# A Himalayan Miscalculation explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## What happens

Gandhi reflects on his mistake in calling for premature civil disobedience in the Kheda district, which he terms a 'Himalayan miscalculation.' He emphasizes the necessity for satyagrahis to first render willing and intelligent obedience to state laws before engaging in civil disobedience. He then describes his efforts in Bombay to educate the public and train a corps of dedicated volunteers, though progress is slow.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nonviolence and Satyagraha

Gandhi discusses the essential discipline and understanding required for civil disobedience as a form of satyagraha.

### Self-Discipline and Simplicity

Gandhi emphasizes the need for volunteers to undergo rigorous training and maintain purity of heart for effective satyagraha.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Reflects on his Himalayan miscalculation and works to educate the public on satyagraha.

## Key lines

> I have always held that it is only when one sees one’s own mistakes with a convex lens, and does just the reverse in the case of others, that one is able to arrive at a just relative estimate of the two.

Gandhi believes that one should magnify one's own faults while minimizing those of others to gain a fair perspective.

_Gandhi's principle of self-criticism and humility in leadership._

> A satyagrahi obeys the laws of society intelligently and of his own free will, because he considers it to be his sacred duty to do so.

A true practitioner of nonviolent resistance follows societal laws voluntarily and with understanding, not out of fear.

_Gandhi's definition of the ideal satyagrahi's relationship to law._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-xxxiii-a-himalayan-miscalculation
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters