B.R. Nanda, in his work "A Hero on Probation", gives a vivid description about the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in
South Africa and what all factors made him to leave that country. The essay also protrays the factors that moulded him to take up the leading role in Indian freedom struggle.
In South Africa—
Gandhiji went to South Africa to lead his life as a gerat Lawyer. Seeing the pitiable conditions of Indians there he decided to struggle for gaining their rights in the society.His political life had a beginning with his. He started the Natal Indian Congress at South Africa.
Inspired by Books—
Gandhigi had a great passion towards books. Books of Tolstoy and Ruskin inspired him very much. From Bhagavath Gita he realised the importance of "Non Possession" and started to lead his simple life of poverty.His ideals in life were "Sevice without Self" and Action without Attachment".
In India—
After returning to India Gandhigi was inspired by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and became his desciple.Gokhale was his friend, philosopher and guide. But the sudden death of Gokhale was a big shock to him.
Gandhiji established an
ashram at Sabarmathi near Ahmedabad with the help of some of his friends who also returned from South Africa.Together they led a life of simplicity and service there. Their motto was " A group life lived in a religious spirit". In the ashram they observed the four vows of '' Truth'', '' Ahimsa'', '' Brahmacharya'' and '' Non- staeling''. The life in Sabarmathi ashram was pure but busy one. Gandhiji was the father and Kasturba was the mother. There were no masters or servants there. The ashram life trained the members to lead the great war of Indian Independance without violence.
The essay beautifully picturises each and every stage in Gandhiji''s political and socilal life. What all bitter experiences he got in his life and how they made him more and more mature and stubborn. All these helped him to lead a great non- violant war against colonialism and to gain the final victory for India.