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In the introduction to his autobiography Gandhi wrote: "My experiments in the political field are now known. But I should certainly like to narrate my experiments in the spiritual field, which are known only to me and from which I have derived such power as I possess for working in the political field."
Gandhi relentlessly pursued truth all through his life and achieved self-realization. It is an anomaly that he is remembered and evaluated only for his political achievements, while little attention is paid to the spiritual force within him from which he derived his power.
Gandhi received good "samskaras," or pre-disposition, by virtue of his birth to a religious family of Gujarat, particularly from his mother who left an impression of saintliness on his mind. His hero was Harishchandra, a king whose outstanding characteristic was truthfulness.
Gandhi endeavored to reach self-realization through the strict observance of truth. "Truth" ordinarily connotes not telling lies, but for Gandhi it implied much more. Even hiding the truth from someone was deemed untruth for him. He considered that the narrow implication of the term belied its magnitude.
A study of Gandhi's writings reveals that what he meant by truth was in fact the realization of the self. He wrote, "What I have been striving and pining to achieve these thirty years is self-realization, to see God face to face, to attain moksha (salvation)."
How to realize God is a complicated question. It can be attained by purity of mind and heart and by constant practice. The Bhagavad Gita, the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna in the epic Mahabharata, is regarded as a sacred Hindu scripture and an infallible guide for daily practice. Gandhi held the Bhagavad Gita in high esteem. He wrote, "Those who will meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day. There is not a single spiritual tangle which the Gita cannot unravel."
Gandhi was born to serve humanity. He was a householder living among people. He was a practical man; he chose the path of practice and the path of renunciation of the fruits of action. Absolute faith in God and surrender to His will became his object of observance, and the constant thought of truth, his practice.
Gandhi was a seeker given to introspection. The study of the Gita and the process of introspection led him to understand the true meaning of "ahimsa," or non-violence, in thought, speech and action. Gandhi regarded non-violence as a means, and truth as the ultimate goal. Although lean and frail in appearance, he was strong in body and mind and glowed with spiritual health.
Gandhi always listened to his inner voice and took decisions accordingly. His inner self prompted him to serve the wounded during the Boer War and the Zulu rebellion in South Africa. He was always in the front lines and fearlessly led people in the non-violent resistance and non-cooperation movements in South Africa and India. He walked unarmed without protection through riot-hit areas at the time of the partition of India, spreading a message of faith, love and peace.
Gandhi had no aspirations for recognition or reward. He limited his desires and needs to the bare minimum. Whatever he did, he did with right intention, right spirit and conviction, and worked for the benefit of others irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Notwithstanding the power he wielded over the Congress Party and the people, he never aspired to or accepted any kind of office. Had his name been proposed as the first president of India in recognition of his services to the nation, most likely none would have opposed it but himself. He was such a great and magnanimous person.
It was Rabindranath Tagore, the poet and visionary, who recognized his greatness and spirituality and called him Mahatma, or "great soul." It is an apt and well-deserved title.
Gandhi stood for truth, non-violence, compassion and service, all through his life. "To serve humanity is the service of God" was the principle of his life. He was a savior to the oppressed and downtrodden people, fighting for their right to equality and justice. He was a savior of nations in political turmoil.
Leaders of many subjugated races and countries have drawn inspiration from Gandhi. Although persecuted and ultimately killed, he had no feeling of malice toward anyone. In his dying moment he breathed his last remembering his chosen deity, Rama.
In a glowing tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein wrote, "Generations to come, it may be, will scarcely believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon the earth."
Today we are passing through a crisis of values. The world is entrapped in gross materialism. People have become so selfish as to have utter disregard for others -- whether individuals or societies or nations. It is high time to create a balance between materialism and spiritualism.
In the chaotic circumstances that prevail all over the world today, peace is as elusive as a mirage in a desert. In this darkness, Mahatma Gandhi's life and teachings can serve as beacon lights toward peace.
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(Dr. Ravindra Kumar is a renowned Gandhian scholar, Indologist and writer. He is the former vice chancellor of Meerut University in Meerut, India, and the author of "Religion and World Peace." ©Copyright Ravindra Kumar.)
