GANDHI, Mahatma (1869-1948). Autograph manuscript signed ("M K Gandhi") to S. D. Kalelkar, n.p., 12 October 1947,

Three pages, 228 x 164mm, each page accomplished on the versos of letters written to Gandhi (staple holes at top left corner, occasional soiling). [With:] a retained draft of Kalelkar's letter to Gandhi of 6 October 1947.

Gandhi on the complex relationship between "carnal desires and nationalism." Headed, "A Student’s perplexity," Gandhi presents, "an extract from a pupil’s letter to his teacher who sends it to me for comment." The student, S. D. Kalekar writes, "Two things completely possess me: my nationalism and my overbearing carnal passions. These always create seeming contradictions in my behaviour, and inconsistency in my decisions. I want to be the first servant of my country and at the same time enjoy the physical pleasures of the world. I must confess I do not believe in God although I am sometimes terribly afraid of Him. All existence seems to me to be an enigma." He notes that his grief for his "wife who died recently was genuine feeling; but that feeling was not because she was dead but because I was left alone. For the dead there are no problems; for the living there are all. I do not believe in any pure love; the so-called love is nothing but sex. If there were anything like pure love, I should have felt more attachment for my parents than for my wife; but the reverse was the case. I have been a loyal husband but I could not have assured my wife that I would love her even after her death. My feeling would perhaps arise from the inconvenience that her passing away might cause me. You might call this cynicism but there it is. . . . Please write to me and guide me."

Gandhi comments that the "extract covers three things. (1) Conflict between carnal desire and nationalism, (2) God and future life and (3) Undefiled love and sex. The first is well stated. Carnal desire was the reality, nationalism was the fashion of the day. Nationalism in the sense of power politics is quite consistent with satisfaction of carnal desire. Instances from life can be multiplied. I have in mind nationalism in the sense of a burning love for the nation including the poorest. It must burn carnal desire and the like. Thus there is no conflict but always victory of the latter over the former. All-embracing love of the nation leaves not a minute for any occupation that interferes with that ruling pursuit. He is lost who is possessed by carnal desire. Uncertain faith in God and the future springs from the lust for life. This lust unhinges a man or a woman. Indecision consumes him or her. Faith in God will live when the animal passion dies. The two cannot co-exist. The third enigma is a mere restatement of the first. Undefiled love between husband and wife is greater than any other love. When sex is mixed with undefiled love, it takes one away from one’s Maker. Hence, if there be no sex consciousness and sexual contact, it is a question whether there is any occasion for marriage. The pupil truly says that there was no unselfish love felt for his wife. Had it been unselfish, death of life’s partner would have enriched life for the memory of the disembodied partner, would have resulted in greater dedication to the service of down-trodden humanity." Published in Collected Works, 89:323-324.

The lot includes a manuscript of the student's letter in Gujarati, with a typed translation into English, possibly used in preparation for the letter, and Gandhi's commentary, for publication.

[Also with:] a folding drawing of Gandhi constructed from the image of four hares. 21 copies, 292 x 216mm