly out of the spiritual experiences of Sri Aurobindo.