politican not mahatma

Imported quote 22599

Guest (4): That which Srila Gandhi was working against? (More...)

Prabhupada: If I say the truth, you'll be angry. [chuckling] (More...)

Guest (4): No, no one will be angry. But you have mentioned this, I think, about... (More...)

Prabhupada: Gandhi was a politician. What does he know about dharma? He was a politician. He thought it wise that British government is very strong... Before him so many political parties tried to become violent, and they were all curbed down. This Aurobindo also was a leader of anarchist party, and when he was condemned to death, then his senses came: "This is all useless. Let me engage in performing yoga." So Gandhi thought that before him all these violent movement was cast down by the British. So he took it as a method: nonviolence, noncooperation. And to capture the public of India-India is generally inclined religiously-he became a mahatma. But mahatma is different. A mahatma is not interested in politics. Mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim-prakrtim asritaḥ, bhajanty ananya-manaso [Bg 9.13]. That is mahatma. Mahatma has nothing to do with politics. (More...)

Guest (5): The term was fist applied to Gandhi by Annie Besant. The term mahatma was first used to describe Gandhi by Annie Besant. (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes, one can use any term without any sense. (More...)

Guest (4): No, I think it was by Rabindranath. (More...)

Prabhupada: They... Anyone can. Rabindra Babu was also like that. [laughter] He was a babu, but he became guru. This is going on. (More...)

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