The Story of My Experiments with Truth

Meaning nonpossession, aparigraha is the concept of non-greediness and detachment from material possessions. Gandhi discusses this term while reflecting on his journey to live a simple and ascetic life. By practicing aparigraha, Gandhi seeks to eliminate unnecessary distractions and attachments, thus focusing on his spiritual and societal goals.

An ashram, in Indian tradition, is a spiritual hermitage or a secluded Hindu monastery. In Gandhi’s context, it represented a community living under a vow of simplicity, truth, and nonviolence. Throughout Gandhi’s autobiography, ashrams function as centers for personal reflection, collective action, and grounding sociopolitical activities in spiritual principles.

In Hindu tradition, brahmacharya is traditionally understood as a stage of life in which one leads a celibate, student life. For Gandhi, brahmacharya transcended its traditional meaning to signify complete self-control. His autobiography explores his experiments with brahmacharya in depth, especially regarding celibacy and the control of the senses.

A darbar is a court or ceremonial gathering organized by Indian royalty or British officials. Gandhi discusses the forced ceremonial customs and attire to which Indian rajas and maharajas had to adhere, symbolizing their subservience and the coercive assimilation that the British expected.

Khadi (or khaddar) refers to hand-spun and hand-woven cloth, primarily made of cotton. Gandhi popularized the spinning of khadi as a symbol of self-reliance and Indigenous industries. Within the text, khadi is not just a fabric but a symbol of resistance to British industrial products and a call for economic self-sufficiency.

Often translated as “liberation” or “release,” moksha is a fundamental concept in several Indian philosophies and religions. Its general meaning is release from samsara, the cycle of birth and death. Gandhi’s interpretation of moksha pertains to achieving a state of spiritual liberation that frees the soul from all worldly bonds and attains a union with the divine or the ultimate truth.

Referring to the power of divine intervention, Nirbal Ke Bal Ram emphasizes Gandhi’s deep belief in a higher power guiding and saving him during moments of moral dilemmas and temptations.

A term coined by Gandhi, satyagraha translates to “holding onto truth” or “truth force” and is the principle of nonviolent resistance that Gandhi used as a political tool. Satyagraha became synonymous with Gandhi’s nonviolent struggles against injustices, particularly against colonial oppression.

The Sanskrit term samabhava translates to “equanimity” or “equal regard.” It represents the concept of treating all beings with an equal sense of respect and dignity, devoid of bias or prejudice. In various spiritual and philosophical traditions of India, samabhava signifies maintaining a balanced mind and attitude toward both pleasure and pain, or both success and failure. This principle resonates with ideals of social justice in advocating for fair treatment and equity for all.