Toward Self-Control

I have described in the last chapter how Kasturbai’s illness was instrumental in bringing about some changes in my diet. At a later stage more changes were introduced for the sake of supporting brahmacharya.

In the last chapter, I described how Kasturbai’s illness led to some changes in my diet. Later, I made more changes to support brahmacharya.

The first of these was the giving up of milk. It was from Raychandbhai that I first learnt that milk stimulated animal passion. Books on vegetarianism strengthened the idea, but so long as I had not taken the brahmacharya vow I could not make up my mind to forego milk. I had long realised that milk was not necessary for supporting the body, but it was not easy to give it up. While the necessity for avoiding milk in the interests of self-restraint was growing upon me, I happened to come across some literature from Calcutta describing the tortures to which cows and buffaloes were subjected by their keepers. This had a wonderful effect on me. I discussed it with Mr. Kallenbach.

The first of these was giving up milk. I first learned from Raychandbhai that milk stimulated sexual desire. Books on vegetarianism strengthened this idea. But until I took the brahmacharya vow, I could not bring myself to give up milk. I had long known that milk was not necessary to sustain the body, but it was not easy to give up. I was becoming more convinced that I needed to avoid milk in the interests of self-restraint. Then I came across some literature from Calcutta describing how keepers tortured cows and buffaloes. This had a powerful effect on me. I discussed it with Mr. Kallenbach.

Though I have introduced Mr. Kallenbach to the readers of the history of Satyagraha in South Africa, and referred to him in a previous chapter, I think it necessary to say something more about him here. We met quite by accident. He was a friend of Mr. Khan’s, and as the latter had discovered deep down in him a vein of other-worldiness he introduced him to me.

Though I introduced Mr. Kallenbach to readers of the history of Satyagraha in South Africa and mentioned him in an earlier chapter, I think I should say more about him here. We met quite by accident. He was a friend of Mr. Khan’s. Mr. Khan had noticed a deeply spiritual side to him, so he introduced him to me.

When I came to know him I was startled at his love of luxury and extravagance. But at our very first meeting, he asked searching questions concerning matters of religion. We incidentally talked of Gautama Buddha’s renunciation. Our acquaintance soon ripened into very close friendship, so much so that we thought alike, and he was convinced that he must carry out in his life the changes I was making in mine.

When I got to know him, I was startled by his love of luxury and extravagance. But at our very first meeting, he asked probing questions about religion. We also happened to talk about Gautama Buddha’s renunciation. We soon became very close friends and came to think alike. He became convinced that he must make the same changes in his life that I was making in mine.

At that time he was single, and was expending Rs. 1,200 monthly on himself, over and above house rent. Now he reduced himself to such simplicity that his expenses came to Rs. 120 per month. After the breaking up of my household and my first release from jail, we began to live together. It was a fairly hard life that we led.

At the time, he was single and spent Rs. 1,200 a month on himself, not counting rent. Then he adopted such a simple lifestyle that his expenses fell to Rs. 120 a month. After I broke up my household and was released from jail for the first time, we began living together. We led a fairly hard life.

It was during this time that we had the discussion about milk. Mr. Kallenbach said, ‘We constantly talk about the harmful effects of milk. Why then do not we give it up? It is certainly not necessary.’ I was agreeably surprised at the suggestion, which I warmly welcomed, and both of us pledged ourselves to abjure milk there and then. This was at Tolstoy Farm in the year 1912.

It was during this time that we discussed milk. Mr. Kallenbach said, ‘We constantly talk about the harmful effects of milk. Why don't we give it up, then? It certainly isn't necessary.’ I was pleasantly surprised by his suggestion and welcomed it warmly. We both promised to give up milk there and then. This happened at Tolstoy Farm in 1912.

But this denial was not enough to satisfy me. Soon after this I decided to live on a purely fruit diet, and that too composed of the cheapest fruit possible. Our ambition was to live the life of the poorest people.

But this self-denial was not enough to satisfy me. Soon afterward, I decided to eat only fruit, and the cheapest fruit possible. We wanted to live like the poorest people.

The fruit diet turned out to be very convenient also. Cooking was practically done away with. Raw groundnuts, bananas, dates, lemons, and olive oil composed our usual diet.

The fruit diet also turned out to be very convenient. We hardly had to cook. Our usual diet consisted of raw peanuts, bananas, dates, lemons, and olive oil.

I must here utter a warning for the aspirants of brahmacharya. Though I have made out an intimate connection between diet and brahmacharya, it is certain that mind is the principal thing. A mind consciously unclean cannot be cleansed by fasting. Modifications in diet have no effect on it. The concupiscence of the mind cannot be rooted out except by intense self-examination, surrender to God, and lastly grace. But there is an intimate connection between the mind and the body, and the carnal mind always lusts for delicacies and luxuries. To obviate this tendency dietetic restrictions and fasting would appear to be necessary. The carnal mind instead of controlling the senses becomes their slave, and therefore the body alwyas needs clean non-stimulating foods and periodical fasting.

I must offer a warning to those seeking to practice brahmacharya. Although I have shown a close connection between diet and brahmacharya, the mind is certainly the most important thing. Fasting cannot cleanse a mind that is knowingly impure. Changes in diet have no effect on such a mind. Mental lust can be rooted out only through intense self-examination, surrender to God, and finally, grace. But the mind and body are closely connected, and a mind ruled by bodily desires always craves rich foods and luxuries. To counter this tendency, dietary restrictions and fasting seem necessary. Instead of controlling the senses, such a mind becomes their slave. Therefore, the body always needs clean, non-stimulating food and regular fasting.

Those who make light of dietetic restrictions and fasting are as much in error as those who stake their all on them. My experience teaches me that for those whose minds are working towards self-restraint dietetic restrictions and fasting are very helpful. In fact without their help concupiscence cannot be completely rooted out of the mind.

Those who dismiss dietary restrictions and fasting are just as mistaken as those who stake everything on them. My experience has taught me that dietary restrictions and fasting are very helpful for people striving for self-restraint. In fact, without their help, sexual desire cannot be completely rooted out of the mind.