So far, Mohandas had seen schools and a number of good or bad teachers. But he was yet to receive lessons in religion and spiritualism although he had seen the ritual acts of his mother.
His nurse mother Rambha filled up that gap. She was a woman of simple religious wisdom. Mohandas was very afraid of ghosts, apparitions, thieves and snakes. He had told about to a friend or he confided his mortal fears to the nurse mother because he respected and trusted her like real mother.
Rambha patted her ‘Monia’ and gave him the magic word that could shoo away all the fears. The magic word was the name of Hindu god ‘Ram’. Recite it and all your woes will be gone, she advised. Mohandas adopted the advice so sincerely that he fought all his battles with the strength of that three letter name and died saying it three times 67 years later.
His cousin brother also played some role in introducing him to the spiritual world. He too was ‘Rama’ devotee and often recited ‘Ramayana’. He inspired Mohandas to put his faith in ‘Rama’.
Mohandas met a miracle man named Lagha Maharaj about whom it was claimed that his leprosy was instantly cured by his devotion to God. He too asked Mohandas to read the story of ‘Rama’ told in the epic ‘Ramayana’ for the spiritual realisation.
On his own Mohandas read ‘Geeta’ and heard sermons on the various teaching of it. His house was frequented by Jain and Buddhist monks too. Perhaps, the message of non-violence he got from them.
These spiritual impressions played a big part in shaping his mindset. He didn’t accepts any blind faiths or miracle beliefs.
As he was no outgoing person, Mohandas ponded over various philosophies and processed some rough ideology for himself to be polished later on by harsh experiences of life and the cruel realities around. Who knew then that blundering dullard little Monia would one day shine as an apostle of peace and non-violence?
College ordeal
After passing matriculation examination Mohandas joined college at Bhavnagar. There were preferable colleges in Bombay but they were very expensive. Since the death of Karamchand Gandhi the financial condition of the family was not sound. So, Shyamaldas College of Bhavnagar was cheap option. But this back woods college too proved a challenge for Mohandas.
The lectures given by the professors were beyond the comprehension of Rajkot matriculate. He could not follow what the professors were saying in English. The atmosphere of the college was alien to Mohandas. He clearly felt something lacking in him. He was himself not keen to join the college. But the family wanted him to got college education to be able to carry on the family tradition of serving some state as its Deewan. Somehow he managed to complete one year in the college although he gained little. In the summer vacation he came home.
A friend of late Karamchand Gandhi named Bhavji happened to be staying at Gandhis as a guest. He was happy to see Mohandas. He enquired about his courses and the education when he was told that Mohandas was studying in Bhavnagar college. He knew the situations around.
He spoke, “This is not the age to get education in Bhavnagar college, Mohandas. It will get you nothing. You won’t become Deewan with Bhavnagar degree. You must go to England to become a Barrister.”
Since the failure of 1857 uprising the British had got firmly entrenched in India. English had become official language. All the vernacular languages were getting sidelined. Every where those who knew English were moving ahead and receiving all the importance and attention. Those who did not know English were getting left behind. And the best place to improve and learn English was England, of course.
The advice given to Mohandas was sensible. He also was realising that he must go to England if he wanted to make something out of himself. But he also knew that his mother won’t allow him to go to alien land that did not have faith in Hinduism. Others also thought so.
Bhavji interceded on behalf of Mohandas and argued with Putlibai for a long time. Although she didn’t clearly say ‘No’ yet she put off the matter saying, “What do I know? His uncle is alive. He should know.” The uncle of Mohandas was living in Porbandar while Putlibai family was at Rajkot. Mohandas hired a transport and went to Porbandar to consult his uncle on the same day.
He met his uncle and explained the matter to him. He was not very enthusiastic. He passed the buck back to Putlibai.
Then, Mohandas requested his uncle to write an introductory note to the British Administrator as he thought that the uncle being Deewan should be pulling some punch. But uncle had no such confidence in himself. He advised Mohandas to correspond with the Administrator himself. He suggested that mention of the family’s connection to Kings would do the trick.
It is not that the uncle didn’t want to help his nephew. He was infact a religious and orthodox person. He personally was not in favour of Mohandas going to England.
Instead of writing a letter, Mohandas for once spared his shyness and personally went to meet the Administrator. Somehow on that day he acted differently. He talked to the British officer without any hesitation but got no specific answer. The officer just said, “First graduate and then come to me. We shall see.”
So, there was nothing more to talk about.
Mohandas returned to Rajkot. He was still determined to go as soon as possible inspite of the discouragements.
He faced two major problems, one was the finance of thousands of rupees and another was getting the permission of mother.
His brother helped in solving the first problem. He arranged for the required sum of money. Then the mother agreed to his going to England.
Mohandas was not keen on Barristership. He wanted to become a doctor. But his brother told him that learning medicine was no way to the coveted post of State Deewan.
Although Putlibai gave her permission but she was apprehensive that her Monia would start drinking and eating flesh in England. To put her at ease Mohandas promised, “Before leaving for England I will take a pledge before you not do any such thing.”
Putlibai trusted the word of her Monia.
Then, orthodox mob objected. They issued a threat to Mohandas that he would be ostracized from the society if he undertook sea voyage. Hindu scriptures forbid crossing of seas. It was claimed that sea voyage was an act of religious sacrilege of the gravest kind.
But Mohandas never cared for such false narrow minded beliefs. He argued that he had given a word not to drink or eat flesh. What else religion expected? The orthodox people didn’t accept it and kept alive their warning. But Mohandas didn’t yield and departed.
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