Remembering Mahatma

Each time I read Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography, it sparks new reflections on his extraordinary life. He remains one of the most discussed figures in the modern world, and his philosophy of non-violence and service grows more relevant today than ever. I must admit that we Indians often know little about him and are ungrateful to this great son of our nation. Many pass judgments on him without reading his autobiography or understanding his life. There’s a tendency to belittle his achievements, and I can only sympathize with those unable to grasp the depth of a spiritually and morally elevated soul like the Mahatma. Gandhi’s Christ-like saintliness and purity of heart are widely admired. Yet, his autobiography reveals a strong-willed, curious man, deeply engaged with the world beyond his immediate sphere. His love for travel and his outreach are evident in his efforts to learn Tamil, Urdu, and other languages to connect with Indians in South Africa. His selfless nature won over even his adversaries, earning him countless friends. Though a practicing Hindu, his faith transcended rituals; he believed, “God can be realized only through service.” Gandhi acknowledged the influence of Christianity on his life, reading the Bhagavad Gita at the urging of Theosophist friends in England. His keen interest in studying religions, engaging in debates, and sincere tolerance toward all faiths defined his spiritual journey. God was the guiding force behind Gandhi’s actions and beliefs, marking him as a profoundly blessed soul. While deeply Indian at heart, he drew inspiration from global thinkers like John Ruskin, Leo Tolstoy, and Henry David Thoreau, transcending narrow nationalism. His commitment to sanitation and service led him to nurse those afflicted by contagious diseases, yet remarkably, he never contracted them. As a mass leader, Gandhi’s charisma inspired people to undertake even the most demanding tasks without him needing to ask. Steadfast in his ideals, he was nearly impossible to sway unless he chose to be. Gandhi’s autobiography is a must-read for all humanity. While it may not make us Mahatmas, it can undoubtedly make us better human beings. During a time when the world was at war, he wrote, “Soul-force is matchless,It is superior to the force of arms. Men who use physical force are strangers to the courage requisite in a passive resistence" (Satyagrahi). Through his life, he proved that ahimsa (non-violence) is the prerogative of the courageous, achieving greatness not through power or status, but by renouncing them. Gandhi’s teachings are more relevant than ever in a world consumed by mindless materialism and rampant consumerism, where wars are waged to assert dominance over the weak and to seize land and resources. Sadly, even in his homeland, Gandhi is often forgotten, reduced to a token figure as the Father of the Nation.