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However, he was a man devoted to his country and to Her
freedom. Through his tireless effort and his simple piety
he led India to independence. However, in spite of national
and international acclaim, he never lost his humility, his
dedication and his spirit of sacrifice. Rather, the flames of
his true yagna to Bharat Mata seemed to only grow until
he, himself, was the poornahuti, or final offering.
Typically in life, we always want to be in the center of
everything. We always want the focus on ourselves, the
recognition for ourselves and the reward for ourselves. We
do not actually work or accomplish anything meaningful,
but we expend great effort trying to convince all those
around us of our inestimable worth. However, Gandhiji
was different. He did everything, accomplished everything.
Yet he worked and lived with such humility and such piety
that he never put himself in the center. This is a great
message of his life: “Work, serve with every breath, but
remain a simple, humble, unattached child of God.”
Gandhiji still remained silent. As Gandhiji descended from
the train to a welcoming crowd of thousands, the man fell
at his feet, begging for forgiveness. Gandhiji, of course,
blessed and forgave him, telling him only that he should
be more respectful of others, regardless of who they are.
This is the spirit of yagna. This is the spirit of India that we
must maintain in our hearts.
Another beautiful example of Gandhiji’s humility, his
selfless sacrifice for his country is how he “celebrated” his
victory. When India won independence, when Gandhi was
the hero of the country, he could have been in New Delhi
receiving boundless honors and appreciation. However,
he was not. He was not in New Delhi, nor was he in
Bombay, nor in Calcutta. He was nowhere that would
shower him with love and esteem. Rather, he was in East
Bengal where Hindus and Muslims were fighting bitterly.
He was not content to have “fulfilled his mission.” If
humans were still suffering, then he still had work to do.
So, while the rest of the country celebrated, Gandhiji
continued his tireless work to heal the wound between
Hindus and Muslims. This is the spirit of sacrifice. This is
the spirit of divinity. Even when all external circumstances
throw you to the center, you remain humble, you remain
simple, you remember for whom your yagna was
performed. Gandhi’s yagna was for his country, not for his
own fame.
There is a story of a man traveling by train to Porbandar
in the same coach as Gandhiji. However, the man did not
know that the old man in his coach was Mahatma Gandhi.
So, all night long this man lay down on the seat, occupied
the entire bench in the coach, pushed Gandhi, put his feet
on him, and left Gandhiji with barely enough room to sit
upright. However, Gandhi did not fight, or complain. How
easy it would have been to proclaim, “I am Mahatma
Gandhi. Give me room in the coach.” But that is not the
Sacrifice for the principles of right living
spirit of yagna.
However, his life was not only a sacrifice for Mother India.
It was also a yagna of morality, of dharma, of ethics and
As the train pulled into Porbandar the man mentioned that
of truth. How easy it would have been to fight with
he was going to see the famous Mahatma Gandhi.
weapons; how easy to kill the enemy. How easy it would
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