Before the throne of the Almighty, man will be judged not by his

“Before the throne of the Almighty, man will be judged not by his acts but by his intentions. For God alone reads our hearts.” — Mahatma Gandhi

These words of Mahatma Gandhi, humble yet profound, pierce to the very heart of what it means to live righteously. He reminds us that while the eyes of men behold deeds, the eyes of the Almighty see deeper — into the hidden chambers of intention. Actions, however noble they may appear, are but the surface of the soul. It is the motive, silent and unseen, that gives them life or renders them hollow. To men belong the appearances of virtue; to God belongs the truth of the heart.

Long before Gandhi spoke, this truth was known among the wise of every age. The scriptures of East and West echo the same eternal law: that purity of heart is the true measure of goodness. The Bhagavad Gita declares that “he who performs his duty without attachment, seeking no reward, attains peace.” And in the Gospel, the Christ proclaims, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Thus, Gandhi’s words are no new teaching, but a rekindling of the ancient fire — the reminder that intention is the soul of action, and without it, all deeds are but lifeless forms.

Consider the story of a poor widow in the temple of Jerusalem, who gave but two small coins as her offering. Others mocked her gift for its smallness, but the Master saw her heart and said, “She has given more than all the rest, for she gave out of her poverty.” The act was small, yet the intention was vast — it was love, devotion, and sacrifice distilled into two humble coins. The rich gave out of abundance; she gave out of her heart. So too, in every age, the Almighty measures not the hand but the heart that moves it.

Yet, how often do we judge by appearance alone? A kind act done for praise is but vanity dressed as virtue; a harsh word spoken in truth may be mercy in disguise. The world, blind to the inner flame, crowns the proud and condemns the misunderstood. But God alone reads our hearts. He knows when our silence is compassion, when our struggle is sincerity, when our failure is still faith. To live rightly before Him is to live without masks, to do good not for the gaze of men but for the peace of conscience.

Gandhi himself lived by this sacred law. When he led his people in nonviolent resistance, many misunderstood him. Some called him weak; others accused him of pride. Yet his intention was pure — to awaken truth, not to triumph in anger. Even when imprisoned, he bore no hatred toward his captors. His body was confined, but his heart remained free, guided by sincerity and love. And history, though slow to see, has come to honor the purity of his motive more than the power of his movement. His intention sanctified his actions, turning struggle into spiritual victory.

The lesson, then, is clear: guard your intentions as the treasure of your soul. Before you act, ask not, “How will this appear?” but, “Why do I do this?” Let every deed arise from truth, not pride; from love, not gain. If your heart is pure, even your smallest act will shine before the throne of heaven. And if your heart is false, no glory, no wealth, no achievement will conceal it from the divine gaze.

Remember, O seeker of truth, that when the days of your life are gathered and your deeds are weighed, it will not be the number of your triumphs, but the purity of your purpose, that will echo in eternity. Live, then, as one who walks beneath the eyes of the Almighty — not in fear, but in faith. Let your actions be the vessel, and your intention the light within. For in the end, God alone reads our hearts, and it is by that secret flame that the soul is judged — and redeemed.