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VOL. 47: 1 SEPTEMBER, 1929 - 20 NOVEMBER, 1929
1
1.CARDING OR ARCHERY

The word pinjan1 has become disagreeable in our language. Even in figurative language, it is a term implying censure. When a person keeps on pointlessly repeating the same thing, we say of him that he is doing pinjan. This usage of the word has become so established that we do not like the word 'pinjanshastra'2

or

'pinjanvidya'3. A new form of the tool used in carding,which is known as the "Bardoli Bow", is made of a bow-shaped bamboo, and looks like a bow too. Hence I have made bold to use a word which has become endeared in the terminology of the Kshatriyas, i.e., 'dhanurvidya'4 instead of the word \u2018pinjanshastra\u2019. I apologize to the intellectual class for doing this. If other lovers of the language also get enraged at me for taking such liberties with a word with such an established usage, I beg their forgiveness too.

I feel, however, that at a time when our language is developing, when new ideas are being brought into it, new discoveries are being made, when the scope for courage, etc., is being enlarged, we should be accommodating in the usage of those words.

The reader is not unfamiliar with the liberties I have been taking with words for many years. I have given a new definition of the word Kshatriya. The latter is not a person who knows how to kill others but rather one who acquires the art of sacrificing his own life so that others may live. A Kshatriya is one who has well mastered the mantra of never retreating in the battle between gods and demons which is raging in this world. A Kshatriya is one who is the very embodiment of compassion. What knowledge of archery should such a Kshatriya possess? While reflecting on this problem, just as a carpenter invariably thinks of a babul tree, is it any wonder if my mind turns towarding carding? If we learn the craft of carding, if the young people acquire mastery over it, they would by daily devoting some time to it, serve hundreds of thousands of women. Those who have mastered the science of spinning repeatedly declare that, if carding is properly done, if the strands in a sliver are separated and

1Carding
2Science of carding
3Knowledge of carding
4Knowledge of archery

2
THE COLLECTED WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI

symmetrically arranged, the resulting yarn will easily be good, even strong and fine. If someone makes slivers free of charge, that will berendering great service to those of our women who do not card today and are not likely to do so. And if this is done, it will go a long way towards helping make khadi cheap. The activity of spinning is progressing at snail's pace. The same is not true of carding or what we may now call \u2018dhanurvidya\u2019. Moreover, this vidya presupposes both physical and spiritual strength. Let anyone who wishes, have a look at a carder's chest. Every carder's chest is something that would make another envious. It is round, expanded and beautiful. The muscles of his arms too are likewise well developed. If one carder is earnest, he can surely serve at least twenty women because he cards at least ten pounds [of cotton] in ten hours. This amount of cotton is more than what is required by twenty women working ten hours, who spin yarn of ten to twelve counts. From this it is clear that anyone who acquires this skill can find work to his satisfaction.

Moreover, the activity of spinning has been carried on as an independent trade from ancient times, and has been able to compete with other trades. Today a carder demands and gets thirty rupees a month. In the beginning the Ashram had engaged a carder on a wage of seventy rupees a month. Even an ordinary carder can make eight annas a day today. One has to have a book in order to acquire easily a knowledge of such a beautiful form of archery. This has been included in Maganlal Gandhi\u2019s book entitled \u201cThe Science of Weaving\u201d. However, that contains only the basic principles. Again, this vidya has taken great strides since then. The Gujarat Vidyapith has given a proper place to this great science, which is a prop of the nation and sustainer of millions of men and women. It has laid down the examinations to be held and is realizing and increasing its importance day by day. Hence the necessity has been felt for having a textbook on this subject. In order to see to it that the text is a very useful one, a questionnaire has been issued by the Principal to those who have mastered the art. The questions go into minute detail and occupy a fair amount of space and as only a particular section of readers would be interested in it, I do not publish them here. However, those who are interested in this subject should write to the Principal, Gujarat Vidypith, Ahmedabad, and obtain a copy of the question- naire. His office will find it convenient if the words \u2018Regarding dhanurvidya\u2019 are written on the left-hand side of the address.

VOL. 47: 1 SEPTEMBER, 1929 - 20 NOVEMBER, 1929
3

Perhaps, it is necessary to add that the term has been accepted by the Vidyapith. I have coined it for the very first time for this article. I alone am responsible for its use. Kakasaheb or the other office-bearers can reject it. The reader who does not like this use of the word may suggest any other sonorous word instead. A carder is also known as a tanti. Since a tanti1 is the principal factor involved in carding, the term \u2018tantvidya\u2019 or \u2018tantshastra\u2019 may also be employed. But I must admit that I like the word \u2018dhanurvidya\u2019.

[From Gujarati]
Navajivan, 1-9-1929
2. MY NOTE
SHRI HIRALAL'S SCHEME
Three experienced persons have independently pointed out the
same defect in Shri Hiralal\u2019s scheme published in Young India and
Navajivan for a new type of spinning-wheel. Since others who are

giving thought to this scheme also find this and other defects in it, I publish below one letter from among the many that I have here with me:2

Let Shri Hiralal and others interested in innovations give thought to this. Even if Shri Hiralal\u2019s scheme is regarded as faulty and considered useless, his efforts will still be dear to me. Such efforts are very necessary. Although the farmer\u2019s heirs did not discover in his field the golden egg mentioned in his will, they got by digging it up untainted wealth in the form of a golden harvest which proved even more valuable than the golden egg and the heirs learned the importance of body labour.

[From Gujarati]
Navajivan, 1-9-1929
1 A thread
2 The letter is not translated here. Hiralal had suggested the use of a hollow
spindle. The correspondent contended that it would result in untwisting the yarn, and
making it weak and fragile.
of 00

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