Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/460

 Father’s death. Marriage, Tour in Eastern Bengal. Return, 424 BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [Chap, little dashing and abrupt in its course, yet never- theless lovely and joyous, it indicated the presence of elements in his character which were destined — to leap over the walls of orthodoxy and carry the world with him, by the innate force of pure and — lofty natural instincts. In the meantime Jagannath Micra had died and ~ Nim@i had married. His wife was Laksmi Devi who had herself elected Nimai as her lord express- — ing a wish to her mother to marry the young + scholar. Nimai was now settled in life. His homestead consisted of five large and beautiful houses on the banks of the Ganges. He lived a simple life devo- ted to his studies. The death of his father weighed on him and he contemplated a journey with a view to restoring his peace of mind. He accordingly visited Eastern Bengal making a tour through the several centres of Sanskrit learning that then exist- ed in that part of the province. His commentaries on grammar were taught in the tols there and his name was widely known. He met with a cordial reception everywhere, and is said to have stayed at Kotalipara in the District of Faridpur for some- time. Having received honours and rewards from his admirers, he set out again for Navadwipa after afew months. Returning home, he caught sight of Navadwipa, in the distance girdled by the Ganges, with its temples rising above the tops of the green trees. The place had a peculiar attraction for him, and he hastened to meet his mother and wife. His friends Cridhara and Gadadhara met him half way, with open arms, and in his height of joy he mimicked the accents of the East Bengal