The name of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (M. K. Gandhi), popularly known as
Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhiji or Gandhi Bapu hardly needs any introduction.
Born on October 2nd 1869 in Porbandar of Gujarat state in western
India, Gandhiji rose from a British educated lawyer to civil rights activist
in South Africa and later became world famous with his exceptionally
orchestrated Indian freedom struggle. He was pioneer of 'Satyagraha'
movement, which means resistance of (British) oppression through the
medium of mass civil-disobedience founded upon principles of non-violence.
Gandhiji not only successfully lead Indian National Congress to win
Independence for India from the British rule but also inspired civil rights
and freedom movement across the globe.
Though Gandhiji's political contribution was gigantic, he influenced Indian
populace on economical, social, cultural and spiritual level as well. He
defied taboos and social structure, fought for the alleviation of poverty,
for the liberation of women, for equality among various castes and gave
dignity to untouchables. He was instrumental in bridging the wide gap
between upper and lower castes.
Gandhiji's economic agenda was to empower common man with means to earn his
livelihood and thus to make the nation economically self-sufficient. He
inspired poor villagers to make and wear cotton clothes using charkha
(spinning wheel) and to reject foreign clothes and goods. Apart from winning
hearts of ordinary Indians with his exemplary simple lifestyle, he inspired
masses to lead a modest, disciplined and contained life and thus became the
'Father of the Nation' in true sense.
While Gandhiji's political leadership became legendary, his spiritual
contribution put him in a different orbit. Though Gandhiji never wore
saffron clothes or took sanyas (relegated worldly duties), he became
revered spiritual figure of his time as he represented, lived and
exemplified highest values like truth, non-violence (and vegetarianism), detachment,
brahamacharya (abstinence or celibacy) in his
day-to-day life. Inimitable faith in Supreme being and prayer as a medium to
reach Him made him mahatma, a great soul.
Shri Yogeshwarji, great Gujarati saint and literate of modern times
was immensely inspired by the life and works of Gandhiji early
in his youth. Though he was unaware of Gandhiji's role and his ideology at
that time, he developed reverence and affection for Gandhiji.
Yogeshwarji believed that it require immense courage and uprightness to stay in midst of politics and
yet remain detached from its vices. Gandhiji entered into politics as it
was the need of the hour but he lived the life of an ascetic. Yogeshwarji's love for motherland and India's
freedom emotionally attached him to Gandhiji and his philosophies. Though he
only saw Gandhiji from distance during his college days and never personally
met this great soul, he felt internally connected to him. Yogeshwarji led
very simple life, wore only khadi clothes, stayed away from pomp and
publicity and worked selflessly till the end of his life like a true karma
yogi, thus imbibed Gandhiji's principles in his personal life.
On Gandhiji's birth centenary year, Yogeshwarji decided to pay his homage
with a grand poem covering major events highlighting Gandhiji's life.
Moraraji Desai, former Primer Minister of India wrote preface for this book
and Kaka Kalelkar, noted Gujarati writer wrote introduction.
'Gandhi Gaurav' is in a way a manifestation of Yogeshwarji's love and
reverence for his idol and a hero. What else could be a fitting tribute to
Gandhiji on his birth centenary ?
