Module 11: Indian Social Thoughts
  Lecture 31: Indian Social Thoughts

Saran’s concern about the tension between spirituality and development is most obvious when he compares Vinoba with Gandhi.

In talking about spirituality, natural science and technology, we must remember that the essential (spiritual) question is not, how and for what purpose is technological power to be used? The crucial question is: What kind of power and in what measure ought Man to acquire it? It seems to me that Vinoba's views on modern natural science and technology are not sufficiently sensitive to the traditional principle that man's knowledge must never exceed his being. The other fundamental departure from Gandhian principles is Vinoba's support for a government which bases itself on a funda¬mental negation of the principles of Gandhism and Sarvodaya. Whether the revolution for which Vinoba is working should necessarily involve a large-scale non-violent movement aiming at the complete overthrow of the present government is an open question. In any case, it can certainly be argued that it is not the only alternative in the present situation. However, what cannot be justified, I think, is the open and positive support Vinoba gave to the government over the Indo-Pakistan War (1965). Nor is it possible to understand why Vinoba and other Sarvodaya leaders have not yet straightforwardly rejected and opposed the government's socio-economic principles and plans.