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Gandhi and "The Bhagavad Gita"

Gandhi and Gita

Gandhi was fascinated by "The Bhagavad Gita", an essential scripture of Hinduism and he saw the great, mighty battle between Pandavas and Kauravas as the quest for truth. For Gandhi, truth is God that can be sought through love, and love rules out violence. Gandhi called Gita as his "Spiritual Dictionary" and inspired by Aparigraha(non-possession) and Samabhava(Equability).

'Aparigraha' suggest renunciation of money and property whereas 'Samabhava' suggests one to transcend pain or pleasure, victory or defeat and to work without hope of success or fear of failure.

Gandhi, throughout his life, did not own any of his possession and he had never sought for any positions or awards or rewards for his work. He believed this non-possessive attitude would not hamper his actions and objectives.

He had always considered justice in high regard and hence he never cared at the outcome of his actions. He was successful in repeatedly applying his non-violent, quest-for-truth strategy in handling worse situations.

Gandhi had read the Gita in all its English translations and considered it as one of the priceless worth. There was one incident where Gandhi cited Gita as his Guide and philosophy:

While he was planning to return to South Africa to continue to work for Indians there, his parsi friend Mr.Pestonji Padshah stopped him not to go. He said "But I tell you I do not like even your going to South Africa. Is there lack of work in our country? Look, now, there is not a little to do for our language. I have to find out scientific words. But this is only one branch of the work. Think of the poverty of the land. Our people in South Africa are no doubt in difficulty, but I do not want a man like you to be sacrificed for that work. Let us win self-government here, and we shall automatically
help our countrymen there. I know I cannot prevail upon you, but I will not encourage
anyone of your type to throw in his lot with you."

Gandhi, though disliked his idea, was firm in his resolve. He thought that a patriot could not afford to ignore any branch of service to the motherland. For a moment, he recalled the text of Gita: 'Finally, this is better, that one do His own task as he may, even though he fail, Than take tasks not his own, though they seem good. To die performing duty is no ill; But who seeks other roads shall wander still.'

Then, he headed on to South Africa.

Gita became an inspiration, a manual of devotion and action not only to Gandhi, for millions of his followers too.

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