Mahatma Gandhi's legacy - How Hinduism shaped his path to freedom

October 2nd 1869 - Jan 30th 1948

As we celebrate the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, let's explore how Gandhi's beliefs and the values of Hinduism shaped India's freedom movement

Ahimsa - Non- violence

Gandhi's core-principle of non-violence comes directly from the Hindu concept of "Ahimsa", which teaches that all living beings are interconnected and sacred. In Hinduism, this ethical code is explained in depth in the Upanishads (earliest forms of religious texts)

Satyagraha - Non violent resistance

His method of non-violent resistance, Satyagraha, is linked to the Hindu ideal of standing for righteousness (Dharma) without harming others. It combines the pursuit of truth with the principle of non-violence.

Self - discipline - Tapas

He emphasized on self-discipline, fasting and personal sacrifice. This is aligned with the Hindu concept of Tapas which refers to spiritual austerity and self-control.

Unity of all religions

While Gandhi was a devout Hindu, he believed that truth is one, even though it is called by different names (Ekam Sat, Vipra Bahudha Vadanti - from the Rig Veda)

Welfare of all

Gandhi's concept of universal upliftment is influenced by the Hindu idea of "Lokasamgraha" (the welfare of the world) found in the Bhagavad Gita - where every action is to be done for the greater good of soceity

As we honor Gandhi's legacy, we remember how his teachers, drawn from the heart of Hinduism, became powerful tools for change. His path of truth, non-violence and unity not only let India to independence but also continues to inspire movements for peace and justice worldwide.

HAI RAM

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