Farewell Speech of Mahatma Gandhi at Prayer Meeting, Bangalore

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

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Farewell Speech of Mahatma Gandhi at Prayer Meeting, Bangalore

 

The last day’s meeting was a treasonable experience for the presence of Mr. Andrews, and the Bjerrums who sang “When I survey the wondrous Cross”, which Gandhiji said transported him to Pretoria where he heard the wonderful hymn sung for the first time, and also for the parting talk that Gandhiji gave to the congregation. “How many of you have been coming here regularly?” asked Gandhiji, and most of them raised their hands. I am glad you have been coming. For me it has been both a joy, and a privilege, inasmuch as I have felt its elevating influence. I ask you to keep it up. You may not know the verses, you may not know Sanskrit and the hymns, but Ramanama is there for all, the heritage handed down from ages. And I tell you why I ask you to continue this congregational prayer. Man is both an individual and a social being.

As an individual he may have his prayer during all the the waking hours, but as a member of society he has to join in the congregational prayer. I for one may tell you that when I am alone I do have my prayer, but I do feel very lonely without a congregation to share the prayer with me. I knew and even now know very few of you, but the fact that I had the evening prayers with you was enough for me. Among the many memories that will abide in my heart after I leave Bangalore, not the least will be the prayer meetings. But I shall have my congregation at the next place I reach, and forget the wrench. For one who accepts the brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God should find a congregation wherever he goes, and he may not hug or nurse the feeling of parting or separation. Please therefore keep up the prayer. You can form your own congregation in your own places, and as a last resource one’s family can become one’s congregation well enough. Do meet every evening at this hour, learn a few hymns, learn the Gita, do the best and the most you can for the purpose of self-purification.

 

Reference:

Young India, 8-9-1927