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> 第九十二章 With Mahatma Gandhi At Wardha
第九十二章 With Mahatma Gandhi At Wardha
“Welcome to Wardha！”Mahadev Desai，secretary to Mahatma Gandhi，greeted Miss Bletch，Mr。Wright，and myself with these cordial words and the gift of wreaths of khaddar（homespun cotton）。Our little group had just dismounted at the Wardha station on an early morning in August，glad to leave the dust and heat of the train。Consigning our luggage to a bullock cart，we entered an open motor car with Mr。Desai and his companions，Babasaheb Deshmukh and Dr。Pingale。A short drive over the muddy country roads brought us to Maganvadi，the ashram of Indias political saint。
Mr。Desai led us at once to the writing room where，cross-legged，sat Mahatma Gandhi。Pen in one hand and a scrap of paper in the other，on his face a vast，winning，warm-hearted smile！
“Welcome！”he scribbled in Hindi；it was a Monday，his weekly day of silence。
Though this was our frst meeting，we beamed on each other affectionately。In 1925 Mahatma Gandhi had honored the Ranchi school by a visit，and had inscribed in its guest-book a gracious tribute。
The tiny 100-pound saint radiated physical，mental，and spiritual health。His soft brown eyes shone with intelligence，sincerity，and discrimination；this statesman has matched wits and emerged the victor in a thousand legal，social，and political battles。No other leader in the world has attained the secure niche in the hearts of his people that Gandhi occupies for Indias unlettered millions。Their spontaneous tribute is his famous title-Mahatma，“great soul”。For them alone Gandhi confnes his attire to the widely-cartooned loincloth，symbol of his oneness with the downtrodden masses who can afford no more。
“The ashram residents are wholly at your disposal；please call on them for any service。”With characteristic courtesy，the Mahatma handed me this hastily-written note as Mr。Desai led our party from the writing room toward the guest house。
Our guide led us through orchards and fowering felds to a tile-roofed building with latticed windows。A front-yard well，twenty-fve feet across，was used，Mr。Desai said，for watering stock；near-by stood a revolving cement wheel for threshing rice。Each of our small bedrooms proved to contain only the irreducible minimum-a bed，handmade of rope。The whitewashed kitchen boasted a faucet in one corner and a fre pit for cooking in another。Simple Arcadian sounds reached our ears-the cries of crows and sparrows，the lowing of cattle，and the rap of chisels being used to chip stones。
Observing Mr。Wright‘s travel diary，Mr。Desai opened a page and wrote on it a list of Satyagraha vows taken by all the Mahatma’s strict followers（satyagrahis）：
“Nonviolence；Truth；Non-Stealing；Celibacy；Non-Possession；Body-Labor；Control of the Palate；Fearlessness；Equal Respect for all Religions；Swadeshi（use of home manufactures）；Freedom from Untouchability。These eleven should be observed as vows in a spirit of humility。”
（Gandhi himself signed this page on the following day，giving the date also-August 2，1935.）
Two hours after our arrival my companions and I were summoned to lunch。The Mahatma was already seated under the arcade of the ashram porch，across the courtyard from his study。About twenty-fve barefooted satyagrahis were squatting before brass cups and plates。A community chorus of prayer；then a meal served from large brass pots containing chapatis（whole-wheat unleavened bread）sprinkled with ghee；talsari（boiled and diced vegetables），and a lemon jam。
The Mahatma ate chapatis，boiled beets，some raw vegetables，and oranges。On the side of his plate was a large lump of very bitter neem leaves，a notable blood cleanser。With his spoon he separated a portion and placed it on my dish。I bolted it down with water，remembering childhood days when Mother had forced me to swallow the disagreeable dose。Gandhi，however，bit by bit was eating the neem paste with as much relish as if it had been a delicious sweetmeat。
In this trifing incident I noted the Mahatmas ability to detach his mind from the senses at will。I recalled the famous appendectomy performed on him some years ago。Refusing anesthetics，the saint had chatted cheerfully with his disciples throughout the operation，his infectious smile revealing his unawareness of pain。
The afternoon brought an opportunity for a chat with Gandhis noted disciple，daughter of an English admiral，Miss Madeleine Slade，now called Mirabai。Her strong，＆nbsp；calm face lit with enthusiasm as she told me，in fawless Hindi，of her daily activities。
“Rural reconstruction work is rewarding！A group of us go every morning at fve oclock to serve the near-by villagers and teach them simple hygiene。We make it a point to clean their latrines and their mud-thatched huts。The villagers are illiterate；they cannot be educated except by example！”She laughed gaily。
I looked in admiration at this highborn Englishwoman whose true Christian humility enables her to do the scavengering work usually performed only by“untouchables”。
“I came to India in 192，”she told me。“In this land I feel that I have‘come back home’。Now I would never be willing to return to my old life and old interests。”
We discussed America for awhile。“I am always pleased and amazed，”she said，“to see the deep interest in spiritual subjects exhibited by the many Americans who visit India。”
Mirabais hands were soon busy at the charka（spinning wheel），omnipresent in all the ashram rooms and，indeed，due to the Mahatma，omnipresent throughout rural India。
Gandhi has sound economic and cultural reasons for encouraging the revival of cottage industries，but he does not counsel a fanatical repudiation of all modern progress。Machinery，trains，automobiles，the telegraph have played important parts in his own colossal life！Fifty years of public service，in prison and out，wrestling daily with practical details and harsh realities in the political world，have only increased his balance，open-mindedness，sanity，and humorous appreciation of the quaint human spectacle。
Our trio enjoyed a six oclock supper as guests of Babasaheb Deshmukh。The 7：00 P。M。prayer hour found us back at the Maganvadi ashram，climbing to the roof where thirty satyagrahis were grouped in a semicircle around Gandhi。He was squatting on a straw mat，an ancient pocket watch propped up before him。The fading sun cast a last gleam over the palms and banyans；the hum of night and the crickets had started。The atmosphere was serenity itself；I was enraptured。
A solemn chant led by Mr。Desai，with responses from the group；then a Gita reading。The Mahatma motioned to me to give the concluding prayer。
Punctually at eight oclock Gandhi ended his silence。The herculean labors of his life require him to apportion his time minutely。
“Welcome，Swamiji！”The Mahatmas greeting this time was not via paper。We had just descended from the roof to his writing room，simply furnished with square mats（no chairs），a low desk with books，papers，and a few ordinary pens（not fountain pens）；a nondescript clock ticked in a corner。An all-pervasive aura of peace and devotion。Gandhiwas bestowing one of his captivating，cavernous，almost toothless smiles。
“Years ago，”he explained，“I started my weekly observance of a day of silence as a means for gaining time to look after my correspondence。But now those twenty-four hours have become a vital spiritual need。A periodical decree of silence is not a torture but a blessing。”
The Mahatma questioned me about America and Europe；we discussed India and world conditions。
“Mahadev，”Gandhi said as Mr。Desai entered the room，“please make arrangements at Town Hall for Swamiji to speak there on yoga tomorrow night。”
The following morning our little group breakfasted early on a tasty wheat porridge with molasses and milk。At ten-thirty we were called to the ashram porch for lunch with Gandhi and the satyagrahis。Today the menu included brown rice，a new selection of vegetables，and cardamom seeds。
Noon found me strolling about the ashram grounds，on to the grazing land of a few imperturbable cows。The protection of cows is a passion with Gandhi。
“The cow to me means the entire sub-human world，extending mans sympathies beyond his own species，”the Mahatma has explained。“Man through the cow is enjoined to realize his identity with all that lives。Why the ancient rishis selected the cow for apotheosis is obvious to me。The cow in India was the best comparison；she was the giver of plenty。Not only did she give milk，but she also made agriculture possible。The cow is a poem of pity；one reads pity in the gentle animal。She is the second mother to millions of mankind。Protection of the cow means protection of the whole dumb creation of God。The appeal of the lower order of creation is all the more forceful because it is speechless。”
Three daily rituals are enjoined on the orthodox Hindu。One is Bhuta Yajna，anoffering of food to the animal kingdom。This ceremony symbolizes man‘s realization of his obligations to less evolved forms of creation，instinctively tied to bodily identifcations which also corrode human life，but lacking in that quality of liberating reason which is peculiar to humanity。Bhuta Yajna thus reinforces man’s readiness to succor the weak，as he in turn is comforted by countless solicitudes of higher unseen beings。Man is also under bond for rejuvenating gifts of nature，prodigal in earth，sea，and sky。The evolutionary barrier of incommunicability among nature，animals，man，and astral angels is thus overcome by offces of silent love。
The other two daily yajnas are Pitri and Nri。Pitri Yajna is an offering of oblations to ancestors，as a symbol of mans acknowledgment of his debt to the past，essence of whose wisdom illumines humanity today。Nri Yajna is an offering of food to strangers or the poor，symbol of the present responsibilities of man，his duties to contemporaries。
Reentering the guest house I was struck anew by the stark simplicity and evidences of self-sacrifce which are everywhere present。The Gandhi vow of non-possession came early in his married life。Renouncing an extensive legal practice which had been yielding him an annual income of more than$2，00，the Mahatma dispersed all his wealth to the poor。
Sri Yukteswar used to poke gentle fun at the commonly inadequate conceptions of renunciation。
“A beggar cannot renounce wealth，”Master would say。“If a man laments：‘My business has failed；my wife has left me；I will renounce all and enter a monastery，’to what worldly sacrifice is he referring？He did not renounce wealth and love；they renounced him！”
The Mahatmas remarkable wife，Kasturabai，did not object when he failed to set aside any part of his wealth for the use of herself and their children。Married in early youth，Gandhi and his wife took the vow of celibacy after the birth of several sons。A tranquil heroine in the intense drama that has been their life together，Kasturabai has followed her husband to prison，shared his three-week fasts，and fully borne her share of his endless responsibilities。She has paid Gandhi the following tribute：
I thank you for having had the privilege of being your lifelong companion and helpmate。I thank you for the most perfect marriage in the world，based on brahmacharya（self-control）and not on sex。I thank you for having considered me your equal in your life work for India。I thank you for not being one of those husbands who spend their time in gambling，racing，women，wine，and song，tiring of their wives and children as thelittle boy quickly tires of his childhood toys。How thankful I am that you were not one of those husbands who devote their time to growing rich on the exploitation of the labor of others。
How thankful I am that you put God and country before bribes，that you had the courage of your convictions and a complete and implicit faith in God。How thankful I am for a husband that put God and his country before me。I am grateful to you for your tolerance of me and my shortcomings of youth，when I grumbled and rebelled against the change you made in our mode of living，from so much to so little。
One day the public treasurer，Kasturabai，could not account for a disbursement of four rupees。Gandhi duly published an auditing in which he inexorably pointed out his wifes four rupee discrepancy。
I had often told this story before classes of my American students。One evening a woman in the hall had given an outraged gasp。
“Mahatma or no Mahatma，”she had cried，“if he were my husband I would have given him a black eye for such an unnecessary public insult！”
“Mrs。Gandhi considers the Mahatma not as her husband but as her guru，one who has the right to discipline her for even insignifcant errors，”I had pointed out。“Sometime after Kasturabai had been publicly rebuked，Gandhi was sentenced to prison on a political charge。As he was calmly bidding farewell to his wife，she fell at his feet。‘Master，’she said humbly，‘if I have ever offended you，please forgive me。’”
At three oclock that afternoon in Wardha，I betook myself，by previous appointment，to the writing room of the saint who had been able to make an unfinching disciple out of his own wife-rare miracle！Gandhi looked up with his unforgettable smile。
“Mahatmaji，”I said as I squatted beside him on the uncushioned mat，“please tell me your defnition of ahimsa。”
“The avoidance of harm to any living creature in thought or deed。”
“Beautiful ideal！But the world will always ask：May one not kill a cobra to protect a child，or ones self？”
“I could not kill a cobra without violating two of my vows-fearlessness，and non-killing。I would rather try inwardly to calm the snake by vibrations of love。I cannot possibly lower my standards to suit my circumstances。”With his amazing candor，Gandhi added，“I must confess that I could not carry on this conversation were I faced by a cobra！”
I remarked on several very recent Western books on diet which lay on his desk。
“Yes，diet is important in the Satyagraha movement-as everywhere else，”he said with a chuckle。
“Because I advocate complete continence for satyagrahis，I am always trying to fnd out the best diet for the celibate。”
The Mahatma and I compared our knowledge of good meat-substitutes。“The avocado is excellent，”I said。“There are numerous avocado groves near my center in California。”
Gandhis face lit with interest。“I wonder if they would grow in Wardha？The satyagrahis would appreciate a new food。”
“I will be sure to send some avocado plants from Los Angeles to Wardha。”I added，“Eggs are a high-protein food；are they forbidden to satyagrahis？”
“Not unfertilized eggs。”The Mahatma laughed reminiscently。For years I would not countenance their use；even now I personally do not eat them。One of my daughters-in-law was once dying of malnutrition；her doctor insisted on eggs。I would not agree，and advised him to give her some egg-substitute。
‘Gandhiji，’the doctor said，‘unfertilized eggs contain no life sperm；no killing is involved。’
“I then gladly gave permission for my daughter-in-law to eat eggs；she was soon restored to health。”
On the previous night Gandhi had expressed a wish to receive the Kriya Yoga of Lahiri Mahasaya。I was touched by the Mahatmas open-mindedness and spirit of inquiry。
The hour for my promised instruction had arrived；several satyagrahis now entered the room-Mr。Desai，Dr。Pingale，and a few others who desired the Kriya technique。
I frst taught the little class the physical Yogoda exercises。
Later I initiated the group into the liberating technique of Kriya Yoga。
The Mahatma has reverently studied all world religions。The Jain scriptures，the Biblical New Testament，and the sociological writings of Tolstoy are the three main sources of Gandhis nonviolent convictions。He has stated his credo thus：
I believe the Bible，the Koran，and the Zend-Avesta to be as divinely inspired as the Vedas。I believe in the institution of Gurus，but in this age millions must go without a Guru，because it is a rare thing to find a combination of perfect purity and perfect learning。But one need not despair of ever knowing the truth of ones religion，because the fundamentals of Hinduism as of every great religion are unchangeable，and easily understood。
I believe like every Hindu in God and His oneness，in rebirth and salvation……I can no more describe my feeling for Hinduism than for my own wife。She moves me as no other woman in the world can。Not that she has no faults；I daresay she has many more than I see myself。But the feeling of an indissoluble bond is there。Even so I feel for and about Hinduism with all its faults and limitations。Nothing delights me so much as the music of the Gita，or the Ramayana by Tulsidas。When I fancied I was taking my last breath，the Gita was my solace。
Hinduism is not an exclusive religion。In it there is room for the worship of all the prophets of the world。It is not a missionary religion in the ordinary sense of the term。It has no doubt absorbed many tribes in its fold，but this absorption has been of an evolutionary，imperceptible character。Hinduism tells each man to worship God according to his own faith or dharma，and so lives at peace with all religions。On my last evening in Wardha I addressed the meeting which had been called by Mr。Desai in Town Hall。The room was thronged to the window sills with about 400 people assembled to hear the talk on yoga。I spoke frst in Hindi，then in English。Our little group returned to the ashram in time for a good-night glimpse of Gandhi，enfolded in peace and correspondence。
Night was still lingering when I rose at 5：00 A。M。After breakfast our trio sought out Gandhi for farewell pronams。
“Mahatmaji，good-by！”I knelt to touch his feet。“India is safe in your keeping！”
Years have rolled by since the Wardha idyl；the earth，oceans，and skies have darkened with a world at war。Alone among great leaders，Gandhi has offered a practical nonviolent alternative to armed might。To redress grievances and remove injustices，the Mahatma has employed nonviolent means which again and again have proved their effectiveness。He states his doctrine in these words：
I have found that life persists in the midst of destruction。Therefore there must be a higher law than that of destruction。Only under that law would well-ordered society be intelligible and life worth living。
If that is the law of life we must work it out in daily existence。Wherever there are wars，wherever we are confronted with an opponent，conquer by love。I have found that the certain law of love has answered in my own life as the law of destruction has never done。
In India we have had an ocular demonstration of the operation of this law on the widest scale possible。I dont claim that nonviolence has penetrated the 36，00，000people in India，but I do claim it has penetrated deeper than any other doctrine in an incredibly short time。
It takes a fairly strenuous course of training to attain a mental state of nonviolence。It is a disciplined life，like the life of a soldier。The perfect state is reached only when the mind，body，and speech are in proper coordination。Every problem would lend itself to solution if we determined to make the law of truth and nonviolence the law of life。
Just as a scientist will work wonders out of various applications of the laws of nature，a man who applies the laws of love with scientifc precision can work greater wonders。Nonviolence is infinitely more wonderful and subtle than forces of nature like，for instance，electricity。The law of love is a far greater science than any modern science。
Consulting history，one may reasonably state that the problems of mankind have not been solved by the use of brute force。
War and crime never pay。The billions of dollars that went up in the smoke of explosive nothingness would have been suffcient to have made a new world。
The nonviolent voice of Gandhi appeals to mans highest conscience。Let nations ally themselves no longer with death，but with life；not with destruction，but with construction；not with the Annihilator，but with the Creator。
“One should forgive，under any injury，”says the Mahabharata。“It hath been said that the continuation of species is due to mans being forgiving。Forgiveness is holiness；by forgiveness the universe is held together。Forgiveness is the might of the mighty；forgiveness is sacrifce；forgiveness is quiet of mind。Forgiveness and gentleness are the qualities of the self-possessed。They represent eternal virtue。”
“If loss of life becomes necessary in a righteous battle，”Gandhi proclaims，“one should be prepared，like Jesus，to shed his own，not others，blood。Eventually there will be less blood spilt in the world。”
Epics shall someday be written on the Indian satyagrahis who withstood hate with love，violence with nonviolence，who allowed themselves to be mercilessly slaughtered rather than retaliate。
“I would wait，if need be for ages，”Gandhi says，“rather than seek the freedom of my country through bloody means。”Never does the Mahatma forget the majestic warning：“All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword。”Gandhi has written：I call myself a nationalist，but my nationalism is as broad as the universe。It includes in its sweep all the nations of the earth。My nationalism includes the well-being of the whole world。I do not want my India to rise on the ashes of other nations。I do not＆nbsp；want India to exploit a single human being。I want India to be strong in order that she can infect the other nations also with her strength。Not so with a single nation in Europe today；they do not give strength to the others。President Wilson mentioned his beautiful fourteen points，but said：“After all，if this endeavor of ours to arrive at peace fails，we have our armaments to fall back upon。”I want to reverse that position，and I say：“Our armaments have failed already。Let us now be in search of something new；let us try the force of love and God which is truth。”When we have got that，we shall want nothing else。
Gandhi has already won through nonviolent means a greater number of political concessions for his land than have ever been won by any leader of any country except through bullets。Nonviolent methods for eradication of all wrongs and evils have been strikingly applied not only in the political arena but in the delicate and complicated feld of Indian social reform。Gandhi and his followers have removed many longstanding feuds between Hindus and Mohammedans；hundreds of thousands of Moslems look to the Mahatma as their leader。The untouchables have found in him their fearless and triumphant champion。“If there be a rebirth in store for me，”Gandhi wrote，“I wish to be born a pariah in the midst of pariahs，because thereby I would be able to render them more effective service。”
The Mahatma wholeheartedly believes in the inherent nobility of man。The inevitable failures have never disillusioned him。“Even if the opponent plays him false twenty times，”he writes，“the satyagrahi is ready to trust him the twenty-first time，for an implicit trust in human nature is the very essence of the creed。”
“Mahatmaji，you are an exceptional man。You must not expect the world to act as you do。”A critic once made this observation。
Gandhi replied。“I am a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal。I own，however，that I have enough humility to confess my errors and to retrace my steps。I own that I have an immovable faith in God and His goodness，and an unconsumable passion for truth andlove。But is that not what every person has latent in him？If we are to make progress，we must not repeat history but make new history。We must add to the inheritance left by our ancestors。If we may make new discoveries and inventions in the phenomenal world，must we declare our bankruptcy in the spiritual domain？Is it impossible to multiply the exceptions so as to make them the rule？Must man always be brute frst and man after，if at all？”
“I am fghting for nothing less than world peace，”Gandhi has declared。“If the Indianmovement is carried to success on a nonviolent Satyagraha basis，it will give a new meaning to patriotism and，if I may say so in all humility，to life itself。”
Before the West dismisses Gandhis program as one of an impractical dreamer，let it frst refect on a defnition of Satyagraha by the Master of Galilee：
“Ye have heard that it hath been said，An eye for an eye，and a tooth for a tooth：but I say unto you，That ye resist not evil：but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek，turn to him the other also。”
Mahatma Gandhi visited my high school with yoga training at Ranchi。He graciously wrote the above lines in the Ranchi guest-book。The translation is：“This institution has deeply impressed my mind。I cherish high hopes that this school will encourage the further practical use of the spinning wheel。”
A national fag for India was designed in 1921 by Gandhi。The stripes are saffron，white and green；the charka（spinning wheel）in the center is dark blue。“The charka symbolizes energy，”he wrote，“and reminds us that during the past eras of prosperity in Indias history，hand spinning and other domestic crafts were prominent。”
Mr。Desai led us at once to the writing room where，cross-legged，sat Mahatma Gandhi。Pen in one hand and a scrap of paper in the other，on his face a vast，winning，warm-hearted smile！
“Welcome！”he scribbled in Hindi；it was a Monday，his weekly day of silence。
Though this was our frst meeting，we beamed on each other affectionately。In 1925 Mahatma Gandhi had honored the Ranchi school by a visit，and had inscribed in its guest-book a gracious tribute。
The tiny 100-pound saint radiated physical，mental，and spiritual health。His soft brown eyes shone with intelligence，sincerity，and discrimination；this statesman has matched wits and emerged the victor in a thousand legal，social，and political battles。No other leader in the world has attained the secure niche in the hearts of his people that Gandhi occupies for Indias unlettered millions。Their spontaneous tribute is his famous title-Mahatma，“great soul”。For them alone Gandhi confnes his attire to the widely-cartooned loincloth，symbol of his oneness with the downtrodden masses who can afford no more。
“The ashram residents are wholly at your disposal；please call on them for any service。”With characteristic courtesy，the Mahatma handed me this hastily-written note as Mr。Desai led our party from the writing room toward the guest house。
Our guide led us through orchards and fowering felds to a tile-roofed building with latticed windows。A front-yard well，twenty-fve feet across，was used，Mr。Desai said，for watering stock；near-by stood a revolving cement wheel for threshing rice。Each of our small bedrooms proved to contain only the irreducible minimum-a bed，handmade of rope。The whitewashed kitchen boasted a faucet in one corner and a fre pit for cooking in another。Simple Arcadian sounds reached our ears-the cries of crows and sparrows，the lowing of cattle，and the rap of chisels being used to chip stones。
Observing Mr。Wright‘s travel diary，Mr。Desai opened a page and wrote on it a list of Satyagraha vows taken by all the Mahatma’s strict followers（satyagrahis）：
“Nonviolence；Truth；Non-Stealing；Celibacy；Non-Possession；Body-Labor；Control of the Palate；Fearlessness；Equal Respect for all Religions；Swadeshi（use of home manufactures）；Freedom from Untouchability。These eleven should be observed as vows in a spirit of humility。”
（Gandhi himself signed this page on the following day，giving the date also-August 2，1935.）
Two hours after our arrival my companions and I were summoned to lunch。The Mahatma was already seated under the arcade of the ashram porch，across the courtyard from his study。About twenty-fve barefooted satyagrahis were squatting before brass cups and plates。A community chorus of prayer；then a meal served from large brass pots containing chapatis（whole-wheat unleavened bread）sprinkled with ghee；talsari（boiled and diced vegetables），and a lemon jam。
The Mahatma ate chapatis，boiled beets，some raw vegetables，and oranges。On the side of his plate was a large lump of very bitter neem leaves，a notable blood cleanser。With his spoon he separated a portion and placed it on my dish。I bolted it down with water，remembering childhood days when Mother had forced me to swallow the disagreeable dose。Gandhi，however，bit by bit was eating the neem paste with as much relish as if it had been a delicious sweetmeat。
In this trifing incident I noted the Mahatmas ability to detach his mind from the senses at will。I recalled the famous appendectomy performed on him some years ago。Refusing anesthetics，the saint had chatted cheerfully with his disciples throughout the operation，his infectious smile revealing his unawareness of pain。
The afternoon brought an opportunity for a chat with Gandhis noted disciple，daughter of an English admiral，Miss Madeleine Slade，now called Mirabai。Her strong，＆nbsp；calm face lit with enthusiasm as she told me，in fawless Hindi，of her daily activities。
“Rural reconstruction work is rewarding！A group of us go every morning at fve oclock to serve the near-by villagers and teach them simple hygiene。We make it a point to clean their latrines and their mud-thatched huts。The villagers are illiterate；they cannot be educated except by example！”She laughed gaily。
I looked in admiration at this highborn Englishwoman whose true Christian humility enables her to do the scavengering work usually performed only by“untouchables”。
“I came to India in 192，”she told me。“In this land I feel that I have‘come back home’。Now I would never be willing to return to my old life and old interests。”
We discussed America for awhile。“I am always pleased and amazed，”she said，“to see the deep interest in spiritual subjects exhibited by the many Americans who visit India。”
Mirabais hands were soon busy at the charka（spinning wheel），omnipresent in all the ashram rooms and，indeed，due to the Mahatma，omnipresent throughout rural India。
Gandhi has sound economic and cultural reasons for encouraging the revival of cottage industries，but he does not counsel a fanatical repudiation of all modern progress。Machinery，trains，automobiles，the telegraph have played important parts in his own colossal life！Fifty years of public service，in prison and out，wrestling daily with practical details and harsh realities in the political world，have only increased his balance，open-mindedness，sanity，and humorous appreciation of the quaint human spectacle。
Our trio enjoyed a six oclock supper as guests of Babasaheb Deshmukh。The 7：00 P。M。prayer hour found us back at the Maganvadi ashram，climbing to the roof where thirty satyagrahis were grouped in a semicircle around Gandhi。He was squatting on a straw mat，an ancient pocket watch propped up before him。The fading sun cast a last gleam over the palms and banyans；the hum of night and the crickets had started。The atmosphere was serenity itself；I was enraptured。
A solemn chant led by Mr。Desai，with responses from the group；then a Gita reading。The Mahatma motioned to me to give the concluding prayer。
Punctually at eight oclock Gandhi ended his silence。The herculean labors of his life require him to apportion his time minutely。
“Welcome，Swamiji！”The Mahatmas greeting this time was not via paper。We had just descended from the roof to his writing room，simply furnished with square mats（no chairs），a low desk with books，papers，and a few ordinary pens（not fountain pens）；a nondescript clock ticked in a corner。An all-pervasive aura of peace and devotion。Gandhiwas bestowing one of his captivating，cavernous，almost toothless smiles。
“Years ago，”he explained，“I started my weekly observance of a day of silence as a means for gaining time to look after my correspondence。But now those twenty-four hours have become a vital spiritual need。A periodical decree of silence is not a torture but a blessing。”
The Mahatma questioned me about America and Europe；we discussed India and world conditions。
“Mahadev，”Gandhi said as Mr。Desai entered the room，“please make arrangements at Town Hall for Swamiji to speak there on yoga tomorrow night。”
The following morning our little group breakfasted early on a tasty wheat porridge with molasses and milk。At ten-thirty we were called to the ashram porch for lunch with Gandhi and the satyagrahis。Today the menu included brown rice，a new selection of vegetables，and cardamom seeds。
Noon found me strolling about the ashram grounds，on to the grazing land of a few imperturbable cows。The protection of cows is a passion with Gandhi。
“The cow to me means the entire sub-human world，extending mans sympathies beyond his own species，”the Mahatma has explained。“Man through the cow is enjoined to realize his identity with all that lives。Why the ancient rishis selected the cow for apotheosis is obvious to me。The cow in India was the best comparison；she was the giver of plenty。Not only did she give milk，but she also made agriculture possible。The cow is a poem of pity；one reads pity in the gentle animal。She is the second mother to millions of mankind。Protection of the cow means protection of the whole dumb creation of God。The appeal of the lower order of creation is all the more forceful because it is speechless。”
Three daily rituals are enjoined on the orthodox Hindu。One is Bhuta Yajna，anoffering of food to the animal kingdom。This ceremony symbolizes man‘s realization of his obligations to less evolved forms of creation，instinctively tied to bodily identifcations which also corrode human life，but lacking in that quality of liberating reason which is peculiar to humanity。Bhuta Yajna thus reinforces man’s readiness to succor the weak，as he in turn is comforted by countless solicitudes of higher unseen beings。Man is also under bond for rejuvenating gifts of nature，prodigal in earth，sea，and sky。The evolutionary barrier of incommunicability among nature，animals，man，and astral angels is thus overcome by offces of silent love。
The other two daily yajnas are Pitri and Nri。Pitri Yajna is an offering of oblations to ancestors，as a symbol of mans acknowledgment of his debt to the past，essence of whose wisdom illumines humanity today。Nri Yajna is an offering of food to strangers or the poor，symbol of the present responsibilities of man，his duties to contemporaries。
Reentering the guest house I was struck anew by the stark simplicity and evidences of self-sacrifce which are everywhere present。The Gandhi vow of non-possession came early in his married life。Renouncing an extensive legal practice which had been yielding him an annual income of more than$2，00，the Mahatma dispersed all his wealth to the poor。
Sri Yukteswar used to poke gentle fun at the commonly inadequate conceptions of renunciation。
“A beggar cannot renounce wealth，”Master would say。“If a man laments：‘My business has failed；my wife has left me；I will renounce all and enter a monastery，’to what worldly sacrifice is he referring？He did not renounce wealth and love；they renounced him！”
The Mahatmas remarkable wife，Kasturabai，did not object when he failed to set aside any part of his wealth for the use of herself and their children。Married in early youth，Gandhi and his wife took the vow of celibacy after the birth of several sons。A tranquil heroine in the intense drama that has been their life together，Kasturabai has followed her husband to prison，shared his three-week fasts，and fully borne her share of his endless responsibilities。She has paid Gandhi the following tribute：
I thank you for having had the privilege of being your lifelong companion and helpmate。I thank you for the most perfect marriage in the world，based on brahmacharya（self-control）and not on sex。I thank you for having considered me your equal in your life work for India。I thank you for not being one of those husbands who spend their time in gambling，racing，women，wine，and song，tiring of their wives and children as thelittle boy quickly tires of his childhood toys。How thankful I am that you were not one of those husbands who devote their time to growing rich on the exploitation of the labor of others。
How thankful I am that you put God and country before bribes，that you had the courage of your convictions and a complete and implicit faith in God。How thankful I am for a husband that put God and his country before me。I am grateful to you for your tolerance of me and my shortcomings of youth，when I grumbled and rebelled against the change you made in our mode of living，from so much to so little。
One day the public treasurer，Kasturabai，could not account for a disbursement of four rupees。Gandhi duly published an auditing in which he inexorably pointed out his wifes four rupee discrepancy。
I had often told this story before classes of my American students。One evening a woman in the hall had given an outraged gasp。
“Mahatma or no Mahatma，”she had cried，“if he were my husband I would have given him a black eye for such an unnecessary public insult！”
“Mrs。Gandhi considers the Mahatma not as her husband but as her guru，one who has the right to discipline her for even insignifcant errors，”I had pointed out。“Sometime after Kasturabai had been publicly rebuked，Gandhi was sentenced to prison on a political charge。As he was calmly bidding farewell to his wife，she fell at his feet。‘Master，’she said humbly，‘if I have ever offended you，please forgive me。’”
At three oclock that afternoon in Wardha，I betook myself，by previous appointment，to the writing room of the saint who had been able to make an unfinching disciple out of his own wife-rare miracle！Gandhi looked up with his unforgettable smile。
“Mahatmaji，”I said as I squatted beside him on the uncushioned mat，“please tell me your defnition of ahimsa。”
“The avoidance of harm to any living creature in thought or deed。”
“Beautiful ideal！But the world will always ask：May one not kill a cobra to protect a child，or ones self？”
“I could not kill a cobra without violating two of my vows-fearlessness，and non-killing。I would rather try inwardly to calm the snake by vibrations of love。I cannot possibly lower my standards to suit my circumstances。”With his amazing candor，Gandhi added，“I must confess that I could not carry on this conversation were I faced by a cobra！”
I remarked on several very recent Western books on diet which lay on his desk。
“Yes，diet is important in the Satyagraha movement-as everywhere else，”he said with a chuckle。
“Because I advocate complete continence for satyagrahis，I am always trying to fnd out the best diet for the celibate。”
The Mahatma and I compared our knowledge of good meat-substitutes。“The avocado is excellent，”I said。“There are numerous avocado groves near my center in California。”
Gandhis face lit with interest。“I wonder if they would grow in Wardha？The satyagrahis would appreciate a new food。”
“I will be sure to send some avocado plants from Los Angeles to Wardha。”I added，“Eggs are a high-protein food；are they forbidden to satyagrahis？”
“Not unfertilized eggs。”The Mahatma laughed reminiscently。For years I would not countenance their use；even now I personally do not eat them。One of my daughters-in-law was once dying of malnutrition；her doctor insisted on eggs。I would not agree，and advised him to give her some egg-substitute。
‘Gandhiji，’the doctor said，‘unfertilized eggs contain no life sperm；no killing is involved。’
“I then gladly gave permission for my daughter-in-law to eat eggs；she was soon restored to health。”
On the previous night Gandhi had expressed a wish to receive the Kriya Yoga of Lahiri Mahasaya。I was touched by the Mahatmas open-mindedness and spirit of inquiry。
The hour for my promised instruction had arrived；several satyagrahis now entered the room-Mr。Desai，Dr。Pingale，and a few others who desired the Kriya technique。
I frst taught the little class the physical Yogoda exercises。
Later I initiated the group into the liberating technique of Kriya Yoga。
The Mahatma has reverently studied all world religions。The Jain scriptures，the Biblical New Testament，and the sociological writings of Tolstoy are the three main sources of Gandhis nonviolent convictions。He has stated his credo thus：
I believe the Bible，the Koran，and the Zend-Avesta to be as divinely inspired as the Vedas。I believe in the institution of Gurus，but in this age millions must go without a Guru，because it is a rare thing to find a combination of perfect purity and perfect learning。But one need not despair of ever knowing the truth of ones religion，because the fundamentals of Hinduism as of every great religion are unchangeable，and easily understood。
I believe like every Hindu in God and His oneness，in rebirth and salvation……I can no more describe my feeling for Hinduism than for my own wife。She moves me as no other woman in the world can。Not that she has no faults；I daresay she has many more than I see myself。But the feeling of an indissoluble bond is there。Even so I feel for and about Hinduism with all its faults and limitations。Nothing delights me so much as the music of the Gita，or the Ramayana by Tulsidas。When I fancied I was taking my last breath，the Gita was my solace。
Hinduism is not an exclusive religion。In it there is room for the worship of all the prophets of the world。It is not a missionary religion in the ordinary sense of the term。It has no doubt absorbed many tribes in its fold，but this absorption has been of an evolutionary，imperceptible character。Hinduism tells each man to worship God according to his own faith or dharma，and so lives at peace with all religions。On my last evening in Wardha I addressed the meeting which had been called by Mr。Desai in Town Hall。The room was thronged to the window sills with about 400 people assembled to hear the talk on yoga。I spoke frst in Hindi，then in English。Our little group returned to the ashram in time for a good-night glimpse of Gandhi，enfolded in peace and correspondence。
Night was still lingering when I rose at 5：00 A。M。After breakfast our trio sought out Gandhi for farewell pronams。
“Mahatmaji，good-by！”I knelt to touch his feet。“India is safe in your keeping！”
Years have rolled by since the Wardha idyl；the earth，oceans，and skies have darkened with a world at war。Alone among great leaders，Gandhi has offered a practical nonviolent alternative to armed might。To redress grievances and remove injustices，the Mahatma has employed nonviolent means which again and again have proved their effectiveness。He states his doctrine in these words：
I have found that life persists in the midst of destruction。Therefore there must be a higher law than that of destruction。Only under that law would well-ordered society be intelligible and life worth living。
If that is the law of life we must work it out in daily existence。Wherever there are wars，wherever we are confronted with an opponent，conquer by love。I have found that the certain law of love has answered in my own life as the law of destruction has never done。
In India we have had an ocular demonstration of the operation of this law on the widest scale possible。I dont claim that nonviolence has penetrated the 36，00，000people in India，but I do claim it has penetrated deeper than any other doctrine in an incredibly short time。
It takes a fairly strenuous course of training to attain a mental state of nonviolence。It is a disciplined life，like the life of a soldier。The perfect state is reached only when the mind，body，and speech are in proper coordination。Every problem would lend itself to solution if we determined to make the law of truth and nonviolence the law of life。
Just as a scientist will work wonders out of various applications of the laws of nature，a man who applies the laws of love with scientifc precision can work greater wonders。Nonviolence is infinitely more wonderful and subtle than forces of nature like，for instance，electricity。The law of love is a far greater science than any modern science。
Consulting history，one may reasonably state that the problems of mankind have not been solved by the use of brute force。
War and crime never pay。The billions of dollars that went up in the smoke of explosive nothingness would have been suffcient to have made a new world。
The nonviolent voice of Gandhi appeals to mans highest conscience。Let nations ally themselves no longer with death，but with life；not with destruction，but with construction；not with the Annihilator，but with the Creator。
“One should forgive，under any injury，”says the Mahabharata。“It hath been said that the continuation of species is due to mans being forgiving。Forgiveness is holiness；by forgiveness the universe is held together。Forgiveness is the might of the mighty；forgiveness is sacrifce；forgiveness is quiet of mind。Forgiveness and gentleness are the qualities of the self-possessed。They represent eternal virtue。”
“If loss of life becomes necessary in a righteous battle，”Gandhi proclaims，“one should be prepared，like Jesus，to shed his own，not others，blood。Eventually there will be less blood spilt in the world。”
Epics shall someday be written on the Indian satyagrahis who withstood hate with love，violence with nonviolence，who allowed themselves to be mercilessly slaughtered rather than retaliate。
“I would wait，if need be for ages，”Gandhi says，“rather than seek the freedom of my country through bloody means。”Never does the Mahatma forget the majestic warning：“All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword。”Gandhi has written：I call myself a nationalist，but my nationalism is as broad as the universe。It includes in its sweep all the nations of the earth。My nationalism includes the well-being of the whole world。I do not want my India to rise on the ashes of other nations。I do not＆nbsp；want India to exploit a single human being。I want India to be strong in order that she can infect the other nations also with her strength。Not so with a single nation in Europe today；they do not give strength to the others。President Wilson mentioned his beautiful fourteen points，but said：“After all，if this endeavor of ours to arrive at peace fails，we have our armaments to fall back upon。”I want to reverse that position，and I say：“Our armaments have failed already。Let us now be in search of something new；let us try the force of love and God which is truth。”When we have got that，we shall want nothing else。
Gandhi has already won through nonviolent means a greater number of political concessions for his land than have ever been won by any leader of any country except through bullets。Nonviolent methods for eradication of all wrongs and evils have been strikingly applied not only in the political arena but in the delicate and complicated feld of Indian social reform。Gandhi and his followers have removed many longstanding feuds between Hindus and Mohammedans；hundreds of thousands of Moslems look to the Mahatma as their leader。The untouchables have found in him their fearless and triumphant champion。“If there be a rebirth in store for me，”Gandhi wrote，“I wish to be born a pariah in the midst of pariahs，because thereby I would be able to render them more effective service。”
The Mahatma wholeheartedly believes in the inherent nobility of man。The inevitable failures have never disillusioned him。“Even if the opponent plays him false twenty times，”he writes，“the satyagrahi is ready to trust him the twenty-first time，for an implicit trust in human nature is the very essence of the creed。”
“Mahatmaji，you are an exceptional man。You must not expect the world to act as you do。”A critic once made this observation。
Gandhi replied。“I am a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal。I own，however，that I have enough humility to confess my errors and to retrace my steps。I own that I have an immovable faith in God and His goodness，and an unconsumable passion for truth andlove。But is that not what every person has latent in him？If we are to make progress，we must not repeat history but make new history。We must add to the inheritance left by our ancestors。If we may make new discoveries and inventions in the phenomenal world，must we declare our bankruptcy in the spiritual domain？Is it impossible to multiply the exceptions so as to make them the rule？Must man always be brute frst and man after，if at all？”
“I am fghting for nothing less than world peace，”Gandhi has declared。“If the Indianmovement is carried to success on a nonviolent Satyagraha basis，it will give a new meaning to patriotism and，if I may say so in all humility，to life itself。”
Before the West dismisses Gandhis program as one of an impractical dreamer，let it frst refect on a defnition of Satyagraha by the Master of Galilee：
“Ye have heard that it hath been said，An eye for an eye，and a tooth for a tooth：but I say unto you，That ye resist not evil：but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek，turn to him the other also。”
Mahatma Gandhi visited my high school with yoga training at Ranchi。He graciously wrote the above lines in the Ranchi guest-book。The translation is：“This institution has deeply impressed my mind。I cherish high hopes that this school will encourage the further practical use of the spinning wheel。”
A national fag for India was designed in 1921 by Gandhi。The stripes are saffron，white and green；the charka（spinning wheel）in the center is dark blue。“The charka symbolizes energy，”he wrote，“and reminds us that during the past eras of prosperity in Indias history，hand spinning and other domestic crafts were prominent。”
