Mahatma Gandhi 9 - Kastur - A Spirited Girl Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon
Mahatma Gandhi 9 - Kastur - A Spirited Girl
Kastur did not go to school,
Had no formal education,
Yet, she was a brave girl
A spirited girl with a strong mind,
And a will of her own!
'She brooked no restrictions on her movement.
She made it a point to go out
whenever or wherever she liked! '
The more her husband restrained her actions
The more she took liberty.
Later on in life,
Gandhiji reflected:
'If I had the right to impose
Instructions on her,
Had she not also a similar right?
All this is clear to me today.
But at that time I had to make good
My authority as a husband! '
He clarifies that he wanted
To make his wife an ideal wife!
Gandhi's ambition to make Kastur
Live a pure life,
Learn what he had imbibed,
Identify her life and thought with his
Sometimes, resulted in bitter quarrels,
Followed by a refusal to speak to one another!
Kastur's thoughts, ideas, opinions
Or ambitions if any,
During these teenage years of marriage
Shall ever remain shrouded in mystery!
Kastur was a simple girl
Yet, independent by nature!
As a child, already married
As a teenager, already a mother,
Not an easy task
To meet the demands of a joint family;
Needed to develop extraordinary strength
And patience,
To brave the storm that was yet to be,
To live with a highly idealistic husband!
At the age of eighteen
Gandhiji left for England;
A long and healthy spell
Of separation from his wife;
Later, a call from South Africa
Took him away from his family,
Involved in serious issues,
When back in India
He had conquered his passions
To enjoy a celibate life!
As years passed and ripened,
Gandhiji had a firm objective,
A definite goal of freedom
Of Mother India!
Gandhiji found in Kasturba his perfect match,
She was not just a dutiful wife,
But a lady who staunchly stood by him,
Supported and shared,
Fighting for all his values,
That led to a meaningful life together.
Rajmohan Gandhi in his book ‘ 'A true story of a Man, his People and an Empire' writes: 'Mohan would also remember how he and Kastur sat on the wedding dais, took their seven steps, puts sweets into each other's mouths, and held each other's hands lovingly and for long.'
The more she took liberty.......Gandhi and Kastur a fine life.. as a young boy i read in his Autobiography how Gandhi and kasturby made together the vow of celibacy when they were still young. it impressed me a lot. today you write about Kasturba.. thank you Gita.. there should be poeple like you to praise such committed life as a perfect example of married life. thank u dear Gita. tony
This is an humble tribute to Kasturba, the wife and the soulmate of Gandhi. She remained a true companion of her husband until her last breath when she died at Agha Khan Palace, Pune, where they were incarcerated, on Feb 22,1944.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
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5/4/2024 11:07:43 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Gandhiji had a firm objective, A definite goal of freedom Of Mother India! Gandhiji found in Kasturba his perfect match, She was not just a dutiful wife, But a lady who staunchly stood by him, Supported and shared, Fighting for all his values, That led to a meaningful life together..........these lines express the best qualities of Kasturba. A beautiful poem on Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba having touching expression.10