The term “Dasi” in Indian culture primarily refers to a female servant or slave.
Historically, it has been used to denote women of low caste or those in servitude. The
Sanskrit root “dāsa” means demon, enemy, infidel, or slave, and “dāsī” is its feminine
form.
While the term can also have other meanings in specific contexts (like a female in
charge of ten villages in Dharmashastra or even a river), its most common and historical
usage points to a woman in a subservient role.
Regarding Mahatma Gandhi, the question “Gandhi had a few?” seems to refer to
whether he had “dasis” in the sense of female servants or companions. This touches
upon a complex and controversial aspect of Gandhi’s life, particularly his “experiments
with brahmacharya” (celibacy) in his later years.
Gandhi, in his pursuit of spiritual purity and self-control, engaged in practices that
involved sharing his bed with young women, including his grandnieces Manu and Abha,
and other female associates like Sushila Nayar and Lilavati Asar. These women often
provided him with personal services like massages and bathing.
It’s important to understand that Gandhi described these as “experiments” to test his
own brahmacharya, asserting that he remained celibate and had no sexual intentions.
However, these practices were highly controversial even among his contemporaries and followers, including his family members, who criticized them.
While these women were not “dasis” in the traditional sense of being bought or forced
into slavery, their role in providing intimate personal service and their close proximity to
Gandhi, often in a position of complete devotion and obedience to his wishes, has led
to discussions about the power dynamics involved and the potential for exploitation,
despite Gandhi’s stated intentions. Many of these women willingly participated, seeing
it as a form of service to a revered leader.
So, while Gandhi did not have “dasis” in the classic sense of chattel slavery, he did have
a number of female companions and attendants who provided intimate personal care and were part of his controversial “brahmacharya experiments.
