The truth Shall Set you free. Review on My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi

I read about this great man in my history books, I saw the movie where Ben Kingsley played his part. I have his statue at the park near my house, and his photograph at my schools office. I see him in postal Stamps, currency. He is my Hero, and my role model for his principles. almost every city has a colony or a street named after him.

Ladies and gentlemen .......Introducing .......The Mahatma from India .....Father of this Nation......... Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi .. born in 1869 and lives forever......

Say the words Indian independence, and you can picture this dhoti clad wise old man, with a walking stick just walking with a stoop, symbolizing his modesty and a crowd following him. Say the word Khadi and I see this man, sitting on the ground spinning the chakra and weaving khadi.

The Mahatma

Also Known as Mahatma Gandhi. Is it because he had the key part to play in the Indian Independence ? I dont think so. If He were alive today neither would this humble soul would agree that he had a major role in the Independence struggle. Read this book and you will know why is he is named as the Mahatma. He is a man who stood by his word. He stood his ground for what he believed in. He fought for what he believed in. Attaining independence through ahimsa (non-voilence) was a remarkable victory .I admire him for his courage. He is one of those Indians I am proud of. His simple lifestyle and strong principles made a lasting impact on a lot of people of his time. Almost a whole nation, ready to follow him at his call. This got me wondering what made a man, wearing dhoti with a walking stick so popular with the Masses.

Experiments with Truth

Reading through the book, one will find some shocking revelations in the life of the Mahatma. Over all, you will see that he was just a common person like you and me are. During his boyhood days , he took to some ''barbaric'' habits like eating meat, smoking and even stealing. Later on he couldnt get over the guilt and decides to end his life. But he just wrote a note to his father confessing his crime and asking for his forgiveness. This book, is more of a confession than an autobiography, true to the title indeed. He mentioned this one time,the circumstances he neglected his father when his father was on his death bed. He talks about his life in London. How the situations forced him to give in to consuming meat and drinking just to keep him up to the Englishmen standards. yet , He kept the promise he made to his mother, not to indulge in those things. He even joins a vegetarian club , and over a period of time , starts writing newsletters to the club. This book also gives you an insight on what turned Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi into Mahatma Gandhi ''And the truth shall set you free'' Read this book, for the best examples of the phrase truth shall set you free you will find here that Truer words were never spoken. It takes a lot of courage, and strength to reveal your regrets and the darkest secrets of the past.

There was this one time a lady brought her son to Gandhiji. She was troubled by her sons craving for sugar. The boy just wouldnt stop. Gandhiji told the woman to bring the child in a weeks time. When the woman approached Gandhiji after a week, Gandhiji just told the boy to stop the habit. The boy just stopped. When asked as to why he took a week, He said that if he were to tell someone to stop something, he himself had to stop it. Evidently Gandhiji couldnt stop the craving for sweetmeats and sugar. If he had to tell the boy to stop , He had to stop himself. Let me ask you one question Would you have the guts to reveal the shadiest mystery of your past in a book ? I know I wouldnt.

Only a Mahatma could do that. Without a blink of an eye would I agree that He indeed ''is'' a Mahatma. For the Mahatma, Truth was his principle, his religion and devotion. Not just in India , many in the west refer him as an example for truth and honesty. The book is presented in simple English and the most down to earth literature. If simplicity was his lifestyle, you can see that in his books. I not only recommend this book as a good book, But also I say this is a must read.

This book was actually translated from Gujrathi language by Mahadev Desai.

Comments are most welcome.

Davie boy