Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/371

 Gandhi puts us in mind of a mountain-fastness with its strong-built walls and parapets, every nook and comer, properly guarded and utilised for defence. In every day life, Mr. Tilak seemed an ordinary gentleman with nothing remarkably wonderful about him. It was only when the moment for thought or action came, that you saw him at his best, with his armour on. He never liked to keep the burden of his mail on his person the whole day long. Mr. Gandhi works, in the language of Milton, always " in his great Task-Master's eye." Every small detail of his life, private or public, is to him of the utmost account, to be regulated in accordance with definite principles followed with military rigour. Asleep or awake, walking or talking, in thought or action, he is the same Mahatma with his eyes fixed on High. This utter holiness of life mellows the dazzling heroic qualities he possesses. If, for instance, Mr. Tilak's courage blinded both friend and foe, the courage of Mr. Gandhi is most delightful to the eye because he has softened it to a point, at which we can bear its light. To a Justice Davar, Mr. Tilak would reply with proud and flashing defiance. Mr. Gandhi, equally gifted with courage would moderate its lustre with the same care with which an Indian physician medicates mercury. Mr. Tilak's utterances seem addressed to others, Mr. Gandhi's nothing but a loud soliloquy. While Mr. Tilak is talking to others, Mr. Gandhi thinks aloud.

It is admitted on aU hands that both Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Tilak have been the two most towering leaders of the age. Their leadership too, reveals certain peculiarities, characteristic of the temperament of each.