Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/343

 nature, and this has been shown by his freqnent public appreciation of his opponents. A conspicuous instance in point is the address which he presented to Mr. Gokhale in 1905, on the latter's return from England.

This placability towards opponents is an evidence of a brave and candid spirit — of true Kshatriya qualities. In Mr. Tilak's case, these qualities were shown to ad- vantage by BraJimanic lustre,— simplicity, purity and the spirit of renunciation. His dress, diet, habits — every- thing was simplicity incarnate. He never allowed him- self to be caught in the demoralizaing snare of luxury. Mr. Tilak's purity of life, publicly acknowledged by men like Sir Valentine Chirol was the keystone of his character. He was virtuous not by effort but by instinct.

In the earl}^ part of his career he was considered to be extremely obstinate, fanatical and reckless. From the very first his greatness was recognised by a section of the educated class and by the people at large who instinctively looked upon him as their leader. The tide of j.^opularity swelled more and more, till it broke the barriers of province, sect and creed. At the time of his death, Mr. Tilak was the idol of the people, the moulder of the national will. Honour came to him, in spite of his political opponents, in spite of bu- reaucratic persecutions. " But the cup that in- toxicated others, sobered him. " He kept his head cool, in the midst of regal honours, huge processions and deafening ovations. He utilised these outbursts for the propagation of his ideas, but he was, by nature averse to and impatient of such demonstrations. The spirit of renunciation was a