For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Silence Notes of Mahatma Gandhi

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar, Professor, Editor and Linguist

Gandhi International Study and Research Institute, 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

Silence Notes of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi had taken silence regularly in his life. During silence he wrote many notes to his friends. They have some meaning and messages. There are his all silence notes. I do not think South Africa Indians are ready for neither sacrifice nor is the pinch so great there East Africa Indians if they have any grit whatsoever should offer every form of passive resistance they can Churchill could not have made that speech without having India Office squared. The Viceroy nothing could be better than that the Viceroy and Montagu should resign on this question. But the Indian members too should do likewise; if they have any sense of self-respect, but I am sorry to say I have little hope at the present moment. Water question is settled here. 1

I have been observing for some days that you are not single-mindedly attentive at the time of prayer. If this judgement of mine is correct, try to overcome your absent-mindedness. The fact that I can observe your absent-mindedness itself proves that I myself am unable to keep my attention steady. This is true indeed. But because one person is guilty of a lapse, does it follow that another person also may be so guilty? Moreover, what comparison can there be between an old man who commits a lapse and an innocent child? May it be natural for you all what I have not been able to achieve to this day! And moreover, you were feeling sleepy and that was an additional lapse. We, who are looked upon as elders, may go to bed at any hour but you children ought to go to bed by eight. If you take less interest in talking, you will find thinking more pleasurable and will be able to observe all the rules. Why need you then ask? What comparison can there be between Prabhudas’s age and yours? I wish that I, too, were a child. But how can that be? We will think more about this in the Ashram. 2

Arriving at my house, I taxed Mahatmaji with breach of faith towards his co-workers like Hakim Sahib, Dr. Ansari, Shaukat, myself and many others and gave free utterance to all the bitterness that I felt Mahatmaji fast of silence had not ended. So, he only smiled and wrote on a piece of paper you are entitled to say all you have said and much more. As soon as you have composed yourself, I shall talk to you the whole night. Only remember that there are things in which there is no interposition between God and Man. Just a little before that, one of his companions had given me a note which was written in his own hand and signed in Urdu. 3 I am sorry that I am silent. But you can say what you wish to. I will answer by writing. I am very busy editing Young India but I will spare a few minutes. It is not so much the individual I have in view as the nation. The effect of spinning on the individual may be imperceptible but its effect on the nation will be very considerable even as the work of a single soldier plodding at a trench may be nothing, but the cumulative effect of thousands working at it may turn the scale. They threaten to take a leading part. But they will not succeed. India’s heart is not that way. What you have seen of brutality is, I hope, confined to a very narrow group. Certainly there is every possibility. I am working to that end. But the thing largely depends upon English conduct as a whole. 4

God is great and He will help you and protect you. It is nothing that we err if we know how to mend. And that, thank God, you have done never to go back. You have come nevertheless to face storms but they are all bracing. May they make you powerful and a fit instrument of service? 5 It is not usual for me to allow such things to appear in the pages of Young India Though much as I value the opinion of so great and so good a writer as Romain Rolland, I cannot afford to print his certificates. But an accident is responsible for the publication of the foregoing as also premature introduction to the reader of Mirabai as we in the Ashram call Miss Madeleine Slade, more for the sake of the convenience of children and those many who do not know English than for anything else. As an Indian name had to be chosen the one that best describes Miss Slade’s aspirations was chosen. The accident happened this way. As Mirabai was sitting by my bedside spinning her takli which she learnt the moment she took it in her hand, she pleadingly asked, “Can I not render some service to you during your fast?” “Oh yes, you can edit Young India for me this week,” I replied smilingly. She said, “If you mean seriously I take up the challenge.” And an old man of India was beaten by a mere English girl. She had to share the responsibility with Mahadev Desai for editing the current issue hence the foregoing advertisement. I had not the heart to reject it. Let the reader know that I had not the strength to give anything original in its place. I was loath to replace it with an admirable extract from Mr. Page’s pamphlet, which has been crowded out this week. 6

You must not do that. You must take all the correction calmly and in a proper spirit. There was no question of conscience either. It was merely want of knowledge of due proportion. Nothing very strange in the strangest of surroundings you have put yourself in. Cheer up. No crying allowed. 7 But who turned you out? Why did you feel like having been turned out? Correction is not turning out, is it? 8 Now that I have got you married and introduced you to your wife it is for you to take the initiative and run your own house. Go and sit near Sushila. See what clothes she has got, find out her wishes and then make a note of what she needs. This will break the ice and things will get moving. Or you may try some other approach. Or shall I ask her to come near you and tell the others to move away? 9

I can’t decide. You must be guided by your own inner promptings. I asked you before agreeing. But it is quite all right. There is nothing in that agreement. You can discuss the pros and cons as if no agreement was reached and then decide. I do not want you to. But Jamnalalji does. You will go for having contact with him and there will be nothing but Hindi there to speak. But I would leave it to you. If you have positive disinclination you will certainly not go. It is a 2-months course. 10 I wanted to talk to you at night but you were not there. At 10 I entered upon my silence. What do you wish to do? If nothing worries you here and you find you are at peace, you should propagate what you believe in and thereby serve the country. You can go to the Ashram whenever you wish. Nowadays I do not stay there. I do not know, therefore, if you would like to go there. You can also write to me any time you wish. 11

There is no need to take a purgative. I do not wish to give milk today either. Continue to take juice of orange and grapes. Take as much water as possible. Take hip-bath and massage with ice. Take through the nose water with salt and soda mixed, and apply mud-pack to the stomach today also. 12 What are your impressions of the A. I. C. C. meeting? Considering the revolutionary character of the two resolutions, the criticism was restrained and the voting showed an extraordinary sense of responsibility and appreciation of facts. The attendance too was quite good. 13 Then I have to see Mr. Jinnah and then go to the station to take the Poona train. But if you want to say anything you can do so whilst I am taking my meal at 5 p.m. Jawahar is also coming then. I am working just now against time. I have to supply 16 columns of matter for Young India and post today. That is the message. He won’t come here. But I must go somewhere where he would come. The place must be on the way to Victoria Terminus. If you are not in a hurry let me finish this Y. I. business which has drained me dry today. 14

Tell Janakibehn not to be so unreasonable. Most probably I will go there at the time of the operation. I shall regain strength in three or four days. Even if I can’t go, we must not take the risk of delaying the operation. I wish to send a wire immediately today. God willing, we shall both be present there, but the operation need not be postponed on that account. 15 Send him papers and a brief account of what is going on. The amounts to be sent to Anand I have forgotten. I told him there should be some delay because of Jamnalal’s illness. But if you remember them tell me. 16

I still maintain my objection to Kamaladevi. You can have Mridula instead if you want two women. There must be other women in the A.I.C.C. Maulana would remain if pressed. I would like Jamnalalji to be spared. But that is a matter between you, Rajen Babu and him. I do not mind too many from U.P. You can’t help it. I take it you will discuss the list with those whom you want to retain. I can’t think of anyone else or anything else. I think I told you that I used to like her. Her ability is unquestioned. But I have known things which have worried me about her. I should unhesitatingly take Sarup. But I can understand the delicacy. Satyavati deserves the place apart from her fanaticism which makes her sometimes a dangerous ally. You may show my objection to Kamaladevi if you know her sufficiently for I do not say this behind her back. I believe she knows my opinion. It hurts me to hold that opinion, but how can I help myself? Therefore let not my opinion weigh with you unduly. If those whom you want do not object, you should have her. Of course I am partial to Mridula. But Satyavati has a longer record of service and has from a public point of view a better right. Mridula is a brick so far as work and loyalty are concerned. She will be the youngest member, if the choice falls on her. If I had to make the selection of course the choice will be Satyavati almost for the reasons that make you exclude Sarup. 17

Surely I can’t do such a thing myself? I explain all the steps. We hold frequent discussions. What more can I do? He can part from me and do what he likes, but under my supervision he can work only in this manner. I know that at present we are making the minimum use of his services but in this lies self-control on our part and his part and this self-control is a test of our faith that morality is inextricably linked with our outward activity. 18 I thought that you were keeping a daily count. You should study my article carefully. It answers all difficulties. Even the majority can’t function without the British bayonet. The whole agitation is bluster to force as much as they can from the so-called majority. 19

I I am off regulating your food, if only because I am silent for an indefinite period. And perhaps it is well that you should regulate it and keep yourself fit. I would advise you not to insist on unfired food. But do what you think is best. II you do not seem to be flourishing. I understand you are unable to take the quantity I send you. If you desire anything special, you should ask. If you can’t take sufficient nourishment, I won’t be able to take work from you. You must not force yourself to do things beyond your capacity. III There is no hurry. Take your own time. You must not risk your health. Do not regard the lessons as a task. You should take as much recreation as you need. This is treacherous weather; nothing should weigh on your mind. 20 This is why I have written to Sailen. If he comes here I can do something for him, and the family in Calcutta may be well provided for. You may send Rs. 20 now. But the rest will depend upon Sailen’s decision. 21 I was in the midst of mad. They had besieged me. With difficulty they had carried me to the door of my abode. But one admirer had possession of me and won’t leave me. So I howled for help. 22

Hindi is absolutely good, language perfect and lettering quite nice. Of course you have access to all my letters and answers. I expect to be able to train you to do the whole of the editing in time. You have a wonderful command over your pen, only the thought formation has to come. To produce the exact thought means exact understanding. It is difficult when one has to interpret another. But it is not beyond you I know. You should begin to throw notes at me. I may reject them all as you see I do Mahadev’s. I want to build a cottage for my convenience rather than yours. You will still sit by me but if there is a room which can be called yours it may yield many uses. You wanted to build me a little hospital. Let this be something like it. About buying when I get the time. 23

She has no particular Ayurvedic physician in mind, but my son 1) Government have agreed to Kanu Gandhi staying in for the purpose of helping in nursing Mrs. Gandhi on condition that he agrees to be bound by the same regulations as other security prisoners in the detention camp. Government considers that with Kanu Gandhi staying in, the nursing assistance provided should be adequate and they cannot agree to any requests for further assistance. (2) Government has decided that no outside doctors should be allowed unless the Government medical officer considers that it is absolutely necessary for medical reasons. (3) Interviews with near relatives have been sanctioned for Mrs. Gandhi. While Government has no objection to your being present during those interviews, they consider that other inmates should not be present except to the extent demanded by the condition of Mrs. Gandhi’s health.” Devdas suggested the name of Vaidyaraj Sharma of Lahore. Any physician who is admitted will be in addition to Dr. Dinshaw and that too, if and when the latter has failed to give satisfaction. She has often expressed a desire to be seen by an Ayurvedic physician. If the permission is granted, it should be of a general character. She is losing will-power and I have to judge between multiplicities of advice so long as I am permitted to have responsibility for her peace of mind, which is about all that is possible at this stage. 24

Did you sleep well? Yesterday I drafted a long letter about keeping you and Prabhavati here, but I kept thinking over the matter the whole of last night and could get no sleep. In the end, I saw light. We cannot make such a request. Aren’t we prisoners after all? We must endure our separation. You are a sensible girl. Forget your sorrow. You want to do great service. Stop crying and live cheerfully. Learn what you can after leaving the jail. After all this service that you have given, you are bound to prosper no matter what happens. More after my silence ends. I am your mother. Am I not? It is enough, if you understand this much. 25

I feel much worried about you. You are a class by yourself. You are good, simple-hearted and ever ready to help others. Service has become dharma with you. But you are still uneducated and silly also. If you remain illiterate, you will regret it, and if I live long, I too will regret it. I will certainly miss you, but I do not like to keep you near me as that would be weakness and ignorant attachment. I am quite sure that at present you should go to Rajkot. You will get there the benefit of the company of Narandas; such good company you will get nowhere else. You will learn their besides music, the art of working methodically. You will learn Gujarati, too. There may be other benefits also. If you spend at least one year there, your slovenliness will disappear. If you go to Karachi or anywhere else you like after you have become more mature, you will get all that you want. Gurudayalji will not be in Karachi for long now. Hence you will get only education there. That also will be useful, of course. Living in the company of so many girls will also do you good. But what you will get in Rajkot you will get nowhere else. 26

The oppression was the fancied or real control of the doctors rather than the mind. I believe I have freed myself from the doctors’ control. It does not matter if the freedom is imaginary or imagined. The effect on me is the same, whatever I will be due either to my weakness or strength. Next fortnight will show us all what is in store for me and us. I am approaching the thing with a detached mind. The difference is this. If I have the strength of mind, what I announced yesterday will abide. If the mind has become weak I do not know to what extent I shall go. If the medicine is the least thing, you are safe and I am safe. About visitors I shall be stricter than the doctors have advised. 27

I will ask him the doctor. You also may ask him. If he permits, you may come daily. Do keep troubling me often. 28 What you said in your note is perfectly true. In reply I have to say that I am doing exactly that. I will take no hasty step and am not going to take a blind plunge. For most of the time I observe silence. 29 Considering all that is happening around us, I see danger in this partnership with the League. One thing is definite, namely, that until the members of the Working Committee are freed and can express their opinion, nothing can be done in the name of the Congress. It is also definite that if the Chimur-Ashti prisoners and other such prisoners are hanged, the situation will become impossible. Unless the League’s attitude shows a change without any expectation of gain I will have no deal with it even if the Congress Working Committee consents. This is for you yourself to think over and decide. You are in a better position to understand the truth than anybody else. The distinction that is being made between the League Muslims and the others seems to me dangerous from every point of view. I don’t think it safe to countenance any such position. Think carefully over what you said last night regarding this. Will the 40 per cent Congress quota include any representatives of the Hindu Mahasabha or of Harijans? What about the Sikhs, Parsis, Christians, etc.?

Whether you have discussed this with the League or not is irrelevant here. When the time for final decision comes, the Congress will have to consider all these points. The Congress will not be in the same position as the League. It will have to take into account all the interests in the country, whereas the League is concerned with the interests only of the Muslims supporting it. You will have to be ready to face all these complications. You will definitely not be able to bring the ship to port by disregarding the parties other than the League. Please understand my limitations fully before you proceed further. As I have explained, my temper is progressively becoming more uncompromising. I use the word “uncompromising” in a good sense, so take it in that spirit. Against my indifference to the Parliamentary scheme and my increasing faith in non-violent non-co-operation, you can safely place my loyalty to you. It will not let me go beyond the limits of what I have given you in writing. But it is difficult even for me to say where my uncompromising spirit will take me, for I am coming to put ever increasing faith in the Unseen Power and, therefore, I think very little about tomorrow. I started writing this before 6 and it is 6.30 now. I will write more if anything occurs to me. Otherwise take this as fully representing my views. 30

Different values undoubtedly. The way of life which Ba stood for is the way workers would live and thus present it to village women. I have imposed silence on myself today. I hope you do not mind it. But ask questions and I would answer. 31 Do you want me to come tomorrow? 7.30 is better for me, but I could easily come at 7 p. m. if that is better for you. I have brought a lot of literature for you that I promised yesterday of this more tomorrow. 32 I want you, if you can and will, to be with me wherever I go and stay while I am in Bengal. The idea is that I should be alone only with you as my companion and interpreter. This you should do only if you can sever your connection with the University and would care to risk death, starvation, etc. Satis Babu knows all about my design. You will know from him. Secondly, I want to collect from Dawn, Azad, and Morning News and Star of India all the telling extracts from Qaid-e-Azam’s and other League leaders’ writings and speeches and put them in chronological order giving under each extract date and origin. These things you can do simultaneously. 33

Let Nirmal Babu examine my replies for the style as well as the manner. Are they satisfactory? 34 Personally I do not think the extent of the evil is so great. Many such cases have not come under my observation. In any case you may keep in mind the young men who will take in such girls and see what can be done when you come across a bona-fide case. 35 A pupil to be worthy must make previous preparation for the lesson before the teacher. 36 I do not know what God is doing to me or through me. If you have the time and inclination I would like you to walk to Sushila at daybreak and return after passing some time with her and learning all about her requirements and her health. You can give her the whole of our conversation about her without reserve. The rest you will know from her if she cares to tell you. You can show this to her if you wish. If you propose to shoulder this burden, you will act as the spirit moves you. Don’t work beyond your capacity. 37 If this is not quite correct, you should show me the correct form. 38

Tell him in Bengalee that if the complaint is true, it should be reported at once to the police. I would esteem a copy of the statement with permission to make what use I like of it. As it is I am making private use of the letter under reply to find out the facts. If the complaint states the truth, it is undoubtedly bad. The evil must be nipped in the bud. 39 Difference between defensive and aggressive is wholly unconvincing and meaningless. You can’t blow hot and cold. Either have hate or love. I have already said how to deal with the want of seeds and instruments. 40 I am sorry I can’t speak; when I took the decision about the Monday silence I did reserve two exceptions, i.e., about speaking to high functionaries on urgent matters or attending upon sick people. But I know you do not want me to break my silence. Have I said one word against you during my speeches? If you admit that I have not, your warning is superfluous. There are one or two things I must talk about, but not today. If we meet each other again I shall speak. Badshah Khan is with me in the Bhangi Colony. He said “Do ask the Viceroy to remove the Governor. We won’t have peace till he is gone.” I don’t know whether he is right or wrong. He is truthful. If it can be done decorously, you should do it. 41

I see that the people of India are terror-stricken. Out of sheer fright they do not come out with the truth. I had the same experience in Noakhali. Similarly women in the Punjab who have been abducted are also terror-stricken. Mridulabehn is working hard for them. Let us see what can be done. I will go to Panipat tomorrow. Maulana Saheb and Rajkumari are accompanying me. 42 If you have been able to enter into the spirit of the morning and the evening prayers, I would suggest you’re continuing them. The hours may be changed if they are unsuitable. But both the prayers as an institution are according to my experience most elevating. 43 If you think it at all proper show me the reply also. I take a very serious view of this thing. It does not matter whether Liaquat sent it or someone in his name. 44

You have put me a difficult if not awkward question. I hold extreme views about British connection. In spite of my love of the British people, I think that their imperialism has been their greatest crime against humanity and especially against India which has been studiously humiliated and emasculated. The wrong is all the greater because they have turned it into a virtue of which they are proud. The immediate thing therefore the British Government should do is to confess the wrong and undo it. Of the undoing, there is no sign as yet visible in the Indian sky. And yet I cannot help thinking that before Britain can claim to have moral supremacy she has to take the first step. Then all else will follow as day follows night. I will not make impertinent suggestions by way of practical steps. The conviction of the wrong will show the way. If possible, try to write the diary in Hindi. The prayers should cause no difficulty if you will previously learn the meaning. The evening verses are beautifully translated in the Song Celestial which you can borrow from Mirabai. The Morning Prayer is translated in Hindi and can be had in pamphlet-form and by practice you can accustom yourself to the Sanskrit tone. 45

If you feel like talking about this or any other thing, I am prepared and will gladly set apart the time. I simply do not worry you for I have nothing to ask. Your presence gives me and strength. What more do I want? I understand you and you, me. 46 You met Balwantrai about Bhatnagar? There are 5 lacs for A. I. V. I. A. work. 47 Tell Thakkar Bapa he shall have his tour at 12 noons tomorrow. Bring me a writing pad. 48 Then do start at two o’clock for your convenience. I would have encouraged you if you had consulted me. I was not at all sleeping. I heard all the shlokas with attention. If I had been speaking I would have got a lot more done. But I did not wish to create trouble by asking for a lamp. It would not come out well before full preparation. How would I know that it was all ready? 49

Have you thought about it? Quite a lot can be done for the hospital and that amounts to doing Kamala’s work. I had asked Kamala today to meet the patients and look after them. You can very well understand the plight of the patients, having yourself gone through a long illness. You won’t be able to do nursing and such other activities but you can certainly do what a supervisor can do. It is not possible to allot you some states. But this will become your responsibility. If there is a quarrel among the members of the staff, you can settle it. If the patients have any complaints you can resolve them. Once you take a decision, other arrangements will be made easily. This is the best course. The result can be very good, if you take up this work. I do not think you will be there even at 10.30 tomorrow. At least I shall be free. Start with the presumption that you are the managing trustee. That you will do later on. Work begets work. Even if she is not willing, you alone will do whatever you can. 50 Pride rules her will. She is obstinate, irritable, wayward, incoherent in conversation, she imagines evil, is easily angered. She has become a mystery to me. She is unconscious of her amazing limitations. Her virtues I know and treasure. But this is no place for mentioning them. But for them she could not be here. 51 Your Urdu letter is good. I could read the whole of it, No more today. 52

You are not everybody else. Will you like to be? If not, don’t throw everybody else at once. Does your love require consideration and can’t a poor man feel absolutely safe with someone? I thought that one was you. Are you not? Are your jokes always only jokes? 53 One tooth against one or many teeth against one? Many men against one, tooth for tooth, I know. That is an idiom whose meaning I cannot vary. Tooth against tooth is grammatical and can be given its ordinary meaning. 54 Cannot stir before 7 o’clock. I have still to give wire at 7.00 p.m. 55 on his own showing Shukla did say that there would be retaliatory treatment. Well, it you are satisfied I have nothing to say. 56 There is no faith at all, let alone imperfect faith. I have daily demonstration of failure. I have to argue out every point and then too conviction is rare-obedience is non-existent. It is not obedience. 57 The work you are doing is of the greatest importance. You have done more than enough for my comfort. You may neglect me. The workers do their best. 58 Which Amrit Babu is this? Can I show this to the Sikh friends? I said as much to the audience today. Don’t worry about the road. It will be all right. 59

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