Blood Kinship and Spiritual Kinship: M. K. Gandhi about reasons of Arjuna’s refusal to fight

The article deals with the problem of distinction between “relatives” and “strangers” in M. K. Gandhi’s philosophy. This question was raised the most evident in his interpretation of the first chapter of Bhagavad-Gita. Arjuna’s unwillingness to fight against his kinsmen is shown as the symbolical representation of common man’s incapacity to feel his spiritual connection with all people, including those, who are not his blood relatives. The thinker considers division of society into “relatives” and “strangers” as error, without overcoming of which one’s spiritual evolution is impossible. Understanding the last in Vedantic sense, Gandhi insists that it is necessary for each person to reveal his true “Self” (Atman) which is congenerous to Absolute (Brahman) as the inner essence of all existent. Gradually expanding the term “family” to all humanity, a person comprehends this way his internal closeness with people around him; and this helps him to feel his connection with all beings and with God Himself. Talking about this, Gandhi also deals with the problem of coordination one’s personal spiritual path with the interests and aspirations of his neighbors. The thinker insists on understanding love and friendship as a support for Other in growth of his soul, which is impossible without definite rigor to him. At the same time Gandhi claims that a person is free and have a right to break his family’s bounds if they turn into obstruction in his spiritual path. © 2019, Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.