Mohandas K. Gandhi, known as Mahatma Gandi, is one of the most inspiring figures of our time. He was a major spiritual and political leader in India and he developed his concept of active nonviolent resistance – ahimsa - which propelled the Indian struggle for independence and countless other nonviolent struggles of the twentieth century.
He was born under the Sign of Libra on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, India. He came from an educated and wealthy family and as was the custom at that time, Gandhi had an arranged marriage at the age of 13 in 1883, to Kasturba Makhanji and they had four sons. He later went to University College London, at the age of 18 to train as a barrister. While adopting some of the English customs, he embraced vegetarianism and there joined the Vegetarian Society and founded a local chapter. Interestingly, some of the vegetarians he met there were also members of the Theosophical Society, founded in 1875 to promote universal brotherhood, and it was here he was first encouraged to study the Bhagavad Gita. After this he studied the works of all the major world religions. Later in his life when he was asked if he was a Hindu, he replied:
“Yes, but I am also a Christian, a Moslem, a Buddhist and a Jew.”
Upon his return to India, he organized the poor to protest against the oppressive taxation and the discrimination they endured. He led nationwide campaigns for the alleviation of poverty, the liberation of women, an end to caste discrimination, the economic self-sufficiency of the nation and more. However, above all, he “fought” using his “weapons” of non-violence, tolerance, respect and love for the independence of India from foreign domination.
A characteristic of Libra is idealism which, when unbalanced, can lead to fanatical proportions. However, it is the enlightened Libra who will strive to uphold and live his ideals in a loving and balanced way, as Gandhi did. With his great intelligence, wisdom and spirituality, he truly had achieved the degree of balance Librans seek. He practiced truth and non-violence even when all opposed him. However, the world was just not ready for a person of the stature of Gandhi. He was thrown into prison several times in his life in India and South Africa. In total, Gandhi spent 2338 days (6.4 years) in jail during his lifetime.
I think some people have a wrong interpretation of Mahatma Gandhi’s teaching of non-violence. This was not a weak, cowardly approach but it was just the opposite because the level of non-violence he advocated required incredible faith and tremendous courage. He and his followers faced suffering and even death for their demonstrations. However, what most people do not realize also is that he did not advise non-violence to everyone; he was realistic enough to know that not everyone was strong enough or courageous enough to adopt this approach. In fact, he believed that if there is a choice between cowardice and retaliation, he would advise retaliation. His ideals were extremely courageous and didn’t want to draw people to his movement who were fearful or incapable of resistance.
When Gandhi went to South Africa he was deeply affected by – and experienced first-hand - the racial discrimination that was rife in this country. During one famous incident in court in Durban, he was asked by the magistrate to remove his turban. Gandhi refused and stormed out of the courtroom. He also was thrown off a train after refusing to move from first class to third class coach, despite the fact that he held a valid first class ticket. Later he was beaten for refusing to travel on the footboard of the train to make room for a European passenger, and a white mob even tried to lynch him.
In 1906, Gandhi was still evolving his non-violent philosophy as a form of protest. Extract from Superstar Signs: Sun Signs of Heroes and You, O Books, by Chrissie Blaze. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or part without written permission from the publisher.
Please join us at The Aetherius Society, 3119 N. Campbell Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073 for a special Service for Nonviolence on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. - Dr. Martin Luther King’s anniversary weekend. Dr. King was inspired by Gandhi. for more information, please visit http://www.aetheriusmi.org
Blessings,
Chrissie Blaze