‘Gandhism’ in the Literature of Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj

The twentieth century in India was a period of immense political, cultural and social upheaval. The Indian freedom struggle, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was not just a fight for political independence but also a moral, cultural and spiritual renaissance for the nation. Gandhi’s ideas of truth (satya), non-violence (ahinsa), self- reliance (swadeshi), decentralization of economy and village reconstruction deeply influenced many contemporary thinkers and reformers. Among them, Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj stands out as a saint, philosopher, social reformer and poet whose monumental work, the Gramgeeta, resonates deeply with Gandhian philosophy. The Gramgeeta, composed in Marathi, is not merely a collection of devotional verses but a comprehensive treatise on rural reconstruction, moral regeneration and spiritual upliftment. It is his vision of an ideal village; a self- reliant, harmonious and value- based community. Gandhian principles permeate the text and one can consider the Gramgeeta as an extension of Gandhism adapted to the rural Indian context. Among the many influences on Tukdoji Maharaj’s thought, Gandhism stands out as a central pillar. He not only absorbed Gandhian ideals intellectually but also embodied them in his life and integrated them into his literary creations. His works - poems, bhajans and prose writings carry forward the spirit of Gandhism, contextualizing it in the cultural, rural and spiritual life of Maharashtra. His literature is a living testament to the vitality of Gandhian thought. While Gandhi articulated his vision largely in political, economic and moral terms; author rooted these ideals in the soil of rural Maharashtra, watering them with the devotional traditions of bhakti and the practical wisdom of village life. In works like Gramgeeta and countless bhajans, Gandhism becomes more than a historical movement; it becomes a timeless guide for building a just, self- reliant and compassionate society. By blending spirituality with social service and poetry with practical advice, author ensured that Gandhian ideals were not only understood but also lived by the common people. His writings remind us that freedom is incomplete without moral regeneration, that economic self- reliance must walk hand in hand with social harmony and that service to humanity is the highest form of worship. In carrying forward Gandhism, his literature remains an enduring light for India’s path of rural reconstruction and ethical nation- building.