The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
Brahmacharya—II explained
Gandhi describes his decision to take the vow of brahmacharya (celibacy) in 1906, the challenges of controlling passions, and the joy and freedom it brought.
What happens
Gandhi describes his decision to take the vow of brahmacharya (celibacy) in 1906, the challenges of controlling passions, and the joy and freedom it brought. He discusses the importance of diet, fasting, and mental discipline in observing the vow, and reflects on the connection between brahmacharya and satyagraha.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Gandhi’s physical…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Self-Discipline and Simplicity
Gandhi discusses the rigorous self-control required for brahmacharya, including diet, fasting, and mental discipline.
- Vegetarianism and Dietary Discipline
Gandhi links control of the palate to the observance of brahmacharya and describes his dietetic experiments.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Takes the vow of brahmacharya in 1906, reflects on its practice and challenges.
- Kasturbai Gandhi
Consulted by Gandhi before taking the vow; she had no objection.
Key passages
“The great potentiality of brahmacharya daily became more and more patent to me.”
The immense power of celibacy became increasingly clear to me each day.
Gandhi reflects on the growing realization of brahmacharya's significance.
“Control of the palate is the first essential in the observance of the vow.”
Mastering one's eating habits is the primary requirement for keeping the vow.
Gandhi emphasizes diet as foundational to brahmacharya.
“Fasting is useful, when mind cooperates with starving body, that is to say, when it cultivates a distaste for the objects that are denied to the body.”
Fasting is effective only when the mind joins the body in rejecting what is forbidden.
Gandhi explains the mental aspect of fasting for self-control.
