India is a country where people are predominantly religious. Religion
and spirituality are firmly rooted in the minds of the Indian people. Some
countries are well known for their political institutions, others for their economic
prosperity while some others for their social advancement. India is well known
for her philosophy and religion. According to Max Muller the study of religion is
incomplete unless it is studied with reference to India. To others, Religion is
one condition among so many other countries, but to the Indian people it is one
great sustaining force, pertaining to all the spheres of their lives. Mahatma
Gandhi who was born and brought up in India could not escape this strong
influence of religion in all his activities.
In India the word 'Dharma' is used to mean 'religion'. But it should be
noted, that the word 'Dharma' in Hinduism has a much wider connotation that
what we ordinarily mean by the word religion. The word 'Dharma' comes from
the root 'Dhre' which means to 'sustain'. 'Dharma' is thus the greatest
sustaining force or the binding force of the society. The goal of 'Dharma' is to
create mental and spiritual fellowship among all men and to regulate its relation
with all living entities. It thus tries to keep the world in perfect equilibrium. It is
thus clear that the word 'Dharma' was not used in connection with any
particular religion. Any religion, any custom, any creed could be brought under
its fold and was thus out secular. Gandhi's concept of religion, therefore,
brought under its fold people belonging to different religions.
