From the Gospel – 25

PUNDIT  ISWAR CHANDRA VIDYASAGAR was born in the village of Beersingh, not far from Kamarpukur, Sri Ramakrishna's birthplace.  He was known as a great scholar, educator, writer, and philanthropist. His generosity made his name a household word with his countrymen, most of his income being given in charity to widows, orphans, indigent students, and other needy people.  Nor was his compassion limited to human beings: he stopped drinking milk for years so that the calves should not be deprived of it, and he would not drive in a carriage for fear of causing discomfort to the horses.  He was a man of indomitable spirit, which he showed when he gave up the lucrative position of principal of the Sanskrit College of Calcutta because of a disagreement with the authorities.  His affection for his mother was especially deep.  One day, in the absence of a ferryboat, he swam a raging river at the risk of his life to fulfill her wish that he should be present at his brother's wedding.  His whole life was one of utter simplicity.  The title Vidyasagar, meaning "Ocean of Learning", was given him in recognition of his vast erudition.

Sri Ramakrishna had long wanted to visit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.  Learning from M. that he was a teacher at Vidyasagar's school, the Master asked: "Can you take me to Vidyasagar? I should like very much to see him." M. told Iswar Chandra of Sri Ramakrishna's wish, and the pundit gladly agreed that M. should bring the Master.

On the afternoon of August 5, 1882, the Master left Dakshineswar in a hackney carriage, to meet  Vidyasagar who lived in Badurbagan, in central Calcutta…

MASTER: "Ah! Today, at last, I have come to the ocean.  Up till now I have seen only canals, marshes, or a river at the most.  But today I am face to face with the sagar, the ocean."(All laugh.)

VIDYASAGAR (smiling): "Then please take home some salt water." (laughter)

MASTER: "Oh, no! Why salt water? You aren't the ocean of ignorance.  You are the ocean of vidyā, knowledge.  You are the ocean of condensed milk." (All laugh.)

VIDYASAGAR: "Well, you may put it that way."

The pundit became silent.  Sri Ramakrishna said: "Your activities are inspired by sattva.  Though they are rajasic, they are influenced by sattva.  Compassion springs from sattva.  Though work for the good of others belongs to rajas, yet this rajas has sattva for its basis, and is not harmful.  Suka and other sages cherished compassion in their minds to give people religious instruction, to teach them about God.  You are distributing food and learning.  That is good too.  If these activities are done in a selfless spirit they lead to God.  But most people work for fame or to acquire merit.  Their activities are not selfless. Besides, you are already a siddha."