Mahatma Gandhi's Quest for Truth Through Bhagavad Gita and His Path to Nonviolence

What was Mahatma Gandhi's reason for being fond of reading and reciting from the Bhagavad Gita? The great Indian leader found profound spiritual guidance in this ancient Hindu scripture. The Bhagavad Gita, part of the larger epic poem The Mahabharata, is one of the most revered books in Hinduism, densely packed with philosophical and spiritual insights. For Gandhi, the Gita was more than just a religious text; it was a practical and ethical guide for living a fulfilling life rooted in the principles of nonviolence and selfless action.

The Appeal of Bhagavad Gita to Gandhi

Gandhi was particularly captivated by the idea that isvarah prasadayan prakritam gunas karmas tadahah (derived from Bhagavad Gita 13:23), which suggests that sannyasa or renunciation is not the only path to moksha (spiritual liberation). As a karmayogi - a man of action - Gandhi strived to live his life in a way that was both spiritually fulfilling and practically effective. He believed that true religion could only be manifested through daily life, and the Gita offered a clear and accessible path to achieving this.

The Readiness for War and the Path to Nonviolence

It is often said that Arjuna heard the Gita and prepared for war, while Mahatma Gandhi read it and embraced the path of nonviolence. However, this perspective suggests that it is not the Gita itself but the individual's interpretation and application of its teachings that truly matters. For Gandhi, the essence of the Gita lay in its message of non-attachment and selflessness. He observed that the Gita offers multiple paths for spiritual seekers - from the path of knowledge (jnana-yoga), selfless action (karma-yoga), self-surrender to God through devotion (bhakti-yoga), to the path of yogic disciplines (raja-yoga). Ultimately, the goal of all these paths is to perform one's actions without craving the fruits of those actions.

The Constant Companion: Bhagavad Gita in Gandhi's Life and Struggle

The Gita became Gandhi's most dependable spiritual guide during the tumultuous years of the Indian independence movement. He faced numerous challenges, including social, religious, and political injustices, and turned to the Gita for strength, solace, and moral-spiritual guidance. He had memorized several shlokas (verses) from the Gita and constantly practiced their precepts to maintain serenity. In difficult moments, he found the Gita to be an unwavering source of support, likening its unwavering guidance to the ever-reliable mother earth compared to which Spiritual Mother, the Gita, never fails the seeker.

Gandhi's Personal Interpretation and Experience

Gandhi's interpretation of the Gita was based on his personal experiments and experiences. Although the Gita does not directly preach or endorse nonviolence, Gandhi found the idea of non-attachment implicit in its teachings. This interpretation played a crucial role in his political activities and ideals. In 1930, Gandhi translated a part of the Gita into Gujarati, a significant event that underscored his deep connection with the text. This personal translation was not published on an ordinary day but on a historically significant day - the first day of the Salt March from his Sabarmati Ashram to the Arabian Sea.

However, Gandhi's interpretation of the Gita also aroused the ire of some. Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Gandhi, criticized the leader's promotion of nonviolence, arguing that Gandhi's approach brought untold calamities to the country. Despite his reverence for Gandhi and their shared values, Godse believed it was his duty to end Gandhi's life to rectify what he perceived as a flawed path of nonviolence. In a unique twist to history, Godse admitted to revering Gandhi before performing his moral duty.

In conclusion, Mahatma Gandhi's love for the Bhagavad Gita was not just a personal attachment but a profound guide to his life and political philosophy. It provided him with the strength, solace, and ethical foundation needed to lead the Indian independence movement and effect change through nonviolence.