The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
With Gokhale in Poona explained
Gandhi arrives in Bombay and meets the Governor, Lord Willingdon, promising to consult the government before taking any steps as a satyagrahi.
What happens
Gandhi arrives in Bombay and meets the Governor, Lord Willingdon, promising to consult the government before taking any steps as a satyagrahi. He then goes to Poona, where Gokhale and the Servants of India Society welcome him warmly. Gokhale wishes Gandhi to join the Society, but members hesitate due to differences in ideals and methods. Gokhale assures Gandhi of his support regardless and agrees to fund Gandhi's proposed Ashram in Gujarat. Before leaving for Shantiniketan, Gokhale hosts a party for Gandhi despite his frail health, fainting during the event.
Themes in this chapter
Service and Community Leadership
Gandhi's engagement with the Servants of India Society and Gokhale's support for his Ashram reflect a commitment to service and leadership in the community.
Self-Discipline and Simplicity
Gandhi's preference for fruits and nuts at the party and his adherence to satyagraha principles demonstrate his self-discipline and simple lifestyle.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Arrives in Bombay, meets the Governor, and travels to Poona to meet Gokhale and the Servants of India Society.
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Welcomes Gandhi in Poona, arranges meetings with the Servants of India Society, offers to fund Gandhi's Ashram, and hosts a party despite his ill health.
- Dr. Dev
Summoned by Gokhale to open an account for Gandhi in the Society's books and provide funds for the Ashram and public expenses.
Key passages
“I can very easily give the promise, inasmuch as it is my rule, as a satyagrahi, to understand the viewpoint of the party I propose to deal with, and to try to agree with him as far as may be possible.”
Gandhi assures the Governor that, as a satyagrahi, he always seeks to understand the other side and reach agreement where possible.
Gandhi's commitment to dialogue and nonviolent negotiation.
“Whether I was admitted as a member or not, I wanted to have an Ashram where I could settle down with my Phoenix family, preferably somewhere in Gujarat, as, being a Gujarati, I thought I was best fitted to serve the country through serving Gujarat.”
Gandhi expresses his desire to establish an Ashram in Gujarat to serve his homeland, regardless of formal membership in the Servants of India Society.
Gandhi's vision for a community-based approach to service.