What name did Mahatma Gandhi give to his 1906 pledge of disciplined celibacy?

Mahatma Gandhi called his 1906 pledge of disciplined celibacy brahmacharya.

Gandhi adopted brahmacharya, traditionally associated with celibacy and disciplined conduct, in 1906 while living in South Africa. He connected the vow with self-control, simplicity, and the redirection of personal energy toward public service. For Gandhi, it became part of a broader program of ethical experimentation.

The term is often translated simply as “celibacy,” but Gandhi gave it a wider practical meaning involving control of thought, speech, and desire. His interpretation was personal and rigorous, and it formed part of the rules he later promoted in his ashrams.

Brahmacharya should not be confused with ahimsa, or nonviolence, which was another central principle of Gandhi’s philosophy. Swaraj means self-rule, while aparigraha refers broadly to non-possession or freedom from excessive attachment.