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e to carry a gun to protect himself. Yet, the flames of<br />
Gandhi’s yagna were fueled by non-violence. Wars<br />
throughout history had been won with weapons. Gandhi<br />
was devoted to proving that peace could only come<br />
through peace. People criticized him vehemently for<br />
refusing to take up arms; they claimed he was forfeiting<br />
India’s fight for freedom. Yet, he simply kept pouring truth,<br />
piety, and dharma into the fire of his life yagna, and the<br />
flames rose in victory. This is the true meaning of yagna,<br />
for Gandhi sacrificed an easy win (or at least a quick loss)<br />
for India by refusing to engage in armed warfare. He<br />
sacrificed his popularity; he sacrificed his status as a fighter.<br />
Yet, the truth prevails and he is remembered as one of the<br />
greatest leaders — both political and spiritual — that the<br />
world has ever known.<br />
Somebody help me!!” Rather, the only words that escaped<br />
from his lips were “He Ram, He Ram, He Ram.” This is the<br />
spirit of yagna.<br />
What can we learn?<br />
So many people come and go in this world. So many<br />
people become famous through valiant efforts to “make<br />
a name for themselves.” Yet, how many of these people<br />
have really left lasting impressions or have really changed<br />
the course of history? Very few. When we depart this Earth,<br />
when we leave our bodies, what is it that remains? It is<br />
that which we have given to the world. It is that for which<br />
we have sacrificed. It is the love and the peace that our<br />
presence brought to those around us. Gandhiji’s name<br />
will live eternally not only because he brought<br />
independence to India. He will be remembered forever<br />
and revered forever because of the way he brought peace,<br />
because of the message of his life.<br />
Sacrifice to God<br />
Mahatma Gandhi’s life was in service to God. His work for<br />
his country and his tenaciously held values were part and<br />
parcel of this complete sacrifice to the divine. The Gita was<br />
When Gandhiji was in South Africa he was traveling by<br />
his closest companion, and his most trusted guide.<br />
train and the conductor came and rudely told Gandhi to<br />
leave. “But, sir, I have a ticket,” Gandhi replied. The<br />
So many people today claim that their lives and their work<br />
conductor violently threw him from the train and yelled,<br />
are “God’s.” Yet, they use this as an excuse to lie, to cheat<br />
“You do not deserve to ride on this train!” Gandhi,<br />
and even to kill. And, at the end it is clear that they merely<br />
however, did not raise an arm in his defense. And today,<br />
used God’s name in the service of themselves. Yet, Gandhiji<br />
does anyone know the name of the man who threw him<br />
was pure and his death is the clearest example. Due to his<br />
from the train? Of course not. But, today the name of that<br />
tenaciously held belief in ahimsaa and his true surrender<br />
train is “Mahatma Gandhi Train,” and the name of the<br />
to God, he refused to employ a bodyguard. Hence, he was<br />
station is “Mahatma Gandhi Station”! That is the spirit of<br />
gunned down on his way to a prayer meeting. As he drew<br />
his last breath, there was no sign of fight, no break from<br />
yagna.<br />
his lifelong dedication to non-violence and to the divine.<br />
Gandhi would not have wanted to be remembered only<br />
He did not scream, “Who are you? How dare you?<br />
in history books. He would not want to be remembered<br />
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