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Gandhi's Teachers : Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta
happen, you are not to shed a tear" (Acharlu, 1985, p. 179).
The Man
Gandhi was an extraordinary man. Both his friends and critics agreed that he was extremely witty, intelligent, full of practical wisdom, formidable opponent, and a shrewd politician. People called him "Bapu," meaning father-figure. Others addressed him as "Mahatma" or a great soul. All admired his openness, honesty, unselfishness, strength of character, all-embracing compassion, and life-long service to others. They showered upon him respectful pleasantries of many kind. Gandhi had faith in the good side of human nature, strength of the people, and efficacy of the nonviolent measures. He distinguished between the wrong and the wrong-doer and stressed that it was the wrong that needed to be eradicated without causing harm to the wrong-doer. For those who wanted to fight unfairness and injustice, he was a natural leader and an impeccable role model. He seemed to understand most complex human problems and was able to find solutions for them with relative ease. He had the ability to touch the heart of common man and encourage him to fight injustice through persuasive and nonviolent means. Yet Gandhi described himself as "only a seeker of Truth," "an average man with less than average ability," and one who had nothing new to teach this world since his ideas were as old as the hills. It was this extreme humility of Gandhi which endeared him to all and won him friends even among foes.
Gandhi worked hard throughout his life to follow the principles of Truth, Ahimsa, simplicity, and love and thereby achieve soul perfection and salvation. His life-long struggle was focused on the problems of poor, destitute, and downtrodden people and he emphasized that through service to others, simple and non-pretentious living, and by following high moral and spiritual standards could one attain true happiness and peace. Gandhi never held any official position or title during his life and yet today he is held in high esteem
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