THE LAST OF THE GENTLEMEN

THE LAST OF THE GENTLEMEN, Debaprasad Bhattacharya    

A great man you are in your apparent self-imposed insignificance. This attribute of existing as if in absentia on account of utter self-effacement is the hallmark of the learned. Erudite as you are in your subject of excellence at whose service you have spent the prime of your youth and middle age till retirement saw you emerge in a sphere that bears the signature of your brahmanical lineage, you remain a lingering symbol of the scripturally stated scholar having humility in learning, a simple soul having the capacity for classical thinking while remaining flexible enough to adjust, amend and evolve along the lines of new discoveries in knowledge. Your honesty, integrity, intellect, feeling, discipline and character-strength are a beacon unto us who look forward to your exemplary living as a model for us to follow. The balance of attributes that are manifest in your personality is a feature more of the golden generations of the past than of the frothy present. I find it difficult to put into words the depth of your sympathies for one and all, familiar or foreign, whenever you find them in distress which marks you out as a singular soul of large sympathies, a wonderful blend of head and heart as Swamiji had aspired for future humanity to bear. Your indulgence of my varied dispositions shows your affection towards the younger generations which in no uncertain terms endears us to you. At a time of terrible uncertainties when we, Hindus, face a civilisational crisis, it is saner voices like you who have seen much, learnt more and felt most the suffering of the poor and the afflicted who can hold aloft the banner of truth and light under which we can all hope to gather. For as the Vedic rishi sings the song of unison and conjoint resolve, cooperative action and coordinated living,

'संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं

सं वो मनांसि जानताम्

देवा भागं यथा पूर्वे

सञ्जानाना उपासते ||

समानो मन्त्र: समिति: समानी

समानं मन: सहचित्तमेषाम्

समानं मन्त्रमभिमन्त्रये व:

समानेन वो हविषा जुहोमि ||'

let us in a like manner seek the guidance of elders like you and march on through the eve of our twilit consciousness to the dawn of resplendence in the witnessing of the Self. May Thakur-Ma-Swamiji bless you with health, happiness, high spirits and a lasting peace that passeth understanding. 🕉 brāhmanāy namah!

Written by Sugata Bose 

Photo: Smt. Bhattacharya and Dr. Debaprasad Bhattacharya, courtesy, Dr. Debaprasad Bhattacharya.