Hajarimalmuni Smruti Granth

Author(s): Shobhachad Bharilla
Publisher: Hajarimalmuni Smruti Granth Prakashan Samiti Byavar

Page 1021

Miss Ruth M. Weil
University of Wisconsin, U.S.A. THE NON-VIOLENCE OF MAHATMA GANDHI & GITA
The life of Mahatma Gandhi (1870-1948), the great architect of the contemporary social and political India, the saint, philosopher, politician and religious reformer, truly can be viewed as an expression of India's cultural heritage. Unlike many contemporary western philosophers, who are sidetracked by the concept of "historical relativism", Gandhi sought the eternal truths, a search which seems to have occupied Indian seers and philosophers throughout recorded history. Gandhi said: "I do not claim to have originated any new principle or doctrine. I have simply tried in my own way to apply the eternal truths to our daily life and problems".1 Of all the written sources which attempt to reflect these truths, Gandhi held the Bible, the Koran and the Bhagavadgita in highest esteem. Although he recited quotations from all three of these at his evening prayers, he was probably most deeply influenced by the Gita. There is no doubt that Gandhi interpreted the teachings of the Gita in his own way, trying to prove that its philosophy of life supported his creed of non-violence. But that the Gita served as his guide at hundreds of moments of doubt and difficulty is evidenced by such words as :
"I am a devotee of the Gita and a firm believer in the inexorable law of karma. Even the least little tripping or stumbling is not without its cause and I have wondered why one who has tried to follow the Gita in thought, word and deed should have any ailment.. The fact that any event or incident should disturb my mental equilibrium, in spite of my serious efforts, means not that the Gita ideal is defective but that my devotion to it
is defective. The Gita ideal is true for all time...”? It is evident that Gandhi made earnest efforts to follow the ideal of a sthitaprajna, as expressed in the Bhagavadgita. He was undisturbed in the midst of disturbed conditions, maintaining his balance of mind when others had lost it. When India was torn with communal riots and the hatred between Hindu and Muslim was causing the merciless massacre of hundreds of thousands of innocent people, Gandhi preached love and brotherhood, and underwent a fast unto death until peace was restored in the capital of India. Even when his assasin appeared at his evening prayers, Gandhi maintained the calm and composure of a sthitaprajna. Instead of attempting to escape or to retaliate, he folded his hands, uttered the name of God three times and smilingly embraced death. The Gita says of the sthitaprajna :
"He whose mind is untroubled in the midst of sorrows and is free from eager desire amid pleasure, he from whom passion, fear and rage have passed away-he is called a sage of settled intelligence." (2:56)
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