Page 15 - GANDHI A Biography for Children and Beginners

GANDHI – A Biography for children and beginners

Mohandas. In later years, they became the foundation of Gandhi's firm belief

that all religions deserved equal respect.

There were also days on which the family listened to readings from the great
Hindu devotional classics like the Bhagavata and the Ramayana. Mohandas

came under the spell of the devotion and dedication to God that throbbed in

these verses. He learned to look upon Tulsidas's rendering of the Ramayana as
the most moving devotional classic in Hinduism, — perhaps in any religion.

Around this time, Gandhi chanced to see a copy of the Shravana Pitribhakti
Nataka on his father's table. Though he was not given to reading books, this

book attracted him. He read it with great interest, and the picture of Shravana

carrying both his blind parents on his shoulders imprinted itself on young

Gandhi's mind. The thought arose in him that he should be as loyal to his
parents as Shravana was, and should serve them with as much dedication and

self- surrender as Shravana. The visit of a travelling troupe that exhibited

pictures from Shravana's life intensified this desire to serve his parents with

devotion and joy.

Another portrayal that created a lasting impression on Gandhi's mind was that

of Raja Harishchandra who had dedicated his life to truth. The ordeals through
which the king had to pass and the agony, sacrifices and suffering that he had

to undergo to stick to Truth melted Gandhi's heart.

He could not banish the picture of Harishchandra from his mind.

Gandhi had always felt a great fascination for Truth. The story of Harishchandra

reinforced this attraction and the determination to cling to Truth at any cost.

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