For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Benarsidas and Mahatma Gandhi

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09415777229, 094055338

E-mail- dr.yogendragandhi@gmail.com;dr.yadav.yogendra@gandhifoundation.net

Benarsidas and Mahatma Gandhi

Benarsidas was a literary person and associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He brought Totaramji to Mahatma Gandhi. Who became head of agriculture department of Sabarmati Ashram? Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I write this with my left hand as the right hand fingers ache. I have your letter. I have written to Chhaganlal about the money and have asked him to send you all the balance if he has no difficulty. I take it that you will send the account directly to Mr. Petit. I also take it that whatever we are doing this time is in perfect conformity with our agreement with Mr. Petit. Towards the end of your letter I notice some anger and despair. What is the reason?”1 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I had guessed from your language that you were angry. If you were not, I have nothing to say. Hope you are keeping well.”2 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I appreciate the anxiety of Pandit Benarsidas to save the unfortunate people from another disappointment by those who were domiciled in Fiji being sent to British Guiana. Though the difference between the two countries is great, the experiment is worth trying if the Fiji men desire to go on British Guiana and if that Government will take them notwithstanding the knowledge that they belong to Fiji. So far as the Colonial born are concerned, I feel sure that though they may have knowledge of what is known as kitchen Hindustani, they will not be happy except in the Colonies. The vital issues referred to by Pandit Benarsidas must be dealt with later.”3

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Several days have passed since I got your letter, but owing to pressure of work, I have not been able to reply to it. When did I write and say that I had committed an error in advising that 500 persons could be sent to British Guiana? Let me know where that article is. I have held back your letter from publication until after I have seen it.”4 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Before I got it, I had no knowledge of all that had been written from the Ashram. You are no doubt aware that I am lying ill in bed. I can only guess why such a letter came to be written from the Ashram. Thus, as I have found Totaramji very systematic in all his work, this letter too must have been written at his instance. If this is true you have no reason to feel unhappy about it. As for me, I have full faith in your truthfulness. But when a particular job a man should willingly act in conformity with the common rules. Whatever the best man does. Again you may not be aware that a managing committee has now been formed in the Ashram and all business is transacted through it. And it has relieved me of all my responsibilities after I fell ill. Consequently it is implied that I should claim or exercise no prerogative. If I have not been able to satisfy you even after writing all this please write to me what else I should do. What are you doing these days? What means have you adopted for earning your livelihood? My health is now improving.”5

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your article on Fiji will be published. I would not like to publish an article on the subject of separate managements for the establishments. The publication of such an article would be harmful to our cause. Kunwar Maharaj Singh is to leave on December 21.”6 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “At present I do see no need to make any changes in the profession and the treatment of immigrant Indians. Moreover, a discussion would serve no purpose. I am fully informed about the anti-Andrews happenings in America.”7 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “There is no reason to be so despondent. One who recognizes his weakness and desires to remove it is already half-way to success. The resolve to devote the rest of your life to service is all to the good. Derive greater strength from the calamity that has befallen you.2 So much in the line of service lies before you. It is gratifying to learn that the baby is doing well.”8

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Proficient and paid teachers should be employed for propagation of Hindi in Bengal. There is no doubt that Ramanand babu has done immense service to Hindi. Please accept my felicitations on making Vishal Bharat self-supporting. I have seen the account of the Madras tour, it is good. I hope you are keeping well.”9 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have gone through the rules. My visit to Calcutta now has become most uncertain. But if I do go there I shall certainly try to find some time for you.”10 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “While looking for something else which I found I came upon your letter of July 21. This could have reached me only during my travels. I had read it and put it away in a special place in order to answer it, thereby defeating that very purpose. I hope it is not too late even now to answer. You can come whenever you wish and stay as long as you like. I like your opposition. This has never been a ground for keeping you away and it cannot be such now. Inform me of the date of your arrival. I take it you only want to be with me, but you must not take much of my time as I can spare very little of that commodity.”11

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It has not hurt me. A man should do only what he can. I would advise you first to get married and then to devote yourself to the task of popularizing Hindi. You will be able to accomplish three purposes in this way: Vishal Bharat, propagation of Hindi and writing.”12 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Prabhu Dayal gave me the news of your brother’s death. You are a man of knowledge and therefore hardly need to be consoled. We all have to go the same way as Ramnarayan, the only difference being in time. Why then should we grieve over it? But with the passing away of our loved ones, our responsibility increases and yours has grown heavily. God alone is our true help at such times. He alone can guide you.”13 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The purpose of the tour of Mauritius, etc., is quite different from the purpose behind the tour of Sumatra and other countries. Burma, Sumatra, Java, Siam, etc., have some connection with Eastern culture and it seems natural enough for them to have links with Indian languages. It does not of course imply that they will all learn Hindi, yet one need not be surprised if some of them do study it.”14

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The message is at the back. Don’t ask for anything in English. You may select from whatever I have written. Why then have you joined the Vishal Bharat? You may come whenever you like. I shall spare the time.”15 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It is natural to feel sad at Father’s passing away but if we reflect for a moment we shall realize that it is futile to grieve over the inevitable. Why then should one grieve? And who is it that dies surely not the jiva which was always associated with us, which is with us now and will remain with us hereafter. Father’s last words are very precious to me. I shall regard them as a blessing.”16 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I could read Dr. Zafar Saheb’s essay only yesterday. I am so busy that I could write to him only today. The essay is interesting and good. Let me have a few copies if it has been published in pamphlet form. I hope you are well.”17

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “But it is not proper to resign on that account. Merely He had giving up sugar, etc., will not do. Acquiring control over the mind is quite another matter.”18 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Who are we to stop the spread of pure Hindi or pure Urdu? Even if we try, the attempt is bound to fail. Our duty is to bring together the two styles of Hindi and Urdu. And this can only happen when there is a large class of people knowing both the scripts and both the styles. It is not very clear what you mean by rashtrabhasha. My definition is clear enough: only that person who knows both the scripts and can write in both the styles can be said to be proficient in rashtrabhasha.”19

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