Basic HTML Version
www.thea rya sa maj.org
ancient Rishis basked. But though, many had seen it and duly
appreciated the blessing, the majority, long used to live in darkness,
had either doubted it or obstinately refused to be led to it. It was
the duty, the imperative duty of all whose souls were no longer
enveloped in the gloom of superstition, to cure the sceptic of his
scepticism and the obstinate and the bigotted of their obstinacy and
bigtory. This could only be done by assisting the institution where
the coming generations were gradually and imperceptibly being
prepared to be ultimately led to it. The lecturer did not name any
particular institution, the people knew which institution they ought
to assist. The lecturer sat down amidst, vociferous cheering."32
From the beginning of 1888, the year during which Pandit
Guru Datta was ceaselessly active, dates the growth of disease
which, under a modified form, ultimately carried him off. What
with the revision, and
swarising
of the Sam Veda, what with the
botheration at the Ashtadhyai class,33 and what with the constant
and prolonged travels in the muffasil in the interests of the D.A.V.
College, his constitution, though unusually strong, had broken
down. It could not bear a heavy strain. The Pandit was advised to
take a little of rest and recruit his health. At first he took kindly to
the advice, but the prospect of a brilliant success in the proselytising
mission of the Arya Samaj took possession of his entire soul and
encompassed all other considerations. He would not withdraw
himself from the field of activity, come what might.
Fortunately or unfortunately at that early stage of Samajic
propagandaism, four Sannyasis, Achutananda, Prakashananda,
Swatmananda, and Mahananda strolling monks fell in with him.
They were an intelligent lot and evinced a sincere desire to learn
and know about the Vedic religion, its principles and dispensation
in the world. Pandit Guru Datta was all kindness and courtesy to
them. His superior learning, unrivalled wisdom, and great
resources of information simply bewitched the Swamis. They
would not part company with him. Day and night they were seen
at his house. They belonged to the Vedantic persuation but their
Vedantism evaporated before Panditji as water does before the sun.
Restless in mind, without any settled conviction to guide and
console them, these people yearned with the intense longing of one
parched with spiritual thirst for nectar and that was ungrudgingly