Page:Ramtanu Lahiri, Brahman and Reformer - A History of the Renaissance in Bengal.djvu/61

 admired and respected him so much. We feel a pleasure in speaking of a man like him and our character is exalted in studying his exemplary nature.

Ramtanu’s mother, Jagaddhatri Debi, was born in this great family, and inherited its virtues. She was undoubtedly rich in intellectual and moral gifts. She was the only daughter of her parents, she presided over her father’s house as the goddess of good-luck. In her childhood, she was loved by Raja Shib Chandra as his own daughter; and, mounted on an elephant by his side, she often accompanied him in his excursions. We can easily conceive how much this girl was loved by her parents. It is no exaggeration to say that her father occupied, next to the Rajas, the most honoured position in Krishnagar, and she could have, had she liked, always lived with him. Her husband, Ramkrishna, too, in accordance with the custom of the Kulins, might have lived permanently in his father-in-law’s house. But Jagaddhatri did not like it. She valued her husband’s self-respect so much, that some time after her marriage, she gladly left her parental roof, for that of her husband at Kadamtala; and passed her days happily there in spite of her straitened circumstances. Gladly she cleaned the floor, carried water, and husked paddy for the consumption of the family; and in addition to these onerous domestic duties, she had to bring up her children. If any of her neighbours or friends would pity her for her having so much to do, she would scorn their pity. On one occasion an old servant from her father’s came to see her, and finding her husking paddy, expressed her sympathy; but Jagaddhatri said to her, “I am very happy here. Tell my mother there is nothing to make me sad, I am very fond of work.” People were so taken with her amiability, and her excellent qualities, that wherever