An Ashramite of Gandhi
Ashram was required to adopt “Ekadash Vrats” – Eleven vows. Vows are not
just rules but has a much more deeper meaning. A vow requires unflinching
determination; determination which does not bend before discomfort and
difficulties. According to Gandhiji, “Taking vows is not a sign of weakness,
but of strength to do at any cost something that one ought to do constitutes a
vow”. Further, according to him, “to do something ‘as far as possible’ provides
a fatal loop hole. To do something ‘as far as possible’ is to succumb to the
very first temptation. Vows are necessary for the purpose of self-purification
and self-realisation.
What are these eleven
vows? They are (1) Truth, (2) Ahimsa. (3) Brahmacharya, (4) Control of the
palate, (5) Non-stealing, (6) Non-possession, (7) Fearlessness, (8) Removal of
untouchability, (9) Bread labour – work, (10) Tolerance – Equality of Religions
and (11) Humility.
Of the above eleven vows,
the one of non-possession also called ‘Aparigraha’ is to my mind a very
important one. Non-possession is allied to non-stealing according to Gandhiji.
If we posses something, if we hold on to something which is not required by us,
it amounts indirectly to stealing. We are depriving others of what we hold on
to, which they need and we do not. A bird, an animal does not think of what it
will need tomorrow and worry about it.
It is true of course, that
a human being cannot possibly live like a bird, without a house, without
clothes and without providing for his needs for food. However, one can keep
one’s needs to a minimum and do with little. As we reduce our dependence on
material things, our happiness and inner satisfaction and peace increase. We
have to learn to simplify our lives.
But what do we see around
us, and what do we actually put in practice? The homes of the rich are stuffed
full of material things. Hundreds of saris, dresses, scores of costly purses
and shoes and dozens of shirts, etc. This is not uncommon…. And yet the
urge to collect more and more is never satisfied. On the other hand, millions
do not get even two square meals a day; so many go hungry to bed every night,
many do not have even a spare set of clothes.We have to learn to “Share and
Care”. We cannot, like Marie Antoinette, the French Queen, say that “If they do
not have bread, let them eat cake.”
According to Gandhiji, the
principle of Non-possession (Aparigraha) is applicable not only to
things but also to thoughts. We should not clutter up our brains with too much
of needless information and useless knowledge. Wrongful thoughts keep us away
from the rightful path and come in the way of our search for God.
What would happen if all
of us start observing “Aparigraha” – non-accumulation – and accept it as
a governing value of our lives? Then there would be no more poverty, and no
needy persons. As Gandhiji has said, “there is enough in this world for
everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed.” There would neither be rich
persons nor poor persons. The divide between the haves and have-nots would
disappear. It may not be possible to totally observe ‘Aparigraha’ in our
day to day life. But we can certainly reduce senseless accumulation of
possessions and wealth which even our great grandchildren will not need.
Is it even possible to
follow ‘Aparigraha’? I know of some professionals who do follow it. In
their case, whatever they earn in excess of their needs goes straight for
charity. Recently, I came across one person who since the last 42 years is
keeping only 20% of his income for himself and gives away 80%! And believe me,
his income is not all that great.
So let us begin. Begin
now, today itself. Begin small but begin. Let us go through our possessions. Is
it necessary to keep 30 shirts? Or 300 sarees? 12 pairs of shoes? 20 ties?
Friends, without waiting
any longer, we should have a fresh look at our wealth and our incomes and start
the process of ‘Aparigraha’ – of non-accumulation. It would certainly
simplify our lives and make us a lot more happier.
