Satyagraha or "The Truth Force"

Gandhi might not have been typecasted for the role but he took on the role as the spiritual and political leader as India fought for their independence. How did this little man "rev" up a country to fight for their freedom!

He did it in an entirely new way! He was a pioneer of satyagraha or "truth force". He preached a resistance to tyranny, and mass civil disobedience, but to do it in a totally non-violent way! It did not make sense to some people who were used to using brute force to get things done but Gandhi was convinced that it was the only way to accomplish his goal. The people believed in him and his words and they reached out to stand in protest in huge numbers.

He said that the goal of the drive for independence was to convert, not to coerce, the person who opposed it. The Indian people became believers for non-violence because, in the end, it worked for them.

Gandhi got a new title "Mahatma" or "Great Soul" and India got its independence because of this frail-looking one man. And his focus on non-violence inspired movements for civil rights and freedom around the world.

God saw beyond the obvious and found a person who was willing to find a new way!