Book Title: Gandhis Teachers Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta
Author(s): Satish Sharma
Publisher: Gujarat Vidyapith Ahmedabad

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Page 219
________________ Gandhi : A Biographical Sketch 201 managed the affairs of the Kathiawad States with efficiency and was respected for his loyalty to the ruler of the Kathiawad States, generosity, truthfulness, bravery, impartiality, incorruptibility, and practical wisdom. He led a simple life and had no ambition for wealth or worldly pleasures. Gandhi's mother, also without formal education, was a deeply religious and saintly person. She fasted often and undertook tough religious vows. She took her meals only after the daily prayers were offered and never flinched from her religious duties. She commanded great respects from ladies of the extended family and was considered to be wise and well-informed about the affairs of the Kathiawad States. Gandhi was much influenced by his father and mother. From the father, he learned the lessons of honesty, impartiality, straight-forwardness, incorruptibility, and practicality in public affairs. From the mother, he imbibed the deep religious spirit and life-long urge for soul searchings. When Gandhi was seven years old, his father left Sudamapuri and settled in Rajkot, Gujarat. Gandhi received his early education there. Gandhi recollects that as a young boy he was very shy, memorized the multiplication tables with difficulty, and had little confidence in his abilities. Whenever a praise, prize, or award was accorded to him, it used to be a source of astonishment for him. However, he was truthful, dutiful, and very respectful to the elders. He never minded their flaws and even when occasionally misguided by them never lessened his respect for them. A teacher had once prompted Gandhi to copy the word "kettle" in an examination. Gandhi did not obey the teacher, but also did not keep any grudge against him. Gandhi was mindful of his behavior all the time and guarded it with great care. At the age of thirteen, Gandhi was married to Kasturbai when he was still in high school. Kasturbai was also thirteen years old. Gandhi recalls that marriage at that time meant to him receiving good clothes to wear, rich dinners to eat, and a strange girl to play with. He was young and did not understand the meaning or responsibility of a husband. Carnal Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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