E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi's 'Theory of Trusteeship… 192accept them as the basis of mutual relationship within itselfcannot survive as an entity. If man wants to outgrow thelimitations imposed by the traditions of the tribe and the nationstate, and view human society as indivisible, he will have toaccept, that these verities have universal validity.APARlGRAHA is the ethical ideal of non-possession; of therenunciation of ownership; of liberation from the subtle as wellas the coarse bonds that possessions forge for one. It is a hoaryideal sanctified by every religion. In a pithy verse, theIsopanishad exhorts: -Tena Tyaktena Bhunjeethah: Ma GridhaKasyaswiddhanam? (Enjoy by renouncing, donot covet, or cling to possessions; for, whose iswealth?)This is not merely an exhortation to those who wouldstrive for salvation but also to those who would negotiate theirway through the temptations and zones of conflict in society. Italso defines man's relationship with the world of objects—theobjects in nature that may be of use to him. He must look uponthem as objects that are meant to be used for the satisfaction ofhis needs, not meant to be sequestrated in possessions thatbecome sources of distraction for the spirit, and inequality andconflict in society.To Gandhi the verse laid down a code of conduct for theindividual as well as society. The individual should abstainfrom acquisitiveness and possessions. The body itself is apossession. Absolute non-possession, therefore, is impossibleas long as one possesses the body. But one should subject everywant, every desire that leads to acquisition and possessions torigorous scrutiny, and should relentlessly abstain fromeverything that appears non-essential. As a consequence, one