Describe “The Story Of My Experiments With Truth” as an autobiography

Q:- 1 Describe “The Story Of My Experiments With Truth” as an autobiography Or.

Q:- 1 The autobiography is a transformation of ‘Mohan’ to ‘Mahatma’

“The Story Of My Experiments With Truth” “Gandhi as a wonderful economist”

“The Story Of My Experiments With Truth” “Gandhi as a wonderful economist”

Q: - 3 Gandhi was a wonderful economist, Is it true?’ Elaborate your views in reference to the Autobiography. OR

What are Gandhi’s views on economics, agriculture in industry and industry over all? – Explain them.

            Gandhian philosophy is blended with economic views. It is surprising he is not a professional economist, yet his practice, thinking and own life-style is of spirituality, he found welfare of people through practice of truth and Ahimsha. Success of economic thoughts of Gandhi denied on it. Truth is social, political matter govern the life so they should be kept in mind. Gandhi moved to various places of Africa and India and was moved by ignorance and idleness. These are evils which spoil the lives of thousand of people. Add to this is problem of population. To solve these problems he gave many solutions. Living, home industry, rural industry, educated political awareness, sources-resources, following Brahmacharya were some other means remove the poverty and bring prosperity happiness.

Factories:-

            ‘Gandhi was against industry’ is common belief which isn’t true. Industry good but where hands are few. To remove the labour it was necessary but not few the removal of labourers. In idleness word is required. In largely populated country. Indiarequired work. Industries came and begun to ruin people. Industrialization became a source of exploitation of labourers and villagers. Raw material – coal, oil and metals were dug out. Wasting of these important sources would enhance our speed towards destruction. Industrialization also brought unemployment to many people. Hands that were working brought idleness and slavery. Cities grew. People left villager. Imbalance was created. The hands should be utilized but they met poverty. IF every individual is benefited, then it is favourable and should be advocated.

Capitalism and Labour:-

            These are extreme ends. Industrialization helped a few and pained many. Two groups came into existence. Gandhi was against capitalism. They earn a lot and spend a little which generates vicious circle of ‘Have & not Haves.’ To remove this idea of trusteeship and equal distribution came to him. Accumulation of wealth is a sin, according to him. The rich should utilize the wealth for wealth of society. If they don’t do this then Gandhi tells that the poor should use the weapon of non cooperation. The labourers work. That’s why they earn money. Without the help of the poor it would be impossible. The rich should know that ‘labour is power’. Gandhi thought an ideal condition where both will enjoy the life. Inequality should be removed and economic independence should be encouraged so that there’s no problem of exploitation or hardships. Through this the rich and the labour would reach to equal status. They would be complementary to each other. Social order, moral order because  of economic equality would bring welfare of all. To bring this labour should be organized and the capitalist must understand the value of human beings.

Rise of Everybody Sarvodaya:-

            The idea of everybody’s rise came from John Ruskin’s book ‘Unto This Last’. The Book deeply influenced Gandhi. The book and the Gandhi advocated that everybody should work and should common wage. This will bring equality in economic status and push forward welfare. To execute the same he established Phonex Farm in Durban, Tolstoy Farm in Johannesburg and in India Sabarmati Ashram. On these places he insisted simple ‘living and earning’ bread labour. Each one has to do enough labour so that to meet necessities. Physical labour is required as it gives independence. Depending on other means leading oneself to work. Thus work and simple living definitely would be foundations for the rise of everybody.

Brahmacharya; To Check Population:-

                        “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.”

Village Industry:-

            Industrialization was a great blow to agricultural and villages. Thousands of fertile agricultural land areas were absorbed by Industrialization. Village was a great source of employment. Gandhi considered a village as an independent and complete public state.

            Family is backbone of country life. Many villagers and educated villagers began to go to cities leaving villages. Cities grew and bred many evils. To escape from the village breakings he insisted on ‘swaraj’ and ‘local production’. The latter one brings independence. The needs are met there. This leads progress of a village. Many problems would come to an end.

‘Swadeshi’ movement & Rural Craft:-

            To revive villagers and to achieve independence ‘swadeshi’ movement was the need. It brings self reliance and self sufficiency. Actually the city depends on many rural skills and the villagers are exploited. If this is stopped the villagers would acquire independence. In a village there are carpenters, farmers, blacksmith, cobbler, barber, weaver, spinner, potter and many more. They produce and sell the articles. Market is dependent upon them. Gandhi encouraged these people.

            This also helped ‘swadeshi’ movement. English India resources were used but production in Englandreturned to India. So Indiagained nothing. To stop this Indian made things was a weapon. It leads love for country and economic growth of the nation.

Use of Khadi:-

            Khadi is one of the rural skills. As unemployment prevailed, weaving of Khadi but within a short time it spread all over century. It became symbol of unity and humanity. Equally and economic freedom both remained at it’s base. When he returned from South Africa in 1915, he begun to search handlooms. At Sabarmati Ashram this work was done finally. Clothe pieces begun to be woven. IT became a tool to remove mill cloth. The downtrodden not only got clothes to put on but also money for the production. Many houses started their earning, when machinery became dominant and eating rural economy, this Khadi weaving turned a strong response to it. What a fantastic idea Gandhi gave to the contempory economic position!

Example of Economic Practices:-

            Many Ashrams are the examples of his Economic principles of his Economic principles and practices. He himself wove Khadi, laboured hard and led simple life following ‘Brahmacharya’. Inequality and cruel labour prevailed in Champaran. The farmers were exploited. Gandhi used his weapon of Ahimsa for economic justice and ‘tinkathiya’ system was removed.  Then followed other agitations like Bardoli Satyagraha and Ahmedabad Mill workers Agitation.

            Thus the views related economics, really farsighted and vita. They brought welfare of the people in real sense.

 Gandhi as a Writer

Q: - 4 Describe Gandhi as a writer.

Q: - 4 what is Gandhi’s Contribution as writer- Discuss his greatness in this regard.

Q: - 4 Discuss Gandhian style of writing.

            M.K Gandhi was not basically a writer. He was a leader in social and political fields. He started writing during his stay in Africa. His life style is reflected in the autobiography. He became a knowledge person and made him conscious of Writing. Moreover his profession also influenced in careful creation. He began to use writing for various motives. There is explanation, appeal, or clarification. Clarity and simplicity have remained great merits. Figurative use isn’t found as his purpose was to describe plainly. Digressions have come. Yet we have to remember that the narration is interesting, orderly, assertive and very much effective.

Simplicity in Narration:-

            Gandhi’s aim was functional when he wrote Autobiography. As there’s this motive he kept in mind the readers. The greatment of his writing is simplicity. It is quite plain, easy, graceful and yet forceful. He narrates plainly what he felt. His heart is revealed directly. Even the torments and secrets have been put straightforward. Thoughts, ideas become very clear, as a result. The preface asserts all this.

            “I am not going to conceal or understate any ugly things that must be told. I hope to acquaint the reader fully with all my faults and errors. My purpose is to describe experiments in the science of Satyagraha, not say how good I am”.

            To have simplicity is really a difficult task. But as his living was so was his style. It is in quite contrast to the great leaders and writers of the time. During 1920’s writers like Gandhi, Aurobind, Naidu, Jawaharlal Nehru, Nirad Chaudhary and C. Rajgopalachari. They all were pedantic and figurative and rearmed in their writing. Yet it is remarkable that Gandhi stood tall in comparision to them.

Lucid and Forceful Flow:-

            The autobiography is a picture. It is rellected marvelously. Things comes so swiftly that any one is swept away with it. But for the writer it is a hard task to put into black and white. After all he write and as a writer conscious how to put the things. Lucidity is achieved through simple and short sentence. Logical order, brevity, sincerity have come over there. Difficult philosophical and heavy matters have even put in a very plain way that there’s no burden found of such things. Notice how forceful and lucid statements are found.

            “Labour is power.”

            “Hate the sin and not the sinner.”

            “Ahimsa is not goal. Truth is the goal.”

            We can easily understand hardbarish meaning through easy style.

Persnasiveness (Power of Explanation) : -

            Classical influence could be seen on him. The way classical writers explain anything he does the same. In the childhood Hindu classics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Later on writings of Ruskin, Carlyle and Tolstoy. Ruskin’s “Unto this last’ had a deep mark. He has affinity to him. Prophetic tone came from there which helps him to explain his arguments e.g.

            “Earn your crosses by all means but understand that your wealth is not yours; it belongs to the people. Take what you require for your legitimate needs and use the reminder for society.”

            “Truth is like a vast tree which gield more and more fruit, the more you nurture it.”

            For the explanation whenever it is necessary he defines the thing first. This clarifies any matter. Above sited second example prove it. There are others:-

            ‘Satyagraha in its essence is nothing but the introduction of truth and gentleman in political i.e. the national life.” So on

            For persnation  he often uses phrases, clauses, quotations and repeatitions. See how self realizations came to him.

            “Because it came to me without my seeking, because I had an aptitude for it.”

            Gandhi also uses very good quotes. They came from his various readings. Being a Gujarati many Gujarati writers have appeared. even from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and other religious books things appear. e.g. regarding ‘Moksha’.

            (vPyi (vn)vt<ºt[ (nrihirAy d[(ht: i

            rsvt< rsi[D¼yAy pr> dOTvi (nvt<t[ ii

            For the protection of week

(nb<l k[ blrim –

(He is the help of the helpness.)

            From Gita:-

            “Finally, this is better that one do

            His own task as he may even though he fail.”

            There are such some but they are not plenty. Restricted used has been done. This saven burden of readers. It also saves from much ornamentation.

Antithesis(contrast) : -

            Through contrast or parallelism desired effect is brought out. The arguments become forceful. Ideas are stressed. Gandhi has used this style. e.g.

            A half- hearted operation is much more dangerous that no operation.

            Suffering is the law of human beings war is the law of the jungle.

Figurative Language:-

            Gandhi never thought to make the language ornamental. But he is not unconscious to it. His language is prosaic not poetic. Yet effective examples of his use of metaphors and similes. They give deeper meaning or explain the things. The following examples show that when he used these tools they are apt.

            ‘Three parts of bible and one part Shakespeare – is the description of the English language.’

            ‘Truth is like a vast tree.’

            ‘The path of self purification is hard and steep.’

            ‘Pilgrimage to swaraj’ is as a painful climb. It will not spring like the magician’s mango.”

            They are effective. They persuade the readers. Meanings get edge and this is what his purpose was.

Contribution to Journalism:-  

            Gandhi’s Contribution in writing is many folded. He began writing for journals, magazines and newspapers. Autobiography came later. During African stay, he largely wrote for ‘Indian Opinion’. In it becomes his reflection of various moods, experiments with truth. ‘Young India’ and ‘Harijan’ were also started by him. These were for his missions in life. Circulation of these magazines was large. It shows his good managerial and writing style. Skill for work and vigorous arguments have created lasting effect. Journalism grew because of him. In India it became a powerful medium. For him it was ‘literature of knowledge’.

Contribution to Indian Languages:-

            It is a question did Gandhi leave any field untouched. Hardly any could be the answer. He wrote in Gujarati and English. He enhanced the tradition of bilingualism. Regional languages got encouragement. His language becomes attraction for the periods as it has simplicity, pointedness and directness. It breaks the pedantic tradition and bring the dawn of Indian literature. Philosophical, journalistic and creative writing owe a great debt to Gandhi. Translations too came later on. His ‘Sarvodaya’ translations of ‘Unto this last’ of Ruskin is a great gift. Gita also remained a great interest for him. This led many translations. Biographics and autobiographics to flourished during his time. Speeches were written. Another thing is that there are plenty of works written on him. All this has enriched literature.

            The influence is measureless. He remained a great learning house for all of us. Words wouldn’t be suffice for such a supernatural human being.

“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.

“The Story Of My Experiments With Truth” As autobiography

“The Story Of My Experiments With Truth” As autobiography

Q:- 1 Describe “The Story Of My Experiments With Truth” as an autobiography Or.

Q:- 1 The autobiography is a transformation of ‘Mohan’ to ‘Mahatma’

¬  Introduction:-

 Autobiography is also a form of literature. It is an art. The narrator knows what to put and what not. He takes care of reader’s interest. Merely fact is not important but its impression on himself and its motive to tell become chief objects. The writer should keep in mind his openness and boldness to reveal the self. Glorifying one’s own personality shouldn’t be the purpose but shaping of the personality certainly would make a good work. In this light Gandhi’s autobiography should be seen.  

Gandhi’s life Reflection:-

            “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” is the story of Gandhi’s life reflection. It describes his birth, parents, childhood, his growth, education, marriage, settlement, going abroad, coming back to India, and involvement into various political movements. But the book dose not stress on these aspects only. Gandhi recollects well. From his father and forefather, the strong begins. We get small picture of the family members including parents, wife children, relatives and some of his friends. We are told this liking and disliking love, faults and struggles, pains etc which put him into certain given situation. It is a remarkable thing that likes common human being his life begins and plenty of experiences show him feeling and behaving like us.

“Mohan to Mahatma”:-

            The work is nothing but showing a process of transformation of a common man ‘Mohan’ to a great human being ‘Mahatma’. He Mohandas was born to a common Kathiwar Bania Family. He passed his childhood in Porbandar in Gujarat. He was a dull student and remained shy boy but some of the values were there, which were truth and openness. The home made some influences of being obedient, religious. As it was custom he was married early and pass S.S.C. – known at that time matriculation. To study law he went to England. He had neither zeal nor interest in it. The net result of it was that when he passed the degree he had no knowledge. He had no courage not ability to adopt the profession for livelihood, during the settlement in life, often his soul remained in physical pleasures. Eating, good clothes attracted too. Influence of western world is clearly seen. Like a common husband he many times treated the wife and children. In short a man named Mohan was not different than others in action and reaction and in feelings and thinking.

            But the story begins then. This Mohan began to realize the world. He thought of his practice as a lawyer and responsibility to maintain home. This was the beginning. He began to read intensively and extensively. He began to have experiences, inspirations and guidelines and acquainting with known personalities. This slowly increased confidence.  He realized his capacity. Knowledge increased as well. Efforts of self realization changed him. The truth of life began to down on him. He made the religion of service his own as he felt that God could be realized only through service. He understood the importance of ‘Brahmacharya’. The carnal desire was going slowly. He showed faith in God. He found it not as a process of hard penance but a matter of consolation and joy. Service to humanity work is worship was now blended with love to humanity. This is known as ‘satyagraha’. The whole African life shows the practice of it. “Unto this last’ a book of English writer Ruskin became the foundation. In India, this practice was carried on till the last. Leadership was now established with his weapon of ‘Ahimsa’. Service, love, satyagraha, Brahmacharya mingled into ‘Ahimsa’. Through it he began to win unknown territories. Weather India or Africa his beliefs worked and brought success. Hindu-Muslim unity, spirituality, food and dieting practices, medical beliefs, economic opinions, villages and poor reformation became his passions. Success in all this brought him glory. Through ups and downs pain and pleasure. In private and public his continuous efforts changed not himself completely but the people, societies, and countries. This is change in Mohan that made him ‘Mahatma’. A collosal work is difficult to measure through common manly tools. A man like us becomes an angel.

Mohandas; the Hero or The truth:-

            Mohandas Gandhi is the hero of the book ““The Story of My Experiments with Truth” . The book narrates his self. As we have noticed ‘Mohan’ becomes ‘Mahatma’. This isn’t a small task. The process is lifelong and hard, achieved through labour, patience, truth and knowledge and so many other qualities. We come to know him as a simple man. But at the end there’s no Mohan. If there is Mohan, he is that Mohan –who is   Lord Krishna himself. The autobiography shows him manly attitudes and practices out of which he emerges as the hero. But it is not important. If any thing is there, it is truth. So rather than considering him as the hero who should consider Truth as the hero.

           

            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.

Various Experiments:-

            Gandhi continued to find out truth. He tried all the means possible. Experiments with water, earth and food and dietics are notable. Treating his son, in the fear of losing him, he insisted on water treatment. Finally it serves the purpose. Faith in God was put to test but it was restored. His earth treatments re remarkable. While living in England, for Food, his experiments are many and does everything. He also explains others to follow. He goes up to that extent of denoting a handsome account to open vegetarian restaurant. Regarding milk he was doubtful. First of all the he doesn’t favour it but his experiments later on changes. He confesses his mistakes and changes it. He feels one time for having taken goat’s milk during the vow.

            To understand the life much more he begins to decrease dieting. Then it comes to the matter of furniture. Household thing and other needs are reduced. Living in a small village and getting only that amount of living show his firm belief in this deed.

            Regarding carnal desire, he tries to control himself. He believes that for one’s desire the wife shouldn’t be counted a toy. The desire must perish from within. After many trials he’s able to win it.

            Experiments in non-violence, Brahmacharya meager living, yoga and spirituality are various and they becomes natural too him. He is so much absorbed that he even forgets himself. His forwarding clearly says “My purpose being to give an account of various practical applications of these principals… I propose to write the title of “The of My Experiments with truth.”.

Multiple Personality:-

            Gandhi was known as “Nakel Fakir”. Fakir is the word which suggests his humble personality. His physique was not spiritual or handsome but his mental spiritual strength and deeds made him a ‘Mahatma’. He was a friend of downtrodden and remained bold, simple, frank, sincere and a follower of non-violence and truth. Morality was his base stone, which he acquired during his childhood years, the great Indian epics and other books changed him. This gave him ‘Ahimsa’ and ‘truth’. Honesty simply remained guiding principals.

            Various facets of his personality could be seen in different fields of education, economics, and philosophy and in reforming the public life. As a writer, too his contribution is notable. All combined together make him a man of high morals and integrated character. In all this his humility, politeness, love, he is found a noble, humble man.

Struggle & Success:-

            The autobiography shows us Gandhi’s internal and external struggle with the life and in finding truth. Since his childhood he was tasted them now and then. Often we saw him plunged in despair but it wouldn’t last long. His caste opposed him while he decided to go to abroad. His wife resisted learning. The family is unable to adopt his ways. Lust pervaded him. European influence changed him. His experiments of water, earth and dietics really tested him much. When he starts living meager life, problems are in the family. These are family problems but public life too he suffered. The most painful in about train journey in Africawhich gave him power to resist the rule. Africans, natives, English people caused him plenty of troubles. In Indian, too including Indians many pained him. Yet this was strong, ironed man bore everything, defied the results, resisted with dignity and came out victoriously. A common might have forsaken every thing and might have led peaceful happy life but this man never thought of them. Except peace and happiness of others.

            Thus the strong is about experiments, they are related truth. Personal and Public life is involved in it. He is changed and he is the cause of change. The work is a true reflection of the same.