________________
206
Gandhi's Teachers : Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta
Became a Theosophist, The Old Testament, The New Testament, and Carlyle's Hero and Hero-Worship. He read other religious books as well and started exploring theism, Hinduism, and other religions more seriously.
Finding suitable vegetarian food was still a problem for Gandhi and he kept exploring suitable places to eat. One day he found a good vegetarian restaurant. Salt's plea for Vegetarianism was displayed in the window of this restaurant. Gandhi purchased a copy of the book and read it from cover to cover. The book made a profound impression on Gandhi. He says that earlier he was vegetarian because of the promise made to his mother, but now he became vegetarian by choice and decided to spread the message to others. Later Gandhi also read The Ethics of Diet by Howard Williams and The Perfect Way in Diet by Dr. Anna Kingsford. As time went on, Gandhi started experimenting to find substitutes for nonvegetarian items in his diet (such as, milk). These experiments continued for the rest of his life. At first Gandhi's motive in seeking vegetarian foods was nutrition, hygiene, health, and economy in expenditures. Later the motive also included spiritual purification and ultimate salvation.
Gandhi matured a lot during his stay in England and learned many useful lessons about the British social and political customs, ways of the people, English manners, and innocence, simplicity, and kindness of the folks. Gandhi passed his law examination and was called to the bar on June 10. 1891. He enrolled in the England High Court on June 11 and sailed back for India on June 12, 1891.
Back in India and Move to South Africa
Upon return from England, Gandhi was met by his elder brother at the Bombay port and was brought back to Rajkot, Gujarat. Gandhi's mother had died in the meantime while he was still in England. This fact had not been revealed to him and he felt sad. The caste squabbles had continued and even intensified. Gandhi's relationships with his wife remained
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
