Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/172

Rh for worship of his own mother. May we now ask you, dear reader, which of the two was the nobler hero? Which of the two was more admirable? Which of the two should have his name engraved in our hearts? Which of the two ought to be our model for imitation? We leave the thoughtful reader to answer the questions for himself. This is only one illustration of Vidyasagar's filial love. The reader will, by and by, find many such instances in his life.

Before concluding this chapter, we will once more notice his powers of versification. We have seen his abilities at composition of beautiful Sanskrit poems, when a student,—winning prizes for them. In his maturer years those powers had not lost their vigour. His abilities at versification were always the same. But, unfortunately, he did not cultivate them. During his tenure of office in the Fort William College, Mr. Cost, a Civilian, requested Vidyasagar to compose a sloka (a very short stanza) about him. Vidyasagar composed the sloka extemporaneously. Mr. Cost had some knowledge of Sanskrit, and he thought the sloka beautiful. He admired it, and was so pleased, that he at once offered him a reward of 200 rupees. Vidyasagar would not take the money himself. He proposed that the money should be deposited in the Sanskrit College, and out of it a prize of 50 rupees should be given each year to the best Sanskrit essayist. Mr. Cost agreed to Vidyasagar's