322 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES
would be a poor defence of the honour. This doctrine of Ahimsa tells us that we may guard the honour of those who are under our charge by delivering ourselves into the hands of the man who would commit the sacrilege. And that requires far greater physical and mental courage than the delivering of blows. You may have some degree of physical power, I do not say courage and you may use that power. But after that is expended, what happens ? The other man is filled with wrath and indignation, and you have made him more angry by matching your violence against bis ; and when he has done you to death, the rest of his violence is delivered against your charge, But if you do not retaliate, but stand your ground, between your charge and the opponent, simply receiving the blows without retaliating, what happens ? I give you rny promise that the whole of the violence will be ex- pended on you, and your charge will be left unscath- ed* Under this plan of life there is no conception of patriotism which justifies such wars as you witness to- day in Europe, Then there is
THE VO\V OF CELIBACY
Those who watvf7o perform national service, or tnose who want to have a glimpse of the real religious life, must lead a celibate life, no matter if married or unmarried. Marriage but brings a woman closer to- gether with the man, and they become friends in a special sense, never to be parted either in this life or in the lives that are to come. But I do not think that, in our conception of marriage, our lusts should necessarily enter. Be that as it may, this is what is placed before those who come to the Ashrama. I do not deal with that at any length. Then we have
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