Gandhi And Jainism

Author(s): Shugan C Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 50

Gandhi spent the first few months and much of his money trying to become an 'Englishman'. He bought fashionable clothes, including a silk hat, and spent much time before a mirror arranging his tie and parting his hair. He took lessons in music, dancing, French, and elocution. In order to cultivate an ear for western music, he bought a violin and took lessons as well, but soon abandoned his efforts in this direction. He started keeping a dairy and record every pence he spent before going to bed to exercise strict control on his budget. This habit gave him methods to cut down on wasteful expenses (like travel by bus, living with a family involved weekly bills, courtesy outings etc) and develop simpler life style for the better. He tried out several lower-cost rooms, began cooking his meals at home and also started walking rather than using public transportation. He decided to focus his time and energy on the legal examination, the very objective for which he came to England. “If my character made a gentleman of me," he reported, "so much the better. Otherwise I should forego the ambition."7
Gandhi kept much of his Indian life secret, fearful that it might draw criticism. He told no one about his child marriage as children in England had to first complete their education before considering marriage. Only after one of his female friends tried to set him up on a date did he feel compelled to tell her that he was already a husband and father, a fact that both the women accepted graciously. From that time onward, he never hesitated to talk of his married status whenever necessary."
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During Gandhi's second year in England, two Theosophists brothers expressed interest in reading The Song Celestial, English translation of the Bhagavad Gita and invited Gandhi to read the book with them. He realized the beauty of the Bhagavad Gita for the first time. Later Gandhi also read Sir Edwin Arnold's The Light of Asia, Helena Blavatsky's Key to Theosophy, Mrs. Besant's How I Became a Theosophist, and Thomas Carlyle's Heroes and Hero Worship. In addition to reading the Old and New Testament of the Bible, he also read other religious books and started exploring Theism, Hinduism, and other religions more seriously."
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