Becharam: Beni brother! I have never, in my life, even heard of such a person, let alone seen one with my own eyes—such people, it would be better to keep even an old man near them—the boy is bound to turn out well. Ah! If only Baburam’s youngest son turns out well, it would be a great joy indeed.

Babu Bardaprasad’s Advice—His Wisdom, Piety, and Method of Instruction. His Counsel to Ramlal, His Father’s Anxieties, and Uncle Thakchacha’s Wounded Advice. Changing Opinions about Ramlal’s Qualities, and His Elder Sister’s Illness and Death.

Babu Bardaprasad possessed a rare discernment in matters of education. He understood human nature well. He knew the powers and inclinations of the mind, and how, by directing those powers and inclinations in the right way, a person could become intelligent and virtuous—on this subject, he had particular expertise. The work of a teacher is no easy task. Many, having picked up a smattering of knowledge here and there, and finding no other employment, set themselves up as teachers—but from such people, true education cannot be expected. To be a real teacher, one must thoroughly understand the workings and moods of the mind, and must carefully consider, listen, and learn how instruction can be made effective in practice. Without this, if one teaches in a hurried and careless manner, it is like striking a stone with a pickaxe—one may strike a hundred times and not dislodge even a handful of earth.

Babu Bardaprasad was a man of wide experience—having devoted himself for many years to the subject of education, he knew well the proper methods of instruction. The way he taught imparted true knowledge. Nowadays, in government schools, the real aim of education is not fulfilled, for the powers and inclinations of the mind are not properly directed. The students only learn to memorize by rote, which merely awakens their memory, while their powers of reasoning remain dormant, to say nothing of the development of their finer feelings. The chief purpose of education is that, according to the age of the students, all the powers and inclinations of the mind should be equally exercised. It is not right to overdevelop one faculty and neglect another. Just as the body becomes strong when all its limbs are equally exercised, so too, true intelligence is developed when all the powers of the mind are equally cultivated. The faculties of the mind, too...

It is necessary to govern one’s faculties in a balanced manner. Guiding one quality does not mean all qualities are guided. One may develop reverence for truth, yet lack even a trace of compassion; or, having an excess of compassion, may be utterly devoid of common sense in matters of debt and credit. It is not impossible for a person to be upright in financial dealings, yet be neglectful and unloving towards parents, wife, and children. Conversely, one may be affectionate towards parents and family, yet possess not a shred of honesty. Thus, Babu Bardaprasad well understood that