The Eleven Vows of Gandhi Ji

Gandhiji established the Satyagraha Ashram on 25 May 1915 at a place called Kochrab in Ahmedabad. The purpose behind establishing the Ashram was to enable its members to become capable of serving the nation and to make a continuous contribution in this direction. Such service to the nation was not to be separated from the welfare of all.

In order to fulfil the above objective, adherence to the following vows was considered essential.

1. Truth  

Speaking truth in ordinary business dealings and avoiding lies is not the complete meaning of Truth. Truth itself is God, and there is nothing apart from it. All other vows arise from and are necessary for the pursuit and worship of this Truth. A true seeker of Truth should neither speak nor practice falsehood—even for what they imagine to be the good of the nation. For the sake of Truth, one must, like Prahlad, respectfully disobey even parents or elders if their command is wrong. Obedience to Truth stands above all.

2. Non-Violence or Love

Non-violence does not merely mean refraining from killing living beings. It signifies an equal sense of regard, belonging, and compassion toward all life—from the tiniest creatures to human beings. One who follows this vow does not grow angry even toward a person committing grave injustice. Instead, they maintain love, wish for the wrongdoer’s welfare, and act for their good. However, loving the wrongdoer does not mean submitting to injustice. One must resist injustice firmly, endure the suffering that may result with patience, and harbour no hatred toward the oppressor.

3. Celibacy

Without practising celibacy, observing the above vows becomes impossible. Celibacy (Brahmacharya) does not merely mean avoiding lustful glances; it requires purity of mind—freedom from sensual thoughts and indulgence. Even a married person should not treat their spouse as an object of sensual gratification, but as a friend, maintaining a pure and disciplined relationship. Touching or speaking with lustful intent, or engaging in any sensual act, constitutes a violation of even the outward form of celibacy.

4. Tasteless (Control of the palate)

Experience shows that unless one conquers the palate, practising celibacy becomes very difficult. Therefore, control of taste is regarded as a separate vow. Food should be consumed only to sustain the body—not for indulgence. It should be taken as medicine, with restraint. One observing this vow should avoid spices and other substances that stimulate desire. Meat, alcohol, tobacco, intoxicants, etc., are prohibited in the Ashram. Feasts or insistence on luxurious meals for pleasure are also forbidden.

5. Asteya (Not stealing)

Not taking another’s property without permission is not sufficient to fulfil this vow. Using something for a purpose other than what it was given for, or keeping it longer than permitted, is also theft. The subtle truth underlying this vow is that God creates and provides only what is necessary for each day’s needs.

6. Aparigraha (Non-accumulation)

Non-possession is contained within non-stealing. Just as unnecessary things should not be taken, they should not be accumulated either. Keeping food or items beyond necessity violates this vow. One who can manage without a chair should not keep one. A person practising non-possession should continually simplify their life.

7. Caste-hard work

To observe non-stealing and non-possession, physical labour is essential. Every individual should earn their livelihood through bodily labour to avoid betraying society and themselves. Able-bodied men and women should complete as much of their daily manual work as possible by themselves, rather than unnecessarily depending on others. However, serving children, older people, or the disabled is a social duty and a sacred responsibility.

8. Swadeshi

Human beings are not all-powerful. By serving one’s neighbour, one serves the world. This spirit is called Swadeshi. Neglecting nearby people to serve distant ones violates this principle. Through Swadeshi, order and harmony are maintained in the world. As far as possible, we should conduct business with our neighbours. Goods produced locally—or that can easily be produced locally—should not be imported. Swadeshi leaves no room for selfishness. An individual should be ready to sacrifice for family, family for town, town for country, and country for the welfare of the world.

9. Abhay

Without fearlessness, the practice of Truth and Non-violence is impossible. When fear spreads everywhere, cultivating courage becomes essential. One who wishes to remain devoted to Truth must fear neither caste nor government, neither thieves nor poverty, neither society nor even death.

10. Eradication of untouchability

Untouchability has taken deep root in Hindu society. It is not religion but irreligion. Therefore, its removal is included among the vows. Those considered “untouchable” are given an equal place in the Ashram. The Ashram rejects caste discrimination, believing it has harmed Hinduism. The notions of high and low and untouchability destroy the principle of non-violence. While the Ashram recognises the traditional concept of Varna as based on occupation, it does not allow caste discrimination in practice. Its life is inspired by the ideal of renunciation described in the Gita—broad, compassionate, and spiritual rather than rigid or hierarchical.

11.Tolerance

The Ashram believes that all major religions express Truth. However, since they have been revealed through imperfect human beings, each contains some imperfection or mixture of untruth. Therefore, just as we respect our own religion, we must respect others. Where such tolerance exists, there can be no hostility between religions, nor efforts to forcibly convert others. Instead, there should always remain a prayerful spirit to remove the defects present within all faiths.