Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/310

267 ment. He had some reputation in that quarter. Vidyasagar, therefore, sought for his help. He, at first, consulted his friend, Ananda Krishna Babu (who was a grandson of the Raja, as we have already said). But Ananda Krishna dared not broach such a weighty subject on social reform before his august grandfather. He advised his friend to send the pamphlet to the Raja with a covering letter. Vidyasagar did as he was desired. It is said, that the perusal of the pamphlet gave the Raja great pleasure. He sent for Vidyasagar, and said to him that the method pursued in the compilation of the pamphlet was good, but that he himself was a man of worldly affairs, and he had, therefore, neither the ability nor the right to enter into a discussion of this subject. He also said that if Vidyasagar so wished, he could fix a day, and convene a meeting of the learned pundits to discuss the matter over. Vidyasagar assented, and a day was fixed for the debate. On the appointed day, a great number of pundits (including Vidyasagar) assembled, and a hot discussion ensued, but no decision was arrived at. Vidyasagar's method of discussion gave great satisfaction to the Raja, who rewarded him with a pair of Shawl.

The news of this prize soon spread over the city, and the leaders of the orthodox Hindu community were afraid that Raja Radha Kanta Dev was in favour of remarriage of Hindu widows.