Gandhi's Mastery of Self

RIGHTEOUS ACTION

Gandhi's stupendous accomplishments had their base in strong spiritual principles of all religions. While the source of strength for his freedom struggle was predominantly the Bhagavad Gita, (a sacred scripture in Hinduism), Gandhi was influenced by all the religions of the world. This spiritual transformation was not because of formal education in any religion, but a result of a self-initiated study and synthesis of his reading.

Certain childhood events and exposure made deep impressions that stayed till the end. One such episode was his introduction to Rama, the divine and perfect hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana. As a cure of a child's fear of ghosts and spirits, Gandhi's nanny made him to repeat Rama's name to dispel his fears. Gandhi recollects,

"At a tender age I began repeating (the name of) Rama to cure my fear of ghosts and spirits...I think it is due to the seed sown by that good woman...that today (the name of) Rama is an infallible remedy."

This episode apparently served two purposes. It became a mantra that inculcated in him a strong sense of devotion "for the pure in heart and for those who want to attain purity and remain pure" for "while it cures...it elevates." It also provided him the motivation to work toward a Ram Raj, which he said does not mean a "Hindu raj, ...but a Divine raj, the Kingdom of God." Gandhi departed this world with the words "Hey Ram" when an assassin shot him, the way a true spiritual aspirant should according to Hindu scriptures.

Second, the character of Rama in the epic, who embodied Dharma (righteous action) and who "steeled his heart against every temptation" instilled in Gandhi an unshakable faith in righteous action. Hence, Dharma was not only one of the four goals prescribed in the Hindu scriptures, but the very foundation of his resistance to the oppressive British rule in India. In the Introduction to the inspiring book "The Words of Gandhi," Sir Attenborough recollects an incident that illustrates Gandhi's sense of righteousness.

"At the age of 23, 1893, shortly after he (Gandhi) had arrived in South Africa as an attorney to conduct a case for an Indian trading company, he wrote one sentence which knocked me off my feet. 'It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings.' He had just witnessed Indians forced to walk in the gutter so that whites could pass unimpeded along the sidewalk."

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