Ms. Nirvi Shah's Interview with Dr. Siby K. Joseph on Aparigraha

Podcast Recording at Sevagram Ashram Explores Gandhi’s Concept of Aparigraha and Its Application

SEVAGRAM ASHRAM:

A podcast recording session took place on the premises of the Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha, in which young interviewer Ms. Nirvi Shah sat down with Dr. Siby K. Joseph, Director of the Library and Research Centre of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha, to understand Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-possession and how it can be applied to modern society.

The technical and logistical aspects of the session were facilitated and recorded by Mrs. Mukti Mehta from New Jersey, with contributions from Prof. Geeta Mehta, an eminent scholar on the philosophy of Vinoba Bhave and the former Director of the K. J. Somaiya Centre for Studies in Jainism in Mumbai.

A Two-Part Dialogue Across Historic Grounds

The interview was structurally divided into two distinct parts to reflect the physical and philosophical environment of the ashram:

• Part One: Conducted within the Library and Research Centre of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, where Dr. Siby Joseph discussed the core concept by linking it with sustainability and traditional ecological knowledge, incorporating insights from a previous conference held in Bhopal.

• Part Two: Recorded directly on the Sevagram Ashram premises, where the physical surroundings served as a visual backdrop, framing the historic ashram itself as the ultimate living embodiment of Aparigraha (non-possession).

1. Aparigraha and the Eco-Conscience of Gandhi

During the session, Dr. Siby Joseph explained that the ideal of Aparigraha—traditionally translated as non-possession—is deeply ingrained in the ecological conscience of Mahatma Gandhi. In Gandhi’s vision, environmental destruction stems directly from human greed and our obsession with stockpiling resources. Dr. Siby Joseph noted that, in Gandhi’s view, a true seeker of truth and a follower of the law of love cannot accumulate or hold anything against tomorrow.

He shared Gandhi's nuanced reading of a verse from the Isha Upanishad—tena tyaktena bhunjitha (enjoy the wealth by renouncing it). He highlighted Gandhi’s philosophy regarding shared stewardship:

"Earn your crores by all means, but understand that your wealth is not yours; it belongs to the people. Take what you require for your legitimate needs and use the remainder for society."

Trusteeship is a natural corollary, he added.

2. Yajna: Actively Repaying Our Debt to the Earth

The conversation then shifted to how humanity can actively repair the damage done to nature. He explained the concept of Yajna (sacrificial action or selfless service) as a deeply ecological act. Today, Yajna means giving back—repaying our debt to society and the planet by actively replenishing the resources we extract from nature.

To anchor this, he cited Gandhi’s inclusive definition of the term:

"Yajna means an act directed to the welfare of others, done without desiring any return for it, whether of a temporal or spiritual nature. ‘Act’ here must be taken in the widest sense, and includes thoughts and words as well as deeds. ‘Others’ embraces not only humanity, but all life….. Yajna having come to us with our birth, we are debtors all our lives, and thus forever bound to serve the universe."

The interview concluded with Dr. Siby Joseph succinctly answering a series of questions regarding how these practices manifest in daily life and their deep link to Gandhian spirituality. His ultimate takeaway for the upcoming broadcast audience was clear: Mahatma Gandhi’s deeply spiritual concepts can be practically applied in the modern world for a better tomorrow. It calls for Gandhi's concept of trusteeship.

After the interview, the team spent time in the library to understand its archival and physical collections and its main activities. Prof. Geeta Mehta offered her physical collection of materials relating to Acharya Vinoba Bhave so that it can be preserved for posterity. The team expressed their gratitude to the ashram for facilitating the interview.