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e to carry a gun to protect himself. Yet, the flames of
Gandhi’s yagna were fueled by non-violence. Wars
throughout history had been won with weapons. Gandhi
was devoted to proving that peace could only come
through peace. People criticized him vehemently for
refusing to take up arms; they claimed he was forfeiting
India’s fight for freedom. Yet, he simply kept pouring truth,
piety, and dharma into the fire of his life yagna, and the
flames rose in victory. This is the true meaning of yagna,
for Gandhi sacrificed an easy win (or at least a quick loss)
for India by refusing to engage in armed warfare. He
sacrificed his popularity; he sacrificed his status as a fighter.
Yet, the truth prevails and he is remembered as one of the
greatest leaders — both political and spiritual — that the
world has ever known.
Somebody help me!!” Rather, the only words that escaped
from his lips were “He Ram, He Ram, He Ram.” This is the
spirit of yagna.
What can we learn?
So many people come and go in this world. So many
people become famous through valiant efforts to “make
a name for themselves.” Yet, how many of these people
have really left lasting impressions or have really changed
the course of history? Very few. When we depart this Earth,
when we leave our bodies, what is it that remains? It is
that which we have given to the world. It is that for which
we have sacrificed. It is the love and the peace that our
presence brought to those around us. Gandhiji’s name
will live eternally not only because he brought
independence to India. He will be remembered forever
and revered forever because of the way he brought peace,
because of the message of his life.
Sacrifice to God
Mahatma Gandhi’s life was in service to God. His work for
his country and his tenaciously held values were part and
parcel of this complete sacrifice to the divine. The Gita was
When Gandhiji was in South Africa he was traveling by
his closest companion, and his most trusted guide.
train and the conductor came and rudely told Gandhi to
leave. “But, sir, I have a ticket,” Gandhi replied. The
So many people today claim that their lives and their work
conductor violently threw him from the train and yelled,
are “God’s.” Yet, they use this as an excuse to lie, to cheat
“You do not deserve to ride on this train!” Gandhi,
and even to kill. And, at the end it is clear that they merely
however, did not raise an arm in his defense. And today,
used God’s name in the service of themselves. Yet, Gandhiji
does anyone know the name of the man who threw him
was pure and his death is the clearest example. Due to his
from the train? Of course not. But, today the name of that
tenaciously held belief in ahimsaa and his true surrender
train is “Mahatma Gandhi Train,” and the name of the
to God, he refused to employ a bodyguard. Hence, he was
station is “Mahatma Gandhi Station”! That is the spirit of
gunned down on his way to a prayer meeting. As he drew
his last breath, there was no sign of fight, no break from
yagna.
his lifelong dedication to non-violence and to the divine.
Gandhi would not have wanted to be remembered only
He did not scream, “Who are you? How dare you?
in history books. He would not want to be remembered
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