Mahatma Gandhi Autobiography

1. Truth is God: The Guiding Principle

But for me, truth is the sovereign principle, which includes numerous other principles.

Truth as the ultimate goal. Gandhi's life was a relentless pursuit of truth, not merely as truthfulness in word, but as truthfulness in thought and action. This pursuit transcended personal ambition, becoming the very essence of his existence. He saw truth as synonymous with God, the ultimate reality that governed every aspect of his life.

Experiments with truth. Gandhi's autobiography is not a conventional recounting of events, but a chronicle of his "experiments" in applying truth to various aspects of his life. These experiments encompassed his personal relationships, his professional endeavors, and his political activism.

Sacrifice in the pursuit of truth. Gandhi was willing to sacrifice everything, including his own life, in his quest for truth. This unwavering commitment to truth, even in the face of immense challenges, is a testament to its central role in his philosophy.

2. Childhood Influences: Seeds of Saintliness

The outstanding impression my mother has left on my memory is that of saintliness.

Mother's profound impact. Gandhi's mother, Putlibai, was a deeply religious woman who instilled in him a strong sense of morality and a commitment to vows. Her unwavering faith and self-discipline left an indelible mark on his character.

Early lessons in devotion. Putlibai's rigorous observance of religious vows, including frequent fasting and prayer, demonstrated the power of self-denial and devotion. These early experiences shaped Gandhi's understanding of religion as a deeply personal and moral force.

Exposure to diverse faiths. Gandhi's upbringing exposed him to various religious traditions, including Vaishnavism, Jainism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism. This early exposure fostered a spirit of tolerance and respect for all faiths, which would later become a cornerstone of his philosophy.

3. The Bitter Draughts: Learning from Mistakes

I have seen since that I had calculated wrongly. A reformer cannot afford to have close intimacy with him whom he seeks to reform.

The perils of intimacy. Gandhi learned through painful experience that close friendships with those he sought to reform could be detrimental. He realized that true friendship requires a shared identity of souls, and that attempting to reform someone within an intimate relationship is often ineffective.

The dangers of bad company. Gandhi's association with a friend who indulged in meat-eating, brothels, and other vices led him astray and caused him immense guilt and shame. This experience taught him the importance of choosing companions wisely and avoiding exclusive intimacies.

The power of truthfulness. Despite his lapses, Gandhi's innate passion for truth ultimately saved him from deeper moral failings. His desire to be truthful to his parents and his wife led him to renounce meat-eating and other harmful behaviors.

4. The Call of Duty: Service Above Self

I had yet to learn that all happiness and pleasure should be sacrificed in devoted service to my parents.

Devotion to parents. Gandhi's childhood ideal was Shravana, a figure known for his unwavering devotion to his parents. This ideal instilled in him a deep sense of duty and a willingness to sacrifice personal happiness for the sake of his parents' well-being.

The conflict between duty and desire. Gandhi often struggled to balance his devotion to his parents with his own desires and passions. He recognized that true service requires the sacrifice of personal pleasures and the subordination of individual will to the greater good.

Service as a path to self-realization. Gandhi believed that self-realization could be achieved through service to others. He saw his work in the political field as a means to this end, and he constantly sought opportunities to serve those in need.

5. Religious Tolerance: Embracing All Faiths

These many things combined to inculcate in me a toleration for all faiths.

Early exposure to diverse beliefs. Gandhi's upbringing in a religiously diverse environment instilled in him a deep respect for all faiths. He witnessed his parents visiting temples of different Hindu sects and engaging in respectful discussions with Jain monks, Muslims, and Parsis.

Rejection of religious exclusivism. Gandhi rejected the notion that any one religion held a monopoly on truth. He believed that all religions contained elements of truth and that individuals should strive to understand and appreciate the wisdom of different traditions.

The essence of religion is morality. For Gandhi, the essence of religion lay in morality, not in dogma or ritual. He believed that true religion should be accessible to all, regardless of age or education, and that it should guide individuals towards ethical conduct and self-realization.

6. The Lure of England: A Quest for Education

I was fighting shy of my difficult studies. So I jumped at the proposal and said that the sooner I was sent the better.

Education as a means to an end. Gandhi's decision to study in England was driven by a desire to secure a better future for himself and his family. He saw education as a means to achieve a higher social status and to serve his community more effectively.

The allure of Western culture. Gandhi was initially drawn to the trappings of English society, including its fashion, etiquette, and intellectual pursuits. He sought to emulate the English gentleman in order to gain acceptance and influence.

The importance of religious vows. Before leaving for England, Gandhi took vows not to touch wine, women, or meat. These vows, administered by a Jain monk, provided him with a moral compass and helped him navigate the temptations of Western society.

7. Experiments in Diet: Health and Restraint

From the date of reading this book, I may claim to have become a vegetarian by choice.

Vegetarianism as a moral imperative. Gandhi's commitment to vegetarianism evolved from a matter of tradition to a deeply held moral conviction. He saw meat-eating as a form of violence against animals and believed that a vegetarian diet was essential for cultivating compassion and self-restraint.

Dietary experimentation. Gandhi engaged in numerous experiments with diet, seeking to find the optimal food for health and spiritual growth. He explored various vegetarian diets, including fruitarianism, and carefully observed the effects of different foods on his body and mind.

The mind-body connection. Gandhi recognized the intimate connection between diet and mental state. He believed that a pure and simple diet was essential for controlling the senses and achieving self-mastery.

8. The Power of Vows: A Shield Against Temptation

A vow is a vow. It cannot be broken.

Vows as a source of strength. Gandhi viewed vows as powerful tools for self-discipline and spiritual growth. He believed that vows, when taken with sincerity and conviction, could provide a shield against temptation and help individuals stay true to their ideals.

The importance of interpretation. Gandhi emphasized the importance of interpreting vows honestly and in accordance with the intention of the person administering them. He rejected attempts to twist or manipulate vows to suit one's own desires.

Vows as a path to freedom. Gandhi saw vows not as restrictions on freedom, but as a means to achieve true freedom. He believed that by binding oneself to certain principles, one could liberate oneself from the tyranny of desires and passions.

9. The Birth of Satyagraha: Truth-Force

I saw then the glory of Brahmacharya and realized that the wife is not the husband’s bondslave, but his companion and his help-mate, and an equal partner in all his joy and sorrows – as free as the husband to choose her own path.

Ahimsa as the foundation. Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha was rooted in the principle of ahimsa, or non-violence. He believed that truth could only be realized through love and compassion, and that violence was never justified, even in the face of oppression.

The power of self-suffering. Satyagraha involved a willingness to endure suffering without retaliating. Gandhi believed that self-suffering could awaken the conscience of the oppressor and ultimately lead to a change of heart.

The importance of truth and courage. Satyagraha required unwavering commitment to truth and a willingness to face any consequences, including imprisonment and death. Gandhi saw these qualities as essential for achieving social and political change.

10. The Plight of Indians: A Call to Action

I saw that South Africa was no country for a self- respecting Indian, and my mind became more and more occupied with the question as to how this state of things might be improved.

Discrimination and injustice. Gandhi witnessed firsthand the discrimination and injustice faced by Indians in South Africa. They were subjected to racial slurs, denied basic rights, and treated as second-class citizens.

The need for self-respect. Gandhi believed that Indians in South Africa needed to assert their self-respect and fight for their rights. He saw the struggle for equality as a moral imperative and a means to uplift the entire community.

The importance of unity. Gandhi recognized the need for unity among Indians of different religions, castes, and languages. He worked to bridge these divisions and create a sense of common identity and purpose.

11. The Ashram Ideal: Community and Self-Sufficiency

I have always felt that the undesirable traits I see today in my eldest son are an echo of my own undisciplined and unformulated early life.

Simple living and high thinking. Gandhi established the Satyagraha Ashram as a model community based on principles of simple living, self-sufficiency, and service to others. The Ashram was intended to be a place where individuals could cultivate moral character and prepare themselves for public service.

Manual labor and vocational training. The Ashram emphasized the importance of manual labor and vocational training. Residents were expected to perform all tasks themselves, from cooking and cleaning to farming and weaving.

Education for character building. Gandhi believed that education should focus on character building rather than mere intellectual development. He sought to create an environment where children could learn through experience and develop a strong sense of morality and social responsibility.

12. The Inner Struggle: Balancing Ideals and Reality

I have therefore always regarded myself as a lustful. though a faithful, husband.

The challenge of self-mastery. Gandhi's autobiography is a frank and honest account of his struggles to overcome his own weaknesses and imperfections. He openly discusses his battles with lust, anger, and other negative emotions.

The importance of self-reflection. Gandhi emphasized the importance of self-introspection and constant self-evaluation. He believed that individuals should regularly examine their thoughts, words, and actions to identify areas for improvement.

The role of grace. Gandhi recognized that self-mastery was not solely a matter of willpower. He believed that divine grace was essential for achieving true spiritual progress and that individuals should humbly seek God's help in their quest for self-realization.

Last updated: February 5, 2025