I read with some indignation the above article in AV of the 13th May. Gandhiji was from the very religious family and strict with all the tenets of Sanatan Dharma, later called Hinduism like truth, non violence, vegetarianism and knew the Bhagwat Gita, Ramayan, Mahabharat, etc. If someone like the Jain Philosopher Rajchandraji's beliefs agree with Gandhi's doesn't make him his Mentor. It's a fib of Dineshbhai's mind! All Indian leaders knew about Satya, Ahinsa but confused as to how to fight the mighty British Raj when all its soldiers were also Indians! It's his experience in South Africa and strategy and selfess civil disobdience Satya and Ahinsa struggle in India that won Independence! Gandhi was a well-read person. He learnt about passive non-violence resistance from Leo Tolstoy which he experimented in South Africa. He studied the situation in India, started weekly newspaper, invited Nedia from all over the world, raised the patriotism in all Indians, banned the use of British goods and textiles, started spinning own clothes and started civil disobedient Independence struggle together with all leaders like Nehru, Sardar Patel, Jimmah, Sarojini Naidu and others!
With due respect to all religions I want to make a point: in 6 Century B. C. Buddhism and Jainism flourished together! Siddharth Gautam, a son of land owner wanted to know how to come out of vicious circle of birth, old age, diseases and death, so he kept going from Nepal to Bharat and learnt from some Rishis to renounce worldly desires which beget greed, anger, hatred, violence, ego, spite, simple life, pray and meditate on God. Likewise Jainism also started. But Bhagwat Gita from which most religions sprouting is in Sanskrit, it's very hard to understand properly. As such Swami Vivekanand was disappointed with the agnosticism of Buddhism and atheism of Jainism which question the existence of God! Nothing works or exists without God!
Upendra Kapadia
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