Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/309

266 The mother was highly delighted, and said'—'Very good, then, you have my permission. Now, do as you think best.'

Having thus armed himself with the weapons of his parents' permission and blessing, Vidyasagar entered the arena. First of all, he published his paper on the validity of the remarriage of Hindu widows. The publication of this pamphlet excited a great sensation throughout the city. The orthodox Hindu community suddenly awoke from their slumber and rose into action. Protests were raised from all sides against this innovation. Vidyasagar now toiled hard and fast to carry his point. He was firm and sincere in his conviction. He had to pass whole nights in the interpretation of a single Sloka that he discovered in the Sastras to his mind. He then issued another pamphlet of 22 pages in Bengali with the title, 'Whether widows ought to be married or not.' In this pamphlet, he displayed great abilities at composition. In one week, the first edition was out of print. The language of the book and the neat, proper arrangement of his arguments elicited general applause.

After this, he went, one day, to the Sobhabazar Raj-bati to try if he could secure the cooperation of Raja Radha Kanta Dev in the furtherance of the cause he had advocated. In fact, the Raja had great influence with the Hindu Society. He was also in favour with the Govern-