The Law of Continence: Gandhi for 21st Century

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Anand T. Hingorani (1907), graduated from the Bombay University in 1929. He became an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi at an early age of 13 during the Non-eo-operation movement of 1920 against the British rule, when he pledged himself to Swadeshi and life-long Khadi-wear.

At the age of 22, Hingorani personally came under the magic spell of Gandhi, when the latter visited Sind in February 1929. He came into still closer touch with the Mahatma when he attended the Lahore Congress in December 1929. There he was invited by Gandhi to join his Ashram Sabarmati. Hingorani gave up his law studies and became the inmate of Gandhi's Ashram in the first week of January 1930.

In the Salt Satyagraha of 1930, Hingorani was the only one from Sind to join Gandhi's historic Dandi March, in the course of which he was chosen by Gandhi himself to be his Personal Secretary for some time. Hingorani participated in all the Civil Disobedience movements of Gandhi and courted imprisonment for no less than five times. He also did Harijan, village and social work for several years, and was also the Editor of Gandhi's Harijan Weekly for a brief period.

Being a lover of Gandhi's writings from his very student days, he conceived an idea of collecting and systematising Gandhi's scattered writings under suitable heads in a series of attractive volumes. Gandhi highly appreciated his idea and blessed his effort. As a result, Hingorani launched his "Gandhi Series" in 1941, under which more than 50 titles have come out so far and met with unstinted acclaim all over the country and even abroad.

Hingorani was fortunate to have enjoyed Gandhi's love in abundance. He is now 92, but even at this advanced age, he is energetically pursuing the mission of his life-to spread Gandhi's message all over the world.

The Bhavan's "Gandhiana" consists of more than 80 books, some by Gandhiji himself and others on Gandhiji's life and teachings by eminent thinkers, writers, statesmen and co- workers like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Shri C. Rajagopalachari, Acharya J.B. Kripalani, Dr. K.M. Munshi, Dr. A.R. Diwakar, Shri G.D. Birla, Shri U.N. Dhebar, Shri K. Santanam, Shri G. Ramachandran and admirers like Mr. Louis Fischer, Mr. James K. Mathews, Shri Anand Shanker Ray, Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai, Dr. E.S. Reddy, Shri Sheshrao Chavan and Shri J.R. Kokandakar.

Of these, 24 books contain Mahatma Gandhi's own writings edited and arranged subject-wise by Shri Anand T. Hingorani with Gandhiji's blessings. Gandhiji was not given to undue praise but if one reads with devotion and diligence one can discern his mind. This is what he says about Sri Hingorani's pioneering efforts:

"I like Anand Hingorani's idea of collecting my writings, under suitable heads. The reader will not fail to appreciate the labour he has given to securing attractive printing and binding. II Conceived in the ferment of India's unique independence struggle and published during the historic, tumultuous pre-independence era, this series continue to be popular in the post- independence era too. When first published, the series elicited appreciation from many of the stalwart leaders of the nation like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Nehru, Rajaji, Acharya Kripalani.

Now, during the 50th year of Mahatmaji's Martyrdom, the Bhavan prayerfully offers these 24 titles re-christened "Gandhi for 21 st Century" as a reverential homage to Gandhi, the Vishwamanava, the Universal Man. We hope that the younger generation in India and overseas will derive benefit by reading about Gandhi, the Man and his Message which will help them re-mould their lives. The Mahatma is rightly acclaimed as the Sage of the Scientific Age.

The Bhavan tenders its grateful thanks to the 92 years young Shri Anand T. Hingorani and the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Mumbai and Gandhi Smriti and Darashan Samiti, New Delhi for being co-publishers of "Gandhi for 21 st Century".

Our special thanks are due to Shri Atul Goradia and his team of workers at Siddhi Printers, Mumbai, for getting the books printed in record time, without sacrificing production values

The Law of Continence or Brahmacharya, as propounded and practised by Gandhiji, is not only what is ordinarily understood by the term, but vastly much more. It is not mere mechanical celibacy, it means "complete control over all the senses, and freedom from lust in thought, word and deed." Mere control of animal passion is not enough.

The observance of Brahmacharya has been considered to be extremely difficult, almost impossible, because we have understood the word in a very narrow, restricted sense. Ours is bound to be a vain effort if we attempt to control only one organ and allow free play to all the others. For, says Gandhiji: "To hear suggestive stories with the ears, to see suggestive sights with the eyes, to taste stimulating foods with the tongue, to touch exciting things with the hands, and then, at the same time, expect to control the only remaining organ, is like putting one's hands in a fire and then expecting to escape being burnt." He, therefore, advises practising simultaneous self-control in all directions, if the attempt is to prove -successful.

It is well, however, to appreciate the distinction that Gandhiji draws between control and suppression of the senses. His definition of Brahmacharya means not suppression of one or more senses, but complete mastery over them all. The two states he holds to be fundamentally different. Says he: "I can suppress all my senses to-day, but it may take ones to conquer them. Conquest means using them as my willing slaves. I can prick the ear drum and suppress the sense of hearing by a simple. painless operation. This is worthless. I must train the ear so that it refuses to hear gossip. lewd talk. blasphemy; but it is open to the celestial music. it will hear the most distant cry for succour from thousands of miles."

This training and ultimate conquest of the senses is comparatively easy of attainment by those who have realized the necessity of observing Brahmacharya in thought, word and deed. Such aspirants win find in this book not only the complete and comprehensive definition of true Brahmacharya, but also the ways and means of achieving the same. Gandhiji's rich and varied experiments in this regard will be of incalculable value to them and afford them all the necessary guidance and inspiration on !heir onward march to the goal. No doubt, it is an uphill task that needs a Herculean effort to accomplish it. But those who are gifted with abiding faith in themselves will not give up the effort in despair. but ever continue to put forth manly endeavour which, as Gandhiji says, is sure to win them Divine Grace in God's good time.