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Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi
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opinion that a perfect life is impossible without such faith. Gandhiji is an Idealist. For him, God is the ultimate reality behind the universe. God alone is real and the world is illusion. He alone persists in the midst of changes. It is an undefinable mysterious power and pervades everything. “God is Life, Truth, Light. He is Love. He is Supreme Good."
God, according to Gandhiji, transcends description. He is the Law-maker, the Law and the Executor. No human being can arrogate these powers to himself. “If he did, he would be looked upon as an unadulterated dictator. They become only whom we worship as God. This is the reality, a clear understanding."'. For him, "God is Life". Goodness conceived as apart from Him, is lifeless. We try to become good, because we want to reach and realize God. He is a living force for Gandhiji. That force resides in, but is not, the body. He who denies the existence of that great force, denies to himself. “Life is like a rudderless ship which, tossed about here and there, perishes without making any headway. This is impossible without the living faith in God.”'3
On the other hand, negation of God gives rise to a feeling of helplessness and induces people to put their faith in violence. As a matter of fact, a Satyagrahi gets strength from God. The first and the last thing for a non-violent person will be his unshakable faith in God. The only weapon for a Satyagrahi is God, by whatsoever name one may know Him. Without this faith in God, Satyagrabi is devoid of strength before his opponent armed with monstrous weapons. But one who takes God as his only protector, remains unbent before the mightiest earthly power.
In the views of Mahatma Gandhi, there is an indefinable mysterious power that pervades everything. We feel it. though we do not see it. It is this unseen power which makes itself felt and yet defies all proofs for the existence of God. It transcends our senses, as it is unlike those things which are perceived through senses. It is possible to reason about the existence of God to a limited extent. Even in ordinary affairs, we know that people do not know who rules or why and how He rules. And yet they know that there is a power that rules
