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THE MAHATMA AND THE OLD WOMAN
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October 2nd is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the epostle of peace and non-violence,
and India's Father of the Nation.
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Gandhiji was an impassioned crusader for the moral and spiritual regeneration of India. For many years he traveled the length and breath of the country, visiting cities and villages, inspiring the people to believe in themselves and to have faith in a free India. His vision and ideals were based on the values of non-violence, unity and purity and he was feted wherever he went.
During one of his tours he addressed a meeting in Orissa. After his moving speech, an elderly woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey and her clothes betrayed her poor background. She had been very touched listening to Gandhi’s words which had expressed her own deeply felt sentiments.
At last she had heard someone who had articulated so powerfully and sincerely her own cherished beliefs. Gandhi’s heartfelt words had set her whole being ablaze and given her a new sense of self esteem.
There and then she threw off the labels of poverty and insignificance that society had given her and fearlessly moved towards the stage. She, old and unimportant, had to meet him, famous and adored. The volunteers tried to stop her, but she persisted until she came to where he was sitting.
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"I must see him", she insisted and going up to Gandhiji she slowly bent down and touched his feet in all humility. Then, moved by some inner prompting, from the folds of her sari she brought out a copper coin and placed it at his feet. Gandhiji looked down, picked up the copper coin and put it away carefully. He gave the lady a beautiful smile and wished her God’s peace, as she went away without drawing more attention to herself.
Gandhi would often remark on this episode to illustrate the sacredness of the old lady’s action. "This copper coin that the lady gave me is worth much more than thousands of coins," Gandhiji said. "If a man has several lakhs and he gives away a couple of thousand, it doesn't mean much. But this coin was perhaps all that the poor woman possessed. She gave me all that she had. That was very generous of her. What a great sacrifice she made. That is why I value this copper coin more than a crore of rupees!"
Rare is the one, like the old lady, who truly gives to the level of self denial and inconvenience. Such people show us by their lives and example that the way to God is by sharing and sacrifice.
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The elderly lady’s act of sacrifice was exemplified in Gandhi’s whole life as he strove to further his dream of an independent India. He adhered to his principles even if it lead to imprisonment at the hands of the British, or confrontation with his compatriots. His struggle was for exactly those such as this lady - the poor and downtrodden of society. In one of his last statements, given a few days before his tragic assassination in 1948, Gandhiji’s feelings and love for his country, and humanity at large, is depicted magnificently. He says,
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
- Adapted from East and West Series, May 2004 |
- Heart2Heart Team
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