"Indian Civilization and Culture" (भारतीय सभ्यता और संस्कृति)
MOHAN DAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI (1869-1948), popularly known as Bapu or the Father of the Nation, was more a spiritual leader than a politician. He successfully used truth and non-violence as the chief weapons against the British rule in India and helped India gain independence. From 1915 till 1948, he completely dominated Indian politics.
मोहन दास करमचंद गांधी (1869-1948), जिन्हें बापू या राष्ट्रपिता के नाम से जाना जाता है, एक राजनेता से ज़्यादा एक आध्यात्मिक नेता थे। उन्होंने भारत में ब्रिटिश शासन के विरुद्ध सत्य और अहिंसा को मुख्य हथियार के रूप में सफलतापूर्वक इस्तेमाल किया और भारत को स्वतंत्रता दिलाने में मदद की। 1915 से 1948 तक, वे भारतीय राजनीति पर पूरी तरह से छाए रहे।
He died at the hands of a fanatic on 30 January, 1948. His autobiography, My Experiments with Truth, and the numerous articles that he wrote for Young India and the speeches that he delivered on different occasions, reveal him not only as an original thinker but also as a great master of chaste, idiomatic English.
30 जनवरी, 1948 को एक कट्टरपंथी के हाथों उनकी मृत्यु हो गई। उनकी आत्मकथा, सत्य के साथ मेरे प्रयोग, तथा यंग इंडिया के लिए लिखे गए उनके अनेक लेख और विभिन्न अवसरों पर दिए गए उनके भाषणों से पता चलता है कि वे न केवल एक मौलिक विचारक थे, बल्कि शुद्ध, मुहावरेदार अंग्रेजी के महान उस्ताद भी थे।
In the following extract 'Indian Civilization and Culture,' Gandhiji talks about the sound foundation of Indian civilization which has successfully withstood the passage of time. The western civilization which has the tendency to privilege materiality cannot match the Indian civilization that elevates the moral being.
निम्नलिखित अंश 'भारतीय सभ्यता और संस्कृति' में, गांधीजी भारतीय सभ्यता की सुदृढ़ नींव की चर्चा करते हैं जिसने समय के प्रवाह को सफलतापूर्वक झेला है। भौतिकता को प्राथमिकता देने वाली पश्चिमी सभ्यता, नैतिक उत्थान करने वाली भारतीय सभ्यता की बराबरी नहीं कर सकती।
INDIAN CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE
1. I believe that the civilization India has evolved is not to be beaten in the world. Nothing can equal the seeds sown by our ancestors. Rome went, Greece shared the same fate, the might of the Pharaohs was broken, Japan has become westernized; of
China nothing can be said, but India is still, somehow or other, sound at the foundation.
मेरा मानना है कि भारत ने जो सभ्यता विकसित की है, उसका दुनिया में कोई मुकाबला नहीं है। हमारे पूर्वजों द्वारा बोए गए बीजों की बराबरी कोई नहीं कर सकता। रोम चला गया, यूनान का भी यही हश्र हुआ, फ़राओ की शक्ति नष्ट हो गई, जापान पश्चिमीकृत हो गया; चीन के बारे में कुछ नहीं कहा जा सकता, लेकिन भारत अभी भी, किसी न किसी तरह, अपनी नींव पर मज़बूत है।
The people of Europe learn their lessons from the writings of the men of Greece or
Rome which exist no longer in their former glory. In trying to learn from them, the
Europeans imagine that they will avoid the mistakes of Greece and Rome. Such is their
pitiable condition.
यूरोप के लोग यूनान या रोम के लोगों के लेखन से सबक सीखते हैं, जो अब अपने पूर्व गौरव में नहीं रहे। उनसे सीखने की कोशिश में, यूरोपीय लोग यह सोचते हैं कि वे यूनान और रोम की गलतियों से बच जाएँगे। उनकी हालत इतनी दयनीय है।
2. In the midst of all this, India remains immovable and that is her glory. It is a charge
against India that her people are so uncivilized, ignorant and stolid, that it is not possible
to induce them to adopt any changes.
इन सबके बीच भी भारत अविचल है और यही उसकी शान है। भारत पर यह आरोप लगाया जाता है कि उसकी जनता इतनी असभ्य, अज्ञानी और जड़ है कि उसे किसी भी बदलाव के लिए प्रेरित करना संभव नहीं है।
It is a charge really against our merit. What we
have tested and found true on the anvil of experience, we dare not change. Many
thrust their advice upon India, and she remains steady. This is her beauty; it is the
sheet anchor of our hope.
यह वास्तव में हमारी योग्यता के विरुद्ध आरोप है। हमने अनुभव की कसौटी पर जो परखा है और जिसे सत्य पाया है, उसे हम बदलने का साहस नहीं कर सकते। अनेकों ने भारत पर अपनी सलाह थोपी है, और वह स्थिर बनी हुई है। यही उसकी सुंदरता है; यही हमारी आशा का आधार है।
3. Civilization is that mode of conduct which points out to man the path of duty.
Performance of duty and observance of morality are convertible terms.
सभ्यता आचरण का वह तरीका है जो मनुष्य को कर्तव्य का मार्ग दिखाता है। कर्तव्य पालन और नैतिकता का पालन परिवर्तनीय शब्द हैं।
To observe
morality is to attain mastery over our minds and our passions. So doing, we know
ourselves. The Gujarati equivalent for civilization means "good conduct".
नैतिकता का पालन करना अपने मन और अपनी भावनाओं पर नियंत्रण पाना है। ऐसा करने से हम स्वयं को जान पाते हैं। सभ्यता के लिए गुजराती पर्यायवाची शब्द का अर्थ है "अच्छा आचरण"।
4. If this definition be correct, then India, as so many writers have shown, has nothing
to learn from anybody else, and this is as it should be.
यदि यह परिभाषा सही है, तो भारत को, जैसा कि अनेक लेखकों ने दर्शाया है, किसी अन्य से सीखने की कोई आवश्यकता नहीं है, और ऐसा ही होना भी चाहिए।
5. We notice that the mind is a restless bird, the more it gets the more it wants, and still
remains unsatisfied. The more we indulge in our passions, the more unbridled they
become.
हम देखते हैं कि मन एक बेचैन पक्षी है, जितना ज़्यादा उसे मिलता है, उतना ही ज़्यादा चाहता है, और फिर भी असंतुष्ट रहता है। हम अपनी वासनाओं में जितना ज़्यादा लिप्त होते हैं, वे उतनी ही बेलगाम होती जाती हैं।
Our ancestors, therefore, set a limit to our indulgences. They saw that
happiness was largely a mental condition.
इसलिए, हमारे पूर्वजों ने हमारी भोग-विलास की एक सीमा तय कर दी थी। वे समझते थे कि खुशी मुख्यतः एक मानसिक स्थिति है।
6. A man is not necessarily happy because he is rich, or unhappy because he is poor.
The rich are often seen to be unhappy, the poor to be happy. Millions will always
remain poor. Observing all this, our ancestors dissuaded us from luxuries and pleasures.
We have managed with the same kind of plough as existed thousands of years ago.
ज़रूरी नहीं कि कोई इंसान अमीर होने की वजह से खुश हो या गरीब होने की वजह से दुखी। अक्सर अमीरों को दुखी और गरीबों को खुश देखा जाता है। लाखों लोग हमेशा गरीब ही रहेंगे। यही सब देखते हुए, हमारे पूर्वजों ने हमें विलासिता और सुख-सुविधाओं से दूर रखा। हम उसी तरह के हल से काम चला रहे हैं जैसे हज़ारों साल पहले हुआ करते थे।
We have retained the same kind of cottages that we had in former times and our
indigenous education remains the same as before. We have had no system of lifecorroding competition. Each followed his own occupation or trade and charged a
regular wage. It was not that we did not know how to invent machinery, but our
forefathers knew that, if we set our hearts after such things, we would become slaves
and lose our moral fibre.
हमने आज भी वही झोपड़ियाँ रखी हैं जो पहले हुआ करती थीं और हमारी स्वदेशी शिक्षा भी पहले जैसी ही है। हमारे यहाँ जीवन को नष्ट करने वाली प्रतिस्पर्धा की कोई व्यवस्था नहीं थी। हर कोई अपना पेशा या व्यापार करता था और एक निश्चित वेतन लेता था। ऐसा नहीं था कि हमें मशीनों का आविष्कार करना नहीं आता था, लेकिन हमारे पूर्वज जानते थे कि अगर हम ऐसी चीज़ों में अपना मन लगाएँगे, तो हम गुलाम बन जाएँगे और अपनी नैतिकता खो देंगे।
They, therefore, after due deliberation decided that we
should only do what we could with our hands and feet. They sawthat our real happiness
and health consisted in a proper use of our hands and feet.
इसलिए, उन्होंने सोच-विचार के बाद यह निर्णय लिया कि हमें अपने हाथों और पैरों से उतना ही काम लेना चाहिए जितना हम कर सकते हैं। उन्होंने देखा कि हमारा असली सुख और स्वास्थ्य हमारे हाथों और पैरों के उचित उपयोग में ही निहित है।
7. They further reasoned that large cities were a snare and a useless encumbrancе
and that people would not be happy in them, that there would be gangs of thieves and robbers, prostitution and vice flourishing in them and that poor men would be robbed by rich men. They were, therefore, satisfied with small villages.
उन्होंने आगे तर्क दिया कि बड़े शहर एक जाल और बेकार का बोझ हैं, लोग उनमें खुश नहीं रह पाएँगे, वहाँ चोरों और लुटेरों के गिरोह होंगे, वेश्यावृत्ति और अनैतिकता फल-फूल रही होगी और अमीर लोग गरीबों को लूट रहे होंगे। इसलिए वे छोटे गाँवों से संतुष्ट थे।
8. They saw that kings and their swords were inferior to the sword of ethics, and they, therefore, held the sovereigns of the earth to be inferior to the Rishis and the Fakirs. A nation, with a constitution like this, is fitter to teach others than to learn from others.
उन्होंने देखा कि राजा और उनकी तलवारें नैतिकता की तलवार से तुच्छ हैं, और इसलिए वे पृथ्वी के शासकों को ऋषियों और फकीरों से भी तुच्छ समझते थे। ऐसे संविधान वाला राष्ट्र दूसरों से सीखने की अपेक्षा दूसरों को सिखाने के लिए अधिक उपयुक्त होता है।
This nation had courts, lawyers and doctors, but they were all within bounds. Everybody knew that these professions were not particularly superior. Moreover, these Vakils and Vaids did not rob people; they were considered people's dependents, not their masters. Justice was tolerably fair.
इस देश में अदालतें, वकील और डॉक्टर तो थे, लेकिन सब सीमाओं के भीतर। सब जानते थे कि ये पेशे कोई खास श्रेष्ठ नहीं थे। इसके अलावा, ये वकील और वैद्य लोगों को लूटते नहीं थे; उन्हें लोगों का स्वामी नहीं, बल्कि उनका आश्रित माना जाता था। न्याय काफी हद तक निष्पक्ष था।
The ordinary rule was to avoid courts. There were no touts to lure people into them. This evil too was noticeable only in and around capitals. The common people lived independently and followed their agricultural occupation. They enjoyed true Home Rule.
सामान्य नियम यह था कि अदालतों से दूर रहा जाए। लोगों को लुभाने के लिए कोई दलाल नहीं थे। यह बुराई भी केवल राजधानियों और उसके आसपास ही देखने को मिलती थी। आम लोग स्वतंत्र रूप से रहते थे और अपना कृषि व्यवसाय करते थे। वे सच्चे स्वशासन का आनंद लेते थे।
9. The Indian civilization, as described by me, has been so described by its votaries. In no part of the world, and under no civilization, have all men attained perfection. The tendency of Indian civilizations is to elevate the moral being, that of the western civilization is to propagate immorality.
भारतीय सभ्यता का जैसा वर्णन मैंने किया है, वैसा ही उसके अनुयायियों ने भी किया है। दुनिया के किसी भी हिस्से में, और किसी भी सभ्यता में, सभी मनुष्य पूर्णता प्राप्त नहीं कर पाए हैं। भारतीय सभ्यताओं की प्रवृत्ति नैतिकता को ऊँचा उठाने की है, जबकि पश्चिमी सभ्यता की प्रवृत्ति अनैतिकता का प्रचार करने की है।
The latter is godless; the former is based on a belief in God. So understanding and so believing, it behoves every lover of India to
cling to the old Indian civilization even as a child clings to the mother's breast.
दूसरा ईश्वरविहीन है; पहला ईश्वर में विश्वास पर आधारित है। इसलिए, इस समझ और विश्वास के साथ, भारत के प्रत्येक प्रेमी का कर्तव्य है कि वह प्राचीन भारतीय सभ्यता से उसी प्रकार चिपके रहे जैसे एक बच्चा माँ के स्तन से चिपका रहता है।
10. I am no hater of the West. I am thankful to the West for many a thing I have learnt
from Western literature. But I am thankful to modern civilization for teaching me that if
I want India to rise to its fullest height, I must tell my countrymen frankly that, after
years and years of experience of modern civilization, I have learnt one lesson from it
and that is that we must shun it at all costs.
मैं पश्चिम से नफ़रत नहीं करता। पश्चिमी साहित्य से मैंने जो कुछ सीखा है, उसके लिए मैं पश्चिम का आभारी हूँ। लेकिन मैं आधुनिक सभ्यता का भी आभारी हूँ जिसने मुझे सिखाया कि अगर मैं चाहता हूँ कि भारत अपनी पूरी ऊँचाई पर पहुँचे, तो मुझे अपने देशवासियों से साफ़-साफ़ कहना होगा कि आधुनिक सभ्यता के वर्षों के अनुभव के बाद, मैंने उससे एक ही सबक सीखा है और वह यह कि हमें हर कीमत पर इससे दूर रहना चाहिए।
11. What is that modern civilization? It is the worship of the material, it is the worship of
the brute in us - it is unadulterated materialism, and modern civilization is nothing if it
does not think at every step of the triumph of material civilization.
वह आधुनिक सभ्यता क्या है? यह भौतिकता की पूजा है, यह हमारे भीतर के पशु की पूजा है - यह विशुद्ध भौतिकवाद है, और आधुनिक सभ्यता कुछ भी नहीं है यदि वह हर कदम पर भौतिक सभ्यता की विजय के बारे में न सोचे।
12. It is perhaps unnecessary, if not useless, to weigh the merits ofthe two civilizations.
It is likely that the West has evolved a civilization suited to its climate and surroundings,
and similarly, we have a civilization suited to our conditions, and both are good in their
own respective spheres.
दोनों सभ्यताओं के गुणों का मूल्यांकन करना शायद अनावश्यक ही नहीं, बल्कि बेकार भी है। यह संभव है कि पश्चिम ने अपनी जलवायु और परिवेश के अनुकूल एक सभ्यता विकसित की हो, और इसी तरह, हमारे पास भी अपनी परिस्थितियों के अनुकूल एक सभ्यता हो, और दोनों ही अपने-अपने क्षेत्रों में अच्छी हों।
13. The distinguishing characteristic of modern civilization is an indefinite multiplicity of
human wants. The characteristic of ancient civilization is an imperative restriction upon,
and a strict regulating of, these wants.
आधुनिक सभ्यता की विशिष्ट विशेषता मानवीय आवश्यकताओं की अनिश्चित बहुलता है। प्राचीन सभ्यता की विशेषता इन आवश्यकताओं पर अनिवार्य प्रतिबंध और उनका कठोर नियमन है।
The modern or western insatiableness arises
really from want of living faith in a future state and therefore also in Divinity. The
restraint of ancient or Eastern civilization arises from a belief, often in spite of ourselves,
in a future state and the existence of a Divine Power.
आधुनिक या पाश्चात्य अतृप्ति वास्तव में भविष्य की स्थिति और इसलिए ईश्वरत्व में जीवंत विश्वास के अभाव से उत्पन्न होती है। प्राचीन या पूर्वी सभ्यता का संयम, अक्सर स्वयं के विरुद्ध, भविष्य की स्थिति और एक दिव्य शक्ति के अस्तित्व में विश्वास से उत्पन्न होता है।
14. Some of the immediate and brilliant results of modern inventions are too maddening
to resist. But I have no manner of doubt that the victory of man lies in that resistance.
We are in danger of bartering away the permanent good for a momentary pleasure.
आधुनिक आविष्कारों के कुछ तात्कालिक और शानदार परिणाम इतने भयावह होते हैं कि उनका विरोध करना मुश्किल होता है। लेकिन मुझे इसमें ज़रा भी संदेह नहीं है कि मनुष्य की जीत इसी प्रतिरोध में निहित है। हम क्षणिक सुख के लिए स्थायी सुख को त्यागने के खतरे में हैं।
15. Just as in the West they have made wonderful discoveries in things material, similarly
Hinduism has made still more marvellous discoveries in things of religion, of the spirit,
of the soul.
जिस प्रकार पश्चिम में भौतिक चीजों में अद्भुत खोजें की गई हैं, उसी प्रकार हिंदू धर्म ने धर्म, आत्मा और आत्मा के संबंध में और भी अधिक अद्भुत खोजें की हैं।
16. But we have no eye for these great and fine discoveries. We are dazzled by the
material progress that Western science has made. I am not enamoured of that progress.
लेकिन इन महान और उत्कृष्ट खोजों पर हमारी नज़र ही नहीं है। हम पश्चिमी विज्ञान की भौतिक प्रगति से चकित हैं। मैं उस प्रगति से मोहित नहीं हूँ।
In fact, it almost seems as though God in His wisdom has prevented India from progressing
onrush
along those lines, so that it might fulfil its special mission of resisting the onrush of materialism.
वास्तव में, ऐसा प्रतीत होता है मानो ईश्वर ने अपनी बुद्धिमत्ता से भारत को इस दिशा में आगे बढ़ने से रोक दिया है, ताकि वह भौतिकवाद के आक्रमण का प्रतिरोध करने के अपने विशेष मिशन को पूरा कर सके।
17. After all, there is something in Hinduism that has kept it alive up till now. It has witnessed the fall of Babylonian, Syrian, Persian and Egyptian civilizations. Cast a
look around you.
आखिर हिंदू धर्म में कुछ तो है जिसने इसे अब तक ज़िंदा रखा है। इसने बेबीलोन, सीरिया, फ़ारसी और मिस्र की सभ्यताओं का पतन देखा है। अपने आस-पास नज़र डालिए।
Where is Rome and where is Greece? Can you find today anywhere the Italy of Gibbon, orrather the ancient Rome, for Rome was Italy?
रोम कहाँ है और ग्रीस कहाँ? क्या आज आप कहीं गिब्बन का इटली, या यूँ कहें कि प्राचीन रोम, क्योंकि रोम ही इटली था, ढूँढ़ सकते हैं?
18. Go to Greece. Where is the world-famous Attic civilization? Then coming to India, let one go through the most ancient records and then look around you and you would be constrained to say, "yes, I see here ancient India still living".
ग्रीस जाइए। विश्व प्रसिद्ध एटिक सभ्यता कहाँ है? फिर भारत आकर, प्राचीनतम अभिलेखों को देखिए और अपने चारों ओर देखिए, आप कहेंगे, "हाँ, मैं यहाँ प्राचीन भारत को अभी भी जीवित देख रहा हूँ।"
19. True, there were dungheaps, too, here and there, but there are rich treasures buried under them. And the reason why it has survived is that the end which Hinduism set before it was not development along material but spiritual lines.
सच है, यहाँ-वहाँ कूड़े के ढेर भी थे, लेकिन उनके नीचे गड़ा हुआ खजाना है। और उसके बचे रहने का कारण यह है कि हिंदू धर्म ने अपने सामने जो लक्ष्य रखा था, वह भौतिक नहीं, बल्कि आध्यात्मिक विकास था।
20. Our civilization, our culture, our Swaraj depend not upon multiplying our wants- self-indulgence, but upon restricting wants - self denial.
हमारी सभ्यता, हमारी संस्कृति, हमारा स्वराज हमारी इच्छाओं को बढ़ाने - आत्म-भोग - पर नहीं, बल्कि इच्छाओं को सीमित करने - आत्म-त्याग - पर निर्भर करता है।
21. European civilization is, no doubt, suited for the Europeans but it will mean ruin for India if we endeavour to copy it.
यूरोपीय सभ्यता निस्संदेह यूरोपीय लोगों के लिए उपयुक्त है, लेकिन यदि हम इसकी नकल करने का प्रयास करेंगे तो यह भारत के लिए विनाश का कारण होगा।
This is not to say that we may not adopt and assimilate whatever may be good and capable of assimilation by us, as it does not also mean that even the Europeans will not have to part with whateverevil might have crept into it.
इसका यह अर्थ नहीं है कि हम जो कुछ भी अच्छा है और जिसे हम आत्मसात कर सकते हैं, उसे अपनाएं और आत्मसात न करें, क्योंकि इसका यह भी अर्थ नहीं है कि यूरोपीय लोगों को भी उसमें जो भी बुराई घुस आई है, उसे छोड़ना नहीं पड़ेगा।
22. The incessant search for material comforts and their multiplication is such an evil and I make bold to say that the Europeans themselves will have to remodel their outlook, if they are not to perish under the weight of the comforts to which they are becoming slaves.
भौतिक सुख-सुविधाओं की निरंतर खोज और उनकी वृद्धि एक ऐसी बुराई है और मैं यह कहने का साहस करता हूँ कि यदि यूरोपीय लोगों को उन सुख-सुविधाओं के बोझ तले दबकर नष्ट नहीं होना है जिनके वे गुलाम बनते जा रहे हैं, तो उन्हें स्वयं अपने दृष्टिकोण में परिवर्तन लाना होगा।
It may be that my reading is wrong, but I know that for India to run after the Golden Fleece is to court certain death. Let us engrave on our hearts the motto of a Western philosopher: "Plain living and high thinking".
हो सकता है कि मेरी समझ ग़लत हो, लेकिन मैं जानता हूँ कि भारत के लिए स्वर्ण ऊन के पीछे भागना निश्चित मृत्यु को आमंत्रित करना है। आइए हम अपने हृदय में एक पश्चिमी दार्शनिक का आदर्श वाक्य अंकित करें: "सादा जीवन और उच्च विचार"।
Today it is certain that the millions cannot have high living and we the few, who profess to do the thinking for the masses, run the risk, in a vain search after high living, of missing high thinking.
आज यह निश्चित है कि लाखों लोग उच्च जीवन नहीं जी सकते और हम, जो कुछ लोग हैं, जो आम जनता के लिए सोचने का दावा करते हैं, उच्च जीवन की व्यर्थ खोज में, उच्च विचार से वंचित होने का जोखिम उठाते हैं।
23. Civilization, in the real sense of the term, consists not in the multiplication, but in the deliberate and voluntary restriction of wants. This alone increases and promotes contentment, real happiness and capacity for service.
सभ्यता, शब्द के वास्तविक अर्थ में, आवश्यकताओं के गुणन में नहीं, बल्कि जानबूझकर और स्वैच्छिक प्रतिबंध में निहित है। केवल यही संतोष, वास्तविक सुख और सेवा की क्षमता को बढ़ाता और बढ़ावा देता है।
24. A certain degree of physical harmony and comfort is necessary butabove a certain level it becomes a hindrance instead of help. Therefore, the ideal of creating an unlimited number ofwants and satisfying them seems to be a delusion and a snare.
एक हद तक शारीरिक सामंजस्य और सुख-सुविधा ज़रूरी है, लेकिन एक हद से ज़्यादा यह मदद की बजाय रुकावट बन जाती है। इसलिए, असीमित इच्छाएँ पैदा करके उन्हें संतुष्ट करने का आदर्श एक भ्रम और जाल सा लगता है।
The satisfaction of one's physical needs, even the intellectual needs of one's narrow self, must meet at a certain point a dead stop, before it degenerates into physical and intellectual voluptuousness.
किसी की शारीरिक आवश्यकताओं की संतुष्टि, यहाँ तक कि किसी की संकीर्ण आत्म की बौद्धिक आवश्यकताओं की संतुष्टि को भी एक निश्चित बिंदु पर रुक जाना चाहिए, इससे पहले कि वह शारीरिक और बौद्धिक कामुकता में बदल जाए।
A man must arrange his physical and cultural circumstances so that they do not hinder him in his service of humanity on which all his energies should be concentrated.
मनुष्य को अपनी भौतिक और सांस्कृतिक परिस्थितियों को इस प्रकार व्यवस्थित करना चाहिए कि वे मानवता की सेवा में बाधा न बनें, जिस पर उसकी सारी ऊर्जा केंद्रित होनी चाहिए।
Chapter 1 Solutions Questions and Answers
A. Answer the following questions orally:
Q1. What do you know about Gandhiji?
Answer - we know Gandhiji as Bapu and as Mahatma. He is called Bapu because he was the father of the nation. He is called Mahatma because he was a great soul or saint. Gandhiji was the leader of the Indian nationalist movement against the British rule. He adopted Satyagraha and nonviolence to achieve all his objectives. In the beginning Gandhiji worked in South Africa where he went to jail several times for protesting against the ill-treatment to Indians there. Gandhiji’s struggle was long, hard but peaceful. In 1942 Gandhiji-led Congress began the Quit India Movement which ultimately paved the way to India’s independence. The world has recognised the worth of his methods of Satyagraha and non-violence. He has been declared as the Man of Millennium.
Q2. What did Gandhi do for the farmers in Bihar?
Answer - It was indigo-peasant’s problems that brought Gandhiji to Champaran in 1917. The British landlords owned large estates in Champaran. Indigo farming was profitable for them but irksome for their Indian peasants. The British landlords were exploiting the poor fanners who lived in constant fear of them. Gandhiji visited Champaran, studied their problems, and fought for their cause. He started a sort of non-violent movement. The farmers of Champaran rallied round him. Gandhi freed them from both exploitation and fear of the British rulers.
Q3 What do you understand by civilization and culture?
Answer - Civilization is the state of development of a people. Their social, political, legal organisation are parts of their civilization. Culture is all the customs, beliefs and ways of living inherited by them. Civilization and culture, in fact, go hand in hand.
Q4.What do our holy scriptures tell us about universal human values?
Answer - Our holy scriptures tell us about truth and sacrifice. They tell us that true happiness lies in spiritual persuits rather than in materialistic ones.
B.1. 1.Complete the following sentences on the basis of what you have studied:
a) India's glory is that it ..........
b) The charge against India is that ..........
c) We dare not change what ............
d) Our ancestors set a limit to our indulgences because ..........
e) Our forefathers did not invent machinery because ...............
Answer : -
(a) is immovable.
(b) her people are uncivilized, ignorant and stolid.
(c) we have tested and found hue on the anvil of experience.
(d) more we indulge in our passions, the more lunbridled they become.
(e) if we invented machinery, we would become slaves and lose our moral fibre.
B.1. 2. Answer the following questions briefly:
Q1. How is Indian civilization different from European civilization?
Answer - European civilization is guided by the writings of Greece and Rome, which no longer exist in their former glory. But Indian civilization is steady. It follows the path that our forefathers tested on the anvil of experience and found true and durable. Indian civilization needs no external guide.
Q2. Why does Gandhi say that 'mind is a restless bird'? What makes the mind restless?
Answer - Gandhiji says that mind is a restless bird because it is never satisfied. The more it gets the more it wants.
Q3. Why did our ancestors dissuade us from luxuries and pleasures? Did they do the right thing?
Answer - Our ancestors dissuaded us from luxuries and pleasures because they do not lead to happiness. The more one indulges in them, the more dissatisfied one becomes. Our ancestors did the right thing because we find that even the rich people are unhappy, and many poor are happy. In fact happiness is a mental condition. It does not depend on wealth and possessions.
Q4. Why, according to Gandhi, have we stuck with the same kind of plough as existed thousands of years ago? Should we do the same thing even today?
Answer - According to Gandhiji we stuck to the plough that existed thousands of years ago because we did not want tp indulge in competition. We were content with our simple ways of life. Health and happiness come through the use of our hands and feet. But I don’t think it will be right to do the same thing today. We cannot feed our one billion population if we used the same old plough today. Besides, our very existence in the modem world would be almost impossible.
Q5. How did our ancestors view large cities? Why were they satisfied with small villages?
Answer - Our ancestors could foresee the vices that are bound to flourish in big cities. They knew that gangs of thieves and robbers, prostitution and other vices flourish in big cities, and the rich rob the poor. They were, therefore, satisfied with small villages.
Q6. How did our ancestors enjoy true 'Home Rule'?
Answer - Our ancestors followed their simple occupations and lived independently. Thus they enjoyed true Home Rule.
B. 2. Answer the following questions briefly
Q1. What, according to the author, is modern civilization?
Ans - According to Gandhiji modem civilization is the worship of materialism and violence and brutality.
Q2. What did the author convey to the countrymen about dealing
with modern civilization?
Ans - Gandhiji points out that the tendency of Indian civilization is to elevate the moral being, but that of the western civilization is to propagate immortality. He asked his countrymen to cling to their civilization, but shun the modem civilization at all costs.
Q3. What is the distinguished characteristic of modern civilization?
Ans - According to Gandhiji indefinite multiplicity of human wants is the distinguishing characteristic of modem civilization.
Q4. The author perceived danger from modern inventions. How?
Ans - Gandhiji believed that the inventions of modem civilization were too maddening to resist They could give. If they are not resisted, we would barter our permanent good for momentary leasure.
Q5. What does the author prefer to materialism?
Ans - The author prefers spiritualism to materialism.
Q6. What does our civilization depend upon?
Ans - Our civilization depends not on multiplying our demands; but on restricting them.
Q7. What is civilization in the real sense of the term?
Ans - In the real sense of the term, civilization means deliberate, voluntary restriction of wants.
C. 1. Long Answer Questions
Q1. 'I BELIEVE that the civilization India has evolved is not to be beaten in the world.' What does Gandhi mean by this statement? Do you subscribe to his views?
Ans - Gandhiji is of the firm view that the civilization India has evolved is founded on firm grounds. Our ancestors tested it on the anvil of their experience and found it to be true. The civilization of India has withstood the test of time. Egypt we a great and powerful civilization. It has lost its glory. It no longer exists. Same is the case with the great Roman and Greek civilization. They have lost their former glory. Japan has westernised. The people of Europe are inspired by Greek and Roman writers, and believe that they will be able to steer clear of the mistakes those people made. But Gandhiji does not hope that they will be able to do so.
About the Indian civilization, Gandhiji says that people of the world think that the people of India are not willing to adept themselves to new ideas. But Gandhiji does not consider it a fault. It is our merit because our civilization is perfect and lasting. We need nobody’s guidance. I subscribe to Gandhiji’s viewpoint. The civilization of India is thousands of years old, and is still going strong. The philosophy of our ancestors propounded is ingrained in our blood. But, I think, Indian civilization is flexible. It can easily assimilate ideas from other civilizations, and still can march ahead with great vigour. That is the beauty and merit of Indian civilization.
Q2. 'We notice that the mind is a restless bird, the more it gets the more it wants, and still remains unsatisfied.' Pick out other metaphors used in the lesson. How do these metaphors help Gandhiji in persuading the readers?
Ans - Besides, the metaphor that ‘the mind is a restless bird’, Gandhiji has used a few more metaphors. They have not only embellished the language, but have added force of persuation also. We can imagine a bird. It feeds and feeds, and still is dissatisfied. Being a bird, it flies is search of more and more food. Such is our mind. It flies like a dissatisfied and hungry bird. It craves for more and more, and is never satisfied. This metaphor makes the subtle idea of human dissatisfaction so easy to understand. Every reader can imagine and can understand it. Then Gandhiji has used another metaphor.
‘We have tested and found it true on the anvil of experience.’ We can imagine a blacksmith hammering a piece on the anvil. If anything is solid and well formed it will not break. So is our civilization. How easy it is to understand it. Gandhiji also says that our old and tested civilization is the sheet anchor of our hope’. This is a beautiful metaphor. A large ship on the sea is steadied by her sheet anchor in the face of a storm. Through this metaphor Gandhiji has forcefully conveyed to us that it is only our civilization that can help us to survive and face all sorts of misfortunes and troubles.
Gandhiji calls big cities snares. This metaphor too is very easy to comprehend. As poor animals are caught with snares, so the innocent and poor people are trapped by vices and cunning people in cities. So we should avoid big cities.
Q3. 'A man is not necessarily happy because he is rich, or unhappy because he is poor. The rich are often seen to be unhappy, the poor to be happy.' What, according to Gandhi, holds key to real happiness? How does Gandhi define 'happiness'?
Ans - According to Gandhiji, happiness is a state of mind. Wealth and luxuries do not make a man happy. The wealthy are not always happy and the poor are not always unhappy. Luxuries and comforts often become a burden and cause physical and mental pain. People who work enjoy better health and happiness than those who are slaves to machines and others. By multiplying our desires we become less and less happy. That is why our ancestors put a limit on our indulgence. Self-restraint is the key to happiness.
Q4. Why did our ancestors feel satisfied with small villages? Did they do the right thing? Will it be wise today to follow our ancestors in this connection? Give your own view.
Ans - Our ancestors believed in simple living and high thinking. They knew that if we run after materialistic things, we will lose our moral fiber. I They deliberately did not invent machines. People lived in small villages, and followed their respective occupations and earned a regular wage. Life in villages was free from competition. The ancestors knew the evils of city life. There are vices like gambling and prostitution. There is exploitation. I rich exploit the poor. There are robbers and thieves. Villages were free from I these vices arid evils. So they were satisfied with small villages. I think they did the right thing.
Today we see that more and more people are coming to cities. There is overcrowding. People get no water to drink, and no proper houses to live in. Slums are coming up very fast. People live in inhuman conditions. All the evils and vices that Gandhiji mentioned are there. The people are coming to cities on account of two things. Firstly, there are fewer opportunities in villages. People do not get employment. Traditional | occupations are no longer helpful. Secondly, it is the glamour of city life that brings people there. They are soon disillusioned but they cannot go back to their villagers. Even today, we need to correct it. We should develop villages so that people can earn a respectable living. Then people will not think of flocking to cities.
Q5. Discuss the negative features of western civilization.
Ans - The western civilization laid more stress on materialistic progress than spiritual enlightenment. They spent their energy on physical discoveries. t They have tried, and at that successfully, to bring physical comforts. Indeed their scientific discoveries and inventions are dazzling. Today the whole
world feels indebated to the west for making their lives comfortable. But all these discoveries have almost totally ignored the soul of man. The result is that demand for physical comforts is endless. This is increasing burden on our “planet. Search for material gain has fuelled man’s greed. The people in the developed countries have become more and more deperident on machines. The earth is unable to meet their insatiable demands«.Now the scientists in the west paint a bleak future of mankind. Pollution, global warming, depletion of ozone layer, and thousands of other such problems threaten our planet. The multiplying demands of the western civilization are responsible for this chaos.
Q6. What is the essential difference between the Indian civilization and the Western civilization? How is our civilization superior to the Western civilization?
Ans - The essential difference between the Indian civilization and western civilization is of a kind and not of degree. The essential difference is the same as between body and soil., between material and the spirit. The western civilization is in search of endless pleasure, the Indian civilization sets a limit to indulgence. The western civilization has made discoveries to find physical comforts; the Indian civilization has sought to discover the true nature of the soul and the eternal bliss. Indian philosophers discovered that soul is more important than body, so their discoveries have found ways to
elevate the mind and the spirit. But western civilization ignored this aspect altogether. They found comforts and luxuries. Naturally, our civilization is superior because there is no limit to physical comforts. Rather, after a certain stage, they are more burdensome than enjoyable. The more comforts and luxuries we have, the more we crave for. We found no happiness. But by a voluntary restrain on indulgence in passions, we can find true happiness.
Q7. A certain degree of physical harmony and comfort is necessary but above a certain level it becomes a hindrance instead of help.' Elaborate.
Ans - Humans have both body and soul. No doubt soul is more important. It dwells in the body. But without the body, the soul cannot achieve anything. If we want to elevate our spirit, we need to work hard for it. If we want to serve humanity, we cannot do so unless our body is strong and has some degree of comfort. If we are uncomfortable, we cannot make the best use of our physical energy. So a degree of physical comfort is essential. But to be slave to comforts and pleasures will degrade us morally. Indeed there should be a degree of physical harmony and comfort. But indulgence in passions without restraint will become a burden and hindrance. Man will not be able to do good to himself or to society.
C. 2. GROUP DISCUSSION
Discuss the following in groups or pairs:
Q1. Truth and non-violence have been the biggest weapons of mankind.
Ans - There have been great wars in which most deadly weapons were used. Millions of people were killed and cities were destroyed. But those wars could not achieve anything. They could kill and captivate people, but could not win a single soul. But there have been some people like the Buddha and Christ. They used not a single weapon. They killed nobody. They destroyed no homes. But they have conquered empires and mle over the hearts of millions of people. Their weapon was the weapon of truth and love. Their empires are still intact. Gandhiji was a frail man. He was armed with a lathi which he never used even to threaten anybody. He led armies of unarmed men and stood against the bullets and lathis of the British police. Still he won. His weapon was the biggest weapon-truth and non-violence.
Q2. High thinking can not go alongside high living.
Ans - Exceptions may be found here and there, but it is generally true that high thinking cannot go alongside high living. Those who are given to high thinking find that living life of luxury is meaningless. Naturally they prefer to lead a simple life. Ourrishis and saints who have discovered ultimate truth led simple lives. But those who live in luxury have little time to think deeply. All the best literature, thought and philosophy in the world has come from people who led simple lives. No wealthy man has ever made great contribution to human throught. We have examples of people who renounced worldly possessions and led saintly lives. The Buddha gave up his kingdom and Tolstoy gave away his lands, and enriched the world with their wisdom.
उम्मीद है, आपको बिहार बोर्ड के इस अध्याय का सही और सटीक जानकारी इस वेबसाइट पर देखने को मिला होगा, जिससे आपको अपने पढाई की तैयारी में सही ढंग से मदद मिला होगा।
यदि आपको बिहार बोर्ड कक्षा 12th के इंग्लिश बुक से सम्बंधित कोई समस्या आती है, तो आप हमें कमेंट के माध्यम से पुछ सकते है, हम आपको इसका जबाब जरुर देंगे। आपका बहुत - बहुत धन्यवाद।
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❤️धन्यवाद Team SRC ❤️
