“The Story Of My Experiments With Truth” Gandhian Philosophy

“The Story Of My Experiments With Truth” Gandhian Philosophy

Q:- 2 What is Gandhian philosophy? How this philosophy came to be known as such?

Or. “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” gives the message of spirituality, love, truth and non-violence.” Explain.

Or “The autobiography is a moral leader and Gandhi seems to be an Apostle.” Explain.

            The life style which shaped Gandhi’s life is known as Gandhism. His life is nothing but mixture of love, truth, spirituality and non-violence. Simplicity, honesty, moral high values and service to the people all marked his life. His autobiography and other plenty of writings, speeches, reflect these ideas and aspects. This is known as Gandhism or Gandhian philosophy. Practice of all those things made him an apostle. Autobiography is a pivotal work where he opened his book of life. That’s why the work has remained a moral leader.

Truth; The sole Aim:-

            Gandhi gave priority to truth. In the preface he wrote:-

            “But for me, truth is the sovereign principle, which included numerous other principles. This truth is not only truthfulness in word, but truthfulness in thought also… The absolute truth, the Eternal Principle that is God.”

            He also wrote:-

            “Let hundreds like me perish, but let truth prevail.” Let us not reduce the standard of truth even by a hair’s breath for judging erring mortals like myself.”

            Thus it is clear he is not the hero but truth is. The story is related to truth. There are experiments with truth. In pain too he sticks to this principle. Socrates said “knows thyself’. Gandhi did the same.

            For him truth is like buries gems and on the find they bring highest value. Gandhi put truth as the God. Power of it is more than the sun. In practical life any one can practice it. Through spirituality, it is but to love all. People believed for lawyers it is difficult to follow truth. But Gandhi did it remarkably. Without telling lies he practiced law. His reputation grew. Clients too understand and brought no but a real follower sticks to it.

Spirituality:-

            Gandhi’s early days show his bent towards spirituality. The holy books the Ramayana and the Mahabharata influenced him. His influences were intensified by good religious Men and other books. He read holy books of the Muslims, Christians and the persis and others as well. He realized the spirit of all the religions. He found out primary and basic ideals. He was a devout Hindu and had deep faith in it. For him religion meant ‘self-realization knowledge of self’. It is not custom finding the God in daily life. Prayer is the soul of religion. Our acts must bring peace. Purity of heart would bring humanity.

            HE practiced spirituality in daily life. Moral values in private, public and social life became important. There was no place of immortality even in politics. His practice of non violence and righteousness were the highest things. ‘Ahimsa’ governed his all fields.

            “Satyagraha” is word shows his spirituality and love for truth. He firmly believed that it is a great weapon to fight against evils. Satyagraha movement in India, We know brought freedom for us  and African campaign in 1906 are two great examples.

            “Brahmacharya” is another example of Gandhi’s spiritual life. For him it means ‘control of desires’. It is a moral restraint. In the beginning it was limited for not having more children but it was artificial. Later he found it as the protection of body the mind and the protection of body, the mind and the soul. He told that once it was realized. Gandhi wrote ‘to believe that the sexual act is independent function necessary like sleeping or eating is height of ignorance.”

            Thus through his own example we see that spirituality isn’t only a concept but it’s a practice. It is real duty- ‘Dharma’.

Love & Non-Violence:-

            Gandhi is a unique example of realizing the worth of love. His life shows his love not for only the truth but also for all live things including humans and non-humans, weather men or animals all require and be given love. His love shows various aspects.

            “Ahimsa’ is a form of love. One should think that there is no enemy. A person isn’t bad or evildoer. He must not be hated on this ground. We should hate the evil not the man. ‘Hate the sing and not the sinner’ he wrote. Truth, harmony, brotherhood and justice are the virtues related and blended in to Ahimsa. God is not to be found else where but in love. Humanity and clear heart is a mark of God’s presence. But is does not mean that no one should fight against evils. It is cowardice and Gandhi never favoured it. He firmly believed in between the choices of cowardice and violence, he would certainly choose violence. Physical and moral strength is required to control the brute of violence within.

            Gandhi loves all people beyond caste, class, creed, race, religion or nationality. He worked for downtrodden in Africa. He looked for them and taught living. HE fought against racial conflicts of the whites and blacks, the capitalists and the labourers, Africans, European or Indians. He gave importance to Man. In India he noticed poverty and untouchability and ill treatment to women. He laboured for the good of all these people. He called ‘a sin against God   and man’. It was a dark spot to Hinduism. HE strove for eradication as such evils.

            When he saw hatred was increasing between the Hindus and the Muslims, he pleaded for unity. Support to Khilafat Movement could be seen in this regard so as the rift could be narrowed. Up to the end of his life, he remained busy bringing these two castes together.

            Gandhiji’s love is extended to creatures and animals. He had kept a goat and drank its milk. Not to drink cow’s, buffalo’s milk was also the reason in stopping cruelty inflicted to them. Later on he understood the value of a cow and her milk.

            In India he fought against the British but it was against their political dominion not against the individuals or as the class. Many of the officials were good friends of Gandhiji. Even those who had to obey the rules and executed them for Gandhi, they loved him. The weapon of non-violence and love were so effective that we won our freedom through them.

            Today the world looks upon Gandhian and Gandhism for the solution of many problems. Ages would roll by but his ideas will never go. As time grows more, the more we need the doctrines of Gandhi.