Prabuddha Jivan 2019 03

SR No.: 526128
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sejal Shah
Publisher: Mumbai Jain Yuvak Sangh
Publication Year: 2019
Total Pages: 72
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Prabuddha Jivan, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 49

Gandhlji
qua gol
Prakash Mody
--
-
On the 150th birth anniversary of Mohandas in the book). He also discussed Karamchand Gandhi (2nd October 1869–30th January topics like vegetarianism, celibacy, relationships much 1948), widely known as Mahatma (Great Soul) more. This book in many languages has been sold andBapu (Father of the Nation), allow me a few globally, reprinted multiple times, and read widely. moments to reflect on his life and works.Little ink has
Gandhiji authored other books, editorials, and been spared in writing about India's struggle for
articles in different languages (Gujarati, English, Hindi, freedom and about Gandhiji, some possibly untrue,
and Devanagari).He used both hands, left and right, some perhaps biased. The purpose of this piece is to
when writing, which is a testament of his passion shed light about some facts less known, many known for it. but not publicised as much, and fewentirely
Many of Gandhiji's works are translated into Indian unrecognized!
regional and foreign languages. A complete catalogue Gandhiji's exceptional and innovative yet ethical
of his writings would runinto many pages; and writings vision freed India from the British rule. Grounded on about him many, many more - perhaps even a world high morals, his simplicity and conviction silently record. influenced Indians to follow his leadin the freedom
Gandhiji helped place the Gujarati language on the movement. Although Britain's 'divide and rule' strategy
world map. He inspired Gujarat Vidyapith (University) favoured Muhammad Ali Jinnah's proposal to create
to compile a Gujarati Dictionary with spelling rules for Pakistan, it marked the fall of British rule in India.
convenient and widespread adoption. He served as Britain's power and ammunition ultimately succumbed
President of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad (Literary to the strength of non-violence, truth, and patriotism.
Conference), during which invited guest Rabindranath Philosophy
Tagorehonourably referred to him as "Mahatma". Most of us hear or use the term "Gandhian
Gandhiji's Inspirations philosophy" - which would lead us to believe that
Gandhiji was bom into a Hindu (Vaishnav) family Gandhiji, like prominent leaders and philosophers,
in Gujarat; his religion and place of birth both forbid would have penned his ideology. Colleagues at
meat consumption, but in his younger days, he felt an Sabarmati Ashramexpressed the need for a codified
attraction for it; Gandhiji's vegetarianism experiments book, but Gandhijideclined. Kishorilal Mashruwala took
with Virchand Raghavji Gandhi (not related to Gandhiji), upon himself the task, and authoreda book with 16
are noteworthy. chaptersin Gujarati, titled "Gandhi Vichar Dohan", which was published by Navjivan Trustin 1935. Gandhiji
In his autobiography, Gandhiji mentioned not endorsed that the book appropriately depicted his
accepting anyone as his Guru. He did, however, claim thoughts and principles. The book remains in Gujarati
the influence of 3 people in his life-Leo Tolstoy through due to absence of a suitable translator who can do
correspondence, John Ruskin through his book "Unto justice to its expression in other languages. As a result,
the Last", and to Shrimad Rajchandraji. (10th November Gandhiji's philosophy remains veiled to the rest of the
1867 - 9th April 1901) through personal association, world. What immense joy and honour it would be if in
correspondence and meetings over the course of a his 150th birth anniversary year, a suitable individual
few years. He attributed most reverential importance would attempt this translation feat.
to Shrimadji, and devoted a full chapter in his
autobiography, along with many other references. Literature & Language
Shrimadji replied to Gandhiji's 27 questions, which Gandhiji's autobiography "Satya-na Prayogo Athva
resolved his confusion about the Hindu religion and Atmakatha" (Gujarati), "The Story of My Experiments
spirituality. Through this communication, Gandhiji felt with Truth" (English), describes his understanding of
motivated to remain Hindu and delve into it deeper to the concept of truth and explained his efforts to apply
find what he was seeking, as opposed to exploring the principle of non-violence which he learned from
other faiths. These questions and answers are Shrimad Rajchandraji (referred to as Raychandbhai
published and worth reading. Rabindranath Tagore માર્ચ - ૨૦૧૯
પદ્ધછgs