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

Recording Date: August 19, 2026
Interviewer: Ms. Nirvi Shah
Featured Guest: Dr. Siby K. Joseph (Director of Library and Research for Gandhian Studies)
Facilitator & Video Recording: Mrs. Mukti Mehta (New Jersey, USA)
Distinguished Guest: Prof. Geeta Mehta (Scholar on Vinoba Bhave; Former Director, K.J. Somaiya Centre for Studies in Jainism, Mumbai)
Location: Library and Research Centre & Premises of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha, Maharashtra
SEVAGRAM ASHRAM — August 19, 2026 — In a special recording session completed earlier today, interviewer Ms. Nirvi Shah sat down with Dr. Siby K. Joseph for an upcoming podcast episode focusing heavily on Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless philosophy of Non-possession and how it can be applied to modern society.
The technical and logistical aspects of the session were seamlessly facilitated and recorded by Mrs. Mukti Mehta from New Jersey. The production also benefited from the distinguished presence of 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. Joseph illuminated the core concepts by linking traditional ecological knowledge with 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: Living Lightly and Moving Beyond Over-Consumption
During the session, Dr. 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. Joseph noted that, in Gandhi’s vision, a true seeker of truth and a follower of the law of love cannot accumulate or hold anything against tomorrow.
Dr. Joseph 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 famous economic 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."
2. Yajna: Actively Repaying Our Debt to the Earth
The conversation then shifted to how humanity can actively repair the damage done to nature. Dr. Joseph 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 philosophy, Dr. Joseph 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 for ever bound to serve the universe."
Conclusion
The interview concluded with Dr. 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.

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