Fearlessness by MK Gandhi | Fearlessness | MK Gandhi | Mahatma Gandhi | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Critical Appreciation | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lesson

Every reader of the Gita knows, that fearlessness heads the list of the Divine Attributes enumerated in the 16th chapter. Whether this is merely due to the exigencies of metre, or whether the pride of place has been deliberately yielded to fearlessness, is more than I can say. In my opinion, however, fearlessness richly deserves the first rank assigned to it. For it is indispensable for the growth of the other noble qualities. How can one seek Truth, or cherish Love, without fearlessness ? As Pritam says, ‘the path of Hari (the Lord) is the path of the brave, not of cowards.’ Hari here means Truth, and the brave are those armed with fearlessness, not with the sword, the rifle and the like. These are taken up only by those who are possessed by fear.

Fearlessness connotes freedom from all external fear, fear of disease, bodily injury, and death, of dispossession, of losing one’s nearest and dearest, of losing reputation or giving offence, and so on. One who overcomes the fear of death does not surmount all other fears, as is commonly but erroneously supposed. Some of us do not fear death, but flee from the minor ills of life. Some are ready to die themselves, but cannot bear their loved ones being taken away from them. Some misers will put up with all this, will part even with their lives, but not their property; others will do any number of black deeds in order to uphold their supposed prestige. Some will swerve from the strait and narrow path, which lies clear before them, simply because they are afraid of incurring the world’s odium. The seeker after Truth must conquer all these fears. He should be ready to sacrifice his all in the quest of Truth, even as Harishchandra did. The story of Harishchandra may be only a parable; but every seeker will bear witness to its truth from his personal experience, and therefore that story is as precious as any historical fact.

Perfect fearlessness can be attained only by him who has realized the Supreme, as it implies freedom from delusions. One can always progress towards this goal by determined and constant endeavour, and by cultivating self-confidence.

As I have stated at the very outset, we must give up all external fears. But the internal foes we must always fear. We are rightly afraid of animal passion, anger, and the like. External fears cease of their own accord, when once we have conquered these traitors within the camp. All such fears revolve round the body as the centre, and will therefore disappear, as soon as we get rid of attachment for the body. We thus find, that all external fear is the baseless fabric of our own vision. Fear has no place in our hearts, when we have shaken off attachment for wealth, for family and for the body. ‘Enjoy* the things of the earth by renouncing them’ is a noble precept. Wealth, family and body will be there, just the same; we have only to change our attitude towards them. All these are not ours, but God’s. Nothing whatever in this world is ours. Even we ourselves are His. Why then should we entertain any fears ? The Upanishad therefore directs us ‘to give up attachment for things, while we enjoy them.’ That is to say, we must be interested in them, not as proprietors, but only as trustees. He, on whose behalf we hold them, will give us the strength and the weapons requisite for defending them against all usurpers. When we thus cease to be masters, and reduce ourselves to the rank of servants, humbler than the very dust under our feet, all fears will roll away like mists; we shall attain ineffable peace, and see Satyanarayan (the God of Truth) face to face.

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Summary

The essay highlights the importance of fearlessness, which is considered the most important quality in the Gita’s 16th chapter. This may be because fearlessness is essential for developing other virtues like truth and love. True bravery comes from fearlessness, not from weapons, which are used by those who are afraid.

Fearlessness means not being afraid of things like disease, injury, death, losing possessions, losing loved ones, or damaging one’s reputation. It’s not enough to just overcome the fear of death; one must also face the smaller fears in life. Some people can face death but struggle with losing loved ones or possessions. Others might do wrong things to maintain their social standing. To seek Truth, one must overcome all these fears and be ready to sacrifice everything, much like the story of Harishchandra, which, whether true or not, holds deep meaning for those on this quest.

Perfect fearlessness can only be achieved by those who have realized the Supreme Being, as it involves being free from delusions. This requires constant effort and self-confidence. To be fearless, one must first overcome internal fears like passion and anger. External fears are tied to attachment to the body, and once this attachment is overcome, those fears disappear. External fears are illusions that vanish when we let go of our attachment to wealth, family, and the body. The Upanishads teach that we should enjoy worldly things without being attached to them, seeing everything as God’s, not ours. By being trustees rather than owners, we can handle our responsibilities without fear.

When we let go of ownership and embrace humility, all fears fade away, leading to deep peace and a clear vision of the divine. The essay concludes that fearlessness is more than just not being afraid; it’s a profound spiritual state reached through detachment, humility, and understanding our true relationship with the divine.

Publication History

The essay “Fearlessness” is a piece written by Mahatma Gandhi, originally published in his journal “Young India.” Here’s an overview of its publication

Young India: Gandhi first published the essay “Fearlessness” in his journal “Young India” on December 4, 1924. “Young India” was a weekly journal that Gandhi used as a platform to communicate his ideas on non-violence, civil rights, and various social and political issues.

Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi:

The essay “Fearlessness” has been included in the “Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi” (CWMG), a comprehensive collection of Gandhi’s writings, speeches, and letters. This monumental series was compiled by the Government of India and is available in several volumes. The CWMG provides a reliable source for researchers and readers interested in Gandhi’s thoughts and writings.