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an Extra Assistant Commissioner should feel inclined to take three
months' leave simply for Sanskrit study under Pandit Guru Datta is
no small testimony in favour of the excellence of the class and abilities
of the Pandit. During his life time even the most fastidious critics
respected him as a profound Sanskrit scholar. Pandit Guru Datta's
knowledge of Sanskrit was not only deep, but extensive. It ranged over
a very wide area. He could speak in that language with fluency and
felicity of expression and men were simply struck when they saw him
lecturing in Sanskrit at the Arya Mandir at Lahore against
Mahamandalists, without any pause whatever. The Mahabhashya
class did not enjoy a long lease of life, but during the short span of its
existence, it did solid good to the students and had it continued to exist
for some time more, it would certainly have turned out men of sound
knowledge, well versed in Ashtadhyai.
The study of Swami Dayananda's work had produced a
wonderful effect on the mind of Panditji. He became very calm
and sober in views and his mental activity was directed towards
the subtle, rather than towards the gross affairs.
Atmik Unnati,
(spiritual advancement) became the chief aim of his endeavours;
he would do nothing that did not directly or indirectly conduce to
that end. He was, as it were, a
grihasthi
recluse. He retired not
from the busy haunts of the work a day world, yet the world
could not influence him. Once or twice he is said to have expressed
a desire to enter into
Banaprastha,
so that he might be able to pursue
his object without interruption from any quarter, but the thought
of his family restrained him from taking such a step. Several
persons were dependent upon him, and without his support they
might starve or be reduced to a miserable plight. And he was keenly
sensible of this fact, and, therefore, he did not retire into jungle.
In April 1889 he was relieved of Professorship in the
Government College by Dr. Oman who had returned from his leave.
Pandit Guru Datta, though he drew a handsome pay, had nothing
to his credit in the banks, as he gave away to the poor what was
left after meeting his family expenses. He must do some work,
otherwise it was not possible for him to maintain his dependents.
Several gentlemen advised him to go to the Director of Public
Instruction and request him to give him some post. This he did
not like to do, his object being to hold aloof, as much as possible,
from a profession that did not help him in spiritual advancement.
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