'Hind Swaraj' by M. K. Gandhi (Questions & Answers) Chapter 11

 

'Hind Swaraj'

by M. K. Gandhi

(Questions & Answers)

Chapter 11

 

1

What is the relationship between prayer, fasting, and Swaraj according to Gandhi in Chapter 11 of "Hind Swaraj"?

In Chapter 11 of "Hind Swaraj", Gandhi discusses the relationship between prayer, fasting, and Swaraj. According to Gandhi, prayer and fasting are essential components of the Swaraj movement.

Gandhi believed that prayer was necessary for the attainment of Swaraj because it is a powerful means of connecting with one's inner self and with God. Through prayer, one can gain the strength and guidance needed to resist the forces of oppression and injustice.

Similarly, Gandhi viewed fasting as a means of self-purification and a way to demonstrate one's commitment to a cause. He believed that fasting could be used as a form of nonviolent resistance, and that it could inspire others to join the struggle for Swaraj.

For Gandhi, Swaraj was not just about political independence, but also about achieving self-rule and self-sufficiency at the individual level. He believed that prayer and fasting were essential practices for cultivating the inner strength and discipline needed to achieve Swaraj.

In summary, according to Gandhi in Chapter 11 of "Hind Swaraj", prayer and fasting are important practices for achieving Swaraj, as they help to connect individuals with their inner selves and with God, and cultivate the inner strength and discipline needed to resist oppression and injustice.

 

2

How does Gandhi view the practice of fasting as a political tool in the pursuit of Swaraj?

Gandhi viewed fasting as a powerful political tool in the pursuit of Swaraj. He believed that fasting was a form of nonviolent resistance that could be used to bring attention to a cause and to pressure those in power to address the grievances of the people.

For Gandhi, fasting was not just a personal act of self-discipline, but a public act of political protest. He believed that by undertaking a fast, an individual could demonstrate their commitment to a cause and show their willingness to suffer for it. In this way, fasting could inspire others to join the struggle for Swaraj and create a groundswell of popular support.

Moreover, Gandhi believed that fasting had a moral force that could touch the hearts of even the most hardened opponents. By refusing to eat, the faster was showing their sincerity and moral conviction, and this could move even the most stubborn of adversaries.

Overall, Gandhi saw fasting as a powerful political tool that could be used to mobilize people, bring attention to a cause, and pressure those in power to act. He believed that fasting could be a potent form of nonviolent resistance that could bring about meaningful change without resorting to violence.

 

3

According to Gandhi, why is it important to cultivate a "clean heart" in order to achieve Swaraj?

According to Gandhi, cultivating a "clean heart" is essential for achieving Swaraj, because he believed that the attainment of Swaraj was not just about political independence but also about achieving self-rule and self-sufficiency at the individual level.

For Gandhi, a "clean heart" meant a heart that was free from greed, selfishness, and hatred. He believed that these negative emotions were the root causes of many of the social and political problems that India was facing at the time, including poverty, discrimination, and violence.

Gandhi believed that by cultivating a "clean heart" through practices such as prayer, fasting, and meditation, individuals could overcome their own negative tendencies and work towards the common good. He saw the pursuit of Swaraj as a collective effort that required individuals to put the interests of the community above their own self-interest.

In Gandhi's view, achieving Swaraj required a fundamental shift in values, away from materialism and towards spirituality. He believed that this shift could only occur if individuals cultivated a "clean heart" and embraced values such as simplicity, humility, and service to others.

Overall, according to Gandhi, cultivating a "clean heart" is essential for achieving Swaraj because it allows individuals to overcome their own negative tendencies, work towards the common good, and embrace the values of simplicity, humility, and service to others.

4

What is the significance of the metaphor of the "lamp" in Gandhi's discussion of prayer in Chapter 11?

In Chapter 11 of "Hind Swaraj," Gandhi uses the metaphor of a lamp to illustrate the significance of prayer in the pursuit of Swaraj. The metaphor of the lamp refers to the idea that prayer is like a lamp that illuminates the darkness and helps us see clearly.

Gandhi believed that prayer was essential for achieving Swaraj because it was a means of connecting with God and gaining the strength and guidance needed to resist the forces of oppression and injustice. In the metaphor of the lamp, prayer is seen as a source of spiritual illumination that helps individuals to see clearly and to discern what is right and wrong.

Furthermore, Gandhi saw the metaphor of the lamp as symbolizing the idea that prayer is not just an individual practice, but a communal one. Just as a single lamp can illuminate a dark room, the collective power of prayer can bring light to the darkness of ignorance and injustice in society.

Gandhi also used the metaphor of the lamp to emphasize the importance of self-discipline in prayer. Just as a lamp requires regular maintenance to stay lit, prayer requires a daily commitment to cultivate one's spiritual life and to remain steadfast in the pursuit of Swaraj.

Overall, the metaphor of the lamp is significant in Gandhi's discussion of prayer because it emphasizes the importance of spiritual illumination, community, and self-discipline in the pursuit of Swaraj. It underscores the idea that prayer is not just a personal practice, but a communal one that can bring light to the darkness of ignorance and injustice in society.

 

5

How does Gandhi respond to the criticism that prayer and fasting are passive and ineffective methods for achieving political change?

Gandhi responded to the criticism that prayer and fasting were passive and ineffective methods for achieving political change by arguing that these practices were actually powerful tools for nonviolent resistance and could be used to bring about meaningful change.

Firstly, Gandhi believed that prayer and fasting were not passive practices, but rather active ones that required discipline, commitment, and sacrifice. He argued that by undertaking a fast or engaging in prayer, an individual was demonstrating their willingness to suffer for a cause and showing their moral conviction. In this way, fasting and prayer were acts of nonviolent resistance that could inspire others and create a groundswell of popular support for a cause.

Secondly, Gandhi argued that fasting and prayer could be used to bring attention to a cause and to pressure those in power to act. He believed that these practices had a moral force that could touch the hearts of even the most hardened opponents and create a space for dialogue and negotiation.

Thirdly, Gandhi believed that prayer and fasting could be used strategically, as part of a larger campaign of nonviolent resistance. He saw these practices as one tool among many, including boycotts, strikes, and civil disobedience, that could be used to bring about political change.

Overall, Gandhi rejected the notion that prayer and fasting were passive and ineffective methods for achieving political change. He saw these practices as powerful tools for nonviolent resistance that could be used strategically as part of a larger campaign for social and political transformation.

6

According to Gandhi, how does prayer and fasting contribute to the development of one's character?

According to Gandhi, prayer and fasting contribute to the development of one's character by cultivating virtues such as self-control, self-discipline, and humility.

Gandhi believed that prayer and fasting were not only a means of connecting with God, but also a way of purifying one's own heart and mind. He saw these practices as a way of overcoming one's own negative tendencies and developing the qualities of character that were necessary for achieving Swaraj.

In Gandhi's view, prayer and fasting were practices that required discipline and self-control. By undertaking a fast or engaging in prayer, an individual was demonstrating their ability to control their own desires and to focus their attention on a higher purpose. This, in turn, helped to cultivate the virtue of self-control.

Furthermore, Gandhi believed that prayer and fasting were practices that could help individuals to develop humility. By recognizing their own limitations and weaknesses, individuals could cultivate a sense of humility that would allow them to approach others with greater compassion and understanding.

Overall, according to Gandhi, prayer and fasting contribute to the development of one's character by cultivating virtues such as self-control, self-discipline, and humility. These practices help individuals to overcome their own negative tendencies and to approach others with greater compassion and understanding. By developing these virtues, individuals can become more effective agents of social and political change, and can work towards the realization of Swaraj.

 

7

How does Gandhi reconcile his advocacy for non-violent resistance with his belief in the power of prayer and fasting?

Gandhi reconciles his advocacy for nonviolent resistance with his belief in the power of prayer and fasting by seeing these practices as complementary and mutually reinforcing.

In Gandhi's view, nonviolent resistance was a means of opposing unjust systems and structures, but it required a moral and spiritual foundation to be truly effective. This moral and spiritual foundation was provided by practices such as prayer and fasting, which helped individuals to cultivate the virtues necessary for nonviolent resistance.

Gandhi believed that prayer and fasting were not passive practices, but active ones that required discipline, commitment, and sacrifice. By undertaking a fast or engaging in prayer, an individual was demonstrating their willingness to suffer for a cause and showing their moral conviction. This, in turn, could inspire others and create a groundswell of popular support for nonviolent resistance.

Furthermore, Gandhi saw prayer and fasting as a way of touching the hearts of even the most hardened opponents and creating a space for dialogue and negotiation. He believed that these practices had a moral force that could move individuals and groups to act in accordance with justice and compassion.

Overall, Gandhi reconciled his advocacy for nonviolent resistance with his belief in the power of prayer and fasting by seeing these practices as complementary and mutually reinforcing. He believed that nonviolent resistance required a moral and spiritual foundation, which was provided by practices such as prayer and fasting. By cultivating the virtues necessary for nonviolent resistance, individuals could become more effective agents of social and political change and work towards the realization of Swaraj.

 

8

What is the relationship between individual self-discipline and the achievement of Swaraj according to Gandhi in Chapter 11?

According to Gandhi in Chapter 11 of "Hind Swaraj," the achievement of Swaraj is closely linked to individual self-discipline. Gandhi believed that the individual's self-discipline was essential for the success of the broader social and political movements aimed at achieving Swaraj.

Gandhi saw Swaraj as not just political freedom from foreign rule, but also as a state of inner freedom or self-rule. He believed that achieving Swaraj required individuals to cultivate self-discipline and to overcome their own negative tendencies and weaknesses.

In Gandhi's view, individuals who lacked self-discipline could not be effective agents of social and political change. He believed that self-discipline was necessary for individuals to act in accordance with their moral convictions and to resist the temptation to resort to violence or other destructive means.

Furthermore, Gandhi believed that self-discipline was necessary for individuals to contribute meaningfully to the broader social and political movements aimed at achieving Swaraj. He argued that individuals who lacked self-discipline were liable to become demoralized, to lose focus, and to contribute to the fragmentation of the movement.

Overall, according to Gandhi, the achievement of Swaraj was closely linked to individual self-discipline. Individuals who lacked self-discipline were unlikely to be effective agents of social and political change, while those who cultivated self-discipline could contribute meaningfully to the broader movements aimed at achieving Swaraj.

 

9

How does Gandhi view the role of prayer and fasting in the context of a larger movement for social and political change?

Gandhi viewed the role of prayer and fasting in the context of a larger movement for social and political change as essential and complementary to other forms of resistance and activism.

In Gandhi's view, prayer and fasting were not a substitute for other forms of resistance but were complementary to them. He saw these practices as a means of creating a moral and spiritual foundation for the movement, which could inspire and galvanize individuals to take action and to resist injustice.

Furthermore, Gandhi believed that prayer and fasting had a transformative power that could help to change the hearts and minds of opponents and create a space for dialogue and negotiation. He saw these practices as a way of touching the humanity of even the most hardened opponents and creating a pathway for reconciliation and understanding.

However, Gandhi also recognized that prayer and fasting had limitations and that other forms of resistance were necessary for achieving social and political change. He believed that nonviolent resistance, including boycotts, strikes, and civil disobedience, was an essential tool for challenging unjust systems and structures and for pressuring those in power to change.

Overall, according to Gandhi, the role of prayer and fasting in the context of a larger movement for social and political change was essential and complementary to other forms of resistance and activism. These practices created a moral and spiritual foundation for the movement, which could inspire and galvanize individuals to take action and to resist injustice. However, nonviolent resistance, including boycotts, strikes, and civil disobedience, was also necessary for challenging unjust systems and structures and for achieving social and political change.

 

10

How might Gandhi's ideas about the importance of prayer and fasting for achieving Swaraj be relevant to contemporary movements for social justice and change?

Gandhi's ideas about the importance of prayer and fasting for achieving Swaraj can be relevant to contemporary movements for social justice and change in several ways:

a.                Nonviolent resistance: Gandhi believed in the power of nonviolent resistance as a means of challenging unjust systems and structures. This idea can be relevant to contemporary movements, where nonviolent resistance is still a powerful tool for social and political change.

b.                Moral and spiritual foundation: Gandhi believed that prayer and fasting could create a moral and spiritual foundation for a movement. This idea is relevant today as well, as many social justice movements are rooted in moral and ethical principles, such as equality, justice, and compassion.

c.Overcoming negative tendencies: Gandhi believed that individuals need to overcome their own negative tendencies and weaknesses to achieve Swaraj. This idea can be relevant today as well, as individuals need to work on their own biases, prejudices, and negative tendencies to become effective agents of social and political change.

d.                Dialogue and negotiation: Gandhi believed that prayer and fasting had the power to change the hearts and minds of opponents and create a space for dialogue and negotiation. This idea is relevant today as well, as many social justice movements need to engage in constructive dialogue and negotiation with those in power to achieve their goals.

In summary, Gandhi's ideas about the importance of prayer and fasting for achieving Swaraj can be relevant to contemporary movements for social justice and change in terms of nonviolent resistance, creating a moral and spiritual foundation, overcoming negative tendencies, and engaging in dialogue and negotiation.