I heard the inner voice that it was a historical
moment which must not be missed. I got my name enrolled in the corps of
satyagrahis of that region. I had to leave my house and go to the front offer
salt Satyagraha. The officials of the government and their propagandists had
spread rumors that there would be firing and people would be sentenced to long
imprisonments, including transportation for life, with a view to dissuading
them from taking part in this movement. All my friends, neighbors, family
members, relatives came to impress upon me that what I was contemplating to do
was a suicidal act. The matter got further aggravated and some relatives
threatened to go on fast and commit suicide. My mother, who was my guardian,
was tutored to get my name struck off as a co-inheritor(along with my brother)
of valuable ancestral property and get the names of other entered in my place.
My brothers said that none of them would have any relation with me and I would
not be allowed entry the house. I was threatened to got kidnapped and compelled
to live in the camps of dacoits.
I listened to all these threats calmly. The
question before me was: what should be
given precedence, pressure of the family
or the need of the times? I made my soil and God as witness and decided to act according to the 'still small voice
'from within.
In this context, the persecution of Prahlad
appeared before my eyes. I also recalled the story of Dhruva, the determination
of paravati and the life stories of innumerable great men, warriors, saints,
reformists and martyrs. None of the family members and relatives of these great
personages had supported them. They remained firmly committed to the call of
duty on the strength of their own spiritual discernment. I, therefore, became
indifferent to what worldly friends, neighbors' and relatives said or did. If
higher ideals are to be pursued one has to resolutely struggle against greed
and cravings.
Despite stiff opposition, I stealthily reached the
place which was indicated, launched satyagraha and courted arrest.
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