Page 75 - Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 21st Century ISBN

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not been less frequent. His lecture on ‘Remind one another of truth, patience and mercy’ is very
famous. Several of his speeches in Kashmir named as ‘Mohhabat ka Paigam” are based on the Quran,

but those which draw our attention specially are: ‘Teachings of the Quran’, ‘Principles of Religion’,
‘whom does God help?’and the ‘ Recitation of the Quran.’ He touches the very core of religious books

and gives interpretations which though unorthodox and novel bring out their true meaning. 4

A comparative study
Vinoba has selected several verses dealing with the subject of ‘Life after Death’. There are

many who believe that Heaven and Hell are only terms for putting the children or unsophisticated
people on right path. But Vinoba believes them to be facts, as real as our life on this planet. That is why

he included this subject in his book. He has made a lucid commentary on it in his ‘Geetai Chintanika’,
his unique notes on the Gita. The belief is expressed in the Quran that ‘heaven’ and ‘hell’ are states of

being after death. Vinoba shares this belief; but if someone suggests that we can make heaven or hell of
our life here, Vinoba does not dispute it. Even otherwise, there can be conditions on this earth similar

to those in heaven and hell. But he entertains no doubt that these express the condition after death.
Vinoba has given a prominent place to five great vows in his ‘Essence’. Himself being an

advocate of sharing of life together throughout the world he has naturally given an important place to
the subject of ‘Charity’ and has taken several extracts from the Quran on the point. The Holy Book

prohibits ‘interest’ and all important verses referring to it have found due place in the book. Vinoba
himself is against ‘interest’ in all its forms, but believes that to put this principle into practice, it is

necessary to change the social structure. The society which Vinoba endeavours to establish through
Gramdan will be so constituted that there will be no place for ‘interest’ in it. Some people advance

various arguments compromising Quran’s stand on that issue, but the Quran has declared all forms of
Interest, as irreligious.

Submission to God

It so happens that sometimes only a portion of the verse relevant to the subject has to be
selected and not the whole of it. Some Orthodox Muslims, however, do not relish it. When this was

brought to the notice of Vinoba he said, ‘’Look here, Islam means, ‘Peace and Refuge in God.’
Whoever possesses this is a Muslim.’’ This is the touchstone. How endearing this Tableeg (Spreading

the Word of God) is!! In today’s world, to strive for peace should be the life-mission of all men and
women and Vinoba feels that seeking refuge in God and His mercy is the royal road to peace. It is the

experiences in his life, he would say, that make him earnestly feel it.

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