A Month With Gokhale, Part III

The terrible sacrifice offered to Kali in the name of religion enhanced my desire to know Bengali life. I had read and heard a good deal about the Brahmo Samaj. I knew something about the life of Pratapchandra Mazumdar. I had attended some of the meetings addressed by him. I secured his life of Keshavchandra Sen, read it with great interest, and understood the distinction between Sadharan Brahmo Samaj and Adi Brahmo Samaj. I met Pandit Shivanath Shastri and in company with Prof. Kathavate I went to see Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, but as no interviews with him were allowed then, we could not see him. We were, however, invited to a celebration of the Brahmo Samaj held at his place, and there we had the privilege of listening to fine Bengali music. Ever since I have been a lover of Bengali music.

The terrible sacrifice offered to Kali in the name of religion deepened my desire to learn about Bengali life. I had read and heard a good deal about the Brahmo Samaj. I knew something about Pratapchandra Mazumdar's life and had attended some meetings where he spoke. I obtained his biography of Keshavchandra Sen and read it with great interest. I also came to understand the difference between Sadharan Brahmo Samaj and Adi Brahmo Samaj. I met Pandit Shivanath Shastri and went with Prof. Kathavate to see Maharshi Devendranath Tagore. But he was not receiving visitors then, so we could not see him. We were, however, invited to a Brahmo Samaj celebration at his home. There we had the privilege of listening to beautiful Bengali music. Ever since then, I have loved Bengali music.

Having seen enough of the Brahmo Samaj, it was impossible to be satisfied without seeing Swami Vivekanand. So with great enthusiasm I went to Belur Math, mostly, or may be all the way, on foot. I loved the sequestered site of the Math. I was disappointed and sorry to be told that the Swami was at his Calcutta house, lying ill and could not be seen.

After seeing enough of the Brahmo Samaj, I could not be satisfied without seeing Swami Vivekanand. So I went eagerly to Belur Math, mostly on foot, or perhaps on foot all the way. I loved the secluded setting of the Math. I was disappointed and sorry to hear that the Swami was ill at his Calcutta house and could not see visitors.

I then ascertained the place of residence of Sister Nivedita, and met her in a Chowringhee mansion. I was taken aback by the splendour that surrounded her, and even in our conversation there was not much meeting ground. I spoke to Gokhale about this, and he said he did not wonder that there could be no point of contact between me and a volatile¹⁹ person like her.

I then found out where Sister Nivedita lived and met her in a mansion in Chowringhee. I was surprised by the luxury surrounding her. Even in our conversation, we found little common ground. I told Gokhale about this. He said he was not surprised that I could find no common ground with a volatile¹⁹ person like her.

I met her again at Mr. Pestonji Padshah’s place. I happened to come in, just as she was talking to his old mother, and so I became an interpreter between the two. In spite of my failure to find any agreement with her, I could not but notice and admire her overflowing love for Hinduism. I came to know of her books later.

I met her again at Mr. Pestonji Padshah’s place. I arrived just as she was talking to his elderly mother, so I interpreted for them. Although I could not agree with her, I noticed and admired her overflowing love for Hinduism. I learned about her books later.

I used to divide my day between seeing the leading people in Calcutta regarding the work in South Africa, and visiting and studying the religious and public institutions of the city. I once addressed a meeting, presided over by Dr. Mullick, on the work of the Indian Ambulance Corps in the Boer War. My acquaintance with the Englishman stood me in good stead on this occasion too. Mr. Saunders was ill then, but he rendered me as much help as in 1896. Gokhale liked this speech of mine, and he was very glad to hear Dr. Roy praising it.

I divided my day between meeting leading people in Calcutta about the work in South Africa and studying the city’s religious and public institutions. Once, I spoke at a meeting chaired by Dr. Mullick about the Indian Ambulance Corps’ work in the Boer War. My connection with the Englishman helped me on this occasion too. Mr. Saunders was ill at the time, but he helped me as much as he had in 1896. Gokhale liked my speech and was very glad to hear Dr. Roy praise it.

Thus my stay under the roof of Gokhale made my work in Calcutta very easy, brought me into touch with the foremost Bengali families and was the beginning of my intimate contact with Bengal.

Staying with Gokhale made my work in Calcutta much easier. It brought me into contact with the foremost Bengali families and marked the beginning of my close connection with Bengal.

I must needs skip over many a reminiscence of this memorable month. Let me simply mention my flying visit to Burma, and the foongis²⁰ there. I was pained by their lethargy. I saw the golden pagoda. I did not like the innumerable little candles burning in the temple, and the rats running about the sanctum brought to my mind thoughts of Swami Dayanand’s experience at Morbi. The freedom and energy of the Burmese women charmed me, and the indolence of the men pained me. I also saw, during my brief sojourn, that just as Bombay was not India, Rangoon was not Burma, and that just as we in India have become commission agents of English merchants, even so in Burma have we combined with the English merchants, in making the Burmese people our commission agents.

I must skip many memories of this memorable month. Let me simply mention my brief visit to Burma and the foongis²⁰ there. Their lack of energy pained me. I saw the golden pagoda. I did not like the countless little candles burning in the temple. The rats running about the inner sanctuary reminded me of Swami Dayanand’s experience at Morbi. The freedom and energy of the Burmese women charmed me, and the laziness of the men pained me. During my brief stay, I also saw that Rangoon was not Burma, just as Bombay was not India. And just as we in India have become commission agents for English merchants, in Burma we have joined with English merchants to make the Burmese people our commission agents.

On my return from Burma I took leave of Gokhale. The separation was a wrench, but my work in Bengal, or rather Calcutta, was finished, and I had no occasion to stay any longer.

When I returned from Burma, I said goodbye to Gokhale. Parting was painful, but my work in Bengal, or rather Calcutta, was finished. I had no reason to stay any longer.

Before settling down I had thought of making a tour through India travelling third class, and of acquainting myself with the hardships of the third class passengers. I spoke to Gokhale about this. To begin with he ridiculed the idea, but when I explained to him what I hoped to see, he cheerfully approved. I planned to go first to Benares to pay my respects to Mrs. Besant who was then ill.

Before settling down, I had thought of touring India in third class to learn about the hardships third-class passengers faced. I spoke to Gokhale about the idea. At first, he laughed at it. But when I explained what I hoped to see, he gladly approved. I planned to go first to Benares to pay my respects to Mrs. Besant, who was ill at the time.

It was necessary to equip myself anew for the third class tour. Gokhale himself gave me a metal tiffin-box and got it replenished with sweetballs and puris. I purchased a canvas bag worth twelve annas, and got a long coat made of Chhaya²¹ wool. The bag was to contain this coat, a dhoti, a towel and a shirt. I had a blanket as well to cover myself with, and a water jug. Thus equipped I set forth on my travels. Gokhale and Dr. Roy came to the station to see me off. I had asked them both not to trouble to come but they insisted. ‘I should not have come if you had gone first class, but now I must come,’ said Gokhale.

I needed to pack afresh for my third-class tour. Gokhale himself gave me a metal tiffin box and had it filled with sweetballs and puris. I bought a canvas bag for twelve annas and had a long coat made of Chhaya²¹ wool. The bag was to hold the coat, a dhoti, a towel and a shirt. I also had a blanket to cover myself and a water jug. With these things, I set off on my travels. Gokhale and Dr. Roy came to the station to see me off. I had asked them both not to trouble themselves, but they insisted. ‘I would not have come if you had traveled first class, but now I must come,’ said Gokhale.

No one stopped Gokhale from going on to the platform. He was in his silk turban, jacket and dhoti. Dr. Roy was in his Bengali dress. He was stopped by the ticket collector, but on Gokhale telling him that he was his friend, he was admitted.

No one stopped Gokhale from going onto the platform. He wore a silk turban, jacket, and dhoti. Dr. Roy wore Bengali dress. The ticket collector stopped Dr. Roy, but let him through when Gokhale said he was his friend.

Thus with their good wishes I started on my journey.

So, with their good wishes, I set off on my journey.