E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

34 Contextualising Gandhian Thoughtmetallic disc. Who can say which the obverse is and which isthe reverse? Nevertheless, ahimsa is the means and Truth is theend. Means to be means must always be within our reach, andso ahimsa becomes our supreme duty and Truth becomes Godfor us. If we take care of the means, we are bound to reach theend sooner or later.” 3 It is important to remember his wellknown observation on ends and means in Hind Swaraj. In hiswords,” The means may be likened to a seed, the end to a tree;and there is just the same inviolable connection between themeans and the end as there is between the seed and the tree.” 4Non-violence as LoveFor Gandhi non-violence was “the largest love, thegreatest charity”. This interpretation of non-violence as lovenaturally widens the meaning of non-violence. That is whyGandhi said “If I am a follower of ahimsa, I must love myenemy.” 5 One cannot limit Gandhi’s non-violence to mere nonkillingas it would be a negative interpretation of his vision.The desire not to harm anyone is important but the intentionbehind action must be taken into account as well. A robber witha knife stabbing an innocent man is indulging in violence, but asurgeon using a knife on a patient is not committing any act ofviolence. On the contrary it is an act of service and love to savea patient’s life. Thus positive concept of non-violence includespromotion of well-being of others. Gandhi firmly believedthat,” Love is a rare herb that makes a friend even of a swornenemy and this herb grows out of non-violence... Love destroysill will.” 6 Love is the ethics of caring. It is a powerful forcewhich generates the empathetic understanding of the sufferingsof others and extends help to overcome them. It is total and nota fragmented concept. It brings people together and changesone’s behaviour, attitude, and relationships. It enables people tounderstand each other better and live together peacefully.Gandhi provides a political dimension to love. Politicalapplication of love opens new possibilities; seeks to transform