Sabarmati Ashram Constitution : first draftThis first draft of the constitution for Sabarmati Ashram was written by Gandhi. Gandhi then circulated it among those in residence with him at their temporary bungalow in Kochrab in 1915 for their input as they were forming their first intentional community in India. Gandhi also mailed this draft constitution to several potential residents in India, as well as potential patrons, for their feedback. The constitution went through several drafts in this collective process, before Gandhi and his coresidents ultimately arrived at the final form of the Sabarmati Ashram Constitution.
OBJECT
The object of the Ashram is to learn how to serve the motherland one’s whole life and to serve it.
CLASSES
The Ashram consists of three classes: Controllers, Novitiates and Students.
(1 ) CONTROLLERS
The Controllers believe that, in order to learn how to serve the country, the following observances should be enforced in their own lives and they have been trying to do so for some time.
- VOW OF TRUTH
It is not enough for a person under this vow that he does not ordinarily resort to untruth; such a person ought to know that no deception may be practised even for the good of the country. One should consider the example of PrahladPrahlad is a figure in classical Hindu mythology who is an example of steadfast devotion to the god Vishnu and dedication to the truth, in spite of suffering persecution at the hands of his own father, the demon-king Hiranyakashipu. in order to understand how one should behave towards elders such as parents in the interests of Truth.
- VOW OF NON-VIOLENCE
It is not enough to refrain from taking the life of any living being. He who has pledged himself to this vow may not kill even those whom he believes to be unjust; he may not be angry with them, he must love them; thus, he would oppose the tyranny whether of parents, governments or others, but will never kill or hurt the tyrant. The follower of truth and non-violence will offer satyagraha“Satyagraha” literally means “grasping on to truth.” This was Gandhi’s term for nonviolent civil disobedience, which he sometimes translated from Sanskrit into English as “truth force,” “soul force,” or (less commonly, for he did not see it as passive) “passive resistance.” against tyranny and win over the tyrant by love; he will not carry out the tyrant’s will but he will suffer punishment even unto death for disobeying his will until the tyrant himself is won over.
- VOW OF CELIBACY
It is well-nigh impossible to observe these two vows unless celibacy too is observed; and for this vow it is not enough that one does not look upon another woman with a lustful eye, one has so to control the animal passions that they will not be moved even in thought; if one is married, one will not have sexual intercourse even with one’s wife, but, regarding her as a friend, will establish with her a relationship of perfect purity.
- CONTROL OF THE PALATE
Until one has overcome the palate, it is difficult to observe the foregoing vows, more especially that of celibacy. Control of the palate should therefore be treated as a separate observance by one desirous of serving the country and, believing that eating is only for sustaining the body, one should regulate and purify one's diet day by day. Such a person will immediately, or gradually, as he can, leave off such articles of food as may tend to stimulate animal passions.
- VOW OF NON-STEALING
It is not enough not to steal what is commonly considered as other men’s property. One who has pledged himself to this vow should realize that Nature provides from day to day just enough and no more for one's daily needs by way of food and so hold it theft to use articles of food, dress, etc., which one does not really need and live accordingly.
- VOW OF NON-POSSESSION
It is not enough not to possess and keep much, but it is necessary not to keep anything which may not be absolutely necessary for the nourishment and protection of our body: thus, if one can do without chairs, one should do so. He who has taken this vow will always bear this in mind and endeavour to simplify his life more and more.
SUBSIDIARY OBSERVANCES
Two other vows follow from the foregoing.
- VOW OF SWADESHI“Swadeshi” refers to economic self-sufficiency or independence. Gandhi often linked this term to a constructive program of labor in village and cottage industries.
The person who has taken the vow of Swadeshi will never use articles which conceivably involve violation of truth in their manufacture or on the part of their manufacturers. It follows, for instance, that a votary of truth will not use articles manufactured in the mills of Manchester, Germany or India, for he cannot be sure that they involve no such violation of truth. Moreover, labourers suffer much in the mills. The generation of tremendous heat causes enormous destruction of life. Besides, the loss of workers’ lives in the manufacture of machines and of other creatures through excessive heat is something impossible to describe. Foreign cloth and cloth made by means of machinery are, therefore, tabooed to a votary of non-violence as they involve triple violence. Further reflection will show that the use of foreign cloth can be held to involve a breach of the vows of non-stealing and non-possession. We follow custom and, for better appearance, wear foreign cloth in preference to the cloth made on our own handlooms with so little effort. Artificial beautifying of the body is a hindrance to a brahmachariA “brahmachari” is a celibate, one who has taken a vow of celibacy or brahmacharya. and so, even from the point of view of that vow, machine-made cloth is taboo. Therefore, the vow of Swadeshi requires the use of simple clothing made on simple handlooms and stitched in simple style, foreign buttons, cuts, etc., being avoided. The same line of reasoning may be applied to all other articles.
- VOW OF FEARLESSNESS
He who is acted upon by fear can hardly observe the vows of truth, etc. The Controllers will, therefore, constantly endeavour to be free from the fear of kings or society, one’s caste or family, thieves, robbers, ferocious animals such as tigers, and even of death. One who observes the vow of fearlessness will defend himself or others by truth-force or soul-force.
MOTHER TONGUE
It is the belief of the Controllers that no nation or any group thereof can make real progress by abandoning its own language; they will, therefore, use their own language. As they desire to be on terms of intimacy with their brethren from all parts of India, they will also learn the chief Indian languages; as Sanskrit is a key to Indian languages, they will learn that too.
MANUAL WORK
The Controllers believe that body labour is a duty imposed by nature upon mankind. Such labour is the only means by which man may sustain himself; his mental and spiritual powers should be used for the common good only. As the vast majority in the world live on agriculture, the Controllers will always devote some part of their time to working on the land; when that is not possible, they will perform some other bodily labour.
WEAVING
The Controllers believe that one of the chief causes of poverty in the land is the virtual disappearance of spinning-wheels and handlooms. They will, therefore, make every effort to revive this industry by themselves weaving cloth on handlooms.
POLITICS
Politics, economic progress, etc., are not unconnected matters; knowing that they are all rooted in religion, the Controllers will make an effort to learn and teach politics, economics, social reform, etc., in a religious spirit and work in these fields with all the zeal that they can command.
(2) NOVITIATES
Those who are desirous of following the foregoing programme but are not able immediately to take the necessary vows may be admitted as Novitiates. It is obligatory upon them to conform to all the observances which are followed by Controllers the while that they are in the Ashram. They will acquire the status of Controllers when they are able to take the necessary vows for life.
(3) STUDENTS
- Any children, whether boys or girls, from four years and upwards may be admitted with the consent of their parents.
- Parents will have to surrender all control over their children.
- Children will not be permitted to visit their parents for any reason until the whole course of study is finished.
- Students will be taught to observe all the vows intended for the Controllers.
- They will receive instruction in religion, agriculture, handloom weaving and letters.
- Instruction in letters will be through the students’ own languages and will include History, Geography, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Economics, etc., the learning of Sanskrit, Hindi and at least one Dravidian language being obligatory.
- English will be taught as a second language.
- Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Devnagari and Gujarati scripts will be taught to all.
- The Controllers believe that the whole course will be completed in ten years. Upon reaching the age of majority, students will be given the option of taking the vows or retiring from the Ashram. This will make it possible for those to whom the programme has not commended itself to leave the Ashram.
- They will exercise this option at an age when they will require no assistance from their parents or guardians.
- Every endeavour will be made from the very beginning to see that, when they leave, they will be strong enough to have no fear what they would do for their maintenance.
- Grown-up persons also may be admitted as students.
- As a rule, everyone will wear the simplest and a uniform style of dress.
- Food will be simple. Chilies will be excluded altogether and generally no condiments will be used excepting salt, pepper and turmeric. Milk, ghee and other milk products being a hindrance to a celibate life and milk being often a cause of tuberculosis and having the same stimulating qualities as meat, they will be most sparingly used, if at all. Meals will be served thrice a day and will include dried and fresh fruits in liberal quantities. All inmates of the Ashram will be taught the general principles of hygiene.
- No holidays will be observed in this Ashram but, for one and a half days every week, the ordinary routine will be altered and everyone will have some time to attend to his private work.
- During three months in the year, those whose health permits it will be taken on a tour, on foot for the most part, of India.
- Nothing will be charged either from Students or Novitiates towards their monthly expenditure, but parents or the members themselves will be expected to contribute whatever they can towards the expenses of the Ashram.
MISCELLANEOUS
Administration of the Ashram will rest with a body of Controllers. The Chief Controller will have the right to decide whom to admit and to which category.
The expenses of the Ashram are being met from moneys already received by the Chief Controller or to be received from friends who may have some faith in the Ashram.
The Ashram is accommodated in two houses on the banks of the Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, on the road to Sarkhej across the Ellis Bridge.
It is expected that in a few months, about 250 acres of land will be acquired in the vicinity of Ahmedabad and the Ashram located thereon.
A REQUEST
Visitors are requested to observe all the Ashram rules during their stay there. Every endeavour will be made to make them comfortable; but the management will be thankful to them if they bring with them their bedding and utensils for meals, as the Ashram rules permit the stocking of only a minimum of articles.
Those parents who intend sending their children to the Ashram are advised to pay a visit to the Ashram. No boy or girl will be admitted before he or she has been duly tested.