Gandhi And Jainism

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

Page 53

and got strong rebuke by him to the extent of being thrown out of the office. This was a big lesson for Gandhi to not abuse acquaintance for favour. He resolved:
"Never again shall I place myself in such a false position, never again shall I try to exploit friendship in this way, and since then I have never been guilty of a breach of that determination. This shock changed the course of my life'ls.
In the mean time his brother's acquaintance, a Meman firm from Porbandar (Dada Abdullah and Company) offered Gandhi a job in South Africa for one year so that he might assist in bringing a drawn-out legal case to completion. Without hesitation or haggling for a higher fee, Gandhi accepted the offer and sailed for South Africa.
Analysis One wonders as to why a shy, fearful small town boy from a middle class religious family; who had been rarely away from his home town suddenly deciding to go to England for higher studies. Was it his urge to explore new world or move forward to achieve life mission or his friendship with Sheikh Mahtab to experience how one becomes stronger (British were stronger because they ate meat) or his desire to occupy his father's position as chief minister Diwan of Porbandar. Whatever the reason, his urge to go to England was so strong that he overcame all hurdles like fear of being outcast by his community, mother's insistence to accept observance of three strict vows and finally being turned down by the British administrator Mr Lely for financial support. Perhaps it was a mix of all these as indicated by Gandhi himself later:
I was fond of novel experiences. I loved to see fresh fields and pastures new. It is disgusting to have to give commission to those who brought me work. The atmosphere in Saurashtra was choking to me."
We now analyze some personality development factors showing his growing up / maturing during his stay in England and return to India.
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