The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
A Sacrifice to Vegetarianism explained
Gandhi's growing passion for vegetarianism as a mission leads him to support a vegetarian restaurant in Johannesburg, ultimately resulting in a financial loss when he lends a client's deposit money to an extravagant theosophist lady who fai
What happens
Gandhi's growing passion for vegetarianism as a mission leads him to support a vegetarian restaurant in Johannesburg, ultimately resulting in a financial loss when he lends a client's deposit money to an extravagant theosophist lady who fails to repay. He makes good the loss himself, learning a lasting lesson about the limits of reforming zeal and the importance of acting without desire for fruit, as taught in the Gita.
Themes in this chapter
Vegetarianism and Dietary Discipline
Gandhi's missionary zeal for vegetarianism drives him to support a vegetarian restaurant, reflecting his commitment to dietary discipline as a moral and spiritual practice.
Self-Discipline and Simplicity
Gandhi learns the importance of not exceeding his limits in reform work, recognizing the need for financial prudence and adherence to the Gita's teaching of acting without desire for fruit.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Narrates his deepening commitment to vegetarianism as a mission, his financial misstep in lending trust money, and the lesson he learned from the experience.
- Badri
A trusting client, originally an indentured laborer, who gave Gandhi permission to lend his deposit money; later a prominent satyagrahi who suffered imprisonment.
Key passages
“I have known only one way of carrying on missionary work, viz. by personal example and discussions with searchers for knowledge.”
Gandhi believed that the most effective method of promoting vegetarianism was through his own lifestyle and conversations with those seeking truth.
Highlights Gandhi's approach to reform through personal example rather than preaching.
“The sacrifice offered on the altar of vegetarianism was neither intentional nor expected. It was a virtue of necessity.”
The financial loss he incurred for vegetarianism was not a planned offering but an unavoidable outcome that taught him a valuable lesson.
Reflects Gandhi's view that the loss, though unintended, became a moral lesson in self-discipline.