Gandhi And Jainism

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

Page 51

In 1891, Gandhi passed his law examination and was called to the bar on 10" of June, and enrolled in the High Court on the 11th. On 12th he sailed for home. He had achieved the goal he had set out for, but also much more. Gandhi grew personally, spiritually, and intellectually during his stay in England. He learned useful lessons about British social and political customs, and the way of life of the English people, and gradually developed a deeper understanding of his own Indian heritage which he took with him back to India.
Return to India (1891-1893). Beginning of his life as a householder? After the successful completion of his law degree, Gandhi returned to India in order to establish his legal practice. On arrival he was greeted by Dr Pranjivan Mehta whom he had met earlier in England. But his return was conflicting. He learned, only after his arrival in India, that his mother had died and that this news had been withheld from him. There was more trouble to confront because he had been already declared outcaste by a section of his Modh-baniya community of his origin for crossing the ocean. He did neither resist ex- communication nor did any retaliation to avoid any unnecessary storm. However a smaller section of community was of much help. His elder brother was generous and well connected. He tried to set up several appointments for him to take up their legal cases. He could not get any case due to his exorbitant fee expectations. He tried to impart education to his wife though unsuccessfully due to his lust coming on the way. However he had some success in teaching his four years old son. Expenses were mounting. Finally he decided to go to Bombay to practice law.
In Bombay, he had to first set up home without wife and training a Brahmin cook to run the household. He began study of Indian law on one hand and on the other conducted experiments in dietetics. In both these, Mr Virchand Gandhi", a friend joined him. Virchand Gandhi was studying for solicitor's examination and used to tell him all sorts of stories about barrister and vakils. In spite of these challenges, Gandhi began practising
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