Mahatma Gandhi
- Satyagraha,-
In the application of Satyagraha,
I discovered, in the earliest stages, that pursuit of Truth did not
admit of violence being inflicted on one's opponent, but that he must be
weaned from error by patience and sympathy. For, what appears to be
truth to the one may appear to be error to the other. And patience means
self-suffering. So the doctrine came to mean vindication of Truth, not
by infliction of suffering on the opponent but one's own self.
With satya combined with ahimsa, you can bring the world to your feet. Satyagraha in its essence is nothing but the introduction of truth and gentleness in the political, i.e., the national life
Satyagraha is a relentless search for truth and a determination to reach truth.
Although non-co-operation is one of the main weapons in the armoury of Satyagraha, it should not be forgotten that it is after all only a means to secure the co-operation of the opponent consistently with truth and justice. The essence of non-violent technique is that it seeks to liquidate antagonisms but not the antagonists themselves. In non-violent fight you have, to a certain measures, to conform to the tradition and conventions of the system you are pitted against. Avoidance of all relationship with the opposing power, therefore, can never be a Satyagrahi's object but transformation or purification of that relationship.
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