Typically translated as “nonviolence,” ahimsa is a fundamental principle that Gandhi adopted both in his personal life and political activism. Within the book, ahimsa is about not just the absence of physical violence but also a deeper commitment to truth, ensuring that one’s actions or words cause no harm. Gandhi’s commitment to ahimsa was evident in his passive resistance campaigns against oppressive colonial rule.

Meaning nonpossession, aparigraha is the concept of non-greediness and detachment from material possessions. Gandhi discusses this term while reflecting on his journey to live a simple and ascetic life. By practicing aparigraha, Gandhi seeks to eliminate unnecessary distractions and attachments, thus focusing on his spiritual and societal goals.

An ashram, in Indian tradition, is a spiritual hermitage or a secluded Hindu monastery. In Gandhi’s context, it represented a community living under a vow of simplicity, truth, and nonviolence. Throughout Gandhi’s autobiography, ashrams function as centers for personal reflection, collective action, and grounding sociopolitical activities in spiritual principles.