Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/109

70 philosopher, Jaynarayan Tarkapanchanan, who had called there, saw Isvar Chandra reading the rhetorical book The philosopher asked the boy if he understood the book, and at once began to examine him. He was greatly surprised that the little boy had mastered the book thoroughly, and remarked that the boy would, in time, be the best pundit in Bengal. Such was the praise young Isvar Chandra won, at an early age, from the greatest philosopher of the day.

At this time, Isvar Chandra got a monthly scholarship of eight rupees, which he made over to his father every month. As has been said before, Thakurdas had a great mind from the beginning to set up a tol, in his native village, with Isvar Chandra as professor. He therefore laid out a part of his son's scholarship funds in purchasing lands for the site of the tol and for the maintenance of students. After the acquisition of the lands, he would not receive Isvar Chandra's stipend money, but directed his son to spend a portion of it in buying manuscript copies of rare and valuable Sanskrit books. Isvar Chandra procured many such manuscripts, and they are still to be found in his library.

Nor was this all. The heart of Isvar Chandra was as soft, as his mind was strong. He was kind and sympathetic, and always eager to relieve the