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[ *79 ] SIVANATH SASTRI. Pandit Sivanath Sastri, the poet, novelist and preacher, was born at Majilpur in the Twenty-four Parganas in 1847. He is the son of Pandit Harananda Vidyasagar, a friend of the late Pandit Isvarchandra Vidyasagar, and the nephew, on his mother's side, of the late Pandit Dwarakanath Vidyabhushan, the famous editor of the Somprakas. Thus having been early brought under the influ- ence of the great reformer and philanlhrupist, Pandit Isvarchandra and the accomplished scholar, Pandit Dwarakanth, Pandit Sastri's character bears a deep impress of this healthy influence. Young Sivanath wa%* brilliant universiiy scholar, having secured no fewer 1 than three scholarships at the B. A. Examination. Another great influence on his character was that of the great reformer and preach- er, fhe late Kesavchandra Sen. Sivanath early became an ardent Brahmo and was initiated by Mr. Sen in his Mandir in 1 869, on the same day with the late Mr. A. M. Bose. In 1S72 Sivanath came out as an M. A. of the Calcutta University, securing the first place in Sanskrit and obtaining the title * Sastri ' by which he has since been known. He successively filled the place of Head- master at the Harinubhi Anglo-Sanskrit School and the Bhowanipur South Suburban School, and then in 1876 became the Head Pandit and TeacSer of Translation at the Hare School. Had he continued in Government service, he would have long ago become the Principal of the Sanskrit College and by this time retired with a handsome pension. But he was meant for higher duties. He threw up his appointment in 1878 and became a Missionary of the Sadharan Brahma Samaj, which was just established. He still holds that honoured post, and all his subsequent activities, literary and practical, have centred round it. While yet a student, Pandit