Page 165 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

the concepts of Karma, Dharma, Yoga and presented them
to the people. An in-depth study of the Bhagwad Gita, a true
analysis of the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, was a
major guiding force. He believed that the Gita provided great
support to help unite the people of India in their struggle for a
free India.
Tilak’s value system

When one takes a close look at Lokmanya Tilak’s
understanding of ethics and his value system, it becomes
very evident that it is strongly influenced simultaneously by
Hinduism and his passion for an independent India. To him,
independence did not mean just the independence of a nation
but rather the freedom that every individual deserves.
Lokmanya Tilak had the unique quality of being both a
philosopher and a politician. He aspired to make every individual
Indian conscious of the wrong that was done to him by the
British. He prepared a platform for the Home Rule Movement.
Swaraj and Swadeshi were the two pillars he advocated to build
a free India. Tilak who was called the Father of Modern India
welcomed modernity, with open arms.

Following Tilak’s death ‘The Hindu’ observed, ‘As was once
said of Napoleon, Mr. Tilak was not so much a man as an
idea and the idea of lofty patriotism and noble self-sacrifice he
presented will under providence endure.’

Lokmanya Tilak embodied and epitomized patriotism and
self-sacrifice. His passion, determination, and undoubted
conviction led him on tirelessly in his struggle for a free India. His
clarity of thought amazed the most mature leaders. Whenever it
came to critical decision-making, he was supported and guided
by the philosophy of the Bhagwad Gita. Tilak’s magnum opus
Gita Rahasya is a work to reckon with. In this work, he studied
the teachings of the Gita and brought forth before the people
the Eastern and Western philosophies and material sciences.
He then concluded that Nishkam Karma Yoga, that is actions
that are not attached to fruits or desires, is the ultimate way in
which a human being can live life ethically. This is the true way
to progress, to achieve knowledge and to progress spiritually.

163 Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata