Everybody would agree that Albert Einstein is one of the greatest scientists that ever lived. In fact most would not even hesitate to say that he is the greatest scientist in history. The amazing thing about Einstein was that he did not use the usual scientific apparatuses which other scientists used. So when he started putting forward scientific propositions and theories, people first thought he was a self styled scientist without any credentials. But when his theories began to be proven right, he became a sensation and probably was treated like a science superstar everywhere he went.
Einstein was a German Jew and so when Hitler took over power in Germany, Einstein, being the most famous living Jew in the world at that time, was forced to migrate to the United States where he famously lived and breathed his last in 1955. His theories and propositions were so revolutionary and groundbreaking that it left the entire scientific world astounded and baffled until they were proven right. Thus it was no surprise that after his death, his brain was extracted out by scientists to determine what made it so special and so ahead of its time.
So, who do you think someone like Albert Einstein may consider as his idol or role model? In other words, was there anybody in the whole wide world who was able to impress, amaze or inspire someone like Albert Einstein himself (the brightest mind of the 20th century)? Normally one would think that it would be very difficult to impress someone like Einstein with all his mental caliber and inherent imaginations. And if Einstein would be impressed by anyone or anything, that person or thing would certainly have to be from the world of science itself because, after all, Albert Einstein is a great man of science and someone like him would not be impressed by anything that is outside of the arena of science.
So, normally, we would not be surprised if we learn that Einstein was impressed and inspired by someone like Charles Darwin who put forth one of the most famous and debated scientific theories. We would also not be surprised if we learn that he was impressed by someone like Galileo Galilee who studied the stars and the universe with his telescope. Likewise, we would also not be surprised if he was motivated by someone like Thomas Elva Edison who invented many things which we use today or by someone like Marie Curie who worked with chemicals in her laboratory. All these people are from the world of science and Albert Einstein being impressed by these great people would not come as a surprise.
But what if I tell you that Albert Einstein was not inspired by any one of these from the world of science (the discipline Albert Einstein loved so dearly and to which he contributed immensely). What if I tell you that the man who impressed Einstein the most was a simple unassuming man who walked around barefooted and scantily clad wearing self woven clothes holding a rough stick as his walking stick but fought steadfastly against the greatest imperial power. Yes, Albert Einstein was impressed by the life of this bald headed, skinny and spectacled man who had nothing to show off outwardly but was a fortress in himself inwardly.
The man who impressed, inspired and amazed Einstein (the greatest scientist of the 20th century) was none other than the great soul, Mahatma Gandhi. Albert Einstein and Gandhi belonged to two totally different worlds. While Einstein belonged to the world of science, Gandhi belonged to the world of politics, philosophy, spirituality and social service.
So, how is it that of all the remarkable persons in history, Einstein was totally swept off his feet by this nonviolent unarmed unassuming soul from India?
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in the coastal city of Porbandar (Gujarat) on 2nd October 1869. He studied in England to become a lawyer. After getting his law degree, Gandhi went to South Africa to practice where he saw firsthand the practice of Apartheid where everything was decided by the color of your skin. On one occasion Gandhi was thrown out of the train despite having a valid first class ticket just because he was not a white man. That episode was a turning point in Gandhi’s life and he decided not to ever surrender to injustice and oppression. Thus he championed the cause of the downtrodden and the oppressed while in South Africa.
Upon his return to India in 1915, Gandhi toured the country and saw with his own eyes what the Britishers were doing to his country and countrymen and he vowed to fight against colonialism and imperialism not with guns and bullets but with Ahimsa (nonviolence), non-cooperation and civil disobedience.
Gandhi was deeply influenced by the writings of the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy and he was also greatly touched and inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ especially the Sermon on the Mount. Though he was deeply inspired and touched by the teachings of the Bible and Christ Gandhi never abandoned his Hindu faith and remained a hardcore Hindu till his last breath.
Both Albert Einstein and Gandhi were towering figures of the 20th centuries. In fact they were both living legends of the first half of the 20th century and two of the most famous persons alive in the world at that time. Though they were from totally different worlds, they had mutual respect and admiration for each other. This indicates that the life and light of Mahatma Gandhi transcend worlds.
Gandhi and Einstein exchanged letters starting in 1931 when Einstein wrote to Gandhi expressing admiration for his nonviolent resistance, a wish for them to meet in person, and a desire for him to visit his ashram. Einstein then wrote to Gandhi again in 1939 for his 70th birthday, praising his unique and humane method of leading the struggle for liberation for his people. Einstein called Gandhi “the most enlightened of all the politicians of his time”. Both men were deeply inspired by each other’s work and views, with Einstein viewing Gandhi as a revolutionary leader and Gandhi seeing Einstein as a valuable ally in his peaceful struggle.
Gandhi was a Christ-like figure who transformed the world with the teachings and philosophy of Jesus Christ though he himself never officially became a Christian. This is why it is said that the most ardent follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ was not even a Christian. Gandhi is considered a saint by many from all corners of the world and this was affirmed by Einstein himself when he described the great man in the following words:
“Generations to come, will scarce believe, that such a man as this one, ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth”.
These immortal lines of Albert Einstein have forever immortalized the life of Gandhi and elevated him almost to the status of a divine deity. And rightly so because if there ever was a man who truly exhibited the power of truth, nonviolence and the teachings of Christ in its entirety, it was Gandhi.
Of Gandhi, it is also said “some men changed their times…….one man changed the world for all times”. These accolades affirm the fact that Gandhi is considered the greatest soul that ever lived after Christ and so it is no wonder he was given the title the “Mahatma” (great soul) by Rabindranath Tagore.
Mahatma Gandhi was someone who was literally obsessed with the power of truth and thus he titled his autobiography as “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”. Yes, indeed Gandhi experimented with truth all throughout his life.
Gandhi said “my life is my message”. Whenever I recollect this saying of Gandhi I am forced to recall how ritualistic and ceremonial the Christian lives of the Nagas have become. We attend our churches every Sunday. We make huge monetary contributions to our churches. We pray very long, loud and beautiful prayers for ourselves and others. But the true qualities of Christ likeness are found to be lacking in us which makes all our words and deeds very hollow and superficial. So, today as we commemorate the 156th birth anniversary of the great soul, I think it’s worth pondering about how a simple man could touch so many lives and shake even empires simply because he believed in the power of truth and could relate to and live according to the teachings and philosophy of Christ.
The mutual respect and adoration that Gandhi and Einstein had for each other also reminds us of the close bond that humanity can share despite our differences. And all these point to the fact that the essence of humanity is transcending and timeless as we all bear the image of the One who created us in his own image and to whom we are all accountable ultimately.
