M.K. Gandhi's Ethical-Intuitional Approach to Understanding Traditional Texts

Abstract

The turn to humanistic ethics, which defined the image of modern Indian philosophy, significantly changed the interpretation manner of traditional texts by the thinkers-reformers. The typical example of the rethinking of scripture from moral point of view is M.K. Gandhi's article “Meaning of the ‘Gita' ”. Translation of this text into Russian is presented to the readers. The process of texts interpretation was specific ethical discipline for Gandhi, therefore his hermeneutical principles are an integral part of his views on human development. Following the path, which was showed by the Indian thinker, one could gradually open his essential connection with God and learn to hear His voice inside. Such practice makes person independent from authoritative opinions as well as from customary interpretations and helps to understand the ‘spirit' of scripture, without stopping on analyzes of its ‘letter'. Gandhi not only makes ethical demands to commentator, but also just as other reformers of Hinduism, calls to pay attention for text's quality. This way he expresses the doubt about infallibility of the most respected scriptures. According to those principles, he interprets the plot of Bhagavad-Gita allegorically and sees the essence of the poem in preaching of meaninglessness of the war and in description of the spiritual salvation paths.