Gandhi believed that Truth is God and the
Bahá'í writings often refer to
God as the ``Sun of Truth.''![[footnote]](img22.png){kind=small}
As the physical sun provides nourishing
energy to the physical earth, so does the Sun of Truth provide
nourishment to the earth of our hearts. Gandhi considers prayer to be
a form of communion with the Spirit of Truth:
This God whom we seek to realize is Truth. Or to put it another way Truth is God. This Truth is not merely the truth we are expected to speak. It is that which alone is, which constitutes the stuff of which all things are made, which subsists by virtue of its own power, which is not supported by anything else but supports everything that exists. Truth alone is eternal, everything else is momentary. It need not assume shape or form. It is pure intelligence as well as pure bliss. We call it [God] because everything is regulated by Its will. It and the law it promulgates are one. Therefore it is not a blind law. It governs the entire universe. To propitiate this Truth is [prayer] which in effect means an earnest desire to be filled with the spirit of Truth. This desire should be present all the twenty-four hours. But our souls are too dull to have this awareness day and night. Therefore we offer prayers for a short time in the hope that a time will come when all our conduct will be one continuously sustained prayer. [2]Gandhi further explains that prayer is a means of freeing us form excessive attachment to the material world:
I agree that, if man could practice the presence of God all the twenty-four hours, there would be no need for a separate time for prayer. But most people find this impossible. The sordid everyday world is too much with them. For them the practice of complete withdrawal of the mind from all outward things, even though it might be only for a few minutes everyday, will be found to be of infinite use. Silent communion will help them to experience an undisturbed peace in the midst of turmoil, to curb anger and cultivate patience.[3]Not only is it a means to become more detached from the trappings of this world, but people also crave closeness to the True Beloved of their hearts. Hence, prayer serves not only to make us more detached, but also to bind us more tightly to the Source of our spiritual life. Prayer is the language of love. `Abdu'l-Bahá explains:
If one friend loves another, is it not natural that he should wish to say so? Though he knows that that friend is aware of his love, does he still not wish to tell him of it?It is true that God knows the wishes of all hearts; but the impulse to pray is a natural one, springing from man's love to God
As the above passages suggest, the human mind is intrinsically attracted to truth and beauty. It can be argued that human beings are instinctively drawn to prayer.[1] From this point of view, prayer is as necessary for our spiritual health as food is necessary for the body. Gandhi explains concisely:
As food is necessary for the body, prayer is necessary for the soul. [4]Bahá'u'lláh echoes this theme in a prayer:
O my Lord! Make Thy beauty to be my food, and Thy presence my drink