Mahatma Gandhiji and the Vows

The Eleven vows

Ancient tradition has prescribed five Yamas for spiritual seekers :

1) Truth
2) Non-Violence
3) Non-stealing
4) Non-possession
5) Brahmacharya

Gandhiji added six more vows:

1) Bread-labour
2) Swadeshi
3) Control of the palate
4) Fearlessness
5) Equal respect for all religions
6) Removal of untouchability

The Meaning of a vow

A vow is an observance consciously undertaken for a worthy cause. Gandhiji defined a vow, as doing at any cost something that one ought to do. Our higher impulses and duties dictate us to do something. But our weaknesses prohibit us from doing that. This obstructs our development. Hence a vow should be taken. Taking a vow strengthens our will. It prevents us from wavering.

The vows put before us an ideal. We may not be able to achieve that, but the vow guarantees our progress on the right path. It brings forth latent energy. Human life has a purpose. We are not animals. We can rise higher. For this, we should discipline ourselves. Vows are important in this regard.

Why did Gandhiji give importance to vow?

Gandhiji wanted to change the individual and through him to change the society. Individuals should imbibe new values for this purpose. They should know the purpose of life. They should strive to fulfill that purpose. Gandhiji held that the purpose of life is to realize Truth. Non-violence is the means for this.

Non-violence means detached, selfless love for all. All life should be organized accordingly. Senses should be controlled. Life should be considered as one. The eleven vows prescribed by Gandhiji were for this purpose. They also give guidelines for personal conduct.

Gandhiji?s contribution

Gandhiji gives very wide and novel meanings to the vows. They do not remain individual virtues prescribed for the selected few. They become social virtues. The vows show Gandhiji?s understanding of the social situation of his time and the direction of social change he wanted. He wanted to bridge the gap between the principles and the practice.

Importance given to a vow means that man is important. He can change the world. He is the maker of his destiny.