For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Raihana Tyabji 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

Raihana Tyabji and Mahatma Gandhi

Raihana Tyabji was a daughter of Abbas Tyabji. Who was one of the associate of Mahatma Gandhi. She was disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. She taught Urdu to him. She born in Muslim family but she was devotee of Shri Krishna. She had melodious voice. She sang Shri Krishna bhajans in prayer meetings of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “What a wonderful and poetic love letter you have sent me! I would wonder if my letter to Father crossed yours or whether this letter of yours is prompted by the reminder sent in my letter to Father. Not only must I not write much myself, but I must not even dictate for any length of time. I don’t want therefore to chat with you long. But let me hasten to tell you that if you can be happy and comfortable in the Ashram, I would love to have you in spite of your not doing any work with your hands. Spinning by the hand is after all a test, an emblem, an earnest of what is within, and I know that you have all that substance within you. What does it matter that through no present fault of your own, you are simply physically incapable of spinning. The work done by the spirit within is infinitely precious, more precious than the formal spinning done by many without the heart in it. Come therefore when you like to the Ashram as your very home and I shall certainly take all that your voice can give me. But I should prize your presence even if you had not that rich melodious voice. What I prize is your goodness, which can act without speaking. It is like the fragrance of a sweet flower. It does not need any movement and yet the fragrance is all pervading and unmistakable, and it survives for a while even after the flower is withdrawn. How much longer must the fragrance of goodness last even after the body is withdrawn?”1

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am glad you have opened your heart to me. The very act of doing so often soothes one. Do not therefore apologize for writing at length and in whatsoever manner the spirit moves you. I am glad you have got the permission from mother for taking to simpler dress. I would like you to open out your heart to both father and mother as you have done to me. Never mind their laughing you out or smothering you with ridicule or putting you down even in anger. You will take it all in good part and with a smile on your lips. They have a right to do all those things. And when they recognize in you, in spite of ridicule, anger, etc., a seriousness and determination which shall not be moved, they will let you do what you like. How often have not young men and women built castles in the air only to be destroyed later. Why should you expect people to regard you as an exception? If you are an exception, you will stand ridicule, contempt and worse, and come out better through the ordeal. After all God must put us through the test. I share your grief over your having to give up that dress on which mother has lavished so much time and so much love. But love is its own reward. And parents do not regret the trouble they have taken after things which their children outgrow. Let all those things of yours go to Sohila when mother is satisfied that you will never be likely to want them. Mira has left Rewari and before she migrates to Wardha for perfecting her Hindi, she has come to Bangalore where she will be for a few days. I have not got the poetic language to describe the weather here, but it is really fine at this time of the year in Bangalore. Of course we have not the Himalayas here. But I suppose you know Bangalore better than I do. I am still progressing.”2

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “In the abstract, there can be no doubt that you have a right to wear whatever you like and to see or be seen by any friends you like. But when it comes to reducing an abstract right to concrete practice, innumerable things present themselves for consideration. And my advice is that in everything you do, you should possess confidence enough to bear down all opposition and to be able to convince everybody around you of the justice of your action. Do you reason with mother with the same frankness that you show in your letters to me? But let me give a concrete suggestion. Do you permit me to discuss your letter with both father and mother? Can I send them your last letter? I destroy all your letters after replying. The last one I am preserving till I receive your answer. From what I know of them and the manner in which they have brought up their children, it seems to me that they are most considerate, liberal-minded parents and will not interfere with the independence of their grown-up children. Your recent letters have therefore been a surprise to me. I therefore say nothing further just now and await your reply. Meanwhile I ask you not to worry about things over which you may have no control. If you cannot have your way about your dress or choice of friends or dealings with them, know that there are many in the same condition in which you are, and that there is no person on this earth who has really got the liberty to do what he or she likes. Some restraint on liberty is demoralizing and some is uplifting. No restraint is demoralizing which one submits to, not out of fear, selfishness or the like, but out of consideration for, or affection for others. I cannot conceive you’re yielding to fear under any circumstance whatsoever. I heard some very fine music yesterday. It went on for full one hour whilst I was spinning. I thought of your voice the whole of that time, and fine as both were yesterday, I observed that yours was in no way inferior, and to me, it even appeared to be superior. But that may be due to my partiality for you. Anyway you have a voice that would certainly sing away others’ cares. Invoke it for dispelling your own.”3

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “As you think that the matters between you and Mother are fixed up, I am not writing to her or to Father, but look to you to smooth your way, which you will do if you know your own mind and adhere to it with firmness though with greatest gentleness. We are not bound to patronize any industry whatsoever. But when in satisfying our vital wants we are bound to patronize some industry, we naturally patronize that which supports our neighbours who need our help most.”4

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I must dictate today. This is being dictated in a jolting train which is taking us to Cuttack. I know you are capable of living down Hindu prejudices. The poor servants know no better. I suppose the bitterness that you noticed amongst Mohammedan sisters is not absent amongst Hindu sisters of the same type. Your account of the unsuccessful attempts of these sisters to help themselves is very good, very funny and painful. How the riches spoil so many of us. I hope the peeled potato was none the worse for the strain you put upon the poor thing. I am glad you have got over the ‘blues.”5

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your first Gujarati letter was very good indeed. If you write thus often and improve your handwriting, your Gujarati will become really very good. Since there is a settlement now, what work can I give you here?”6 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “What sorrowful news you give me about Father? I know how helpless he becomes when he has any illness at all. Your letter was received only two days ago. It is now therefore more than three weeks after operation and I hope that Father is as chirpy as ever before. Anyway you would give me fullest information and if necessary telegraph to me at Hardwar where I shall be about the 14th instant. I shall be in Mussoorie from the 17th to the 24th. I like your energetic plea for equal rights of inheritance for women. Evidently you do not read Young India regularly; much less Navajivan although I see you can trace Gujarati letters. I did deal with the question of inheritance in Young India but I shall carry out your desire and revert to the subject using a portion of your letter as my text. I do not need to be a girl to be wild about the disqualifications imposed by the man in power on woman. I have been deliberately silent because I have not approved of the fast. But I have refrained from saying anything as my opinion would have been distorted by the officials and grossly misused.”7

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Do you know the beautiful story of Nachiketa in the Upanishads? His father was a miser. He once gave as a donation a cow that was a burden to him. Nachiketa gently asked his father why he had done so and what he expected to gain by such a donation. The father cursed N. who took it in good part and wrested from Yamaraj a change of heart for the father. Love melts mountains. Not to speak to father when you have something against him will be sin. Most probably he has good reasons for his action but supposing he is in error, he will retrace his steps the earliest when he is warned by loved ones. Therefore the sooner you speak to father the better. Only you should have no anger in you. I am sure he will take it all in good part. You should wean him too from speculation. He needs to hoard wealth for nobody now. Even you in spite of your frail body can earn your way. God has given you a voice that would any day support you.”8

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am quite clear that those who believe in and would fight for immediate independence cannot take part in conferences such as you mention.”9 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Whilst you are at liberty to use or not to use anything you like, I think the position taken up by Father and Mother is unassailable. They are the rulers of the household. You may make gentle suggestions but you may not resent their dispositions. Nobler parents no one can desire. It is enough that you do not make use of Western facilities and contrivances wherever it is possible for you to avoid them. By being strict with yourself and charitable towards your surroundings you can affect them as in no other way.”10 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I would like you, Mother and others to attend here on Sunday. I am holding a conference of Gujarat women for the purpose of discussing the propriety and possibility of their tackling the problem of drink and foreign cloth. Here are the messages you want. Kamaladevi has written a good letter in reply to mine. Here it is. You may destroy it. There is every hope of Mother capitulating since she is capable of blushing. It is a good sign.”11

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I was filled with joy to see your letter in Gujarati. Your handwriting also was fairly good, and the language simply could not be improved upon. Even the prayers of the pure in heart serve the cause as well as, or even better than, public work. Hence, what does it matter if you cannot work actively? Don’t feel unhappy about that. How did you find Father’s health? Is he happy and cheerful? How is Mrs. Lukmani now? The Tyabji family has indeed given a wonderful account of itself. Tell Mother that her smiling and modest face comes before me every day. Write to me again. If you experience any difficulty in reading this, let me know.”12 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Do continue to write to me. It is fine indeed that you taught prayer songs to Mrs. Lukmani’s monkey-army. Take care of your health in everything you do. I have not seen your card and public letter. Which Sirat is Father translating? Convey my Vandemataram to Mother, as also to other members of the family who may be there.”13

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You know why mine are short. Into which language is Father translating the Sirat? During my first imprisonment, I had read that book and Asva-e-Sahaba and found them extremely interesting. But now my Urdu has become rusty, and in any case this time spinning leaves me no time to read. We have no choice but to trust in God to restore your health. “What God, World Teacher and Master, has willed for the day, it is futile to grieve over.”14 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am glad to learn that your health has improved a little. Tell Kamaladevi when you write to her that I often think of her. Tell Father that a translation of the whole of the Sirat would not be fully appreciated, but it would be a valuable book if he translates its most important portions. Maulana Shibli wrote the Sirat with Muslims in view and the book is all right for them, but the general public would not read the translation of so big a book. We already have the works of Amir Ali, Maulvi Mohammed Ali Kadiyani, Washington Irving and Carlyle. It would be a good addition to them to get a small book giving a translation of some portions of Maulana Shibli’s volume. Ramdas writes and tells me that Father is becoming younger day by day, for he puts in six hours’ labour of writing and his memory has improved. If so, what does it matter that his beard has turned grey? And, moreover, he teaches Mahadev French! Who would not envy him? You daughter and mother have done fine work indeed in the Kheda district, and Hamida there has been rousing the Surat district.”15

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You seem to be a very clever girl. After writing two or three letters in Gujarati, the poor girl now writes to me in Urdu! But how is it love which asks for a return? All the same, I will do my duty and make the return. I found no difficulty in reading the letter since you have written it in such a clear and legible hand and the words you have chosen are so simple. Now onwards you may write half your letter in Urdu. It will help me since it will brush up my Urdu, and I may even write to you in Urdu provided all of you do not laugh at me among yourselves. If I do that, will you not then consider it a full return? And you are as jealous as you are cunning, and jealous of no other than Father. But no matter; now that he is becoming younger day after day, he will ask you to give him an account of your work. I could not decipher one or two words in your letter. I have kept the letter with me, and I will read it again and decipher those words; at any rate I will try to do so. The letter paper is full now, and there is no space to apply a third adjective to you.”16

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I was very glad. Shouldn’t you regard this much Urdu enough for the day? If, even after your second lesson I do not write a few lines in Urdu, you might give me up as an unreachable pupil. What should I do then? If you don’t have to spend too much time and take too much trouble in writing Urdu so neatly, continue to write to me in Urdu. That would help me to keep up some Urdu without special effort. You are all free to laugh as much as you wish at my bad handwriting and at spelling that is still worse. But please don’t give me up as unreachable. But I must say that there is no limit to your cunning. I don’t know where you learnt it. I certainly do not remember to have taught that. The poor girl! As soon as I permit her to write in Urdu, she goes further and asks me to write in Urdu. But, having adopted you, how can I get away from the fact?”17 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Now there are two teachers in place of one, a girl and a grey beard. So the pupil is now done away with. Let us see what happens. This exercise is enough, isn’t it? Anyway, am I not making progress? Moreover, I have Pyarelal for companion now, and he is well-versed in Urdu. However, I would not take up much of his time for this, as he devotes all his time to spinning. You should, therefore, point out mistakes in my spelling. You should not, in your present state of health, spend much time for me. As I have plenty of leisure, I will read your letters slowly and carefully. Mother is partial to Father. His handwriting is an old man’s and yours that of a youngster. But let that be. Though a person may own a white beard, he may be young in mind and may play a thousand games teach French to someone translate from other languages and revolve all manner of plans in his mind. Others may be young in years, but old in mind. Of c ourse I would not say that you are quite that, but you will cease being so if your septum trouble is cured. The news of that operation did not frighten me.”18

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You say that everything is all right. Excellent! To say that all is well after finishing me! I hope you will be satisfied with this lesson for today. I will not follow the frog in the stroy simply because you praise me much. I am quite aware how fine my Urdu is, but I am not ashamed of it. Words of love need no more ornament than love itself does, no matter how foolish they are or how like the mere prattle of a child. You are quite right in comparing with music an operation by skilled doctors. Let us be thankful that the gentlemen spared your nose although they made away with all the bones. We must now think of some punishment for Father. All of you should help me in that. How could youths with white beard go to a hospital? What sort of make-believe is that? I hope he is now as strong as an Arab horse.”19 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “A girl whose brother is mad is hardly likely to be wise! I have written a letter to Dahyabhai. I am glad that you are improving, but do you think you will improve so much that you can shoulder the burden of leadership of the Kadi division? If you do indeed, we shall have to present an address to the doctor sister. A person with a grey beard, I am afraid, cannot escape suffering. A white beard is bound to have some effect at any rate. But all’s well that ends well. I am not surprised to hear about Father’s exploits. Isn’t he also a branch of the same tree?”20

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “What a strange girl you are! You fall ill, return home, go out again to work and again ill. Fall what wonderful enthusiasm the cause! Is that enough for an Urdu lesson? Why do you say Father may have to be operated upon again? How much longer will he be in hospital? He seems to have fallen in love with it. I did not know that you had to undertake a three-day fast. What is the cause of your illness? Did you get the co-operation of women in Patan? How many had joined in the fast? Have you become stronger after the operation?”21 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “If the climate of Kadi suits you and if the burden of work does not impose an excessive strain on you, the present arrangement will certainly do you good. I had met Father and Mother in Bombay. The operation has given them good rest. Panditji’s condition is still critical. The doctors are trying hard. But after all, the thread of our life is in God’s hands. He may draw it back whenever He wills.”22

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I wrote only two days ago for Navajivan on picketing and there pointed out that you’re fasting was ideal and appropriate picketing. The reasoning is simple. There must be a bond of affection between the parties. In your case there was that bond. They knew you as a member of the family which the people of Patan knew had served them in common with the people of the whole State. That bond had never snapped. You had therefore a perfect right to entreat them and, if your entreaty was lost upon them, to fast even as you would be entitled to fast against father and mother if, in your opinion, they were going wrong and they did not listen to your entreaty. That the Patan dealers in sealing their stock were actuated not so much by their regard for you as by the fear of an enraged populace may be quite true and is highly probable. But that need not be considered in weighing the merits of a particular action. In the language of the Gita ours is but to do and not to mind the result. If the motive and the action are pure, the doer is not responsible for the manifold consequences that may arise from it. I hope this is clear. Write again if necessary. Things here are still indefinite, but for a satyagrahi is not one step enough? We must not seek “to see the distant scene.”23

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I trust your truthful nature too well to be shocked by anything you say. But your thoughts are cloudy and confused. But we cannot discuss the thing today. There is no hurry. Perhaps the things will be clear because of your search and because of your promise to do what I have advised for the sake of discipline though not from conviction. Often an honest acceptance of discipline has brought conviction. And so may it be with you. You did well in writing to me so frankly. Let me correct one belief of yours about me. You say, “I know that you are too pure for sex-consciousness yourself.” I wish this was a true certificate. I am sorry to have to disillusion you. I am trying to lose that consciousness. But I have not lost it. Loss of that consciousness cannot be relative; it must be absolute. I do not know any historical instance. It is difficult, I know, for history to record such instances.”24

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “For how many days was Father kept at Nadiad? Did he suffer any hardship there? What are the arrangements for his food and other necessaries? Last time his beard was infested with lice. This time he should take precautions against that. He should ask for help for the purpose if necessary. Or he may ask for me to be brought there. Is he allowed to see everybody freely? How often are you allowed to see him? Tell him that Sardar and I think of him often and speak of the sacrifices made by him. Why do you feel uneasy? God will take service from you as He wills. Convey to Mother on behalf of us repeated vandematarams and repeated salaams, Khuda Hafiz and all else that may be befitting. How many months old is Sohaila’s baby now? I do know that you will keep your word. We shall talk more about it if and when God ordains that we meet. Write to me from time to time. Generally they give me all the letters received for me. There is no restriction, either, as to the number of letters that I can write from here. I am not allowed to write on political matters or to important personages like Father. But I may freely write sermons or love-letters to boys or girls like you. This freedom should be considered adequate. Now I begin writing in Urdu. Hamida is a brave girl. God will give her great work to do and let her attain greatness. I wish for nothing more than that God should grant long life to Hamida. In this regard you also deserve thanks, for after all Hamida is your pupil, isn’t she? Point out to me my mistakes. I hope this is enough exercise for today.”25

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Of course I make many mistakes. Be patient. Leave off correcting when you get tired of doing so. I will try to write every week. Having started the practice, I will not give it up. May God grant a long life to my teacher? Tell Father that both of us remember him several times during the day. Tell him that he must come out of the jail palace a young man. It is a good thing that Ravishankar is there to look after him. I hope this much will be enough for today. I should not trouble you too much. If I do not learn Urdu quite well, the fault will be my teacher’s. The poor pupil is helpless.”26 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Life in this world called beautiful garden is only for a short while; you will enjoy the spectacle for a few days only. O traveler, prepare for the march; residence on earth is short. When the great Hakim Lukman was asked, “How long will you live?” rubbing his hands in despair he replied: “Only a few days.” After burial the angel of death said in the grave: ‘‘You will sleep here only for a few days.” I trust you will consider this much enough for today, seeing that writing with the left hand takes time. The Urdu handwriting is of course very bad, but I am sure you will have no difficulty in deciphering it. Mahadev has now been brought to stay with us here. He remembers your favourite bhajan “Awake and arise, O traveler!” Once it was even sung at prayer-time. Next time I shall send it to you in Urdu script. Are you quite well? Where is Pashabhai?”27

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are trying to delude me by praising my Urdu. By God’s grace, however, I will not let myself be deluded in this way. My handwriting is very bad, and so is my spelling. Before my Urdu deserves such praise, Raihana will have grown into an old woman or I would have to give more time to it than I do. I now copy the bhajan. Imagine that Raihana is singing it. Arise, awake, O Traveller, its morning now. Where is the night that you are still in bed? He gains who stands awake, and he who slumbers loses. Open your eyes a little, you careless one, turn your mind to God. This is not the way to love, that while He is awake, you slumber. Know that you will have to eat the fruits of your doings, O sinner, how can sin ever bring happiness? You carry a burden of sin on your head, why, then, hold your head in grief and weep? What you would tomorrow, to today, And what you would today, do right now. After the sparrows have ravaged your crops, what will it avail you to beat your breast and weep? I see that the handwriting continues to be bad, but I can’t write better with the left hand. I will try and improve it slowly. Meanwhile, endure it as it is. Please do not feel ashamed of such a dull pupil. If you are patient, I may in course of time deserve your praise, which I do not deserve now. If that does not happen, I will blame you. Isn’t there a book which explains how to spell in Urdu? Please inquire. If Hamid Ali and Sharifabehn are still there, convey to them my many salaams and tell them that I have not forgotten the meeting with them at Godhra and the help given by both at the Social Reform Conference. Tell Father that I got his postcard. However, it would not be proper for a prisoner like me to write often to a big person like him. I can write as many letters as I choose to girls like you. Father may write to me as often as he wishes. There is certainly some justification for such a rule. There might be no harm in a prisoner receiving letters, but there may be in his writing. Hence a prisoner may write innocent letters to children without objection. It should cause no surprise that Father’s memory is getting weak. It should be enough for us if God preserves long his strength to dance with joy. It is a very good thing that Ba has now returned to them. Send me from your treasury some good bhajans of your choice. If you write in Urdu script, it will serve as a lesson in Urdu for me.” 28

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “May God makes Raihana healthy both in body and mind and keep her so. Has the pupil gone to the teacher to learn cunning? The teacher’s cunning will not avail her. The bhajan you have sent will seem good only when I can hear it sung, and that can be when you come and sing it to me. To do so it seems you must turn yourself into a boy to enter the jail! I shall see if Mahadev can sing. Now read the ghazal for the day: If thou wouldst see Him, with each breath think of Him. Burn thy pride and smear thy body with its ashes; take up the broom of love and with it wipe out the distinctions of me and thee; reduce the notion of reality to dust and sprinkle it on thy prayer carpet; leave the carpet, break up the rosary, throw the sacred books in the river, seek the help of angels and be their servant; do not fast nor keep Ramzan, do not go to the mosque nor make obeisances; break to pieces the water jar for prayer cleansing and drink the wine of the joy of union; eat and drink but never be off thy guard; enjoy thy intoxication continuously; burn thy egotism. Be neither Mulla nor Brahmin; leave duality and worship Him alone. Shah Kalandar has proclaimed: Say, ‘I am He.’ Mad Mansur says: My heart has known truth that is the wine shop of the intoxicated, make that the object of thy visit. I do feel ashamed of my Urdu handwriting, but however much I try I cannot write better with my left hand. It took me nearly three quarters of an hour to write this much. The truth is that I should practice writing every day. But I am rather ambitious and wishing to do all I can during this quiet interval, I cannot give much time to Urdu. It was you who tempted me to try writing Urdu, for you used to write a few Urdu sentences and, trying to write in Urdu myself, I became your pupil! What a pupil, and what a teacher! It is indeed a great pair we make. Let us see now if we can justify the designation. We are eagerly watching what is now in store for Father. We remember you all very often. Uncle Sardar and Mahadev proudly narrate many incidents about Father. They had the benefit of staying with him. I never got that opportunity. I will have my revenge one day. I shall expect in your next letter the news of Hamida, Rohini and others. I got Pashabhai’s letter just today. If I cannot send the reply with this, I will write to him later. I have written enough for the day.”29

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I hope that the work which requires him to stay there for some time is not anything very difficult. Tell him also that I always pray to God that He may grant him a long life and enable him to render great services. I have got the Urdu books now. I copy out today a few passages from them. My Urdu handwriting will not improve till I practice writing in Urdu regularly. But how can I spare the time? Moreover, it is my left hand which I must train. Hence I content myself with what I am able to do. The progress is bound to be slow, but we cannot help it. This time you gave me no news about Hamida and her friends.”30

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “What have you been doing, sitting idle there? What a teacher you are! I have now procured a copy-book for improving my handwriting. I will start doing exercises in it from today or tomorrow. I have also been studying the Urdu readers. The thing is that I am ambitious to do much but can spare only limited time. Let us see. All I do I do in the name of God and for His work. He will lead me where He wishes. You know what you sang the other day: Open your eyes a little you careless one, turn your mint to God. What you would tomorrow, do today what you would today, do right now. I am of course trying to do the thing just now. It is in His hands to lead me to the goal. I will not write more of the Urdu exercise today. In the midst of several other things to do, I cannot find for it the time I would wish to give. I hope the climate of Mount Abu has benefited Father, you and all others. Does Hamida still have difficulty about digesting food? How many of you are at Mount Abu? I have never seen it in my life. Do you know very well Dahyabhai, son of uncle Sardar? Father of course does. His wife, Yashoda, died nine days ago, leaving a small child behind. Dahyabhai has been much upset. He was here to see us on Saturday. Tell Father about this if he does not already know. If you have all returned to Baroda by now, find out from among Father’s books Amir Ali’s Spirit of Islam and send it for Sardar. Mahadev and I have read it, but Sardar has not. All three of us are happy here. It is hotter here than it usually is at this time of the year. Did Sohaila accompany, or has she accompanied, you to Abu? Kamal must be growing fast. Give my dearest love to him.”31

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Please do not laugh at the sight of this! Remember I am writing a copy-book, I am trying to learn to write exactly as children do. Just when, tired with other work, I had started writing this, your much-awaited letter arrived. Father and Mother are both very clever people and they know that my views very much resemble theirs. That is why they ask you to follow my advice. They have thus contrived to deprive you of your freedom. And this innocent, crazy girl is now a prisoner of old people. Let us see what happens. After all, it does not matter that people like you and me are always drawn into their net. The visit to Mount Abu seems to have done you no good. I hope this is enough for today. I take a great deal of time to write even such a hand as this. God has given you the gift of singing bhajans. Go on doing that, serve your elders as best as you can, and live contented. Contentment also is a form of service in itself. Send me what Pashabhai has written. There is no harm in his going to America. It will be enough if he takes every step after careful thought. Moreover, you are there to guide him. Tell Hamida to write to me as soon as she leaves.”32

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Convey the sympathies of us all to Tehminabehn. God has ordained death as well as birth. We, therefore, should not rejoice at the one and grieve over the other. Everything has two sides, or rather; the two are one and the same thing. In our eagerness to live, we believe death to be different from life and something bad. I have read Hazrat’s ghazal twice already. I shall read it again to understand it thoroughly. Please be satisfied with this much exercise for today, I take some time to write so much, as I write with the reed-pen and take great care to see that the handwriting is good. Please forgive me for forgetting to reply to your question. I thought I had replied to it. There is no doubt at all that your duty is to stay with Mother. That is to be the form of your sadhana5 and also your service. I am, therefore, glad that you have made this choice. Always remain satisfied with it. I hope the Abu climate did well to you all. Does Father dance in his usual fashion? There he must have become a young man again. After the Bombay madness we have to forget our dancing and our playing. I can never understand how man can fight man in the name of religion. But let me check my thoughts and my pen. At present I am drinking cupfuls of this poison. Send the book when you all return to Baroda.”33

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Who can say whether it is better for him or her to remain ill or to enjoy good health? Haven’t you heard the story of Nala and Damayanti? Nala was very handsome. To save him, God ordered a cobra named Karkotaka to bite him and make him ugly. As the cobra bit Nala, the latter became nervous. But in the end he realized that it was divine providence. I think that is exactly so in your case. You should, therefore, go on trying remedies to cure your illness, but never feel that the illness is a misfortune. Whatever your state of health, you should sing and dance and serve Mother. My sermon is over. You should keep smiling. No matter what happens. If you have surrendered your all to God, your body is His, not yours. The disease, too, is suffered by Him, not by you. Why, then, should you feel unhappy? I shall have to try to understand the meaning of the ghazal which you have translated into Gujarati. You think you have got an intelligent pupil. Your eyes will open in a short time. Why should an intelligent person become anybody’s pupil?”34

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The ghazal is very fine. I have preserved all your letters to read them again. I wish to prepare a dictionary with their help. The work which you have got in the Oriental Research Institute is very good indeed. Raihana will be called a scholar now. She will now fly in the air and all of us will watch her. Tell Pashabhai that all of us were sorry to learn about his misfortune. I hope the girl is all right now. Uncle Sardar has been reading Amir Ali’s book with deep interest.”35 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have read with great attention the bhajan and the ghazal which you sent to me. I liked both of them and fully understand them now. The bhajan is easy to understand, but there was some difficulty in understanding the ghazal as it contained new words. But I fully understood it after reading it over two or three times. The ghazal is very good indeed. I suppose “Zafar” is the nom de plume of Emperor Bahadur Shah, is it not? Send me more such ghazal from time to time. You wrote to me once that you would find out and send a suitable book for me. If you have forgotten your promise, please remember it now and send a book if you find one. At present I am reading some books published by the Jamia Millia. All of them are full of good thoughts. Two of the books were plays. The book I am reading at present contains stories like the “Kimiyagar” and others. Have you seen these books? Convey respectful greetings from us all to Father and Mother.”36

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have had no news from you this week. I hope you are quite well. I received a very sweet letter from Father. I was very glad to learn that the affairs of his company have been cleared up. I hope his pain has disappeared now. It is too early for him yet to get old. I hope to see him dancing. I had a letter from Hamida too. At present I am reading an Urdu book entitled Ramacharcha. It is beautifully printed and its Urdu is easy to follow. After finishing it, I intend to read the Sirat. I shall finish Ramacharcha in a day or two.”37 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Again there was no letter from you. I hope that your health is all right. I told you that I had written a letter in Urdu to Zohra. Dr. Ansari came to know about it. I wrote to him and told him that you were at the back of it all. He was pleased and wrote to me asking me to send his love to you. Please remember that you are responsible for the errors which I make. Write to me and explain the meaning of this ghazal by Ghalib.”38

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have an impression that I had written to you about having received one of your letters. I liked that ghazal. I have all your letters with me. Why did you trouble Mother about Ghalib’s ghazal? I do not wish to give so much trouble to you either. Whatever you can give without much trouble to yourself will be enough for me. I have now got quite a few Urdu books. It is good that Purohitji has been released. Why did Bhaiji have to drop the idea of going to Afghanistan? Mahadev is learning French and Urdu. Father used to teach him French. Since then he has not given it up. He will think about learning the language of Timbuctoo after having learnt these two. But, then, you will have to teach it to him, because you are likely to be the only one in our world who knows that language. I am not writing separately to Father. There is danger in writing to elders. Give my regards to Father and Mother, and vandemataram to the others.”39

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The bhajan is very good. I do not have time to write much today. I hope all of you approve of my decision to fast. Father, at any rate, should have no difficulty in understanding my step. I have taken it in God’s name and for His work and He will bring me to the goal. I seek blessings from both Father and Mother. What will you send? You should indeed dance with joy that God has given me an opportunity to offer such a holy sacrifice. When is Hamida arriving? Is Bhaiji still there? Convey my vandemataram to him. All of us are well here.”40 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “This is the first Urdu letter I am writing after the fast. Bhajans are very good. What does it matter if the bhajan which was sung when I commenced the fast was not yours? After all, it was a fine bhajan which you yourself had sent. Of course I would have felt much happier if it had been yours. But never mind. When God grants me another opportunity for undertaking a fast, I should like to have a bhajan composed by you.”41

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are a very clever girl. You want me to fast again in order that you may send me bhajans composed by you. No, I will not fast. And the bhajan will please me only when you sing it to me. If I had not heard you sing the bhajan “Arise and Awake, O Traveller”, it would not have touched me so deeply. Even if you sing this bhajan from outside the jail walls, your voice will reach me. I do hear, for instance, the sound of all of you dancing.”42 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I suppose you must have got my letter today. I am writing this letter to tell you about Hari-ichchha. I forgot to write about her earlier today. She is Valjibhai’s niece. She lived in the Ashram for some years and has now married Engineer Kamdar of Baroda. I had been writing to her and asking her to go and see you. But since I had not written to you about her, you could not recognize her when she called on you. The fault was mine and not yours. Hari-ichchha informs me that you did not make her feel in any way that she was a stranger, and that both Mother and you showed her great love. The other one was Shanta, who still lives in the Ashram.”43

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “When I do not get it, I fear you may be ill. Did I tell you that I have found a new teacher for me? Her name is Zohara Ansari. She teaches me with great enthusiasm. She writes the Urdu letters very neatly. Teach me to write a letter in Urdu, and tell me whom we can address as Janab or as Maulvi and when. How should I address you? Have I correctly written your address? And mind you do not fall ill. If, however, you do fall ill, then ask Hamida to write to me.”44 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “My fear has come true. Since you write to me regularly, whenever I do not get a letter from you I feel uneasy. When you are not well you can ask Father or Mother to write a postcard. Whatever may happen, I certainly do not wish that you yourself should write to me when you are ill. How did you fall ill? Did you overwork? You ought not to fall ill. I hope you are better now. You need not reply to this letter yourself. It will do if Father drops me a postcard.”45

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Father had told me that you had gone to Ahmadabad. We should be equaled minded towards both joy and sorrow. We should regard illness, too, as a gift from God. I wrote to Dr. Alam that I had among my correspondents three who wrote to me in Urdu: Zohra, Begum Alam and Raihana. The first two write Urdu like copper-plate, but Raihana, being a poet, writes in beautiful handwriting of her own. But I see that this time you also have sent copper-plate. Have you ceased to be my poetess daughter now? Is it only a Rabindranath who can both be a poet and write copper-plate, or will Raihana also follow his example now? May God give you peace of mind?”46 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am very glad that you have come to Poona. Your health should improve now. You can come whenever you feel like. A judge’s daughter can come when she wants to. In form me in advance when you intend to come. Come about 1 p.m. except on a Sunday. I had a letter from Father. I had got your previous letter and I had also replied to it.”47

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You just came and went away. I got no opportunity at all to talk to you. I did get your and Padmaja’s kisses. Nobody else saw them, though. But I will tell the whole world that these two girls sent me their kisses again by post. I was looking into some letters today. I saw the two bhajans sent by you.”48 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are right. I do commit many mistakes. I get absolutely no time for reading. Letters to you and Zohra are the only Urdu lessons I have. What can I do? That I do at least this much is something. Must a sick person like you attend a wedding? Wouldn’t the wedding have taken place if you had kept away? What sort of justice is that even sick people must perforce attend weddings? Anyway, I hope you are better now. What does ‘tuk’ mean in that bhajan?”49 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The meaning of tuk as given by you seems correct. If I wait till I can write a good hand and commit not a single error, I shall never be able to write in Urdu. If you send me by post some extra time along with the Urdu lessons, you will find no mistakes. My respects to Father and Mother. May I send a kiss for you? But only on one condition; that you drive away the fever. Why don’t you become perfectly well by taking a little more rest? There are enough duties for you if you remain well. There is no lack of jobs for those keen to serve.”50

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have always expected you. Why should you depend on Padmaja to bring you? Can you not use some other car? Remember to avoid Wednesdays or Thursdays as both are reserved for the Harijan. Your hand is all right, I hope. When you are completely free of fever you may be prepared for a kiss.”51 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You must not attempt to visit me while you are still weak. It will be enough if you send a card regularly. Tell your sister not to come to me. She must not worry about it but devote herself even more to Harijan service.”52 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Sarojini also has sent one. She says that she misses you now that you have left. What could not be accomplished in Poona must be achieved in Mussoorie. Only after that can anything be considered.”53 “Though you have sent a new bhajan for the second fast, it cannot be sung. You know that such bhajans, unless they are sung well, fail to make any impression on my heart. I shall sing the same old one.”54

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I had no idea that you were confined to bed. I thought: ‘Raihana has now forgotten Bapu.’ As for me I had no time when I could write. It is God’s grace that you are now all right. I had a long letter from Hamida. I have replied to her. Kamaladevi and I talked about many things. I have often thought about you during the tour. I yearned to hear you sing: “Arise, awake, O Traveller”, but how could I hope for such good fortune? I even felt the wish to join your band singing bhajans.”55 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Of course you are absolved from the promise. What I said was the general experience of mankind. There was no question whatsoever of your honesty being doubted. But I understand what is weighing on you. That weight must be lifted. I know that you will grow in any event. I wish I could join your prayer meeting. You are doing better than what I have been able to achieve. It is quite good news you give me about Gopi’s diary. Father tells me about some yogi treating you with good results and a promise of better. Who is he? Tell Father I have his long letter. I cannot help him in supplementing his recollections of our first meeting. I have but a faint recollection of meetings prior to the meetings in Godhra.”56

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Now that I am touring on foot I find some time to write to my teacher. I have a letter from you after a long time. You poor thing were so busy that you could not find time even to write a card! Well, you must now write to me and tell me how my two statements impressed you and Father. My mission is progressing well.”57 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I hope Harivadan and Hamida have now regained their balance of mind. Jail is not meant for those who find jail life a pleasure. One must be able to live the same kind of life outside also and to devote oneself to constructive work. I hope you are very well.”58 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have replied to Dahyabhai. Since he is your brother, wouldn’t I have forfeited my privilege of being a father to you if I didn’t see him even when I went to Mehsana? A letter for Hamida is enclosed. Since you will be reading it, I don’t write anything about the matter here.”59

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are a perfect fraud a strange mystic who cannot rise above the loving prejudices of parents. Your issue seems to me to be quite correct. But why are you not satisfied with your being in the right! Must your neighbours, be they parents, also admit your claim to be in the right? Why must not your knowledge that you are in the right be its own satisfaction? Why should disappointments defeat you? Or you must withdraw your claim to be spiritually-minded and mystic. Mystics are made of sterner stuff they are not ruffled by misery or pain or insult nor elated by happiness, pleasure or praise. If you say, they interfere with your action, it won’t hold water. They do not prevent you bodily from being absorbed in prayer or contemplation for two hours or longer. I think you will find that all your difficulties will dissolve, if without irritation, anger or assertiveness you tell them with the greatest firmness and equal gentleness and with a smile on your lips, that whatever you are doing is a fundamental necessity of your being. Whilst I say this you should know that my whole heart is with you. You must have freedom of thought, speech and action. You must be treated as a friend, not as a child. I am afraid that in your resentment you have underrated the atmosphere of large heartedness and tolerance that is the specialty of Tyabjis. If you gave full credit to them for this rare quality you would gladly overlook what appears to be patronizing in their behaviour towards you. Remember that you will not be you but for the training they gave you and the affection with which they have surrounded you all. Do not be little the much they have done for you. Do you know this great doha of Tulsidas, the mystic? God has endowed His animate and inanimate creation with good and bad qualities. The good man will sift and treasure the good from the bad even as the fabled swan separates and eats the cream from the water and the milk he sees before him. I advise you and ask you to follow the advice of your fellow mystic.”60

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It is wonderful to have your letter after so many months and in such excellent Gujarati! You seem to have been improving your knowledge of the language. How good if I could do the same with my Urdu! But then, is the teacher or the pupil to blame for it? What a way you have of telling me of Abbajan! Inscrutable are God’s ways of saving him He wishes to! What beautiful situations He brings about! A master Manipulator of strings, He makes us dance by plucking at any of the strings He likes. We do not even feel that He is pulling the strings if we dance as He wishes. It is when we resist Him that we feel the pull of the string, and then we begin complaining. Observe Abbajan’s face as you read this to him and write to me what you notice. You should, however, suppress the letter if he does not have the strength to listen and the doctors do not permit it. You have mentioned so many members of the family that most of them are no more than names to me. I do not remember any of the faces, and I have to commit to memory the names. All the same, I am myself a member of the family, am I not? And such a one as does not even know the names of his owns family members or their faces either! But what can be done? That must be the plight of a person becoming one of a vast family. But what is great about knowing name and form? We are all children of the same Mother.”61

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It was very good you wired. For us, Abbajan is always alive. This body is but a play lasting “a few days”. However, the atman living within is immortal. His body we consigned to the tomb. Our association with it was momentary. He who had taken on the body and whom we loved as our own is no doubt even now watching us. May he witness all our acts, and save us from doing anything unworthy. It was good that nearly the whole family was present at the time. Please offer condolences on my behalf to all.”62 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Of course I am with you and Mother. When I received your first letter I could not understand how Mother was reconciled to a mixed union at this stage of our society. I am sure Hamida is too good to resist Ammajan and you. I expect you have seen my letter to her. I am now corresponding with Shankerlal and if necessary with Prabodha. Please keep me informed of developments if any.”63 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “How I wish I could give you and Ammajan the fullest satisfaction and occupy the place I used to have in the family. I live in the hope that I shall be restored some day. That is my heartfelt prayer. Love to all who may be with you and send it to Saroj.”64

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I never even dreamt that I had anything more to do or say after all that had happened. I only quote your own words here. Yes, Raihana, I do admit that Mother and you people are not deceitful and this I admit sincerely. I never believed that you people could ever be deceitful. Is Saroj with you? I am happy to hear that Mother is well.”65 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Even my defeat is my victory, is it not? I lost to Virawala but I am now trying to win him over. Yes, I must say that in all my life I had never experienced such despair. But has not Manilal Nabhubhai said that “Among lacs of disappointments there is eternal hope hidden”? So there is no reason for you to feel disheartened. My faith in God will ever be with me. You and Saroj are a unique pair! Saroj is at one place and you at another. Yet you can write on behalf of both! Yes, you have the privilege to fully open your heart to me. It is even your duty.”66

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “How shall I explain? I was very unhappy that Mother was so much tormented. Her blood-pressure is still high. Yes, Jamnalalji recounted all the stories of your heroism. He was here for two days. Even otherwise he used to write from Poona how you had become a cuckoo to him. I can hear your voice from here.”67 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Yes, death is the end of pain. May you all keep up the noble traditions left for you by Father and Mother? I expect your graphic description of the passing away. How I wish I was with you to listen to your soulful recitation of the Koran!”68 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your being with Kakasaheb is by itself half the medicine. If he gets congenial company and the kind of music he likes, what else can he want? You two sisters should now leave only after fully restoring Kakasaheb to health. After that, I will give Saroj her fill of khakharas and you a slap.”69

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I hope you will be able to read this. Let Yashvantrai write out his story and give me permission to show it to Shantikumar. I will then do what is necessary. Dr. Yodh may, if he wishes, examine me and take up my case. If, however, he wishes to take on some other patients, he may do that. Whomsoever he takes on, he should do after careful thinking and not act on the impulse of the moment, for I should not like him to fail and be ruined. If he succeeds, I would consider it a great achievement. But it is a difficult job.”70 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You yourself say in your letter that I cannot remove you from the position of a trustee. You know our duty, don’t you? Whatever we may have to say about anyone, we should let them know first. Hence even if you yourself do not say anything to Mridulabehn, you should let me show your letter to her. That will make your work and mine easier. Most of your grievances have been redressed. The rest, too, will be set right. You are right that we should not act in haste. You believe in Homoeopathy and have also found a good doctor. Why do you still continue to be unwell? Give my regards to Mother. Is she well?”71

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am glad that grandmother has passed away. She has settled her accounts, but suffered much while doing so. The fact that she exacted service from you both earned you merit. But wasn’t that at her cost? One should not wish to earn such merit. I, therefore, regard grandmother’s passing away a very good thing indeed from every point of view.”72 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I also read Salehbhai’s article. Some of the things he says are true but neither Burma nor India has any power. Nobody would listen to a true Indian or Burmese and he cannot do much. The true dharma of India is to achieve independence and help Burma and other countries to attain it. All this enmity would disappear after both are free. At present no one will pay heed to what Salehbhai says. He would be regarded as merely an official. My advice is that he should silently serve the cause as much as he can. An official’s dharma is not to speak but act.”73

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are mad. There was no need to write so much. I had heard the news about Ratnamayibehn. I did not pay much attention to it. Now you have reminded me of it. She was to go to a village but somehow could not go. Truly speaking, what is there to complain about? It is my attachment that has been reduced.”74 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Yesterday I started taking milk and shall take whatever diet agrees with me. Rajendra Babu says that the Bihar affair is settled now. Let us see what God now prompts us to do. My proposal to fast was absolutely right but there is no time to argue about it. I shall argue it out if we meet some day, and I hope that you will agree that my action was right, or you will point out my error. I shall be satisfied either way. It will not be right to invite you two here. The weather here is also not good.”75

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I understand your anxiety. I made enquiries on the basis of what Kakasaheb had told me. The result of my enquiry can be seen overleaf. May I hope you will not be depressed anymore? What is unhappiness for people like us, or even happiness for that matter?”76 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “There is no need to publish an English version. I understand your point. The publication will benefit neither the Hindus nor the Muslims. If we meet some time and I have some leisure we shall have a talk and a good laugh. I shall learn the Urdu script better. You are in the midst of it all and so you hold one opinion, and since I am at a distance I hold a different one. We are both right in our respective views. Or we might both be in the wrong. We should do all we can. Today the situation is very different. It is a matter of life and death.”77 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I shall follow your suggestion when I am convinced. In the meanwhile let us bear with our differences. Did you consult Nanavati regarding Urdu script? He has done quite a lot in this connection. The social question has significance in its own place. The people of Europe who inter-dine have fought with one another. Muslims fought with Muslims at Karbala; and what about the friction between the Shias and the Sunnis? We cannot promote unity by retaining only the Urdu script. We have to have reforms in all directions.”78

References: