Satyagraha is a combination of two words – “Satya” = truth and “agraha” = insistence for something. Thus, Satyagraha translates into insistence for truth. The truth here refers to:
i) truth in speech
ii) truth in what is real, as opposed to something nonexistent and
iii) truth in what is good, as opposed to evil.
Gandhiji used this method of civil disobedience first in South Africa, and then later perfected it and used it in the Indian independence movement.
For Gandhiji, non-violence and satyagraha are intertwined and are the two sides of the same coin. In his words, “Ahimsa (non-violence) is the means whereas truth is the end.”
He strongly believed that “The weak cannot forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
All the satyagrahis are strong since they strive to forgive the enemies and wish to transform them or “purify” them; which imbues them with a moral and spiritual power rather than physical power.
He differentiated satyagraha from passive resistance with three key points:
i) satyagraha is the weapon of the strong, as opposed to passive resistance being a weapon of the weak.
ii) Satyagraha does not permit violence under any circumstances.
iii) Satyagraha lies on the premise of ever-insistence for truth.
The belief that ‘Man is intrinsically non-violent and all this violence is just a facade’ forms the core of non-violent satyagraha. Gandhiji drew from Buddhism and Jainism, both of which preach truth and non-violence, to spread this concept, and “to evoke the inherent goodness in Man”.
Additionally, Gandhiji’s concept of non-violent satyagraha also included principles and rules such as chastity, no stealing, control over the palate, respect for all religions, wearing khadi, abstaining from alcohol and being disciplined.
Gandhiji envisoned satyagraha as not only a tool for political struggle, but as a universal method to solve interpersonal conflicts as well, and he wanted every person to be taught this concept of non-violent satyagraha.
