Gandhiji’s tapasya of Truth gave us two potent concepts, Ahimsa and Khadi, both symbols of love, karma yoga, self-sufficiency and self-respect. The two are unique as they encapsulate and represent the essence of satya sanatana dharma. Ahimsa is widely accepted worldwide, and really requires no patenting; it remains essentially Bharatiya.
Bharat is the land where handmade goods, from fabrics to architecture, exude spiritual beauty which significantly impact the soul. Krishna states that the whole universal mechanism moves with bhava, feeling. If we see Khadi as our heritage, then we should all work towards preserving that superb heritage. Khadi is an outcome of our connection with nature, so let’s conserve and propagate it via the proper channel of tradition.
In a weak economic infrastructure, it is natural for competitive, stronger powers to claim what is ours as theirs. We believe insatyam-shivam-sundaram – truth, eternity and beauty -- that bring joy to all. Oftentimes traditional weavers are attuned to what they do and nature. Sometimes while weaving, the weavers who are in sync with nature, sing soulful folk songs, and transfer positive vibrations into their craft with their deep concentration. A thing of the ‘soil’ thus turns into a thing of the ‘soul’.
How should one deal with foreign concerns that seek to patent Khadi or misuse the name to sell their products? We need to make our line bigger so that everyone knows and realises that it is sourced from us. Let us be known as a nation of Khadi weavers and wearers. Make it a practical reality. Bharat is remembered as the land of Krishna, Buddha and many other evolved souls; it can also be known as the land of Khadi.
Gandhiji made spinning charkha and weaving Khadi abrahmastra, strong weapon, to remove the British Raj. Can we not use it today to fight off those who seek to sponge on our wisdom brands? Perhaps a silent revolution would work best.
Actually, our own people have done more harm to Khadi by collecting the best of weaves for their own personal benefit, and not promoting them or making them available to others for progress of weavers. We should be able to relate to the beauty of craftsmanship. The new designs or patterns should be made available to all, to make Khadi appealing to more people. Also, it is the duty of all evolved souls to make their followers aware of our gracious tradition of weaving, and the magic of hand woven fabric. Spread the message.
Khadi belongs to Bharat; it became the medium to free Bharat. This signifies that truthful traditions have a lot of strength. When preserved and followed with sincerity, they have the potential to keep all intrusions at bay. It is natural law that dharma protects those who protect dharma. So save Khadi and Khadi will save us.
Oneness and welfare of humanity as a whole and nature’s laws are at the core of true sanatana dharma. Yoga and ayurveda are synonymous with Bharat, but some of those who are getting a taste of their potential and significance now wish to hold on to them as spiritual wisdom of their own. However, what has germinated here in Bharat -- from the vedas to upanishads to the Gita -- an outcome of sanatana satya, eternal truth, is meant to flow freely, eternally. It may seem for a while that the yearning to calculate and commercialise Khadi is overpowering. But the truth is that no one can claim it, because it can be realised only by practising truth, love, karma, and light. Let Truth prevail.
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