Gandhi & Gita

RITESH KHATRIIIT Indore

Gandhi’s introduction to Gita

•In England during second year•Two English Brothers asked to read•English version by Sir Edwin Arnold•Captivated for life by gita’s message

• Studied in detail during imprisonment years

• Translated in Gujarati

• Series of letter sent to Ashram from yeravda prison

Religious Book Promoting violence

What is Gita?

How it is relevant to a person whose life and principles are based on non violence and truth ?

Arjuna Became Disfunctional , could not take decision

Hence Krishna Spoke Bhagavad Gita

This is where it is relevant to Gandhi and to us

Topics of the Bhagavad-Gita

• Describes:• atma (the Soul)• yogas and their purposes• karma (duty or action)• reincarnation (life after death)• sanatana dharma (eternal duty of the living

entity)• prakrti (material nature)• isvara (the Supreme Lord)

Reflection of Bhagavad Gita in Mahatma Gandhi’s life

Qualities of a Learned Person

The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].

Qualities of a Learned Person

A person is considered still further advanced when he regards honest well-wishers, affectionate benefactors, the neutral, mediators, the envious, friends and enemies, the pious and

the sinners all with an equal mind.

Reflection in Gandhi’s Life

• For I want to bring about an equalization of status. The working classes have all these centuries been isolated and relegated to a lower status. They have been shoodras, and the word has been interpreted to mean an inferior status. I want to allow no differentiation between the son of a weaver, of an agriculturist and of a schoolmaster.

• Organized Indians as stretcher bearers and orderlies in 1st

world war

Qualities of a Learned Person

Qualities of a Learned Person

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Fearlessness; purification of one's existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge;

charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquillity; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness;

fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor—these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.

•Fearlessness, self control – 2 of 11 vows followed throughout life•Simplicity - believed in simple life•Non violence and truthfulness – foundation of his philosophy•Cleanliness – emphasized on cleanliness t ashram inmates Cleanliness is next to godliness•Purification of ones existence•Cultivation of spiritual knowledge

Reflection in Gandhi’s life

Selfless Service

You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and

never be attached to not doing your duty.

Leadership

Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards

he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

Science of Mind

One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the

conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.

Science of Mind

For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so,

his mind will remain the greatest enemy.

The mind is a restless bird, the more it gets the more it wants and still remains unsatisfied. The more we indulge in our passion, the more unbridle they become.

Managing Society

According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am

yet the nondoer, being unchangeable.

The varna system is ethical as well as economic. It recognises the influence of previous lives and of heredity. All are not born with equal powers and similar tendencies. Neither the parents nor the state can measure the intelligence of each child. But there would be no difficulty if each child is prepared for the profession indicated by heredity, environment and the influence of former lives; no time would be lost in fruitless experimentation, there would be no soul-killing competition, a spirit of contentment would pervade society and there would be no struggle for existence.

Reflection in Gandhi’s Life

Significance of Diet

Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one's existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such

foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.

Significance of diet

Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the mode of

passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease.

Significance of diet

Food prepared more than three hours before being eaten, food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrid,

and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of darkness.

The way of life

Thank You