Dispassionate Love Is Central To Satyagraha

Pursuit of truth does not permit violence being inflicted on the opponent. On the contrary, the opponent is weaned from error with patience and sympathy.
The doctrine of satyagraha propounds vindication of truth not by infliction of suffering on the opponent but on oneself. Real suffering bravely borne, melts even a heart of stone.
Such is the potency of suffering. It is a means to secure cooperation of others consistently with truth and justice.
The essence of satyagraha is that it seeks to eliminate antagonisms without harming the antagonists themselves.
Satyagraha does not seek to end or destroy the relationship with opponents. Instead, it seeks to transform or purify it to a higher level.
The concept of satyagraha is built on three basic tenets — satya, ahimsa and tapasya. Satya or truth implies openness, honesty and fairness.
Each person's opinion and belief represents part of truth, and in order to see more of truth, there is need to share the truth.
Ahimsa means refusal to inflict injury on others. It follows from commitment to share truths, and is an expression of concern for respect and love for others.
Tapasya conveys willingness for self-sacrifice and patience. Endurance of suffering is a means to an end.
Martin Luther King, who followed Mahatma Gandhi's path of satyagraha during the civil rights movement in the US, described satyagraha as a silent or soul force, neither an act of cowardice nor a weapon of the weak.
King enunciated the six important principles of satyagraha. First, instead of physical aggressiveness, the mind and emotions are kept active, constantly seeking to persuade the opponent that he is mistaken.
Second, it does not humiliate the opponent but gains friendship and understanding. In the process, reconciliation is the result, not bitterness.
Third, satyagraha wages battle against the forces of evil and not individuals. Fourth, by accepting suffering, it opens up tremendous educational and transforming possibilities and becomes a powerful tool in changing the minds of opponents.
Fifth, humans have a cosmic companionship with God who is on the side of truth. Therefore, justice would occur in the future. And lastly, bitterness and hate are replaced with love.
Satyagraha is both a personal and social struggle to realise the truth, which is identified as God, the Absolute Morality. Central to satyagraha is passive love.
It is a love that is disinterested. It is a love that does not distinguish between worthy and unworthy people or friends and enemies.
It is a love that fulfils the need of another person. This love seeks to create and preserve community and is an effective instrument against the ills of society.
We are grappling in the vicious environment of competition and consumerism. Tension and conflict have become common. Community interest is largely replaced by self-interest.
The unfortunate outcomes have been that basics of humaneness are often trampled and morality has been denigrated as redundant.
It is time for us to introspect and reorient ourselves to understand and respect one another and live and let live.
It would, therefore, be meaningful to seriously reflect on the postulates of satyagraha and its philosophy. The best tribute in this centenary year of satyagraha would be to have determination for search of the truth, inculcate the principles of understanding, and internalise respect and love for others.
Satyagraha is a solution that could remove evils of present-day society and create a just society. We would then create a better world