Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Lineage

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born on 23rd July 1856 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra to Parvathi Bhai Gangadhar and Gangadhar Ramachandra Tilak. Bal’s father was a Sanskrit scholar and a famous teacher. Because of his scholarship, he had become ‘Gangadharpant’ to everyone. His father died when Tilak was just sixteen years. His father’s brilliance rubbed off on young Tilak who was one among the first generation of Indians to receive a college education.

Significant incident in early life

Young Bal was a very intelligent child

(Early life Episodes that can be related to children and made to do role plays)

Maths teacher: “If 5 sheep eat up all the grass in a meadow in 28 days, how many sheep will eat up the grass in 20 days?”

Tilak: “Seven sheep, sir,” flashed back the answer even before the teacher finished his question.

“Who is it that answered without working out the sum?” thundered the teacher.

Two or three voices shouted, “Bal, sir.”

The teacher went near Bal. He took his note book and glanced through it. Should he not at least take down the problem, let alone work it out? “Where have you worked the sum?”

Bal, with a mischievous smile, pointed to his head with his index finger.

“You should work the problem in your book,” the teacher said.

“Why? I will do it orally,” replied Bal.

Bal’s classmates found it difficult to understand certain problems even when the teacher did them thrice. But, to Bal, mathematics was as easy as drinking water. Sanskrit, of course, was like peeled banana to him!

Independent views

From his childhood, he used to form independent views. He took an independent stand always. He was very much different from boys of his age. Those were the days of his schooling in the primary school at Ratnagiri

One day at school, during the recess, some student had eaten groundnuts in the class and thrown the nut-shells on the floor near the teacher’s table. None of the boys took serious notice of it. The school bell rang and all the boys were back in their seats. As the teacher stepped in, he saw the nut-shells scattered near his table and burst into a rage. “Who has done this mischief?” he shouted. There was no reply from the students. “I ask again”, shouted the teacher still louder. “Whose mischief is this? If the guilty boy does not stand up, those who know him should tell me who it is.”

The boys looked at one another, most of them really wondering who the culprit could be. No one stood up. No one spoke a word either. The angry teacher then picked up the cane from the table and said, “Since none of you is helping me to catch the guilty boy, I am going to cane every one of you”. While the teacher was nearing the first row of boys, Tilak stood up and boldly said “Sir, many of us really do not know who the guilty boy is. There are many others who have not even seen these nut-shells on the floor. During the recess, all of us had gone out of class. A boy from some other class might have done this mischief. Why then should the innocent boys be caned?”

The teacher who knew Tilak’s good behaviour tried to restrain his anger but failed. “Don’t be over-wise Tilak”, he said. “I am sure some of you know the culprit. If they don’t speak out, I have got to punish the whole class.” Immediately Tilak said, though respectfully, “But Sir, I feel this is neither fair nor just. What I told you about our innocence is the truth. I don’t want to see the innocent ones punished. So, please allow me to go out of the class.” Before the teacher could say a word, Tilak picked up his books and walked out of the class room.

All the boys admired Tilak’s courage and love for justice and truth. Even the teacher could not help praising Tilak. He looked at the class and said; “Tilak is no ordinary boy. If every student is as truthful and disciplined as he is, our country will have a great future.”

Inspiring stories of Childhood

He liked stories very much. Soon after his studies, he would run to his grandfather to hear stories from him. On hearing the stories about the revolutionaries like Nana Saheb, Tatya Tope and Jhansi Rani, Bal would be thrilled. He was greatly impressed by the story of the great Maratha king, Shivaji and his love for the motherland.

“Oh! What great men were they who sacrificed their lives for the country! When he grew up he too should serve his country like them and free Mother India from slavery”- this became his heart’s desire.

Education

Bal was ten years old when Gangadharpant was transferred to Pune. By joining the Anglo-Vernacular School in Pune, young Tilak was able to get good education from well known teachers. After passing the Matriculation Examination he joined the Deccan College. In 1877, Tilak got his B.A. degree. It was no wonder that he got first class marks in mathematics. He continued his studies and got the LL.B. degree also.

Health is Wealth

His health was delicate as his mother’s. How could he sacrifice his life for the country if his body was weak? So, Tilak decided to improve his physique. He used to do physical exercises every day. And his food was regulated but nutritious. In the course of one year, Tilak was first in all games and sports. He became an expert swimmer and wrestler. He developed his body so well that all wondered at such radiant health.

Contribution to the Nation

Tilak, being a double graduate, could easily have got a well-paid job like others, under the British. But, as he had decided when he was young, he dedicated himself to the service of his country.

Tilak, along with his friends including Agarkar, Namjoshi and Chiplunkar founded the New English School, an educational institution to impart spiritual education, political education and also education in vernacular languages. The New English School grew into the ‘Deccan Education Society’. During the first year, neither Tilak nor Chiplunkar drew even a rupee as salary.

Tilak as a Journalist

Tilak thought of expanding the field of education. The school imparted education only to the students. It was necessary to bring home to the mind of every Indian, the nature of the slavery of Indians. Tilak thought that the newspapers were the most effective media.

The very next year after the school was started, Tilak started two weeklies. ‘Kesari’ was the Marathi Weekly and ‘Mahratta’ was the English Weekly.

He actually waged a war against the Government for the sake of social reforms. He issued a call for the banning of child marriage and welcomed widow marriage.

Local festivities to National Festivals

Tilak transformed the local festivities of Ganesha and Shivaji into National festivals. Tilak realised that people should feel in their very blood and bones that they are all one, they should meet often; they should have common ideals and there should be occasions, when they can ‘forget all other differences’ and mingle together joyously. Tilak’s plan made these festivities spread to every nook and corner of Maharashtra in a few years.

The Sacred Word: ‘Swadeshi’

The ‘Swadeshi’ movement, part of the Indian independence movement, grew intense. This was a movement for “boycott of goods made in other countries”. A big ‘Swadeshi Market’ was opened in front of Tilak’s house. Swadeshi goods were sold in the fifty odd stalls of the market.

‘Swadeshi, Swaraj (self-rule), Boycott and National Education’- these were the sacred words preached by Tilak. The British realized that their government would be in danger if Tilak remained free. The government made Tilak’s article ‘The Country’s Misfortune’, a pretext to charge Tilak with treason against the government. Tilak was arrested on 24th June 1908 in Bombay and sentenced to six years imprisonment outside India in Mandalay.

Tilak’s wife Sathyabhama was very simple like her husband. She never wore costly dress. She spent all her life in working for the family and in looking after guests. She passed away in India when Tilak was in the jail in Mandalay.

Tilak’s clarion call was “Swaraj is our Birth-Right and we shall have it”

Lokmanya

Tilak’s patriotism, fearlessness, fighting qualities, sharp intellect, upright character and spirit of sacrifice made the people love him. The people lovingly called him Lokmanya. [“Accepted by the people (as their leader)”]

Tilak and Spirituality

While in Mandalay Prison, every morning Tilak used to pray to God, chant hymns like the Gayathri Mantra and perform religious rites. Tilak believed that Karma Yoga is the central teaching of the Gita. He wrote the famous “Gita Rahasya”– a commentary on Bhagavad Gita. Tilak studied Vedas intensively and wrote the book “The Arctic home of the Vedas.”

He led a simple life, and offered himself, body and soul, to the service of his country. Tilak had no property. His clothes were very simple. A dhoti, a shirt, a shawl on the shoulder and a red ‘Pagadi’ (a marathi cap) on his head – this was all he wore.

Tilak believed that “Religion and practical life are not different. To take to Sanyasa (renunciation) is not to abandon life. The real spirit is to make the country your family instead of working only for your own. The step beyond is to serve humanity and the next step is to serve God.”

Tilak said, “I regard India as my Motherland and my Goddess, the people in India my kith and kin, and loyal and steadfast work for their political and social emancipation my highest religion and duty”

Bal Gangadhar Tilak at Shirdi

Arrival of Bal Gangadhar Tilak at Shirdi

Khaparde came along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak, to Shirdi on 19 May 1917. Khaparde who had come earlier also to Shirdi, had seen the greatness of Baba personally. Hence, he brought Tilak who was the extremist leader in the Indian National Congress and a freedom fighter, to have darshan of Baba and take his advice in the matter of freedom movement. There were proofs that Baba gave Tilak certain advices secretly. According to the then prevailing conditions under British rule, these matters were kept secret. There were several proofs to show that Baba predicted that India would certainly become an independent nation, through a non-violent revolution only and not through extremist violent acts. He gave advice to Tilak along the above lines and there were indications that from that day the extremist actions were toned down.

[Source – www.saibaba.org]

Suggested activities/discussions for Gurus:

1. Various festivals celebrated at Prashanti Nilayam from January-December every year.
2. Concept of Swadeshi – Relate it to the principle of Educare/five elements (hint: locally produced goods)