Mahatma, A Master

By Staff

Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 16:56

Mahatma Gandhi the eminent political figure of common perception, stretches far more into other vistas of his personality. His adherence to truth and nonviolence gives a glimpse of his interest in spirituality as well. But how far the spirit of spirituality possessed him is little known. It has always been a matter of contradiction as to whether Gandhiji was a spiritual master in addition to being the political liberator of India. Whatever be the argument, he followed and set forth principles, the giant Gandhian values that can set one firmly on the path of liberation apart from securing the Indian Independence.

The book 'The Mind Of Mahatma' clearly sets forth eleven principles or vows that Gandhiji believed to uplift humanity on the basis of morality for a healthy society. These principles themselves form the basis for an evolving spiritual life. Out of the eleven, truth and nonviolence, non possession and non stealing, Brhamacharya and Fearlessness are elaborated here.

Truth & Nonviolence

It is a well known fact that Gandhiji advocated 'truth' and was an embodiment of it. One cannot bypass the fact that he was not only referring to the relative truth but also the absolute truth. "For me truth is the sovereign principle, which includes numerous other principles. This truth is not only truthfulness in word, but truthfulness in thought also, and not only the relative truth of our conception, but the Absolute Truth, the Eternal Principle, that is God" He further says he uses the relative truth as a beacon, shield and buckler to the realization of the absolute truth.

"In fact, what I have caught is only the faintest gleam of that mighty effulgence. But this much I can say with assurance, as a result of all my experiments, that a perfect vision of Truth can only follow a complete realization of Ahimsa." This reflection of the fact highlights the Vedic principle of realizing the ultimate truth, the underlying essence in all that is manifested which spontaneously and involuntarily develops the spirit of Ahimsa in oneself.

Gandhiji further highlighted the fact that truth and Ahimsa go together. "Ahimsa and Truth are so intertwined that it is practically impossible to disentangle and separate them. They are like the two sides of a coin, or rather of a smooth, unstamped, metallic disc. Who can say which is the obverse, and which is the reverse? Nevertheless ahimsa is the means..."

"My love for non-violence is superior to every other thing mundane or supramundane. It is equalled only by my love for Truth, which is to me synonymous with non-violence through which and which alone I can see and reach"

The realization of the truth which is the realization of the oneness with all that is created as an extension of oneself portrays Ahimsa. Whereas Ahimsa when adopted as means to realize the absolute truth becomes an effective spiritual practice.

Non Possession And Non stealing

"Non-possession is allied to non-stealing. A thing not originally stolen must nevertheless be classified as stolen property, if we possess it without needing it. Possession implies provision for the future. A seeker after Truth, a follower of the law of Love, cannot hold anything against tomorrow. God never stores for the morrow. He never creates more than what is strictly needed for the moment. If, therefore, we repose faith in His Providence, we should rest assured that He will give us every day our daily bread, meaning everything that we require...."

According to Gandhiji the negligence of the above mentioned law is what created inequalities in the society the adherence of which will put one in the path of renunciation. He further clarifies what true renunciation is. "This does not mean that, if one has wealth, it should be thrown away and wife and children should be turned out of doors. It simply means that one must give up attachment of these things and dedicate one's all to God and make use of His gifts to serve Him only" . The statement is the portrayal of the spiritual principle of renunciation within which means developing a sense of detachment within, while performing one's duties and living amongst the world.

To Be Continued To Be Continued