E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi – His Life & TimesThe shock of the encounter with the British agent, Gandhi declares in hisautobiography, 'changed the course of my entire life'. He had been doing oddlegal jobs for the ruling prince. He and his brother hoped he would finallyobtain a position as judge or minister in the government which might lead tofurther advancement in the tradition of the family. But his altercation with theagent upset these plans. Only a sycophant could succeed and get on. Theepisode intensified his dislike of the atmosphere of petty intrigue, palace pompand snobbery which prevailed in Porbandar, Rajkot and the other miniatureprincipalities of the Kathiawar peninsula. It was poison to character. Gandhiyearned to escape from it.At this juncture a business firm of Porbandar Moslems offered to send him toSouth Africa for a year as their lawyer. He seized the opportunity to see a newcountry and get new experiences; "I wanted somehow to leave India". So, afterless than two unsuccessful years in his native land, its future leader boarded aship for Zanzibar, Mozambique and Natal. He left behind him his wife and twochildren; on October 28, 1892, a second son named Manilal had been born. 'Byway of consolation', Gandhi assured Kasturbai that 'we are bound to meet againin a year'.In Bombay, Gandhi had met Raychandbhai. 'No one else,' Gandhi said, 'has evermade on me the impression that Raychandbhai did.' Raychandbhai was ajeweller-poet with a phenomenal memory. He was rich, a connoisseur ofdiamonds and pearls, and a good business man. Gandhi was impressed by hisreligious learning, his upright character and his passion for self-realization.Raychandbhai's, deeds, Gandhi felt, were guided by his desire for truth andgodliness. Gandhi trusted him completely. In a crisis, Gandhi ran toRaychandbhai for confession and comfort. From South Africa, Gandhi soughtand obtained Raychandbhai's advice. Nevertheless, Gandhi did not acceptRaychandbhai as his guru. Hindus believe that every man should acknowledge aguru, a superior person, near or far, living or dead, as one's teacher, guide, ormentor. But Raychandbhai lacked the perfection that Gandhi sought in a guru.Gandhi never did find a guru; 'The throne has remained vacant,' he said. For awww.mkgandhi.org Page 46