For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Prabhudas Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi- III

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

E-mail- dr.yadav.yogendra@gandhifoundation.net;

dr.yogendragandhi@gmail.com

Mailing Address- C- 29, Swaraj Nagar, Panki, Kanpur- 208020, Uttar Pradesh, India

Prabhudas Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi- III

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It seems to me improper that you should have written directly to Nanabhai. Kakasaheb may write if he wishes to. And it would be unreasonable for me to burden him with responsibility. We may keep in mind the conditions you have stipulated but we cannot put them down on paper. It would be altogether unbecoming to do so. Discuss with Kakasaheb all that you have written to me and do as he suggests. I can understand your impatience. Once you have decided to marry, it is best that you should do so as soon as possible. However, some time is bound to elapse. Or, perhaps it may not be so. Certainly the best course is that you yourself should look for a girl concurrently with the work you are doing and Kakasaheb and others also may be on the lookout at the same time. Do not worry about what Vinoba will think. His blessings will always be with you. You cannot have a girl from the Ashram, for it would be improper to arouse the least trace of such a feeling in any girl in the Ashram. Even indirectly, such a feeling should not be encouraged. Hence you should also not think of selecting any of the girls who have newly joined the Ashram. What you say about Padma in your letter shows how dangerous was the close association of you two. Both of you were forcing yourselves to behave as brother and sister, while deep down in your hearts you felt yourselves to be husband and wife. But that is an old story now. Padma will of course know the fact when you get married, but it is too much to expect her to find a girl for you. It is beyond her capacity, but even if it was within her capacity, it would be undesirable to do so.

We just cannot burden her with such a responsibility. You have no reason whatever to feel helpless. Write to me without hesitation any foolish or silly idea that may occur to you. I will not misunderstand what you say, for, I have faith in you and even blind love for you. I believe that you will never deceive me. I am not in the least unhappy at your simplicity of mind. If your simplicity is a cause of fear for you, it also acts as a shield for me. You yourself may tell G. V. Pant, Harivallabh or any other of your acquaintances in Almora to guide and help you. Do not think of the high or low social status of the girl concerned, consider only her character. Write to Devdas. He may possibly have some girl in view. It would be good if you spend about a month in Kosamba and learn the harmless method of extracting honey. The whole course takes a month and a half to complete. But really speaking, it should not require even that much time. I am firmly of the view that for industrious people like us, a week or fifteen days at the most are sufficient. There is no need at all for you to go out of your way to see Sarojinidevi, nor to satisfy her with an explanation. If she has indulged in an exaggeration, it cannot be undone now. Our own way of looking at things should be such that if we ourselves have committed a little wrong, it should appear to us big as mountain, so that if the world regards it as such, we are not shocked. The man who looks upon his failings as if they were diamonds and pearls and weighs their value as we do that of diamonds and pearls, is certain to commit big sins and he who looks upon the smallest sin as if it was the biggest, would certainly be saved from big sins. I would see nothing wrong if you happen to meet Sarojinidevi by chance and the matter comes up for discussion but there is no need at all to open the subject intentionally.” 72

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It does not matter whether you stay in Khali or outside but it seems proper to me that you should so live that you spend only what is necessary for you alone. It will be more convenient if you live in the Ashram. Gomatibehn has in view a girl of twenty-two. But the fact that she belongs to the Bania caste, does present a difficulty. However if the girl is agreeable, all the conditions stipulated by you will be fulfilled. If, therefore, you think you can marry her, I would advise you to get married immediately. Everybody will be pleased. If you wish, you may come and see me. Have you calmed down now?” 73 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Narandas says that you have become very restless. How is that? If you have faith in me, you can have no reason to be restless. You must joyously do what you are asked. Have you heard or sung the bhajan: “I will dance singing praises of the Lord”? Devotion to duty is singing praises of the Lord. To do as asked by a person in whom one has faith is also singing praises of the Lord Hence the need for careful thinking before putting one’s faith in anyone. Why don’t you write to me, Stop thinking about your marriage? You may marry if you happen to come across a suitable girl. Jamnalalji says that he will try to find a match as soon as he is released. He is certain to succeed. He has now three or four months of his sentence left. As for work, do what Narandas assigns to you. But I will not mind even if you are not able to do that. It will be sufficient if you can live at Almora and look after yourself. I will not expect anything more from you at present. It will be enough if you build up your health.” 74

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I understand what you say about the girl. I am not likely to be satisfied with any sort of girl for you. Gomati had approved of her. She believed that the girl did not belong to the modh sub-caste. The only point was that if an educated girl is desirable for a match, though rather grown-up, she should be accepted and the objection on the ground of her being a Gujarati or belonging to the Bania caste should be waived. I have no intention whatever of doing anything without your approval. You have not said in your letter anything about honey or the school. Do they make honey there? From what do they make it? What is the quality of teaching? Who are the people who are learning? I hope you have not completely given up your writing work or your study, have you? I do not want to burden you with any responsibility in Almora. Let the Shail Ashram remain just a dharmashala for the present. We will see later what should be done. I, too, would welcome keeping the Chandradutta brothers. If they are good men, no harm will be done. It would of course be good if Mahavirprasad accepts them. I think it would not be proper to give a big salary for the care of the Shail Ashram. But in this matter, too, Narandas will know better. If you trust his decision, you will be at peace and so will I.” 75

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Why are you frightened? I have not at all changed towards you, nor lost my faith in you. You are the same today as you were before. It is my duty to guide you. Whenever you make a mistake, I will correct you. I wrote about Jamnalalji to reassure you. Go on with your search within the limits of propriety. It will please me if you get married before Jamnalalji comes out. Do not let even Narandas’s warning upset you. I both understand and fail to understand your partiality for Gujarat. Surely I can have no aversion to a Gujarati girl. It will therefore be quite good if you can find a suitable Gujarati girl. There will be nothing to object in the girl you ultimately get since we do not wish to form an unsuitable connection. Your being easy in mind makes me so, too. Now it is indeed time for you to leave for Almora. Even so, I leave it to you when to go. You have not even told me Motiba’s name. To whom should I address the letter? However, I have managed somehow.” 76

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have written to Shantilal that I like the idea. Let the bungalow go. The rest of the land may be kept and huts built on it in which occasional visitors may stay. To what extent this will be practicable, what arrangement can be made for water, whether occasional visitors can stay in this way and from where they will buy provisions, all this is for Shantilal and you to consider. May be the idea is impractical.” 77 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You kept me waiting a long time for your letter which I have now received. You do not seem to have had any letter from Satyavati. Do not be impatient. I hope you have realized that even if your parents give their consent to your proposal for marriage I will have to obtain permission. If I do not get such permission, the wedding ceremony cannot be performed here. But you may of course come to ask for my blessings. If Chaturbhai comes along, I will certainly see him. If Devidutt etc. are there, they as well as you should tell any guests who may arrive that no provision has been made by the Ashram for the necessary expenditure on the facilities to be provided to guests. So, everyone who comes will have to meet his or her own expense of staying, or will have to get the required amount from the Ashram. We have no right to stay in any way other than that. We cannot lead a pure life in any other way. Even if a person like Pantji sends anyone, you may ask him, too, whether or not he or she will bear his or her own expense. Just now, you have to learn the art of living within the limit of your estimated expense and cultivate the habit of plain speaking for that purpose.

We are beggars and not rich people; servants and not masters. The Devidutt Brothers have no right to ask for Rs. 60 from us if they cannot get that much from elsewhere. The people who live with us should be persons of abstemious habits. They should, therefore, be content with less from us than what they would get elsewhere. If they get more elsewhere, by all means they should go there. You see the truth of this, don’t you? You will certainly get servants to help you in your work. They will look after the Ashram and also cultivate the land. It is necessary to be moderate in spending money even in the field of service. I think you are not at present keeping good health to be able to take up the secretaryship of the Harijan Sevak Sangh. Be content with what you can do without taking it up. Let me know how you are keeping. We will consider other things later. It will also have to be seen how you keep after your marriage. For the present, it is advisable that you have all your time to yourself. I have not the least desire to dispose of the Ashram lands. However, if the Ashram buildings become too costly to keep, we may sell them off and put up huts on the remaining land. Jamnalalji is now out of prison. Do as he advises. Give up your rather fond desire to call over Ramdas there. If he comes of his own accord, it would be a different matter. Does the Bengali gentleman live there at his own expense? It is good that Navin feels at home there. He does not work beyond his strength, does he? I do have a machine for shredding vegetables in mind. As for a machine for grinding groundnut, we do have one. However, I would not think of spending money on buying such things.

If, however, the expense can be incurred without inconvenience, I would not deliberately avoid buying them. Inter-dining and inter-marriage is not an essential part of varnashrama. It is and has always been a subject unconnected with varnashrama. One is not bound to eat or marry where one does not wish to. However, one does not violate one’s dharma merely by eating where it is convenient for him or her to do so or by entering into a marriage relationship which he or she chooses as suitable for himself or herself; nor does he or she violate the principle of the Varna system. This is all that I mean. There is no doubt that in practice more people limit themselves to eating and entering into marriage relationship with persons belonging to the same Varna. It is quite right to say that Varna has no place in a sannyasi’s dharma. Do not be tardy in writing to me.” 78 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “If your betrothal with S. has not been broken off, you may certainly marry. I will approve of your doing so even during the fast. You will continue to serve even after you get married. After marriage try to observe as much self-control as you can. Continue to write to me. You should not grieve if I die. The ‘I’ will not die. What will it matter if the body perishes?” 79

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You should be happy about my fast. Keep on doing your work. If your betrothal with Satyavati has not been broken off, you may certainly marry. I will approve of your doing so even during the fast. You will continue to serve even after you get married. After marriage, try to observe as much self-control as you can. Continue to write to me. You should not grieve if I die. The ‘I’ will not die. What will it matter if the body perishes?” 80 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “We have to forget all talk about Satyavati for Prabhudas. I am looking for some other girl. It will be as his fate decides for him. I do not think lack of money comes in Prabhudas’s way. What come in his way are his age and the ill reputation he has for his health. Another reason is that as Prabhudas has always lived by himself, he has not come into contact with anybody. Whatever the reason, we have to make the effort and then acquiesce in whatever result God brings about.” 81

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “At the conclusion of the ceremony addressing the couple Gandhiji said that this was an inter-provincial marriage and not an inter-caste one. He had no hesitation in advocating inter-caste marriages under well-defined limitations, for he believed that there was no Varna or division in the original sense of the term and that limiting marriage to the same division or Varna was never its distinguishing feature. He drew the attention of the couple to the fact that marriage was not intended to indulge in one’s passions but to impose a restraint upon them. He hoped that both of them would make service of the country their mission in life and then they would find that their joint life would be one of happiness, contentment and increasing self-restraint. It gave him much pleasure to find that the bride came from an Arya Samajist family. His relations with the Arya Samajists, he continued, had always been intimate, although they knew that there were honest differences between them. This marriage had brought them nearer.” 82

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I will check the figures and if they are useful, I will publish them in Harijan. Is it not true that if we buy the same quantity of Japanese cloth, it will be costlier than khadi? We have to examine our case as critics. You have given up the Magan spinning-wheel, have you not? I have examined the results of Vinoba’s modifications in the method of plying takli. In one hour, 500 rounds of yarn on takli are not that wonderful? In competition with it, the charkha will most often lose. I do not have to say anything if you take care of your health.” 83 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The pipal tree will get cut down when the right time arrives. You should go on with your work. Vinoba has carefully gone through the article you sent me. I, of course had read it. All of us feel that your figures are exaggerated. You state that foreign cloth costs four annas a yard, swadeshi three annas a yard and that khadi is even cheaper than that. How can that be? Think over this. Moreover, you say that khadi is more durable. Is this true? Also, is it true that foreign cloth is less durable than the swadeshi mill-cloth? Think over all this.” 84

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You should make it a rule always to write your address at the top of the letter. The paper on which you have written your letter is of the finest quality. It cannot be hand-made paper. Go and see for yourself and assure yourself whether it is so or not. Let me know its price, size, etc. Who makes that paper? What daily wage does he get for the work and similar details? I have still not received the ink-and-pen-stand. What do you do for your share of milk?” 85 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I did get the figures about jaggery and sugar sent by you. I have found no exaggeration in them. They lie buried in other papers. I will look for them today. If no paper is available there, it might perhaps be unnecessary to order new paper to be made. Where such paper cannot be procured at all, I would not consider it right for a poor man to get it from outside and use it. That you are able to get milk is welcome news. If despite your effort, you cannot obtain cow’s milk, use goats.” 86

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I liked the charkha made by you and therefore tried hard and have mastered it. I even made some improvements in it which occurred to me. But I could not pass your budget. How can I find two persons? It may be possible if you can persuade Maruti or Lakshmidas. But, as the saying is, one cannot go to heaven without oneself dying. I, therefore, feel that you will have to rely on yourself. I will do what I can. Your sphere of work has been fixed and you cannot, therefore, leave Gularia. Do what you can there. I will show your letter to Ishwarlal, Vinoba and Kaka. Let this, however, not upset you in any way. My figures regarding spinning seem all right. You are completely mistaken about village industries. Even if you were to list twice as many industries as you have done, you will still not be able to show that the variation in wage follows any fixed rule. The disparity is as between men and women and does not follow the principle that the greater the risk the higher the wage. Nature has lain it down that all have equal needs. Indeed all the workers should be paid at the same rate. You have seen equality in inequality here, but that is fallacy. Think over the matter again. I agree that those who are receiving more wages today will not agree to accept less. That does not worry me. I shall be satisfied if those who are getting less receive justice. If all people become wise or good, they would accept equal payment for every work. Work will then become yajna. But that time is far away. It will be enough if we progress towards it. I will go through Gopinathji’s article when I get it and send it back to you. I do not know how far you are right in praising it. I had heard something to the contrary. However, I paid no attention to it.” 87

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Do not mind it being so long. I am sending a copy of it to Shankerlal. I would not at any time advice either you or Amba to leave Guleria. I would regard it as humiliating for you to do so. Your description of the three circumstances there is correct. Till a person has spent ten years in the same village, nothing can be said as to whether he has succeeded or failed. I simply do not believe that your stay in Guleria is failing in its purpose. I have such blind faith in your uprightness that I have never believed that you have failed in your purpose in staying there. Nor do I believe that you have lost anything yourself by staying there. I am trying to get the Magan spinning-wheel. Only if I do not get it from anywhere will I send for it from you. I am ready to buy ten thousand rupees worth of jaggery. I will pay even a higher price. But you should have the price fixed in advance before proceeding in the matter. Some limit must be fixed for the price. Unless that is done, the business cannot be carried on. The total quantity may be divided into cubes of one pound each and the cubes may be wrapped in paper of good quality. Do not mind if doing so increases the labour charges. I will certainly be able to obtain for it a price up to a certain limit. I understand what you say regarding the saree. I will try to get some tamarind from the market and make the experiment.” 88

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You should have written earlier but better late than never. You seem to have made yourself unhappy for some things without any reason. But what wisdom can I give you from this distance? For, you showed wisdom in not calling over Kashi. Our family is where we live. We should be content with what help they give. I still advise you not to work beyond your strength. We are not omnipotent like God that we can help all people in all their troubles. We may go only as far as our strength permits. The baby is not likely to derive much benefit from glucose. As for cod-liver oil, I do not like it at all. If, however, you are very keen on it, you also may do as others do. You yourself have taken it. So have Kusum and Navin. It may possibly help.” 89 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I do hear about you but it is good that you yourself wrote. It is indeed welcome news to me that you are getting steadier in mind and that all three of you keep quite well. May all your noble aspirations be fulfilled? Those who have grown up in the Ashram or have been supported by it are for the present at any rate abandoning the Ashram ideals. I feel very good when at such a time I find anyone clinging to those ideals. You seem to have greatly improved your handwriting.” 90

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have gone through your long letter regarding the idea I put forward at Malikanda. There seems to have been some misunderstanding. If possible, I wish to give a daily wage of eight annas right from today. However, what should we do if those who will wear the cloth cannot afford the resulting price? Crores of people will have to purchase the khadi which they wear. Only if khadi is thus purchased and worn by people, will the sisters who spin may earn a living. If everybody were to spin the yarn required for his clothes himself, spinning as a profession would cease. The spinner would be unable to make a living. That would be the situation. I am asking Krishnadas to think over all these problems. You need to go deeper into the matter. I will try to solve your difficulty through correspondence. If you wish, you may come over when you get the time to do so. You had placed on my table some figures related to spinning. I do not find them. Send me the figures again.” 91

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You may come whenever you wish to. Accommodation will be found for you. A number of buildings have now been put up the rest when we meet or, in case you do not come, when the question is decided. Krishna is still at Nasik.” 93 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You do not seem to have received the letter I wrote to you in reply to yours. Hence I repeat here what I said in that letter. Come over here for some days. You have even expressed your desire that Vinoba should explain your idea to me in detail. Krishnadas will be arriving here before the 15th. It is not right that you should fall ill so often. It is not necessary to eat like a labourer in order to live as he does. If the body consents, one must eat. I will see about. I will have to find.” 94

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are unnecessarily crying your heart out. The success or otherwise of one’s life is measured not by the result but by the motive. The world will always see the result. To God, result is nothing because He himself is its master. It is sufficient that you have tried and are still trying. I am not writing separately to Kashi. That Amba had a safe delivery is welcome news. Indira’s progress appears to be good. I will not write separately to them either. Manojna’s Bachu also was operated upon at the same time. The operation was wholly successful. I had a letter saying that he keeps quite cheerful. Take care of your health. You need not be in a hurry to court imprisonment. There is no special merit in it, though I do not rule out the idea altogether. Explain to me further why you wish to court imprisonment. If Kashi keeps good health, she may certainly go. If you wish that she does so from there, let it be so.” 95

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I read your letter written on the Rentia Baras day and also read the one written by Chi. Amba alias Sujata. Why should we fear death when we know that wherever we are we are dancing in the jaws of death and they may close any moment to swallow us? Why should we worry about it? One day we have to leave this world, then why not today? We are also aware that death is not the end of the atman. What Tulsiramji says is true but we should not regard it as a rigid law. In the prevailing circumstances your taking a lawyer’s help or writing yourself whatever you wish to write is certainly proper. It may also be your duty. I was glad to read your syllabus. You should not give up your study of Urdu. You will progress even if you devote half an hour or 15 minutes to it every day.” 96

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I saw your note at the bottom of the letter from Kailas. Mridulabehn is still here. A few days back I received your letter to Bapa and also that of Chimanlal. Both the letters are good. There is a different version also. I have already received it. If I have the time, I shall find out more. I have noted your programme. You have made the right decision. Amba will like it there and only there will she be able to look after her health. You will shine wherever you go and you will be in demand. So your place is wherever there is work. However, you should think about your family also.” 97 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I admit it is my failure that I could not write to you in my own hand. But these days there are a great many instances of such failure on my part. Strength is limited and work is heavy. Today is silence-day and I am therefore able to write this letter, though, to be sure, the shoulder is feeling the strain now. I am sad that you have fallen ill again. But one must pay the penalty demanded of the body. You did well in going to Calcutta again. I hope they will carry out a successful operation now. Janakibehn had exactly the same trouble. As a last resort you have Ramanama. But its success depends on one condition being fulfilled, like the success of any other experiment. Ramanama has its full effect only when it proceeds from the heart. The habit of mechanical repetition must of course be formed in any case. From the lips it may by and by sink into the heart. That is why we pray aloud.” 98

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “If you do not find it strenuous, make it a rule to write at least once a week. You have asked four questions but all of them seem to originate from one issue and that has arisen either due to misunderstanding or loss of memory. I have not commented on your reading Tulsidas, Akho, etc., but you had expressed a desire to learn geology also, and that I had criticized a little. I regard it as superficial knowledge. It is not that this desire is base. The only thing is that even if a person strives to imbibe such knowledge, he will gain very little. My intention was only to say that one should be satisfied with what he easily gets. Reading from Tulsidas cannot be considered pursuit of superficial knowledge. It is only an external means of gaining knowledge of the self. But study of geology, etc., is superficial knowledge. It is a different thing if it helps someone in acquiring knowledge of the self. I did not want to go so deep into the subject, nor did I want you to do that. In youth, everyone feels like gaining knowledge of such science. That’s justified too. The intention of my criticism was to reduce the intensity of such desire. However, I will not have any objection if you can easily find a person who has a thorough knowledge of geology and from whom you can easily learn. I will not consider such knowledge useless. One who has given his heart to God will use even that knowledge in praise of Him. Now, I hope I do not have to clarify the difference between true knowledge and superficial knowledge. Should I assume from your letter that there is a slight improvement in your health?” 99

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “There is a difference between thoughts and fancies. Man falls through fancies and becomes a prey to worrying, thoughts mature him. In the sentence, ‘This man is ever thinking’, ‘thinking’ means ‘worrying’. You should give that up. But it is essential that we use our judgement and discriminate between our good and bad tendencies. By thinking systematically in this matter, we become mature. You should not worry or indulge in fancies while plying the spinning-wheel. If impure thoughts forcibly invade your mind, you should, with equal energy, force yourself to think differently. He, who is devoted to his work, has no time to indulge in useless thoughts. Always remember that there is One Witness to all our thoughts. How can we entertain impure thoughts in the presence of that Witness? Take this to be the meaning of the verse, ‘It ceases when the Supreme is seen’. Who, after seeing the Supreme, can take pleasure in the objects of the senses? We do not know the atman. That is why we commit sins every day. If we but know that He sees our thoughts also, then, just as we are ashamed to commit any sin in the presence of our dearest friend, we would, if we are definitely convinced that our atman always stands there as a witness, be ashamed of thinking impure thoughts or doing impure things. How, then, can hypocrisy remain in us? Lakshmidas and Velanbehn are generous. They will certainly forgive you. But it is your atman’s forgiveness that you really need. Once you have become pure, you will as a matter of course is forgiven. It is not in the nature of the atman to be impure. So, if the impurity has left you, it has left you for good. When even the worst of sinners becomes clean, he can stand on a footing of equality with one who has committed no sin at any time. There is no distinction of high and low in the state of moksha. When that one indescribable state is attained, it is the same for all. All of us commit sins. But manliness lies in seeing and recognizing them and then destroying them. You committed sins. But you need not feel frightened for that reason. If you do not desist from sins even after knowing that they are sins, then indeed you will have great reason to feel frightened. But now you know that they were sins. Having known that, why need you fear? Be alert and suppress that disturbing impulse.” 100

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “May you live long and succeed in realizing your ambitions. I consider plying of the spinning-wheel the best activity if it does not affect your health. Whatever one does cheerfully is good for health. It would be a big achievement if spinning-wheel becomes successful. Even if it does not succeed, I consider some such experiment on a limited scale worth doing. I will consider it a significant change if you have understood the importance of prayer and it becomes a regular feature. Write to me about the students whenever you wish to. I hope to reach Madras on the 23rd. Ba has gone to Bombay for the sake of Devdas. Can you give some weaving assignment to Chhotelal? He would not go to a place where there is no weaving work.” 101

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It has made me very happy. Do not worry and improve your health. That even in illness, you have not lost your calm is no mean achievement. Now, I want you to observe complete self-control in building up your body. After recovering from illness, the mind craves for food. Do not listen to the doctors. It is better to eat only as much as you can digest. Even in the matter of exercise, do only as much as you easily can. It is better for a person who knows his own strength to depend less on what others say. Get up only when you can. Do not force yourself into any activity. Keep on writing to me from time to time.” 102

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