As its very title indicates, Gandhi and the Good Life aims at a clear understanding of Gandhi’s ethico-religious thinking. A careful study of Gandhi’s life and thought reveals, first, that both are deeply rooted in the Hindu tradition; and, secondly, that he attaches greater importance to action than to mere words. Hence, the book focuses not only on the text of Gandhi’s own writings but also on his life and experience. Gandhi’s arguments in favour of the supremacy of truth and its essential linkage with ahimsa are clearly outlined. His practice of fasting as a powerful way to project Truth and as a means to social ends is analyzed. The book also attempts to bring out the surpassing significance of Gandhi’s ahimsa by interpreting his seemingly unclear utterances on the subject and shows how the practice of this principle is, for him, not only ethical but metaphysical. A thoroughgoing analysis is also made of the means-end relation-and, in this context, of the satya-ahimsa linkage-which is pivotal in Gandhian thought. The ideal of self-realization-and the related concepts of God, faith and prayer-are also given the attention they deserve. Quite unlike the traditional way, Gandhi’s pursuit of self-realization leads him straight to the service of humanity. For him, one can grow up into an experience of God only by pursuing the line of righteous conduct. Further, Gandhi’s faith in God is intimately related to his faith in the efficacy of truth, and in ahimsa and the ‘inner voice’.
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