St. Landry democrat., 1889-07-20
Pundita Ransbai.

mind In the coming to this country of tn,
Hindu widow, Pundita Ramabai. We re-
call with new interest the fact of orr com
mon parentage; for the study of philolog,
has revealed the fact that we, EneliSi
speaking people, and the Asiatic Hindu
have descended from the sams Aryar
stock. Our fatherland is in Genital Asia
and study OF the ancient Aryan languag,
shows the common origin of many of on
words. We may literally welcome as kins
woman this renowned daughter of tn,
East. Many who hear of Pundita Ramaba
for the first time very naturally inauire
what is her history and her mission il
America?
In the hope that a brief account of tbi.
remarkable woman may add to the interes
felt in her coming and work, we abridge s
sketch from the pen of the Dean of the
Medical College of Philadelphia. We NAV
learn not to despise the influence of little
things when we see upon how small 8
thread hung the education and destiny OF
| Ramabai. The title 'Pundita" is one OF
respect, being the feminine form of the
| Hindu word 'Pundit," which signifies q
''Brahnan of great learning"
| The father of Ramabai, Ananta Shastri
was possessed with desire for the acoui-
sition of knowledge and was a pupil of
RamacLandra Shastri, a DISTINGUISHED
scholar living in Poona This eminent
Brahman was also employed by the reign
ing Peshwa to visit his palace and give
Sanskrlt lessons to favorite wife. The
student, Ananta was allowed to accom- =
pany his teacher, and thus going in and
out of the palace, he occasion ally heard
the RAM reciting Sanskrit poems The
boy WAS filled with wonder ana admira-
ton that woman could be so learned, and
lie resolved that he would teach his child
wife as the Shastri taught the fair RAM of
the palace.
The student life of Ananta ended at the
age of twenty three. According to the
custom of India, his child bride had been
delivered to the mother of Ananta. The
bride had no desire to be educated and the
elders of the family demurred, so that the
husband was compelled to desist. After a.
few years the wife died and Ananta ac-
cepted in marriage Observation-Disclosures wears
of age. The widower had not forgotten
the Festivals palace, and he again resolved
on the education of his wife The elders
of the family again objected, but Lakshmi
bal was too young to have a voice in the
matter. Ananta therefore left his home in
the valley and took up his abode in a
jungle of the Western Ghauts. The wild
animals of the jungle hourly terrified the
lonely girl, but the lessons went on with
out hindrance and Lakshmibai grew in
stature and knowledge. A rude dwelling
was constructed, and after a few wears
children came to the home in the forest
one son and two daughters. The father
devoted himself to the education of the
two elder children and also to that of
young men who, as students, sought out
the now famous Brahman priest. When
Ramabai, the youngest child, was born, in
1858, the father was too much occupied to
teach her, and upon her mother devolved
her instruction in Sanskrit. The only
time which the busy mother could find for
the lessons of her daughter, was in the
twilight; and Ramabai recalls
that early instruction, when, heavy with
sleep, she was tenderly lifted from her bed
on the earth, and repeated her lessons
from her mothers lips.
Ramabai's father was greatly involved
in debt, for the guests who frequented his
home must be fed and duties enioined by
his religion performed. The half of
Anantas property, in his native village,
was sold to discharge the debts, and the
family, homeless, set opt on pilgrimages.
During these seven years of wandering,
'he early morning lessons were continued,
and Ramabai, developing rare talent, be-
came, under the instructions of father and |
mother, prodigy of erudition. Engrossed
n her studies, she was allowed to remain
When sixteen years of age her parents
inI - H.. L r
ID to travel with her brother and, as pill
Trims, they were often in want and dis
ress. They spent their time in advocating
emale education. When they reached
calcutta the young Sanskirt scholar and
ecturer created sensation by her advanced
Jews and her scholarship. She was sum-
noned before the pundits of the city and
he distinguished title of Sarasvati was
onferred upon her.
In Calcutta Ramabai married Bengali
Gentleman, a graduate of the Calcutta
University. Neither believed in Hinduism
r Christianity and SO they were married
nth the civil marriage rite. After nine
cen months of happy married life, Rama
ais husband died of cholera. This great
REF, she says, drew her nearer to God.
he widow, Ramabai, with her infant
aughter, Monorama, were now alone in
ae world, her sister and brother having
led before this time, and she returned to
er former occupation as lecturer.
Ramabai realized that she needed per
onal training to enable her to prosecute ,,
18th success her educational work among
lie women of India. She had also become ,
'nscious of Gods guidance, and her soul :
ought after the Lord, if haply she might ,,
nd Him. The desire of her heart was to !
D to England and she went forth as Abra- 8
am, not knowing whittier she went. She :
as received in St. Mary's Home, Vantage :
here she gradually learned to feel the =
nth of Christianity. She embraced the {
hristian religion, and with her little '
lughter was baptized in the Church of y
ngland, Sept. 49, 1888. Ramabai spent .
year at Vantage in the study of the En- . .
ish language which, hitherto, had been =
1known to her. Acquiring this, she be- =
me professor of Sanskirt in the Ladies' a
'llege at Cheltenham, spending her unoc- 6
pied time as student of the college in :
g study of mathematics, natural science y
d English literature. y
Ramabai came to America in Feb, 1886, f
witness the graduation of her cousin, q
rs. Joshee, from the medical college of n
She expected to return to 4
,gland after brief vacation, but she has
come SO much interested in the public G,
ucational system of America, that her b
~ has been prolonged in the hope that m
Q may introduce into India our Anne rican q,
,thods. Pundita Ramabai, the high q
ste Brahman woman, educated refined, r
oiciDg in the liberty of the gospel, yet, ir
preference, retaining Hindu's care as o.
cards vegetable diet, and the peculiar re
% of the dress of Hindu widow, has W
emily consecrated herself to the work ic
the women of India
Sha ruichor Ia octa hlicb cchnnl fon H.