The Gita according to Gandhi 153

The Gita according to Gandhi -Mahadev Desai

The Four Varnas and Svadharma No, not even an enemy of Gita can misunderstand the content of knowledge. Whoever will misunderstand the famous verse in which St. John declared: "Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not"? For it is apparent to the meanest understanding that he who abideth in Him cannot bear to breathe anywhere else. Jnana is knowledge of Him in truth, and entering Him and abiding in Him (XI. 54; XVIII. 55). It is no intellectual or metaphysical jugglery, but a refinement of the whole soul by taking it through the fiery furnace of selfdiscipline. Metaphysical knowledge is necessary, but it is the beginning and not the end. "Life is different," says Dr. Radhakrishnan, "from the moment of insight. The vision of the One is the beginning of the process of conversion. The soul has seen, the mind must consent, and the heart approve. The new experience must control our whole being, the word recognized as true must become flesh.