E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi – His Life & TimesChapter VIndian InterludeIN London, Gandhi never got beyond Leviticus and Numbers; the first books ofthe Old Testament bored him. Later in life he enjoyed the Prophets, Psalmsand Ecclesiastes. The New Testament was more interesting, and the Sermon onthe Mount 'went straight to my heart'. He saw similarities between it and theGita.'But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee onthy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man take away thy coatlet him have thy cloak too.' These words of Christ 'delighted' Gandhi. Otherverses struck a sympathetic chord in the Mahatma-to-be: 'Blessed are the meek... Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you ... whosoeveris angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment ...Agree with thine adversary quickly ... whosoever looketh on a woman to lustafter her hath committed adultery already in his heart ... Love your enemies,bless them that curse you ... forgive men their trespasses ... Lay not up foryourselves treasures upon earth ... For where your treasure is, there will yourheart be also ....'It was thanks to a Bible salesman in England that Gandhi read the Old and NewTestaments. At the suggestion of a friend, he read Thomas Carlyle's essay onthe prophet Mohammed. Having met Madame H. P. Blavatsky and Mrs. AnnieBesant in London, he studied their books on theosophy. Gandhi's religiousreading was accidental and desultory. Nevertheless, it apparently met a need,for he was not a great reader and, apart from law tomes, had not read much,not even a history of India.Gandhi refused to join Britain's new theosophist movement, but he rejoiced inMrs. Besant's renunciation of godlessness. He himself had already traversed 'theSahara of atheism' and emerged from it thirsty for religion.www.mkgandhi.org Page 44