|
As a
young student of law in England Gandhi found it hard to stay away
from meat and eggs as he had promised his mother while leaving
India.
He
did not relish boiled vegetables cooked without salt or condiments,
the only other option. He would have oatmeal porridge for breakfast,
which was fairly filling, but would always starve at lunch and
dinner as the food served was largely non-vegetarian. Both for
luncheon and dinner he had spinach and bread-jam. He was a good
eater but was ashamed to ask for more than two or three slices of
bread, as it did not seem correct to do so. Added to this, there was
no milk either for lunch or dinner.
Gandhi had a friend who continually tried to convince him to start
eating meat, but Gandhi always pleaded his vow and then remained
silent. Gandhi's friend once got disgusted with his state and said:
"Had you been my own brother, I would have sent you packing. What is
the value of a vow made before an illiterate mother, and in
ignorance of conditions here? It is no vow at all. It would not be
regarded as a vow in law. It is pure superstition to stick to such a
promise. You confess to having eaten and relished met. You took it
where it was absolutely unnecessary, and will not where it is quite
essential. What a pity!" |
