"There is an orderliness in the universe, there is an unalterable law governing everything and every being that exists or lives. It is no blind law; for no blind law can govern the conduct of living beings"
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Mahatma Gandhi’s reflection on the underlying structure of the universe points to a profound faith in an intrinsic harmony that shapes existence. He asserts that the cosmos operates under a principle of orderliness, a law that is neither arbitrary nor chaotic. This law is described as "unalterable", emphasizing its constancy and reliability amidst the apparent flux of nature and life. Everything, be it matter, living beings, or events, falls within the scope of this universal governance.
Gandhi distinguishes this governing law from a "blind law", one that would act without foresight, consciousness, or moral purpose. His reasoning is rooted in the observation of life; living beings, unlike inanimate matter, exhibit intention, consciousness, and the capacity for moral choice. To suggest that mere mechanical, purposeless rules dictate the conduct of sentient life would be, in Gandhi’s view, inadequate and superficial. Instead, the law governing the universe must possess qualities akin to awareness, suggesting a cosmic intelligence or a moral undercurrent behind the fabric of reality.
This perspective aligns with Gandhi’s spiritual worldview, holding that the universe is not a random assembly of matter and forces but an expression of a deeper order that is meaningful and, perhaps, benevolent. The law’s unblind, purposive quality implies a unity between natural laws and moral principles, leading to the notion that ethical conduct is not imposed from without, but woven into the very essence of existence.
Within this framework, humanity’s striving for truth, justice, and compassion is not an aberration nor an imposition against nature, but an expression of the universe’s own law. Our actions, choices, and ethical dilemmas are significant because they participate in the universal order. For Gandhi, harmony with this unchanging law, recognizing its intelligence and living accordingly, is the path to individual and collective well-being.
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