Gandhi, Mohandas K.
Letter, signed, in Gujarati
£1,638
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 8 February 2023 at 10:00 GMT
Description
02/07/1946 (08760)
Letter dictated by Gandhi to an assistant, signed by Gandhi
From: Poona
To: Shri. Champa
Sevagram
'Chi. Champa, Received your letter dated 27/05/1946. If I start responding everyone secretly ("in private" - written by Gandhi) then there will be no end to it. And why should there be Secrecy? If you are deprived of vitality (Mental weakness) then it will come out some day, otherwise you will become a hypocrite. The Ashram is not a place for enjoying comfortable facilities. For that, go to some other place. I am not running the ashram myself. Hence, at the moment whatever Krishnachandra says you have to abide by that or else don’t stay there. You don’t become an ascetic (Nun), but at least become like an ordinary human being who does not make a show of her wealth or else forget my relation. You fall sick, for that you alone are responsible. I have been observing for a while that you do not have the right to eat Rice and Moong (Green Gram), that (which) you should know. Your diet is milk, boiled vegetables, fruit and curd. Additionally, when I arrive, till then if you are there in ashram then let me know.
Bapu’s Blessings'
17 x 15.3cm
Footnote
Note:
Gandhi responds to a critical letter about the Ashram written by Mrs Champa Mehta (daughter-in-law of his close friend, Dr. Pranjivan J. Mehta), vigorously rebutting her comments. He tells her upfront that he can't write personalised responses to everyone. A unique feature is a phrase 'deprived of vitality' written by his assistant that Gandhi altered to 'mental weakness'. He strongly asserts that the Ashram is not a place for worldly comforts and that people need to obey the rules enforced by Krishnachandra with discipline; otherwise they are not fit to stay. He asks her to put her acts straight or else forget the relationship (that of father - daughter). He recommends her a diet suitable for her intake due to her health issues. He also says that once he reaches the Ashram she can let him know if she stays till then (literally saying that she may leave if she wishes to and he couldn't care.)'
Gandhi & Dr. Pranjivan J.Mehta
Dr. Pranjivan J. Mehta and Gandhi met on 6th November 1888 while studying law in the United Kingdom at the Inner Temple, where they formed a life-long friendship.
In 1899 Dr Pranjivan J. Mehta moved to Rangoon, Myanmar (Burma) where he joined a family diamond and jewellery business, Maganlal Prinjivan & Co. In Burma Mehta was involved in the Burmese Nationalist movement and numerous social activities such as the Hindu social Club, and corresponded with Gandhi about their respective roles and strategies in societal betterment in South Africa and Burma respectively. Although they corresponded a great deal Dr Mehta had instructed Gandhi to destroy his letters after having been read. In 1909 Dr Mehta referred to Gandhi as 'Mahatma' for the first time in a letter to Gopal KJ. Gokhale, and in 1910 wrote a book on Gandhi entitled M.K. Gandhi and the South African Indian Problem.
In December 1915 Dr. Mehta attended the Bombay session of the Indian National Congress. He spent several weeks with Gandhi, and had the 'Lal Kothi' or 'Red Bungalow' built near the Sabarmati Ashram, with Gandhi overseeing its construction.
Mehta sponsored Gandhi's early freedom movement, the Sabarmati Ashram, and sent cheques to the value of 250,000 rupees for Gujarat Vidyapith between 1919-22. After suffering a major stroke in the mid 1920's he went to Europe for medical treatment and in 1926 travelled to India to plan the Salt Satyagraha and assist Gandhi in it. Gandhi visited Burma in 1929 and stayed at Mehta's home near the Shwedagon Pagoda. While in jail Gandhi had a premonition on 2 August that Mehta's latest illness would prove fatal. On 3rd August 1932 Mehta died at 9p.m. in Rangoon General Hospital. Gandhi, who had been in Yeravda jail since 4 January 1932, paid tribute to Dr. Mehta in a letter he sent to Narandas on 7th August 1932:
'If I were in the Ashram just now, I would have said a few words about this holy soul. He was my oldest friend... I saw Doctor continually progressing in such virtues as firmness of mind, courage, generosity, purity, love of truth, ahimsa and simplicity. Once he had made up his mind to do something, he would never change. His word, therefore, was trusted by people who had dealings with him. And he was always fearless... Doctor's liberality knew no bounds. His house was like a dharmasala. No deserving poor ever returned empty handed from him. He had helped and supported a number of people. There was no ostentation in his help. He never boasted about it. It knew no limits of caste or community or province... Doctor had enough wealth and to spare, but he was not proud of it. He spent very little of it on pleasures for himself... During the last many years of his life he loved brahmacharya. In his early life, Doctor had little interest in reading religious books, but in his later life his love for such books increased.... Doctor had scrupulously followed truth both in his business and his legal practice. I know that he had great hatred of falsehood and hypocrisy. His ahisma was visible on his face and could be read in his eyes, and it was becoming deeper day by day. Of course the atman in man never dies, but Doctor has become, through his virtues, immortal in a special sense.'
To Polak, who had known Mehta since 1909, Gandhi had written on 4 August 1932 'I have lost a lifelong faithful friend.' On the same day he wrote to Mehta's nephew, Manilal R. Jhaveri 'I know that all of you will feel the loss of Doctor. By my sorrow is particular. I had no greater friend than Doctor in this whole world.'
To Chhaganlal P. Mehta, Mehta's oldest son, Gandhi wrote: 'Your conduct henceforth should show to others that you understand the true significance of Doctor's death. His many virtues are his real will. They are your legacy. I hope you will do nothing which may make your younger brothers unhappy in the slightest degree. I feel unhappy that, at a time when my lifelong friend had passed away, I am as helpless as a cripple. If I had been free, I would be by your side now. Perhaps Doctor would have drawn his last breath in my lap. But God is ever jealous of our wishes.'