The following speech was made by Gandhian economist, J.C. Kumarappa (1892-1960), at the time of Gandhi’s martyrdom on 30th January 1948. From time to time we shall publish here various writings of JCK, which we were not able to include in our J.C. Kumarappa Reader: “BACK TO BASICS,” which is due to be released shortly.
LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED
Humanly speaking a tragedy overtook the world when on 30th January Gandhiji was translated to the bosom of the Father. It is difficult to bring consolation to those still in the flesh, as it is hard to realise that the things unseen are more real than the things seen. The words uttered by Jesus two thousand years ago, when a similar incident was about to take place, ring in our ears. Jesus was crucified by the machinations of the leaders of a section of his own people as he was an unrelenting critic of their ways and customs. The words spoken when he was about to be tortured to death, have a special significance for us today.
“Peace I leave with you. Let not your heart be troubled. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because, I go unto the Father.” “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me and I will love and will manifest myself to him and my Father will love him.”
“Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples.”
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
“Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father, nor me.”
“Because, I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.” Verily, I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy, and your joy no man taketh from you.” The Comforter whom the Father will send—the Spirit of Truth—He will guide you into all truth.” The Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world; again I leave the world and go to the Father.”
Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.“
These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Gandhiji having shaken off his mortal coil representing all limitations of time and space, has now joined the Universal Spirit. May those of us who truly love him be given the grace and strength to follow in the trail blazoned forth by his life and actions.
If we dedicate our lives to the attainment of Gandhiji’s ideals we shall have much hard work if peace is to be brought to this world torn by communal dissensions, economic greed, and ambition for power, in an atmosphere surcharged with hatred and suspicion. But nothing is impossible for those who lay their trust in Him who is almighty. Shall we wipe away our tears and gird our loins and face the task before us with unrelenting faith in God and man to carry on the good work started by our immortal leader—Bapu.
(Gram Udyog Patrika, Feb. 1948)