Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Pratap Chandra Debnath ¹

Affiliations
1 Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1984), the father of nation was born at Porbandar of Gujrat. Observing the oppression of common people, due to racial discrimination of white government of South Africa, his entire course of life and actions had been changed. He started movement against the racial discrimination of white government. The main weapon of this movement were Ahiṁsā (Non-Violence) and Satyāgraha (Passive Resistance). Through these weapons Gandhiji succeeded against the white government of South Africa. Gandhiji has accepted the Truth and Ahiṁsā as moral ideal of life. Although, Truth and Ahiṁsā are two different words, yet they are like twins, because, without the path of Ahiṁsā, realization of Truth is impossible. Gandhiji has said to operate the individual life, social life and political life, based on these two ideals. On behalf of the cause of acceptance of these two ideals Gandhiji has given some arguments. He says that, violence (Hiṁsā) is a brutal power. This power create obstacle on the path of individual's self-realization. Only through the path of Truth and Ahiṁsā this self-realization is possible. Violence cannot be controlled by violence. Violence creates violence. Also, dissimulation and violence are the barriers of social compactness. To establish peace in society, we have to fasten our neighbors with the bondage of love. Aggressive communal sentiment and isolationism create violence. Only through the path of Ahiṁsā the cured of these diseases are possible. So, we want peace, not violence. For this, we need patience, restraint and love, which have been reflected on the ideal of Gandhiji's Truth and Ahiṁsā.

Keywords

Truth, Ahiṁsā (Non-Violence), Hiṁsā (Violence), Satyāgraha, Ideal, Self-Realization.

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