Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/102

Rh he won their hearts by his benevolence and generosity. Many stories are told of his extraordinary strength and valour displayed with magnanimity.

At the time, of which we are speaking, the Gajan festival was performed annually with great pomp, in Khirpai. The Gajan procession used to circumambulate the whole village. Satrughna Bhattacharya was the leader of the processionists, and accompanied them all through. Unfortunately, on one occassion, the people of one part of the village rose against Satrughna, and were determined not to allow the processionists to enter their quarter. Satrughna was apprised of their conspiracy, and the intrepid Brahman was firmly resolved, that in spite of all obstacles, the procession must be proceeded with. As he led the procession towards that part of the village where his opponents lay in wait, he found that the enemy had stationed a huge elephant as front guard, followed by a large car, behind which the men of the other party were stationed in large numbers. Satrughna saw, in a moment, that this was the arrangement the enemy had made to hinder his progress. Not daunted in the least, he picked up a brick-bat, and seizing the elephant by its trunk, began striking it with all his force with the brick-bat. The huge beast, unable to bear the pain, roared aloud and made good