MAHATMAJI

There is a common view among most of the (modern) Indians that now Mahatma Gandhiji become irrelevant not only for India but to the entire world.  But I beg to disagree with them.  For me Mahatmaji is a YUGA PURUSHA [Person of the age] who appears on this earth once in million years.  But the main reason to have such a negative view about the life and teachings of Mahatmaji is that we know about him hearing or reading selectively about his life and teachings.  But anyone who wants to understand this GREAT SOUL, should spend time to read his entire writings which were collected under the title: Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhiji [CWMG]’ and the digital copy is freely available on the Internet.

However, if I know correctly very few people have read all of them—most the time by scholars who wanted to write about Mahatmaji.  And considering the size of the volumes [around 98] each one having more than four hundred pages, it is not within the reach of even to anyone who is interested in reading books.  However, long before still as a young man, when I first read the ‘Experiment with Truth’, I wanted to read more to know about Mahatmaji.  And thankfully I got the opportunity to read so many books by Mahatmaji and also by several scholars on him.  I even watched the film on Mahatmaji.  As I was very much inspired by his teachings and life, however he never remained a perfect PERSON, I accepted him as one my gurus to guide me in my life.  This does not mean that I became a Gandhian as widely claimed by some of his followers both true and false.  Rather I would call me as his ‘chela’ [disciple] accepting him as my guru than to consider me as a Gandhian. 

But when I read several works criticising him—both his life and teaching, neither rejecting them completely as irrelevant, as they have some points nor accepting them completely, I wanted to read the entire writings of Mahatmaji so that I can have a clear idea about him.  And when I first saw the Printed books of CWMG, I took a vow to read all of them before I die.  Though I started with much enthusiasm, due to various reasons so for I managed to read only twenty-three volumes.  Now as I have relatively more time at my disposal, I resumed reading again with a vengeance to complete my target and fulfil my vow.  When I found the digital free copies of them on the Internet, I downloaded them and started to read them on my computer as I can side by side take notes from them as per my habit.  What I am going to do with those notes, I don’t know.  I am not a born writer or a scholar in true sense to write one more book on Mahatmaji.  However, as I was reading CWMG, I was often tempted to share some of his writings as they might help others, particularly those who agree with his critics more than respect him for his life.  And by writing another book and even sharing it freely with others won’t achieve my purpose as most of them have neither the time or interest to read ‘yet another book’ on Mahatmaji. Knowing my limitations, I am not competent enough even to think about such Himalayan task.

At the same time, as his disciple I thought that I won’t remain true if I never share some of the notes with others—whether anyone read them or not is not my concern–, then I will remain like another one of the so-called Gandhians who show their reverence for Mahatmaji only wearing the ‘Gandhi cap’ but not remain a follower of him, as much as possible in life.

Thus, as I am now reading Volume 24 of CWMG, I was again tempted to share some important points from this, as I was very much impressed by his writing.  I never found any other writer who defended his principle or ideology with clear conviction and determination like that of Mahatmaji.  The way he can present his point with clarity and vision at the same time very politely and humbly demonstrates his skill as the best writer of the world.  And if I begin to start from volume one then I have to read all my notes again to select which one to share with others.  So, I have decided to begin from Volume 24 and when time comes, I will continue to share from other volumes that I have already read or going to read.  How many people read my postings in FaceBook is not my concern as I always said that I write and share only for my needs and not for others, knowing well my limitations.  At the same time if someone stumbles upon my posting, particularly on my Notes from CWMG and reads, if not all, but at least some of them, then I will be happy.

Gurukulam, 8-2-2023.