Question

Which of the following statements regarding Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha is/are correct? 

1. Truth and non-violence are its two vital ingredients. 

2. The follower of Satyagraha would resist evil but not hate the evil doer.

3. The Satyagrahi would, if necessary, inflict suffering on himself, and also the evil doer. 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 (c) Only 1 (d) 1 and 2

Answer 1

(d) Principles of Satyagrah 

• Nonviolence (ahimsa) 

• Truth - this includes honesty, but goes beyond it to mean living fully in accord with and in devotion to that which is true 

• Not stealing 

• Chastity (brahmacharya) - this includes sexual chastity, but also the subordination of other sensual desires to the primary devotion to truth 

• Non-possession (not the same as poverty) 

• Body-labour or bread-labour 

• Control of the palate 

• Fearlessness 

• Equal respect for all religions 

• Economic strategy such as boycott of exported goods (swadeshi)