Page:History of Bengali Literature in the Nineteenth Century.djvu/470

 446 BENGALI LITERATURE and intellectually emancipated man of the Renaissance, life grew into a real thing. Vast and vital changes became manifest in the internal as well as the external world, in society, in politics, in religion, in the thoughts and aspira- tions of mankind. The drama was the natural outcome of this rich and manifold life, of this practical and positive movement which had placed literature on a purely human basis. Bengal, on the other hand, never witnessed such a great movement, bringing in its train intellectual, moral and civie emancipation. There was no such universal awakening or enthusiasm. The external world had never possessed any inherent interest to the naturally | চি stoical and idealistic Hindu and _no- thing happened which would take away this inbred apathy. His deep-rooted pessimism with regard to this world and unlimited optimism with regard to the next had produced a stoical resignation, an epicu- rean indifference and a mystic hope and faith which para- lysed personal action, suppressed the growth of external life, and replaced originality by submission. In literature, therefore, which was overwhelmed by the crushing idea of a brooding fate (adrzstabad) or of a divinity shaping our ends (debali/a), religion was the only theme which flourish- ed itself and song or recitative poem was the only vehicle which conveyed this religious preoccupation. The prevalence of the rigoristie (saz- Influences which moulded national life ; বি and natural character gives to sadé/vih over the rajasik quali in Bengal, not favour- a i 7, able to the develop. ties fostered an indifference to mun- ment of the yatra into dane activities and an absorption in the drama, nyas) ideal and the natural prominence supermundane affairs which materi- ally hampered free expansion of art, science and literature of the nation. A majestic common sense, a rich feeling