I understand. But I believe in the doctrine of AND ALSO. I cannot accept that you alone are God. To me you are God, and my parents too are God. Since I am engaged in their services, I am unable to give you my attention immediately. Please forgive me.”
So he pushed towards Lord Pandurang a brick for him to stand on and became absorbed again in his service to his parents. Legend has it that Lord Pandurang is standing on that brick since then for ages for his devotee to be free. Tukaram, a great saint poet of Maharashtra has taken up this example in one of his abhangs:
“What mad love is this, that kept
Vitthal waiting;
What bravery to push a brick
for Him to stand on.”
Vinoba says that the inclusive principle of AND ALSO enlarges
your mind, It allows you to continue your duty (svadbarma) but does not exclude other responsibilities. A man never falls into the tangle of conflicting philosophies, nor does he abandon his own principle (svadbarma). He does not raise controversies like those Gita talks of “naanyadastiti vaadinah”. “Those who say that nothing else is” and “only this exists - there is no other”, On the other hand, Pundalika had a humble but firm attitude. “This is true. And that too is true. But for me, this is true.”
In Hindi, “bhi” means “AND ALSO”. Once you accept that there are other ways of looking at things, you become a pluralist. You become inclusive. You have space for others also.
Vinoba, therefore, once suggested that in making India one nation we need not insist on one langauage. We can have Devana- garias the common script for all Indian languages. And this common script should be used along with the existing scripts. Its utility and use will make it easier for people to accept the common script. It would also be one more bond bringing all Indians together.
Such is the interpretation of the words AND ALSO. It is basic for any pluralist system like democracy.
With love, Yours,
L.N. Godbole
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