What is Hinduism?

by Mahatma Gandhi

What is Hinduism?

If were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: Search after Truth through non-violent means. A man may not believe even in God and still call himself a Hindu. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after Truth and if today it has become moribund, inactive, irresponsive to growth, it is because we are fatigued and as soon as the fatigue is over Hinduism will burst forth upon the world with a brilliance perhaps unknown before. Hinduism is the most tolerant of all religions. Its creed is all embracing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Hinduism, India, Religion, Spirituality

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.

The son of a senior government official, Gandhi was born and raised in a Hindu Bania community in coastal Gujarat, and trained in law in London. Gandhi became famous by fighting for the civil rights of Muslim and Hindu Indians in South Africa, using new techniques of non-violent civil disobedience that he developed. Returning to India in 1915, he set about organizing peasants to protest excessive land-taxes. A lifelong opponent of "communalism" (i.e. basing politics on religion) he reached out widely to all religious groups. He became a leader of Muslims protesting the declining status of the Caliphate. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, increasing economic self-reliance, and above all for achieving Swaraj—the independence of India from British domination. His spiritual teacher was the Jain philosopher/poet Shrimad Rajchandra.

Reviews

[Riku Sayuj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before Hinduism Met Nationalism:

Hinduism is a growth of ages. The very name, Hinduism, was given to the religion of the people of Hindustan by foreigners. Much of the modern sectarian notions of Hinduism has arisen since those days of what is dubbed as the “Divide & Rule” policy, etc that widened the rifts. Gandhi’s eloquent words might sound comical today in light of events that have transpired since in the name of religion but we can still read them to think of the potential that was:

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“Hinduism is not a religion but a way of Life - The beauty of Hinduism lies in its all embracing inclusiveness. Hinduism tells every one to worship God according to his own faith or dharma, and so it lives in peace with all the religions. Its freedom from dogma makes a forcible appeal to me inasmuch as it gives the votary the largest scope for self-expression.

Non-violence is common to all religions, but it has found the highest expression and application in Hinduism.”

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This short book is a collection of Gandhiji’s letters, speeches and articles; articles included in this selection are drawn mainly from Gandhiji's contributions to Young India, the Harijan and the Navajivan. Even though these contributions were written on different occasions, they present a useful glimpse of his rich understanding of Hindu Dharma.

A Few Representative Excerpts:

It is the good fortune or the misfortune of Hinduism that it has no official creed. In order therefore to protect myself against any misunderstanding I have said Truth and Non-violence is my creed. 

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A man may not believe even in God and still he may call himself a Hindu.

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Believing as I do in the influence of heredity, being born in a Hindu family, I have remained a Hindu. I should reject it, if I found it inconsistent with my moral sense or my spiritual growth. On examination I have found it to be the most tolerant of all religions known to me. Its freedom from dogma makes a forcible appeal to me inasmuch as it gives the votary the largest scope for self-expression. Not being an exclusive religion, it enables the followers of that faith not merely to respect all the other religions, but it also enables them to admire, and assimilate whatever may be good in the other faiths. 

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I do not regard Jainism or Buddhism as separate from Hinduism.

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The reader will note that I have purposely refrained from using the word divine origin in reference to the Vedas or any other scriptures. For I do not believe in the exclusive divinity of the Vedas. I believe the Bible, the Quran, and the Zend Avesta to be as much divinely inspired as the Vedas. My belief in the Hindu scriptures does not require me to accept every word and every verse as divinely inspired. Nor do I claim to have any first-hand knowledge of these wonderful books.

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I do most emphatically repudiate the claim (if they advance any such) of the present Shankaracharyas and smritis to give a correct interpretation of the Hindu scriptures. On the contrary I believe that our present knowledge of these books is in a most chaotic state.

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I know the vice that is going on today in all the great Hindu shrines, but I love them in spite of their unspeakable failings. There is an interest which I take in them and which I take in no other. I am a reformer through and through. But my zeal never takes me to the rejection of any of the essential things of Hinduism.

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I am not a literalist. Therefore I try to understand the spirit of the various scriptures of the world. I apply the test of Truth and Ahimsa laid down by these very scriptures for interpretation. I reject what is inconsistent with that test, and I appropriate all that is consistent with it. The story of a shudra having been punished by Ramachandra for daring to learn the Vedas I reject as an interpolation. And in any event, I worship Rama, the perfect being of my conception, not a historical person facts about whose life may vary with the progress of new historical discoveries and researches. Tulsidas had nothing to do with the Rama of history. Judged by historical test, his Ramayana would be fit for the scrap heap. As a spiritual experience, his book is almost unrivaled at least for me. And then, too, I do not swear but every word that is to be found in so many editions published as the Ramayana of Tulsidas. It is the spirit running through the book that holds me spellbound.

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The Arya Samaj has, I think, copied the Christians in planning its propaganda. The modern method does not appeal to me. It has done more harm than good. Though regarded as a matter of the heart purely and one between the Maker and one- self, it has degenerated into an appeal to the selfish instinct. The Arya Samaj preacher is never so happy as when he is reviling other religions.

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The stories told in the Puranas are some of them most dangerous, if we do not know their bearing on the present conditions. The shastras would be death-traps if we were to regulate our conduct according to every detail given in them or according to that of the characters therein described. They help us only to define and argue out fundamental principles.

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We believe in the equality of all religions. I derive the greatest consolation from my reading of Tulsidas's Ramayana. I have also derived solace from the New Testament and the Quran. I don't approach them with a critical mind. They are to me as important as the Bhagawad Gita, though everything in the former may not appeal to me—everything in the Epistles of Paul for instance—nor everything in Tulsidas. 

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Whilst I believe that the principal books are inspired, they suffer from a process of double distillation. Firstly, they come through a human prophet, and then through the commentaries of interpreters. Nothing in them comes from God directly. Mathew may give one version of one text, and John may give another. I cannot surrender my reason whilst I subscribe to divine revelation. And above all, 'the letter killeth, the spirit giveth life.' 

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In the purest type of Hinduism a brahmana, an ant, an elephant and a dog-eater (shwapacha) are of the same status. And because our philosophy is so high, and we have failed to live up to it, that very philosophy today stinks in our nostrils. Hinduism insists on the brotherhood not only of all mankind but of all that lives. It is a conception which makes one giddy, but we have to work up to it. The moment we have restored real living equality between man and man, we shall be able to establish equality between man and the whole creation. When that day comes we shall have peace on earth and goodwill to men.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was pretty mind shifting overall. I thought I knew quite a lot about Ghandi but this swayed my thinking a little bit. Ghandi essentially explains what his understanding is of Hinduism and how that translates into an actual way of life. I guess his key philosophy is that you should live for the service of others. What I have always found very hard to understand and maybe Ghandi had his hands tied but arguably one of the greatest acolytes of mankind and devotees to the service of the others was present in a country that had one of the largest humanitarian disasters when train loads of Hindus and Muslims and Sikhs crossed the borders between newly formed India and Pakistan in around 1947. One of the greatest proponents of mankind could not stop one of the largest killings of mankind. Almost oxymoronish that statement right? My oldest friend is Hindu and I thought that I understood his religion but this book gave me some excellent insights into the religion and I have to admit that my respect for the it has gone up a great deal. Here are some of the best bits from the book and some of his quotes:
• “I believe that the bible, the Quran and the Zend Avesta to be as much divinely inspired as the Vedas” - Ghandi
• Hinduism is a religion which doesn’t try to proselytise like Christianity would have done or Islam. One of its key tenets is that it allows you to worship your own God according to your own rules and in that way in essence it is able to live with other religions. It has been able to successfully absorb many tribes into its fold as a result.
• “There is no religion other than truth. Truth is Rama, Narayana, Ishwara, Khuda, Allah, and God.”
• “Knowledge is limitless and so is the application of truth.”
• “Our sages taught us to learn one thing. As with the self so with the universe.” – love this and really agree with this. When the death of a leaf hits you you know you are getting to the realisation of this truth.
• Ghandi talks of his ultracrepidarian story about an artist who painted an amazing picture and encouraged individuals to come in and critique it by marking the spots that they didn’t like. Eventually over time the entire painting was painted with marks and yet it was a beautiful painting nevertheless as a whole. You cannot please everyone.
• Another very important part of Ghandi’s philosophy and one that is extremely relevant in today’s keeping up with the Jones’s type world we live in was the simple tenet of not coveting your neighbour’s possessions.
• “Satisfaction lies in the effort not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.” – love this quote

[Mariano · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an atheist, I felt the the book confirms certain thoughts I had on religion on the attitudes of Gandhi towards hindu scriptures and religion. That there has to be a great deal of cherry picking to clean what is actually written in holy scriptures. That good people interpret in positive ways the vague ideas that are interpreted in negative ways by other. That smart religious people are aware that their belief is not sustained by logic, but by their own will to belive (which is since as something positive).

All this was interesting to see from what Gandhi writes here, however, the most value of this book for me was to hear the thoughts of a great man on how he lead his life. It is inspiring to see the level of self determination, love, and compassion that ruled Gandhi's life. His great tolerance for the rest. His capacity to see good, to seek it and to invite others to do good.

This book is food for the soul, whatever that means.

[S.Ach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is no formal or structured introduction to Hinduism. These are just snippets of the 'great soul's' interpretations of various aspects of Hinduism, spiritual, philosophical and many a times - political, through his writings, speeches and letters.
Apart from his deep veneration of the all assimilating philosophical aspect of Hinduism that strives for a search of the ultimate truth amongst its many contradictory dogmas, one of the recurring theme of those writings is his relentless attack on the practice of 'untouchability', a curse of Hinduism, prevalent very much in pre-independent India. Can Mahatma be called a reformist, as well?

Humility sparkles from the writings of Gandhi. Never claiming to be a scholar or authority on Hinduism, (he says, "Nor do I consider myself fit to interpret Hinduism except through my own life.") he provides the nuances of the religion and its practice as a way of life, in a simple and easy to understand language. Some of his writings could borderline 'Hindu Nationalism', yet his attitude remains secular and humane throughout.
Mahatma is a course in himself. I remember his famous response when asked to give a message to the world, "my life is my message."

Read this book to understand the man and his thoughts around religion. Get another book, if your sole objective is to learn about Hinduism.

[Hrishikesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential read, especially for our turbulent times.

[Sunaygupta · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book which gives clear apprehension of what religions are meant for and how people have perceived them.

[Da · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, a nice little read that opens up minds to different aspects of Hinduism, through the eyes of Gandhiji.

[كيكه الوزير · Rating 2 out of 5]

What is [Gandhi's] Hinduism?

"It is the good fortune or the misfortune of Hinduism that it has no official creed. In order therefore to protect myself against any misunderstanding I have said Truth and Non-violence is my creed. If I were asked to define the Hindu creed I should simply say: search after Truth through non-violent means. A man may not believe even in God and still he may call himself a Hindu. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after truth and if today it has become moribund, inactive, irresponsive to growth, it is because we are fatigued; and as soon as the fatigue is over, Hinduism will burst forth upon the world with a brilliance perhaps unknown before. Of course, therefore, Hinduism is the most tolerant of all religions. Its creed is all-embracing."

Often rambling and incoherent, laced with wise phrases or paragraphs, most of the useful stuff is actually unrelated to Hinduism itself. This was probably the wrong book to start with in an effort to learn more about Hinduism, as there is a large array of vocabulary and stories that one should know before approaching.

[Neil Pasricha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt bad for Gandhi the other day. This book was sitting in the dollar bin outside a used bookstore and I picked it up thinking he deserved better than that. What is Hinduism? I’m glad you asked. This thin book is a series of short, clear essays he contributed to magazines throughout the 1920s with titles like “What is Hinduism?”, “Equality of Religions”, “Non-Violence”, and “God and Congress.” Considering how much I’ve seen and read about Gandhi it seemed high time I read some of his own words. I think in general if I notice myself reading about someone (or resonating with quotes from someone) over and over I should pick up one of their own books. New Life Policy.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of articles and speeches from Gandhi that provided an insight into his (very progressive) interpretation of Hinduism and his wider philosophy on life.

As someone with only an nascent understanding of Hinduism it provided a great introduction to how one can approach the scriptures and how to see them relative to other religions.

His writings also paint a picture of his attitude to life and what inspired his legacy of working to help others.

[Aarthi Swamy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt the book was a little difficult to grasp as the vocabulary was too tough for me and also many Sanskrit words were present for which the meaning wasn't provided.
Gandhiji's stand on untouchability can be understood and his knowledge on Gita and Vedas are reflected in the book.

[Souvik Khamrui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and Insightful

[Mahender Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gandhi on what is the essence of religion and what is the core of being a Hindu.
A necessary book in these times of bigotry and militarisation of religion.

[Dipanshu Rawal · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Today our eyes are dirty, thoughts dirtier and bodies dirtiest of all, because we are denying Hinduism"

These are not my words. These are the words of the famous peace leader Mahatma Gandhi.

His book "What is Hinduism?" is a collection of various articles he wrote in different newspapers about his beliefs and faiths in religion or God.

Despite having differences in basic ideology, I tried and read his second book. (The first being his autobiography- My experiments with Truth)

And this book is wonderful. Short articles like lessons make it easy to read. The level of English vocabulary is also better than a lot of Indian authors. (Maybe due to MK Gandhi's foreign education?)

Before you go and read this, let me tell you one thing. This book is intriguing. It's highly recommended if you want to think deeper. This is an amalgam where philosophy meets intelligence.

For those who don't know a single thing about Hinduism, must read this. If you want to start reading about Hinduism or religion, this is the book, my friend.

Let's see how beautifully he defines God. In his words,

I do dimly perceive that whilst everything around me is ever changing, ever dying, there is underlying all that change a living power that is changeless, that holds together, that creates, dissolves and recreates. That informing power or spirit is God.


There were innumerable instances where I disagreed with Gandhi's point of view.
For example, consider this-

What is truth? It's a difficult question, but I have solved it for myself by saying that it is what the voice within tells you.

He is a firm believer of truth. But his own definition of truth deceives me. This statement is highly subjective and apparently vague.

On the other hand, some statements over human minds are brilliantly delivered. For instances like this, I mentioned earlier about the philosophical brilliance of this book:

The heart accepts a conclusion for which the intellect subsequently finds the reasoning. Argument follows conviction. Man often finds reasons in support of whatever he does or wants to do.


All in all, if you want to think deeper, have a firm stand on anything in your life or want to explore Hinduism from a basic level, then, this book is for you.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells you Gandhi's personals beliefs and why Gandhi has those beliefs. I don't agree with some of Gandhi's beliefs but they are fascinating to read. Overall I give 4/5 stars.