Ahimsa Paramo Dharma (अहिंसा परमो धर्म) …Rethinking Gandhi’s Concept of Non-Violence in the Age of Global Terrorism
Abstract
The present paper ventures through The Gandhian Thought and philosophy and its impact on the socio-cultural and political aspects of the present century world. The primary focus of the research is on the weapons on the Truth and Non-violence, the two governing principles of the Gandhian ideals. It is noteworthy that the present world is confronted with a number of issues related to violence of various kinds i.e. Terrorism. Here, the researcher has tried to trace back the relevance as well as well as the need of Gandhian principles to make the world worth living and equitable not just for all the human beings but also for all the other living beings.
Keywords: Non-Violence, Truth, Gandhian Philosophy, Soul-Power, Global Terrorism, Global Thinking
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I have tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice (Frost: 220)
“I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and non-violence are as old as hills” (Gandhi: An Autobiography). These words of Mahatma Gandhi are indicative of the fact that the concepts of truth and non-violence are centuries old. But unfortunately we have to interpret/reinterpret these concepts time and again with new shades of meaning. Modern world is broken into pieces on the basis of religion., caste, class and creed. Terrorism has become the global phenomenon and violence has become a way of life. Human civilization has witnessed the naked dance of death and bloodshed in the first and second world wars, yet instead of moving towards peace and harmony, human race is going back towards violence and hatred. What is the solution of this world wide problem of terrorism? Can we solve our problems only through the means of violence? The answer to these questions is certainly rethinking/ reinterpreting Gandhiji’s concept of non-violence in the age of global terrorism.
The roots of Gandhiji’s concept of non-violence lie in the principles of Jainism. Before the advent of Jainism, animals were sacrificed in performing Yagna and mute animals were subjected to cruelty and torture at the altar. This was done in order to attain moksha or salvation. The kings would not hesitate to fight and kill the innocents to satisfy their ambitions and lust for power. War and killing the innocent people in the battlefield was considered as the mark of prestige for the king. Against this fighting, killing, and hatred Mahavir Swami has introduced the concept of non-violence.
He says:
There is nothing in this world
higher than the Mountain Meru
Similarly, there is no religion
Greater than non-violence (Desai Kumarpal: 4)
Mahavir also spreads the message of non-violence and peace through his teachings. According to him:
You have no right to kill those whom you cannot invest with life. Violence begets violence and revenge begets revenge. (Desai Kumarpal: 5)
Jain Acharang Sutra says, “consider all living organism to be as precious as your own self. Those who can be cruel to animals can be cruel to human beings too. Violence is not external behavior or conduct but inner evil instinct.
When Mr. Mohandas K. Gandhi returned to India from England as a barrister he first met Shrimad Rajchandra. Mr. Gandhi was not aware then about his role in the freedom struggle. Shrimad Rajchandra the spiritual Guru of Gandhiji implanted the concept of non-violence in him. Influenced by the philosophy of Rajendra, Gandhi took up the Herculean task of Independence through the weapons of truth and non-violence. He himself had written in Navjivan.
You say non-violence struggle is not possible and have not known a non- violent revolution in history. But my ambition is to provide such an example. My dream is that my country should achieve independence through non- violence and want the world to know that I will not want to make my country independent at the cost of non-violence. (Navjivan: Oct. 15, 1931)
Gandhiji’s concept of non-violence is not limited or an ordinary one. He believed that the power of non-violence was stronger than fire-power. Non-violence is not a concept, but a life force to him. As he states:
Ahimsa is the soul force and the soul is imperishable, changeless and eternal. The atom bomb is the acme of physical force and such, subject to law of dissipation, decay and death that governs the physical universe. Our scriptures bear witness that when soul-force is fully awakened in us, it becomes irresistible. But, the test and condition of full awakening is that it must permeate every pore of our being and emanate with every breath that we breath. (Payarelal: 124:25)
In fact, Gandhiji’s concept of non-violence is like a rainbow which has various colors and different shades. His concept of non-violence encompasses the whole gamut of qualities like sacrifice, justice, compassion, tolerance, inner strength and above all fearlessness.
One cannot practice non-violence without being fearless. Gandhi firmly believed that non-violence is not the royal road towards success. One has to have the courage to say the truth without even the fear of death. Rama, Christ, Socrates, all these great souls had the quality of fearlessness and courage to speak the truth. Truth is impossible without fearlessness. Another meaning attached to non-violence is righteous behavior and Justice. Justice according to Gandhi means absence of exploitation. Exploiting somebody is also a kind of violence, or Jungle law. As Gandhi wrote in Navjivan:
Man’s true legacy is tolerance: fighting with weapon is a jungle law. Soul force is the true source of non-violence. Strength derived from soul Can make a person fearless and non-violent. (Navjivan: Oct 8, 1931)
Thus according to Gandhiji, non-violence is not a virtue of a coward. On the contrary only a man with moral courage can walk on the path of non-violence. Our scriptures also say, “forgiveness is the ornament of the brave.”
Gandhi firmly believed that the sword or the atom bomb cannot solve our problems. He wrote in the Harijanbandhu after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima:
The moral of this bombing the most tragic event in history is that violence cannot be destroyed through violence and one bomb cannot be destroyed with another more powerful one. For mankind to survive non-violence is the only way open to it. Love is the antidote to violence, for violence leads to more violence. (Harijanbandhu July 7, 1940)
The above quoted words of Gandhiji compel us to think about the contemporary relevance of non-violence when we have incidents like 9/11, Akshardham, Godhra Carnage and the Bombay bomb blasts.
Gandhi also advocated the building of a political empire on the foundation of truth and non-violence. He believes that any political empire based on non-violence alone can be stable state. His concept of Ram Rajya – an ideal state is also based on the welfare of humanity. Like Ruskin he believes, “give unto this last”. Rajmohan Gandhi in his speech “Religion and Violence”; Gandhi’s Reflections on our Angry World summarizes Gandhian concept of welfare state thus:
Gandhi wanted India liberated from the British. He wanted India’s Hindus and Muslims to work together. He wanted Hindus to repent Towards their past actions towards India’s untouchables. He wanted a united India. He wanted a free India. (2318-4503)
Gandhi believed that any political system based on one’s own selfish interests will create conflicts. A system based on the principles of truth and non-violence always protects the interests of other nations. Narrow outlook, desire to exploit, and establish hegemony and of course the lack of tolerance are the chief causes which divide the nations. Lack of tolerance and possessiveness lead to false competitions in which one nation proves superior by destroying other nations. If this attitude continues the future of humanity will be at stake.
Gandhi’s concept of non-violence is not limited to social and political levels, but it extends to individual and domestic levels too. We have been reading about dowry death, bride burning, and rape cases in the newspapers. Gandhi’s concept of non-violence is the only key to solve all such social domestic problems. The cases of domestic violence occur due to lack of tolerance. Gandhi believes, “respect and protect the dignity of individual”. If we protect the individuality and dignity of each individual in the family and if we treat all marginal communities (Dalits/women/LGBTQ) as human beings, there will be no cases of domestic violence.
Gandhi’s non-violence teaches us the mantra of “live and let live”. If we practice this mantra properly in our routine life, we can solve all our environment and sustainability related issues. The concept of non-violence teaches us not to harm even the tiniest creatures. All the living beings have their role to perform in the universe. We have no right to harm the environment for our selfish motives. To protect the environment and the life on the earth we have to digest the concept of non-violence. If this happens we need not have “Chipko movement” or we need not shout slogans like “save the trees, trees will save you.”
Non-violence teaches us non-possessiveness. One who hoards things more than required resorts to violence. What is therefore needed is self-restraint and a sense of sacrifice coupled with compassion. Through non-violence human beings can overcome innate weaknesses and evils. Gandhi succeeded in his experiments not only with truth but also with non-violence. He is an example worth emulating in the present violence prone society.
Throughout his life Gandhi remained the epitome of truth and non-violence. He preferred death rather than deviation from his path. His message to humanity is the observance of truth and non-violence. He wrote in the Young India:
Non-violence works in a most mysterious manner…for me non-violence is not a mere philosophic principle. It is the rule and breath of my life…there is no escape for any of us save through truth and non-violence. (Young India Sep. 13, 1928)
Gandhi proved that freedom can be achieved through non-violent resolutions. Through non-violent struggle he has changed the history of the world. Today, the war weary world steeped in violence and afflicted with terrorism looks up to Gandhi for inspiration and guidance. In fact, non-violence is the only weapon to meet the challenge posed by destructive atom bombs.
Gandhi’s concept of non-violence is a trend setter, which has also influenced many foreign thinkers, philosophers, and politicians. His non-violent struggle had also influenced Martin Luther King. He led a peace rally six years after his meeting with Mahatma. He was attacked brutally, but he stuck to his path of non-violence like Gandhi. Gandhi’s autobiography has a great impact on Adolfo P’erez Esquirel who won the Nobel prize in 1980. His autobiography also influenced Aung San Sun Kyi of Burma who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. His principle of non-violence had also influenced Nelson Mandela during his freedom struggle.
The journey from M.K. Gandhi to Mahatma is the journey taken through Truth and Non-violence. Truth and non-violence turn Man into Mahatma, Vir into Mahavir. The concept of non-violence has no boundaries. It recognizes neither East nor West. It is not synonymous to cowardice but a spiritual force to fight against the global terrorism. This principle based on universal brotherhood and peace. Non-violence is the synonym of love and harmony. The only solution to save the world from war, bloodshed and terrorism is non-violence. In the present century all of us need to learn the mantra that “Non-violence is the greatest religion”. We can turn our globe into a beautiful world only through the means of Truth and Non-violence.
Works-cited