Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work/Chapter 11
CPAPTER XI.
the "Vetala-Panchavingsati," his first published book;—Re-entrance into the Fort William College.
In 1847, Vidyasagar first published his Vetala Panchavingsati, a translation of the Hindi "Vaitala-Painchisi." It was compiled at the instance of Mr. Marshall for the use of the students of the Fort William College. There is also a similar book in Sanskrit, titled the "Vetala-Panchavingsaka", by Sivadas Bhatta. It is not known for certain why Vidyasagar translated the Hindi book instead of the Sanskrit.
In his translation, Vidyasagar discarded all obscene portions of the original. The language of the book is plain, sweet and beautiful, though the use of copious long compound words in the first edition had made it rather a little jarring. But this defect was rectified in subsequent editions. Those, who are truly great, never feel ashamed to make right their errors. When Johnson saw that the language of "The Rambler" was bombast, he tried to remedy the defect in his next book, "The Lives of the Poets."
Though the language of the Vetala-Panchavingsati was more elegant and refined than that of the "Vasudeva-Charita," it was, at first, rejected by the authorities of the Fort William College, because K. M. Banarji, whom Mr. Marshall had intrusted with the examination of the book, had not approved it. Vidyasagar, dissatisfied with this decision, referred the matter to the European missionaries of Serampore. Mr. Marshman, certified it to be the best of all the Bengali prose books published up to that time. It was then that the authorities of the Fort William College purchased one hundred copies of the book for their college at an outlay of 300 rupees. The remaining copies were presented to friends.
It is no wonder that the book did not, at first, meet with general approbation. Such is the fate of all writers. The invaluable treasures of Shakspeare lay hidden for a long time. What was the fate of Milton's great work, the "Paradise Lost?" It was not appreciated during his life-time. Johnson could not procure a suit of decent clothes. Goldsmith struggled hard with poverty all his life. But why run to other countries for illustrations? What was the fate of the great Bengali poet, Michael Madhusudana Datta? He had to pass the last days of his life in a medical hospital, separated from his family, and forsaken by his countrymen. Babu Hem Chandra Banarji, the great living poet of Bengal, is immersed in poverty, living on the small pittance generously awarded by Government. Vidyasagar may be said to have been rather more fortunate in this respect. The Vetala-Panchavingsati was soon appreciated by all classes of people. Even at the present day, many readers of Bengali read the book with great gusto.
We should notice here, in passing, that Babu Jogendra Nath Vidyabhushan, M. A., son-in-law of Madan Mohan Tarkalankar (now deceased), has written a biography of his father-in-law. In this book, the author says:—
'Into Vidyasagar's Vetala-Panchavingsati, many new ideas and sweet sentences were introduced by Tarkalankar. It was so far corrected and revised by him, that it might be said to be the joint production of the two friends, like the works of Beaumont and Fletcher.'
Vidyasagar does not admit this. He says that the original manuscript of the Vetala-Panchavingsati was merely read out to Madan Mohan Tarkalankar and Giris Chandra Vidyaratna, and that a few words only were altered at their suggestion. The truth of Vidyasagar's statement will be evident from the two letters that passed between Vidyasagar and Giris Chandra Vidyaratna. The purport of the two letters are given below:—
' From
'Isvar Chandra Sarma (Vidyasagar)
' To
'Giris Chandra Vidyaratna.
I do not know whether you are aware that Babu Jogendra Nath Bandyopadhyay, M. A., late scholar, Sanskrit College, has recently issued a biography of Madan Mohan Tarkalankar. In this book, the author writes,—'Into Vidyasagar's Vetala-Panchavingsati many new ideas and sweet sentences were introduced by Tarkalankar. It was so far corrected and revised by him, that it might be said to be the joint production of the two friends, like the works of Beaumont and Fletcher.' The Vetala-Panchavingsati is again under print. I think it necessary to say something, in the present edition, about Jogendra Babu's insinuation. You very well know what hand Tarkalankar had in the correction of the Vetala-Panchavingsati. I shall feel obliged, if you will write to me what you know. It is needless to say, that I intend publishing your letter along with my explanation.
'Yours &c.
REPLY.
From
'Giris Chandra Sarma (Vidyaratna).
' To
'Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar.
'I am surprised at what Jogendra Nath Bandyopadhayay, M. A., says about the Vetala-Panchavingsati in his biography of Madan Mohan Tarkalankar. He says:—'Into Vidyasagar's Vetala-Panchavingsati many new ideas and sweet sentences were introduced by Madan Mohan Tarkalankar. It was so far corrected and revised by him that it might be said to be the joint production of the two friends, like the works of Beaumont and Fletcher.' This is quite untrue and absurd. I think, Jogendra Babu has been quite wrong in giving publicity to such falsities and absurdities.
'The real truth is, that you read out the manuscript of the Vetala-Panchavingsati to Madan Mohan Tarkalankar and myself. We gave our opinions, at that time, on one or two points, and a few words were accordingly altered here and there. Neither Tarkalankar, nor I, had any more hand in the composition of the Vetala-Panchavingsati.
'I have no objection to your publishing this letter of mine, if you think it necessary to do so.
'Yours &c.
To revert. About this time, Vidyasagar set up the "Sanskrit Press," jointly with Madan Mahon Tarkalankar.[1] They had equal shares. The press cost 600 rupees, and the capital was raised by loans. The first book printed in this Press was the works of the most famous poet, Bharat Chandra, published by Vidyasagar. The original manuscript of the book was procured from the Nuddea Raj. The authorities of the Fort William College purchased 100 copies of it, and paid 600 rupees, with which the loan was paid off. By and by, the Press became a profitable business.
Vidyasagar was a great admirer of Bharat Chandra's works. He cherished respectful feelings for the great poet, who, he said, was in no way inferior to Kalidas, the only difference between the two poets was, that the one versified in Sanskrit, and the other in Bengali. He believed, that the refined Bengali of "Annadamangal", one of the works of Bharat Chandra, was the best model for the Bengali authors. In his opinion, Bharat Chandra was an unalloyed Bengali poet. After this great poet, he gave the next place to Dasarathi Ray, Isvar Chandra Gupta, and Rasik Chandra Ray, all of whom he considered to be purely Bengali poets. He thought the poems of Isvar Chandra Gupta very good. The two were great friends, although their opinions differed on some points, especially on widow marriage. Vidyasagar had also a great fondness for Rasik Chandra Ray, who may be said to have been the last of the unalloyed Bengali poets. It was at the instance of Vidyasagar, that some of the works of Rasik Chandra were selected as text-books for the vernacular schools of Bengal. It was only Vidyasagar who backed and encouraged this artless bard. Rasik Chandra was a native of Bara, a village very near to Serampore. He had a great intimate friendship with Vidyasagar. He was so sincerely grieved at the death of his friend, that since that mournful event his health completely broke down. He lived only two short years after Vidyasagar. The deep, unfeigned grief, he felt at the loss of his sincere friend, rent his heart, and hastened him to the gates of death.
In 1848, appeared Vidyasagar's History of Bengal in Bengali. It was compiled from Marshman's "History of Bengal". It relates the events from the time of Nabab Serajuddowla to that of the Governor-General, Lord Bentinck. Vidyasagar styled his book, History of Bengal, part II., a "History of Bengal, Part I." compiled by Ramgati Nyayratna having already appeared. This latter book deals with the events prior to Serajuddowla. Vidyasagar's History of Bengal was appreciated by all clasess of people. The language of the book is plain, easy, and elegant. The first edition contained the words 'written with the permission of Mr. Marshall', from which it may be surmised, that the book was compiled at his request. This was Vidyasagar's first translation from English. He has shown the same abilities here as in his previous translations from Sanskrit and Hindi. But merely abilities for translation or writing beautiful language do not make a good historian. He should put forth his energies to make careful researches and determine the truth. Vidyasagar did make no attempts in that direction. He has painted Serajuddowla in the same light as Marshman. His Library has a good collection of many valuable historical works. If he had taken pains to study them carefully, he would probably have arrived at a very different conclusion. In fact, it is very doubtful whether there was any such thing as a Black Hole. On the whole, there is ample evidence to show, that Serajuddowla was not as cruel or impolitic, as he has been painted by European authors. Some say, that Vidyasagar had a great mind to write a complete history of India in Bengali, and, for that purpose, he had collected the historical books long after the compilation of his History of Bengal. But ill-health and infirmity prevented him from carrying the project into effect.
In March, 1849, the post of the "Head-writer and Treasurer" of the Fort William College fell vacant on the resignation of Babu Durga Charan Banarji. The reader is already aware, that it was Vidyasagar who had secured Durga Charan Babu the post, and that the latter attended the Medical College lectures as an out-student. Under the rules of the College, Durga Charan Babu was not permitted to appear at the medical examinations and obtain a diploma. But he had acquired a great proficiency in the healing art, and, in 1849, he set himself up as an independent medical practitioner. He soon won a great reputation.
On the resignation of Durga Charan Babu, Mr. Marshall appointed Vidyasagar to the vacant post on a monthly salary of 80 rupees. He was now in comparatively easy circumstances. He again found time to apply himself diligently to the acquisition of English, in which he acquired a great proficiency. He could now write decent English. Even European Civilians were pleased at, and admired, the beauty of his style. His English penmanship was also beautiful.
In the same year, appeared the "Subhakari," a Bengali periodical, contributed to by some of the students of the Hindu College. Vidyasagar was enlisted one of the writers for the paper. It is said that Vidyasagar's able pen soon made the magazine successful. Some say, that its success was no less due to the contributions of Pandit Madhav Chandra Tarkasiddhanta, another of the writers. The Journal however, did not live long. At the request of some of his friends, Vidyasagar wrote in it an article on the evil consequences of early marriage.
In this year, Vidyasagar was appointed examiner of Bengali for the senior scholarship examination. The subject of the Bengali essay was 'Female education.' At this examination, Nil Kamal Bhaduri, a student of the Krishnaghar College, stood first and won a gold medal. In this connection, Vidyasagar had an opportunity of making intimate acquaintance of J. E. D. Bethune, the founder of the well-known Bethune School of Calcutta. It is a girl, or rather a female, school for the education of native women. It was first started in 1849 with only 25 girl pupils. Its original name was the 'Hindu Girls' School,' which was subsequently converted to its present name, "Bethune School," after the name of its founder.
It was, about this time, that Vidyasagar was charged with the annual examinations of the students of the Junior and Senior departments of the Sanskrit College. In this connection, he had to come in contact with the famous German Scholar, Dr. Rowar, who was also another of the examiners. The charge of setting questions was intrusted to both of them. Dr. Rowar was, no doubt, vastly erudite in Sanskrit literature,[2] yet he had to obtain Vidyasagar's help in framing the questions. They were given some remuneration for the work. Vidyasagar did not appropriate the money to his own private use. He made a generous and charitable use of it. He laid out a part of it in giving a copy of the great Sanskrit epic, The Mahabharat, as a prize to Ram Kamal Bhattacharya, who stood first in Rheotric and Belles-lettres at the Senior scholarship examination. For this, he had to obtain permission of the Education Council. The rest he gave away to the poor and the needy.
In September, 1841, appeared Vidyasagar's Jibana-Charita. This was also a translation, compiled from Chambers's "Biography." It contained the lives of Coparnicus, Galileo, Newton, Herschel, Grocius, Leonius, Duval, and Jones. The language of the book is as plain, melodious, and elegant as that of his former productions.
Some might insinuate that, instead of narrating and illustrating the lives of good and great men of the country, he went to seek for them in foreign lands. But it should be borne in mind, that Vidyasagar had the very liberal views of a real Hindu. He was not prejudiced against any nation, country, or religion. He appreciated merits, wherever he found them. Besides, there can be no objection or harm in trying to imitate the virtues of a man, though he be of a different nation or religion. The names and works of those good and great men, who sacrificed their lives for the welfare of their country, or by noble deeds added to the glory of their nation, or benefited the world, should not be the exclusive property of the particular countries in which they were born. The lives of such illustrious persons, as form the subjects of his discourse in the Jibana Charita are commendable to all classes of people. The Hindu, the Mussulman, or the Christian may be equally benefited by them. Vidyasagar cannot be blamed for placing thess exemplary models before the youths of his country. But it may be said, without fear of controversion, that he made no attempts to illustrate the virtues of the great men of his country, though there is no lack of materials in the Sanskrit literature. It is said, that his best English tutor, Babu Ananda Krishna Basu of Sobhabazar, urged him, to compile a biographical book on the lives of the great men of this country, and that Vidyasagar collected sufficient materials for that purpose, but that ill health and want of time prevented him from carrying out the laudable project.
In this year, a happy event took place in Vidyasagar's family. His only son, Narayan Chandra, was born on the 14th November, 1849. There were great rejoicings in the family. He had afterwards four daughters in succession. But he had soon to face again a dire calamity. Vidyasagar's fifth brother, Haris Chandra, a little boy of eight years, had an attack of Cholera, which carried him off. The boy had come to Calcutta for education. Vidyasagar was deeply afflicted, and when the sad news reached Birsingha, his mother was quite disconsolate. To console her, Vidyasagar fetched his mother to Calcutta. She lived here six months with the family of Babu Raj Krishna Banarji, there being no female accomodation in Vidyasagar's own house. When the severity of her grief had somewhat lessened, she was sent back to Birsingha.
- ↑ Not long after, the two friends had a disagreement. Vidyasagar was so much displeased with Tarkalankar, that he was prepared to cut off all connections with him. Babus Syama Charan Biswas and Raj Krishna Banerji settled the dispute amicably. Vidyasagar became the sole proprietor of the Sanskrit Press.
- ↑ He has translated into Engliah two Sanskrit works, viz. "Sahityadarpana," a book on Rhetoric, and "Bhasha-Parichheda," a book on Nyaya philosophy.