Pandit Shankar Pandurang had two sons and three daughters. One of his daughters, (Pandita) Kshama Rao, grew to become an eminent Sanskrit scholar, and had many writings in Sanskrit to her credit. She wrote a biography in Sanskrit, of her illustrious father under the title Shankar Jeevan Akhyanam. The book gives, among other things, a graphic description of Swamiji’s stay at Bhojeshwar Bungalow. Presented here is a free translation-along with the original Sanskrit verses of her vivid account of the impression Swamiji left on her young mind. Her account poignantly portrays Swamiji’s childlike simplicity and unassuming nature.
This is from Ullas 16, sloka 24 to 49 of the original book. The translater is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order. [Courtesy: Vedanta Kesari, February, 2006]
आगतेषु सुविख्यातस्तस्यासीदतिथिर्महान् ।
विवेकानन्द-योगीन्द्रः स्वामी संसर्गपावनः ।।
Among the many people who visited his (Pandit Shankar Pandurang’s) house as guest, was the well-known great Yogi Swami Vivekananda in whose company one felt blessed and sanctified.
देशं निवर्तमानोऽयं यतीशो द्वारकसपुरात् ।
भोजेश्वर-गृहस्याग्रं नौकास्थः समवैक्षत ।।
While coming from Dwarka city by boat, this sannyasin saw the Bhojeshwar Bungalow and asked, Whose residence is this?
किमेतदिति जिज्ञासुमवोचन् परिवारिणः ।
श्रीमतः शङ्करस्यायं निवासो हि यशस्विनः ।।
His co-passenger answered ‘This is the house of one celebrated Srimat Shankar (Pandurang).’
महतीं वैदुषीमस्य निशम्य मुनिपुङ्गवः ।
द्रष्टुकामोऽभवच्चैतं मणिज्ञ इव मौक्तिकम् ।।
Just as a jeweller after hearing the praise of a good gem, wants to see it, so also after hearing about the erudition of Shankar Pandurang, the Muniraj (Swami Vivekananda) wanted to see him.
नौकानिवेशनं प्राप्य स्वामी विद्यातपोधनः ।
भावयन् विदुषा सङ्गं सानन्दः समवातरत् ।।
Endowed with wisdom and austerities, as Swamiji was, he requested for halting the boat, and along with another co-scholar, he alighted from the boat.
स्वामिनेऽभायागतायास्मै भोजेश्वरमतकिर्तम् ।
चकार स्वागतं भत्तया शङ्करोऽतिथिवत्सलः ।।
Shankar Pandit, who (always) liked to play a good host, welcomed this special guest to Bhojeshwar Bungalow with warmth and devotion.
स्नानपूजादिकार्यान्ते विश्रान्तं मुनिसत्तमम् ।
अनयद्भोजनागारं गन्धयष्टिसुवासितम् ।।
After finishing his bath and daily worship, etc., the Muniraj (Swami Vivekananda) took some rest. After rest, the Shankar Pandit escorted Swamiji to the well-lit dining hall which was full of sweet aroma.
प्रविष्टस्यास्य शालायामुभौ माधववामनौ ।
प्राञ्जली चक्रतुः पूजां यतिनः शङ्करात्मजौ ।।
When Swamiji entered the dining hall, Shankar Pandit’s two sons-Madhav and Vaman-greeted Swamiji with folded hands.
स्थितास्तु बालिकास्तिस्रो लज्जानतमुखाम्बुजाः ।
तारा क्षमा च भद्रा च तद्दर्शनचमत्कृताः ।।
But Shankar Pandit’s three daughters- Tara, Kshama and Bhadra-stood silent, startled at the luminous personality of Swamiji.
एता निःशब्दमासीनास्तं मुनीन्द्रमनन्दयन् ।
अधिकं किल पुत्राभ्यां प्रजल्पद्भ्यां प्रतिक्षणम् ।।
Swamiji was more pleased with these girls than with the two boys who kept on talking every minute.
भुक्तोत्तरमथ स्वामी ब्रह्मतेजस्समुज्जवलः ।
अनेकरम्यसंलापैर्मुदे गृहमेधिना ।।
After the food, Shankar Pandit entertained Swamiji, who had a luminous personality, by conversing about various interesting subjects.
परेधुः शङ्करस्तीरं समुद्रस्यानयन्मुनिम् ।
दर्शयन् विविधान्यस्मै दर्शनीयस्थलानि सः ।।
Next day, Shankar Pandit, took Swamiji to the sea shore and also to many other places of interest.
आलोक्य नूतनाः संस्था निमिर्ताः शङ्करेण ताः ।
बभूव विस्मितः स्वामी तदीयमतिसम्पदा ।।
Swamiji was amazed at Shankar Pandit’s intelligence by seeing the new institution(s) Shankar Pandit had started.
अथ तौ तीरमापन्नौ मन्दानिलमनोहरम् ।
अपश्यतां कुमारौ द्वौ प्लवमानौ सशिक्षकौ ।।
Then they both came to the sea shore (again). Sweet breeze had added charm to the atmosphere. They saw Shankar Pandit’s two sons learning how to swim with the help of a coach.
तिस्रश्च बालिका धात्र्या विनोदं गमिता भृशम् ।
सकौशलं विनिर्मान्त्या मन्दिरं सिकतामयम् ।।
Three girls (Shankar Pandit’s daughters) were joyfully playing, along with their maid, on the sea shore. They had carefully built a small castle of sand.
सपाणितालमानन्दात् परितः क्रीडनालयम् ।
नृत्यन्ति स्मोपगायन्त्यः कलामान्दोलगीतिकाम् ।।
The girls were sweetly singing a song and were going round the sand castle, while clapping their hands.
तासामव्यक्तमधुरां निशम्य स्वरसम्पदम् ।
अनुचक्रे मुनीन्द्रोऽपि तत्क्रीडागीतिनर्तनम् ।।
Hearing their hazy but sweet song, Swamiji also joined their song-and-dance play.
शिशुवत् खेलनोद्युक्तं यतिमालोक्य बालिकाः ।
प्रह्यष्टाश्चक्रिरे सद्यस्तमेनं सहचारिणम् ।।
Overjoyed at seeing he had joined them like a child, these girls happily included this yogi in their play.
स्थापयित्वा ततो बालाः स्कन्धोपरि हसन्मुखः ।
अवतारज्जले किञ्चित्तरणच्छझना मुनिः ।।
After this Swamiji, laughing, seated the two boys (Pandit’s sons) on his shoulders, and entered the waters in order to swim.
अशिक्षयत्तदारभ्य शङ्करस्य कुमारकौ ।
जलविद्यारहस्यानि सर्वक्रीडाविशारदः ।।
An expert in all plays and games, Swamiji taught all the nuances of swimming to Pandit’s two sons.
स्वामी च शङ्करः सायं समारूढौ तुरङ्गमौ ।
जग्मतुर्दोर्घमध्वानं पश्यन्तौ ग्राममण्डलम् ।।
In the evening, Swamiji and Sankar Pandit riding on the horse-back, travelled a long distance and visited many villages.
पाकशास्त्रेऽपि निष्णातो मुनीन्द्रोऽयमुपादिशत् ।
उषादेवीं विशिष्टान्नशाकसम्भारचातुरीम् ।।
Swamiji was an expert in culinary arts. He taught (our mother) Ushadevi how to make many vegetarian and cereals dishes.
अथात्मनो निवासेन पुरीं मासचतुष्टयम् ।
पावयन् सत्कृतो लोकैः स्वदेशं स्वदेशं प्रययौ मुनिः ।।
Thus Swamiji sanctified this city (Porbandar) by staying for four months. Thereafter, having accepted our hospitality, Swamiji went his way (to further wanderings).
Swamiji went from Porbandar to Dwarka.
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