India, Oct. 1 -- A morally worthy end, according to Mahatma Gandhi, could be achieved only by adopting morally pure means. He did not agree with those who believed that means were after all means. For the Mahatma, means were everything. According to him, the problem with not prioritising or undervaluing means, in contrast to ends, are many. First, a person is always anxious about the result of his/her action (end).
The Mahatma often said, "If our means are pure and our course is just and clear, all anxieties are removed. This way a man can also develop an attitude of detachment from the fruits" of labour and attachment with actions as the Bhagavad Gita teaches us. Second, a person may think fulfilment of ends is the real reward. Ends will,...