Theist and Mahatma Gandhi

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar, Professor, Editor and Linguist

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

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

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Theist and Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

He should ever keep repeating God’s name for self purification. A theist believes that God sees the inmost depths of our heart, that He watches our movements even when we sleep. Such a man, therefore, should remain vigilant for all the twenty-four hours. Whatever the work we may be doing, mental or physical, we should never forget to go on repeating God’s name. His name delivers us from all our sins. After a little practice, everyone will discover that it is possible to keep repeating God’s name while one is doing anything or thinking about anything. Inward repetition of God’s name is the only exception to the general rule that a person can think about only one thing at a time because it is spontaneous to the atman. Other thoughts are the product of ignorance. For one who knows that God does everything, who is wholly absorbed in thoughts of Him, what remains for such a one to do or to think about? Such a person stops thinking about his separate identity and regards himself only as an instrument in God’s hands. I believe it is impossible to observe perfect brahmacharya in action, speech and thought without this constant remembering of God.  Harijanbandhu, 1-10-1933 Whereas the atheist’s pleasure merely consists of eating, drinking and enjoying himself, the theist would be pleased to forget himself in devotion to the Lord, that is, in the duty which falls to his lot. I regard myself as a theist and find fulfillment in making the best of what I can do today. As we sow, so shall we reap, that is, the future will follow the present that is a certainty. Hence, I am not worried about the future of varnadharma. I would also ask “Sanatani” not to worry about it. Those like me who believe in varnadharma and accept my definition of it should think and act accordingly, and they would be said to have observed their dharma in respect of Varna. 1 

For a true theist, the Gandhian is the only position he can take up consistently with his theism. If God is there ever present present in a more real sense than you or I as Judge and Defender of the right, the theist, imperfect as he is in knowledge as well as in strength, will think it no business of his to judge his adversary or to punish him for what he thinks to be the adversary’s wrong-doing. 2

 

References:

 

1. Navajivan, 10-11-1921
2. Young India, 22-1-1925