ASHRAM OBSERVANCES IN ACTION : M. K. Gandhi, Translated from the original Gujarati by Valji Govind Desai

Published by : Navajivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad, India

Pages : 92 + 12

Price : INR 15/-

ISBN-81-7229-216-3.

About the Book:

A comprehensive, clear and succinct exposition of Ashram observances. Written between 1916 & 1932, the four works that make up vow and observances were written for Satyagraha Ashram, the religious community Mahatma Gandhi founded. In four parts addressing fundamental questions of life such as truth, love, work, and poverty, the writings are as relevant to modern readers as they were to their original audiences. His discussion of swadeshi, a principle of commitment to local economic activity with roots in ancient India, strikes an important contemporary chord as the world moves towards globalization.

Gandhi believed that character building on the part of every single individual is the only sure foundation for nation building. Students of his philosophy of life who would like to have an idea of his rule for self-culture would do well to first read appendices’ ‘A’ & ‘B’ in this book (pages 65-88), which are Gandhi’s last will and testament in so far as Ashram life is concerned.

It is a remarkable coincidence that like ‘Form Yervada Mandir’ this books shares with ‘The Pilgrims Progress’ the rare distinction of having been written in prison.