A Janmashtami Discourse by Gandhiji

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A Janmashtami Discourse by Gandhiji

 

We do not know what Shri Krishna's life means for us, we do not read

the Gita, we make no attempt to teach it to our children. The Gita is

such a transcendental book that men of every creed, age and clime may

read it with respect, and find in it the principles of their

respective religions. If we thought of Krishna on every Janmashtami

day and read the Gita and resolved to follow its teachings, we should

not be in our present sorry plight. Shri Krishna served the people all

his life, he was a real servant of the people. He could have led the

hosts at Kurukshetra, but he preferred to be Arjuna's charioteer. His

whole life was one unbroken Gita of karma. He refused proud

Duryodhana's sweets and preferred humble Vidura's spinach. As a child

he was a cowherd and we still know him by the name of Gopala. But we,

his worshippers, have neglected the cow today, the:Adi-Karnatakas

slaughter cows and eat beef, and our infants and invalids have to go

without cow's milk. Krishna knew no sleep or idleness. He kept sleep-

less vigil of the world, we his posterity have become indolent and

forgotten the use of our hands. In the Bhagavadgita Lord Krishna has

shown the path of bhakti-which means the path of karma. Lokamanya

Tilak has shown that whether we desire to be bhaktas or jnanis, karma

is the only way; but the karma should not be for self but for others.

Action for one's own self binds, action for the sake of others

delivers from bondage. that can be the altruistic action which can be

universally done, by Hindus; Musalmans, Christians, by men, women and

children? I have tried to demonstrate that spinning alone is that

sacrificial act, for that alone can make us do something in God's

name, something for the poorest, something that can infuse activity in

their idle limbs. Lord Krishna has also taught that to be a true

bhakta we should make no difference between a brahmana and a

scavenger. If that is true there can be no place for untouchability in

Hinduism. If you are still hugging that superstition you can cleanse

yourself by getting rid of it on this sacred day of Krishna's birth.

He who swears by the Gita may know no distinction between Hindu and

Musalman, for Lord Krishna has declared that he who adores God in a

true spirit by whatsoever name adores Him. The path of bhakti, karma,

love as expounded in the Gita, leaves no room for despising of man by

man.

 

Source: "The Message of the Gita" by Mahatma Gandhi, Published by

Navajivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad.