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Gandhi's definition of the term Satyagraha is all inclusive of Ahimsa, adherence to vows, self restraint, and fasting i.e. all in one to continue insistence on Truth till realized. Satyagraha implies self effort through self suffering. Thus Satyagraha is like observing austerities / tapa to annihilate bondage of karmas or purify the soul of its impurities through its own effort to attain the highest objective of life. 53
He had practised it successfully in South Africa and wished to test it in India to the extent of its applicability in India. He worked harder to use it as a potent weapon based on truthforce/soul-force/love-force/Ahimsa. To encourage fellow countrymen to join his movement 'Satyagraha' for freedom of India, he said:
"I have no doubt that British government is a powerful government, but I have no doubt also that Satyagraha is a powerful sovereign remedy."54 Satyagraha is a matchless weapon and those who wield it are strangers to disappointment.
He said 'Experience had taught me that civility is the most difficult part of Satyagraha. Civility does not mean here the mere outward gentleness of speech cultivated for the occasion, but an inborn gentleness and desire to do the opponent good. These should show themselves in every act of a Satygrahi.55 He further explained the following four conditions for a successful strike
i. Never to resort to violence
ii. Never to molest blacklegs
iii. Never to depend on alms
iv. To remain firm, no matter how long the strike continued, and to earn bread, during the strike, by any other honest manner.
Pg.92 | Gandhi & Jainism
