A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie
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G<br />
Gaja-Lak•mï<br />
(‘Elephant-Lak•mï’)<br />
A portrayal <strong>of</strong> LAKÆMÏ being doused by<br />
two elephants, one on each side, a<br />
favourite motif in Hindu sculpture.<br />
Gandharva (1)<br />
In the VEDA, Gandharva is a deity who<br />
knows and reveals the secrets <strong>of</strong> heaven.<br />
Gandharva (2)<br />
Heavenly musicians who were fond <strong>of</strong><br />
women.<br />
Gandharva (3)<br />
A form <strong>of</strong> (legitimate) marriage<br />
designating a love union.<br />
Gandharva Veda<br />
Treatise on music and song, including<br />
drama and dancing. Its author is<br />
BHÄRATA MUNI and it is an appendix to<br />
the Sämaveda.<br />
Gandhi, Mohandas<br />
Karamchand (Mahatma)<br />
(1869–1948)<br />
Indian nationalist leader, pioneer <strong>of</strong><br />
passive resistance and advocate <strong>of</strong> nonviolence.<br />
Gandhi was born in Porbandhar,<br />
Gujarat. His father and his<br />
grandfather had been premiers in small<br />
princely states in Kathiawar. His mother<br />
was a devout VAIÆŒAVA and as a<br />
A commemorative stamp showing<br />
the head <strong>of</strong> Gandhi.<br />
youth he befriended a Jain, who had a<br />
major influence on his character. After<br />
studies in England he practised law in<br />
South Africa where he played an important<br />
part in the contribution <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Indian community to the struggle<br />
against apartheid, developing concepts<br />
such as satyägraha (truth-grasping) and<br />
techniques such as ahiƒsä (non-violent<br />
resistance).
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