The man who became a Mahatma continues to be an inspiration for generations to come. His autobiography; “the Story of My Experiments With Truth,” is a shining beacon that shows the way. It is a book that leads one from darkness to light, from untruth to truth, and from death to immortality. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation has indeed achieved immortality as he lives on in the hearts of the people of India and the world.

The Story of My Experiments With Truth

Mahatma Gandhi in his lifetime was a prolific writer. His wisdom and depth of understanding of the basic values and principles inherent to Indian culture, come through in his writings. His rich literary legacy ranges from commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita to simple letters written in his own hand that discuss complete truths. The Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad has a rich repository of his writings which includes over 50,000 rare books.

The most impactful of the literary legacy bequeathed by the Mahatma to the men and women of India must be the story of his own life and his experiments with Truth. His autobiography, “The Story of My Experiments With Truth.”

My Experiments With Truth – Mahatma Gandhi’s Autobiography

There are books and books. Some books entertain, and some educate. However, a few books have the power to change lives. One such book is the autobiography of one of the greatest men of the millennium, a man who traversed the journey from being ordinary and average to becoming a Mahatma in his own lifetime. The book is brutally honest and is Mahatma Gandhi’s objective look at himself and his transformation with all its pitfalls and triumphs.

Some Inspiring Incidents From The Story of My Experiments With Truth

Many of the incidents that Mahatma Gandhi, talks about in his book are part of the textbooks that students study in school. Here are some of the famous incidents from the book.

My Experiments With Truth – The School Inspector

This is one of the most famous incidents that Mahatma Gandhi describes in his book. Most of us have had this as a lesson in school. It underlines Mahatma Gandhis’s firm belief and conviction to adhering to the truth.

Mahatma Gandhi in his autobiography, says, “Mr Giles, the Educational Inspector, had come on a visit of inspection. He had set us five words to write as a spelling exercise. One of the words was ‘kettle’. I had misspelt it. The teacher tried to prompt me with the point of his boot, but I would not be prompted.

It was beyond me to see that he wanted me to copy the spelling from my neighbour’s slate, for I had thought that the teacher was there to supervise us against copying. The result was that all the boys, except myself, were found to have spelt every word correctly. Only I had been stupid.”

My Experiments With Truth – Stealing And Confession

Another heart-rending incident that Mahatma Gandhi describes with brutal honesty is that of his stealing from his brother. He describes how as a 15-year-old he stole a part of his brother’s golden amulet. However after the deed had been done, he was overcome with remorse. He wanted to confess his sin to his father, but was afraid to confront him, not because he feared the punishment, but because he could not bear to see the pain in his father’ eyes.

Mahatma Gandhi then decided to write a confession in which he begged his father’s forgiveness and also pledged that he would never steal in his life again. He himself handed the letter to his father. What happened next is best described in Mahatma Gandhi’s own words:

“He read it through, and pearl drops trickled down his cheeks, wetting the paper. For a moment he closed his eyes in thought and then tore up the note. He had sat up to read it. He again lay down. I also cried. I could see my father’s agony. If I were a painter I could draw a picture of the whole scene today. It is still so vivid in my mind.

Those pearl drops of love cleansed my heart and washed my sin away. Only he who has experienced such love can know what it is.”

My Experiments With Truth – Traveling First Class In South Africa

This is another famous incident that happened in South Africa when Mahatma Gandhi was a barrister there. The incident highlighted the racist discrimination that existed in South Africa in those times. Mahatma Gandhi had a First Class ticket and had settled in his berth. A “white,” passenger who came to the bogie saw the, “coloured,” Mahatma Gandhi in the First Class compartment, and complained to the Railway authorities.

The man who would one day be a Mahatma was unceremoniously bundled out of the train, and his baggage flung out after him. This incident was a turning point in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. It is worth reading Mahatma Gandhi’s own description of the incident and its impact on him.

“It was winter, and winter in the higher regions of South Africa is severely cold. Maritzburg being at a high altitude, the cold was extremely bitter. My overcoat was in my luggage, but I did not dare to ask for it lest I should be insulted again, so I sat and shivered. There was no light in the room. A passenger came in at about midnight and possibly wanted to talk to me.

But I was in no mood to talk. I began to think of my duty. Should I fight for my rights or go back to India, or should I go on to Pretoria without minding the insults, and return to India after finishing the case? It would be cowardice to run back to India without fulfilling my obligation. The hardship to which I was subjected was superficial – only a symptom of the deep disease of colour prejudice.

I should try, if possible, to root out the disease and suffer hardships in the process. Redress for wrongs I should seek only to the extent that would be necessary for the removal of the colour prejudice.
So I decided to take the next available train to Pretoria.”

Quick Facts About The Story of My Experiments With Truth

• The book was originally published as a series of weekly articles in the Gujarati journal Navjivan from 1925 to 1929
• The English version of these articles was also published in the English journal called Young India
• The original book in Gujarati was titled “Satya Na Prayogo athva Atmakatha”
• The original autobiography in Gujarati was translated into English by his personal secretary, Mahadev Haribhai Desai
• The book consists of 5 parts and 166 chapters

Though the Mahatma breathed his last, as he fell to an assassin’s bullet on January, 30th, 1948., in his own words, “my life is my message,” is his legacy to humanity. The Story of My Experiments With Truth, as mentioned earlier, is much more than a book. It is a complete guide that can change your entire perspective of life, and lead you towards a better life. Mahatma Gandhi’s message is embodied in his autobiography.

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