Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/123

84 Babu gave a few words, and required the examinees to write on them a poetical composition. Isvar Chandra's composition won the admiration of Rassamay Babu.

In the year 1838, Mr. John Mayor, a civilian, offered a prize of one hundred rupees in cash for the best poetical essay in one hundred Slokas on a description of this globe of the earth and the celestial globe, according to the ancient Hindu Puran, Suryyasiddhanta, and the modern European notions. Isvar Chandra's poem was considered the best, and he won the prize. These Slokas were under publication in the form of a booklet, while Vidyasagar was still alive, but were not out of press then. The publication has since been complete. The book now contains 408 Slokas. Most probably, the additional Slokas in excess of Mr. Mayor's requisition, were added in his later years. In the beginning of this book, there is ample evidence of Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar's belief in God, devotion to his preceptor, and humility of heart.