Gandhian Philosophy
If Gandhi had lived in any other time, his influence might have been restricted either to the field of spiritual enlightenment or too small groups of people residing in a particular region. He might have been a Rishi-a spiritual preceptor in a limited sense. But early in life, he chose the path of action, and his ‘Sainthood’ connoted something wider than aiding in purely spiritual growth. In the words of a poet of the Victorian Era, Gandhiji chose:
Though so noble (to share in the world’s toil, and though so tasked (to) keep free from the dust and soil.
Truth and non-violence constituting the essence of Gandhiji’s creed are philosophical concepts. Gandhiji’s contribution to philosophical thought was not only to translate these concepts into his own daily life but by his acceptance of these concepts as governing his own life as an individual and as a social being, to induce large numbers to follow the same path, individually and as social beings.
If this is broadly Gandhiji’s social philosophy, it constitutes the bedrock of almost all the great religions of the world, the basic concepts of which are universally accepted. This is the basis on which followers of all religions are adjured to build up their own personality, their relations with their surroundings, and their relations with their fellow beings. Action, which is implicit in progress toward self-realization, must stem from one’s understanding of one’s duty and must be animated by love towards others. Moreover, in one’s relationship with the rest of mankind hatred born out of a feeling of injustice, real or imaginary can have no place; it must give place to the spirit of brotherhood. In respect of such aspects of the Gandhian approach to life, I feel there can arise hardly any question of assessment.
