Mahatma Gandhi 31 - Costly Gifts Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

After the Boer war,
The Indian Ambulance Corps was disbanded.
Gandhiji felt he needed a break -
To go back to his country - India!
Soon, farewell meetings were held
Pouring praise for Gandhiji's work!
Gandhiji accepted graciously
The warmth and love of his faithful supporters;
But was disturbed and confused,
By the costly gifts showered on him.


The gift articles comprised
Gold watches, gold chains, gold rings,
And silver wares too.
Gandhiji was overwhelmed by these gifts.
Elated, he certainly was not, but
Agitated, he surely was!
He spent a sleepless night
Pacing up and down, until,
He took a firm decision to return these gifts,
As it went against the principles that he was building up.


When the mind is attached to the glitter of ornaments,
Tempted by its dazzle and beauty,
Too difficult to remain detached, especially,
For most women of this world who love adornment.
When Kasturba was consulted on the gifts bestowed,
She argued back that jewellery was always an asset for a woman.
Her future daughters- in- law would need them.
Kasturba felt that whatever was given with love
Needed to be accepted graciously!
Absolutely right! Any woman would fully endorse this view.


Gandhiji, however, had an answer to these arguments.
He was training himself most diligently
To a life of selfless service!
And he wanted his wife and children too, to think likewise.
Service to others was by itself an award,
It does not require further gifts or medals.
The more one accumulates material belongings,
The more complicated life becomes.
Gandhiji aspired for a simple life- Not
Heaped with the burden of shimmering wealth!


The fresh morning had a firm decision taken,
Gandhiji drafted a letter to create a Trust
In favour of the community.
The gifts of gold and silver were to be returned
In aid of the poor and needy.
Rustomji and others were appointed as Trustees.
Gandhiji's children readily agreed to their father's decision
While Kasturba, had to be jointly persuaded by her husband and children.
The gifts received between 1896 and 1901 were all returned to the
Trust.
A Trust deed was prepared and gifts deposited in the bank.


Gandhiji never ever regretted
The decision taken!
Kasturba too, never regretted her acceptance
That was taken so reluctantly given.
As years passed by, Kasturba realised
The wisdom of that momentous decision!
To go hand in hand with her husband's decision was,
No more a compromise or mere adjustment,
But a firm conviction of
The right judgement taken by the self.


When costly and beautiful gifts are offered,
Man is generally tempted to receive them with glee.
Generosity of ‘Giving' is an art,
Humility of ‘Receiving', too, is an art!
But, if the gifts are given with an ulterior intention,
And, if the gifts are received as a compensation,
For the service rendered,
Then, the very purpose of the ‘Service', is
Rendered futile,
The act of nobility nullified!


‘Bhagavad Geeta' - The song of wisdom,
Makes a profound statement in Karma Yoga.
When one takes the ownership
Of the service rendered,
Then, the action gets evaporated,
The very goal of the ‘Service' defeated.
Man has to work sincerely, diligently and persistently,
For the sake of ‘Work' alone,
Without aspiring for its fruits,
Awards or rewards!