As early as in 1936 Mahatma Gandhi wrote that "there is no such thing as Gandhian and I do not want to leave any after  me." But the truth is that he has left much behind which continues to inspire our political and social life in a greater measure than any other philosopher of note. The great significance of his views lies in their dynamic character. He rendered enormous service to social and political thought by conceiving of a new social order based on truth and non-violence. As a disintegrated critic has observed. Mahatma Gandhi was a "Great revolutionary thinker, a greater revolutionary than ever Marx or Lenin in so far as he challenged the fundamental basis of western civilization which they never did namely the supremacy of matter over spirit." What puts Gandhi in a class by himself and makes him different from the socialist and anarchist revolutionaries is the realization of the utter moral decadence of the present social-economic system and his firm faith in the superiority of the spiritual over material force. Thus, Gandhian philosophy "indicates a new attitude or restates an old one towards life's issues and offers ancient solutions for modern problems."

His views on Religion

By religion Gandhi did not mean any particular religion like Hinduism, Islam or Christianity. He meant the universal religion which transcends all religions. The essence of religion must not be sought in the acceptance of dogma or a creed as preached by a prophet or contained in a scripture or in the performance of any ritual or external observance ; it is rather to be found in disintegrated search after truth which purifies the heart and transforms life. Religion consists in the service of the poor and the helpless. That is why Gandhi believed in the equality of all religions. Religion and morality are one and the true religious man is one who adopts a "spiritual and ethical outlook on life."

Religion is very intimately connected with the idea of God and Gandhi's faith in God occupied a central position in his life and thinking and considerably influenced his political ideas. Gandhi did not believe in traditional or personal figure of God. To him he is "an impersonal power which sustains the universe, the Supreme Spirit which is all pervading and all embracing." He is the Supreme Reality or Satya ; and Gandhi says that TRUTH IS GOD. It suggests that to swerve from Truth however, small a degree is to out oneself away from the divine source and a necessity consequence, to wither away spirituality, from this faith in God follows the following consequences most of which were responsible for his Sarvodaya philosophy.

• The whole universe with all its sentient and insentient creation is the manifestation of God. All life is one. Everyone is the creature of Divine Fire. Hence, the best way to love God is to love humanity, to serve our fellow beings.

• One who devotes oneself to the pursuit of truth can be sure of receiving the backing of cosmic forces in all one's activities. Thus, a Satyagrah who would always be working on the side of God never knows defeat.

Gandhi's thoughts are deathless and with passage of time he and his principles and thoughts will always be praised. He is believed to be an incarnation of God who is high above the humanity.

• Written by Abhinav Kumar.
• In category General Reference.
• 11 years ago.

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