Baba Moghe and Mahatma Gandhi

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

 

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar, Professor, Editor and Linguist

Gandhi International Study and Research Institute, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

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Baba Moghe and Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

Baba Moghe was Manager of the Wardha Ashram. He was one of the close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He followed every principal of Ashram. He did his duty very well during his manager ship. Mahatma Gandhi liked him and wrote many letters for guidance to him. Just now Babaji Moghe is in charge. Vinoba has entrusted him with this work as a last resort. He himself loves village uplift work and had even taken it up. But after the Ashram at Sabarmati was disbanded, we were suddenly faced with the necessity of running the girls’ ashram. Vinoba, therefore, entrusted Babaji with the job. If he can be released from this responsibility, Vinoba wants to use him for village uplift work. If you come, I assume that Jamna also will come. 1

Sharmaji writes that doctor Rajuji also wants that you should stay on there. There has been some improvement and there will be more. All three of you are dear to me, you are sensible. I have no doubt given you permission to come here but since Gokhaleji is there I shall be glad if you also stay on there and are cured of your complaint. You will not always get such an opportunity. Anand alone may come. 2 I have just read your letter. In my view your decision is faulty. In my view it would be wrong for you to go to Khandesh now. Your duty is to improve your body. If the body is the temple of God it is sacred. Spinning should not be taken literally; its implications should be understood. This is my view. If this does not appeal to you, you are entitled to your view. What I said on your return was only a joke. 3

I thought that the question related to the inmates of the Ashram and hence it would be better to restrict the answer to them. If however other people to follow it in action I see no harm in it. 4

 

Reference:

 

 

1. Letter to Narandas Gandhi, March 28, 1935
2. Letter to Baba Moghe, February 10, 1945
3. Letter to Baba Moghe, February 18, 1945
4. Letter to Baba Moghe, March 10, 1945