The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
A Month with Gokhale—III explained
Gandhi describes his month-long stay with Gopal Krishna Gokhale in Calcutta, during which he explored Bengali religious life, visited the Brahmo Samaj, attempted to meet Swami Vivekananda, and met Sister Nivedita.
What happens
Gandhi describes his month-long stay with Gopal Krishna Gokhale in Calcutta, during which he explored Bengali religious life, visited the Brahmo Samaj, attempted to meet Swami Vivekananda, and met Sister Nivedita. He also addressed a meeting on the Indian Ambulance Corps, made a brief trip to Burma, and prepared for a third-class tour across India to understand the hardships of ordinary passengers.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Interfaith Dialogue
Gandhi explores the Brahmo Samaj, meets Sister Nivedita, and reflects on Hindu practices, showing his engagement with diverse religious traditions.
Service and Community Leadership
Gandhi's work in Calcutta for South African Indians and his speech on the Indian Ambulance Corps demonstrate his commitment to service and leadership.
Self-Discipline and Simplicity
Gandhi's preparation for a third-class tour with minimal equipment reflects his embrace of simplicity and self-discipline.
Characters to notice
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Hosted Gandhi in Calcutta, supported his work, and later saw him off at the station for his third-class tour.
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Narrator and protagonist; explores religious institutions, meets prominent figures, and embarks on a third-class tour.
- Mr. Pestonji Padshah
Hosted a meeting where Gandhi met Sister Nivedita again and acted as interpreter.
- Mr. Saunders
Helped Gandhi with his speech despite being ill, as he had done in 1896.
Key passages
“The terrible sacrifice offered to Kali in the name of religion enhanced my desire to know Bengali life.”
Witnessing a violent religious ritual deepened Gandhi's curiosity about Bengali culture.
Gandhi's reaction to a Kali sacrifice motivates his exploration of Bengal.
“I was disappointed and sorry to be told that the Swami was at his Calcutta house, lying ill, and could not be seen.”
Gandhi was saddened to learn that Swami Vivekananda was too ill to meet him.
Gandhi's failed attempt to meet Vivekananda at Belur Math.
“I was taken aback by the splendour that surrounded her, and even in our conversation there was not much meeting ground.”
Gandhi was surprised by Sister Nivedita's luxurious surroundings and found little common ground with her.
Gandhi's first impression of Sister Nivedita's lifestyle and views.
“Thus my stay under the roof of Gokhale made my work in Calcutta very easy, brought me into touch with the foremost Bengali families, and was the beginning of my intimate contact with Bengal.”
Living with Gokhale facilitated Gandhi's work in Calcutta and introduced him to influential Bengali families, marking the start of his deep connection with Bengal.
Gandhi summarizes the benefits of his stay with Gokhale.
“I planned to go first to Benares to pay my respects to Mrs. Besant, who was then ill.”
Gandhi intended to visit the ailing Mrs. Besant in Benares as part of his tour.
Gandhi's plan to visit Annie Besant during his third-class journey.