A mediocre personality with almost all human vulnerabilities.
A “believe all” kind getting easily manipulated.
Who ate meat against his family culture resulting in repeated lying to parents.
With an affinity towards sensual pleasures even when his father was at death bed.
Who almost slipped into moral lapses – not once, but on four occasions in his life.
With a wardrobe having a chimney-pot hat, an evening suit made in Bond Street and a double watch-chain of gold.
Who would travel only in first class. Who took dancing lessons and violin class to become an English gentleman.
Who learnt law, but fainted to give a speech even to a small group.
Wonder who is this man? He is none other than -
The man who did penance and fasting for his country and countrymen.
The man who conquered his carnal tendencies with his power of total celibacy.
The man who went on to survive on fruits and nuts.
The man who traveled all over India in extremely filthy third class compartment.
The man whose wardrobe was nothing but a dhoti using hand spun Khadi.
The man without a penny against his name - but whose every word was heard and followed by millions of an entire nation.
The man who is ruthlessly true to his conscience, who preached and followed “Ahimsa” and fought against the most powerful nation just with his “Non-violence”.
The man who inspired not just a Nation, but the entire World just by transforming himself - Mahatma!
33 years have gone out from my life. It is only now I could read it. I may not have read it so deep if I had got it before. It is only now I have realized – what it needs to do experiments with Truth. There is only one Mahatma. There can only be one.
A must read – for those who feel they know what it needs to become a true leader and those who don’t know what it needs to become a true human being.
An Autobiography - The Story of My Experiments with Truth – M.K.Gandhi
Copyright - Navajivan Trust, Rs.50, First Edition 6000 copies, 1927, Original text in Gujarathi.
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