TUKARAM

the most popular Indian saint, translated from the Bhaktalilamrit. By Justin E. Abbott '76. Summit, N. J. Price $1.25. To be had from the translator.

Mahatma Gandhi is a puzzle to Western minds, because they do not understand the life, the customs and point of view of the Indian saint. Gandhi has very little in him of the practical politician, but a great deal of an Indian saint. He has been influenced very largely by the teachings of the Bhagavadgita, and by the life of Christ, whom he regards as exhibiting the main principles of Indian saint-hood.

The saint Tukaram lived about three hundred years ago. And while the story of his life as told by Mahipati, who lived one hundred and fifty years ago, is half natural and half legendary, it supplies a picture of an ideal Indian saint's life, who emphasized two special principles, devotion and love to God, and indifference towards all earthly things. To him the body was of no account, the spirit was everything. A very strong resemblance can be traced between the life of Tukaram and the life of Mahatma Gandhi, and a few hours given to the perusal of "Tukaram" will repay the reader by the light it will throw on the characteristics of Mahatma Gandhi.