Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi

Philosophy is the comprehensive study of life and the universe as a whole. Man is the central problem of philosophy whose life is a mixture of good and evil. Mahatma Gandhi occupies a unique place as a leader of the people in the history of India. The concept of man occupies an important position in Mahatma Gandhi’s thought. Mahatma Gandhi was not an academic philosopher, because he never claimed to be a.philosopher and an original thinker. His idea cannot be classed with any of the well-known schools of Indian philosophy. He did not formulate any philosophical principle of his own. “I do not claim to have originated any new principle. 1 have simply tried in my own way to apply the eternal truths of our daily life and problems.”1 Though Gandhi has not propounded any philosophical system in the academic sense, yet in the depth of his writings and speeches, beliefs and actions, we find a consistent world view or philosophy of life. If “philosophy” means a comprehensive study of life, understanding of the deepest problems, aims and purposes oflife, the evaluation of the essential principles that govern life and their organization and practical application in both individual and social spheres, then Gandhi was undoubtedly an authentic philosopher in the best of Indian tradition. Gandhi occupies a unique position among the philosophers. His philosophy is mainly concerned with the individual who will live and die for the ideal and with the non-violent way that will lead him to it. Like any other philosopher of civilization and culture, Gandhi tried to understand the nature of man, society, civilization, religion and host of other important concepts. Gandhi was alone who made sincere attempts to make a fruitful combination of theory and practice. He was not only a thinker but a devoted worker. He tried to practise whatever he preached. Gandhi’s thought was based on Indian religious tradition. He was intensely religious from childhood. His outlook was moulded mainly by the Hindu religion, though he was influenced by the ethical ideals of Jainism, Christianity and Islam. Sometimes, he called himself an orthodox Hindu (Sanatana Hindu) because : (a) He believes in the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas and all that goes by the name of Hindu scriptures, avataras and rebirth, (b) He believes in the Vamashrama Dharma in a sense in his opinion, (c) He believes in the protection of the cow (d) He believes in idol worship. Gandhi’s philosophy could be called a kind of monism. His philosophy was primarily truth centred. Truth was the first and foremost principle in Gandhian philosophy. Gandhi’s life was a continuous series of experiments with truth. He applied his philosophy to his own life and to practical social and political service. In this sense he was an applied philosopher. His mission was to dedicate himself in 20 permit of Truth, and to bring about spiritual upliftment of mankind wagging against evils and injustice. Indian philosophy is generally known as darsana or vision which is called the vision of reality or truth and the philosopher is one who aspires for truth. Gandhi starts from the vision of reality as one. His life was a living symbol of poverty and simplicity, dedicated for the pursuit of Truth with a view to attainment of spiritual regeneration of mankind. As a great human being Gandhi has great contribution in social, political, economical, educational, ethical and religious field of life.