SOME GLIMPSES OF HIS LIFE

Our revered father Dr. Ashirbadi Lal Srivastava had a healthy, well-built body and was about 5 feet 6 inches tall with wheatish complexion. He had a round face with small scars of smallpox on it and an imposing and impressive personality. He was highly self-respecting, honest, disciplined, saintly person who always followed the principles of Arya Samaj.

He was never interested in worldly vices and always concentrated on his studies and research work. He practiced the principles of ‘work is worship’. His determination and love for studies was exemplified even during his childhood when to attend the school daily he used to travel on a pony a distance of about 10 kilometers.

He was so engrossed in his studies that even after 7 to 8 years of marriage he did not have any children. His parents privately even started thinking of performing his second marriage. His father died when he was studying in B.A. at Lucknow University. After his father's death, when there was no earning member left in the family and also on account of repeated thefts in the house, he started facing financial hardships.   Despite these hardships, he continued to pursue his studies, and stopped taking any financial support from the family. Due to his strong determination, instead of losing heart during that difficult period, he continued his academic journey as a regular student of B.A. Honours class. He began managing for his studies by coaching school children. Braving these very adverse circumstances he successfully completed his Masters Degree in 1927, as a regular student. Soon after, he started his research work as a fulltime research scholar (fellow) at the University of Lucknow. But by then, his family responsibilities were growing, with his own children growing up, his two brothers and two sisters attaining marriageable age and the household expenses steadily mounting. It became impossible for him to continue studies as a fulltime research scholar any more. Therefore, he had to join Government Maharana Bhupal College, Udaipur, Mewar state as a lecturer. In addition to his teaching responsibilities he continued to pursue his research work and completed his Ph.D Thesis with great difficulty and effort at Udaipur.

After his father's death his mother did not like to come out of the village home. Therefore, Dr. Srivastava had to go to his village from time to time, to look after the family. Whenever he went there, he dressed himself in a Dhoti and talked in local dialect and mixed-up with the villagers as if he had never gone out of the village. He had tremendous love and respect for his parents. Dedicating his finest research work, “Akbar the Great”, Volume 1 and 2 to his father, he wrote, “Dedicated to the sacred memory of my father Diwan Ram Dayal who was fond of the story of Akbar's life and who first gave me an idea of that ruler’s greatness and popularity”. Also, he dedicated the third volume of “Akbar the Great” to the sacred memory of his revered mother where he respectfully wrote, “Dedicated to the sacred memory of my mother Shrimati Raj Rani”. 

He was a strict disciplinarian and for doing every little thing in his family required his permission and consent. Although his wife looked after all the household affairs, but his consent was always to be taken before hand even by her. In the house he had a separate portion for himself, a set of 3 rooms with a washroom where nobody was allowed to go without his permission. This set of rooms comprised of his study room, the drawing room and his retiring room which was also used as a guest room. This set of rooms was called as father's house which was connected through a passage to the long Verandah to mother’s house. Outside the study room there was a big Verandah which he used as study. In the Verandah he used to sit on a large old styled easy chair having two broad handles. A few chairs were placed there for the visitors. From this chair he could see the main entrance Gate. In front of the Verandah there was a long drive way and also there was a lawn flanking the drive way. In the morning hours up to lunch time he usually studied in this verandah, and also met the visitors there and only those very few persons, for whom he had special regard, were entertained in the drawing room. During the study hours none of the family members were allowed to meet or talk to him except in case of any urgency.

Although he was a strict disciplinarian but sometimes when he was in a light mood, he spared some time to sit and chat with family members. During this period he used to enjoy jokes. Only his youngest son and youngest daughter dared to take liberty to narrate a few jokes.

 To this he used to comment that you both are jokers. One day he showed his youngest son, an article written by him saying that if he could understand or can explain the meaning of a single line, he will be given a prize of 4 Annas. But the youngest son could not earn that prize.  

 When his book, “The Sultanate of Delhi”, was in the process of getting printed and his youngest son looked with greedy eyes towards the proofs that he was going through he told the youngest son that, “you are a science student and that if you could point out a single mistake you will get a prize”. The youngest son was able to point out a printing error. It was after this incident that he allowed the youngest son to read the proofs of one of his books, which he has duly acknowledged in the preface.

While in Bikaner State service, Dr. Srivastava used to go for outings with family members along with close friends to religious places. He usually played tennis in the evening. After going to Lahore he changed his lifestyle altogether and from then onwards he devoted all his time to his studies and research. Normally he did not visit anybody, and he expected this also from his family members. Whenever his wife got the permission to go out and while returning if she got slightly late he showed his displeasure to her as well. 

In Agra, whenever his wife got angry with him, he flattered her and used to tell we children that today your mother is angry and she will not talk to him. And then he flattered her by openly acknowledging saying that he was extremely grateful to her for looking after the children and himself very well for which he will forever remain grateful to her. After listening to this, his wife would immediately retort that whatever she did was her duty and he need not flatter her. He loved and praised every daughter-in-law, but had a word of special praise for the youngest daughter-in-law, Sushil, who during their ailments always looked after them till their full recovery, just like a daughter. Therefore, sometimes they addressed her as "Rani Bahu"(Good daughter-in-law).

His all the three sons were working in different towns. Whenever they went back to Agra they always found him studying in the Verandah and when they touched his feet, he simply said, oh! You have come. They used to say yes, and immediately went inside the house to their mother. Although he loved his children but for maintaining discipline, he outwardly retained a very strict demeanour. But, after undergoing a major operation in 1965, he sometimes said that you all should sometime, sit and spend some time with him. It was not so easy for the sons to overcome the feeling of life long distance and fear. The children did go to him to sit for sometime but always left as early as possible on some pretext or the other. Apparently the three sons were always afraid of him but in their heart of hearts they respected and loved him immensely. Similarly, the daughters also spent some time with him but they also found some pretext to go and went inside the house and to spend time with their mother.

All sons, daughters and even daughter-in-laws liked to stay with his simple, loving wife. Whenever, he was in a good mood, the children talked to him about his strict discipline. Then he always narrated the instances of the ruling families of Udaipur state and Bikaner state. In Udaipur the brother-in-law of the Maharana was studying in Govt. M.B. College, Udaipur. One day after teaching the class Dr. Srivastava was going speedily towards the staff room. The brother-in-law of the then Maharana wanted to discuss some problems with him. He followed him walking as briskly as possible and only when he reached by the side of Dr. Srivastava then only he addressed him by calling out, Sir. When the prince called him, he exclaimed, oh!, why are you breathing so heavily. The prince replied, Sir I have been following you from a distance. To this, Dr. Srivastava told him that why he did not call him. To this, the Prince replied,” Sir, you are my teacher, how could I call you from behind. Such was the tradition and culture of regard for teachers in the royal family. 

LIFESTYLE 

He woke up early at 4 a.m. in the morning. After getting ready, he went for a walk with a stick in hand. On return during young age he used to perform some exercises but later on according to age and health he performed only light exercises of hand, foot and neck. After taking bath he listened to radio music, bhajans and the news. Just after news, he went in the house for breakfast. The breakfast comprised of a big glass of milk, two parathas and 2 buttered toasts with 2 boiled eggs. This was the only time when he used to talk to his guests or children and also took a cup of tea with them. It was during this time that he gave instructions for the household chores and simultaneously handed over the required amount of money for the same to them. Soon after this, he went to his study room where he did not like to be disturbed by anyone. 

At about 11 a.m. his wife served him a glass of either milk or buttermilk. During this time and also sometimes at about 1:30 p.m. after lunch, he used to discuss with her important family matters. As soon as, he reached the dining table the Lunch had to be served. He did not tolerate any delay and whenever by chance lunch was slightly delayed, he commented that you people do not understand the value of time and that he did not like this bad habit of wasting time. In his old age when he became diabetic, his lunch was very simple and comprised of one mixed grain chapatti, a loaf, a bowl of pulses, vegetables, sauce and salad. As a young man he used to be was very fond of good food and always took good diet. A small cup of ghee was included in his diet but the amount of ghee decreased according to age and health. After lunch he used to take rest for about an hour or so in his wife’s bedroom. At about 4:30 p.m. he took a glass of milk along with any seasonal fruit. Sometimes when children were in the house, he enjoyed and shared with them their spicy or sweet snacks also. 

He stopped his study as soon as it turned dark.  Then he took a stroll for some time either in the inner verandah or the outer driveway.   Thereafter, getting  refreshed, he took dinner at around  8:00  p.m.,  listened  to  Radio  news  and  after  taking  a  glass  of  milk, lied down on his bed. After this he did not like to be disturbed and never entertained any visitor, howsoever, closely related he or she might be. Then nobody dared to disturb him while he was asleep and no one was even allowed to talk loudly or put on lights or even tune in radio in the house.

He continued to concentrate on his research work and academic writings consistently. With the passage of time this earned him a good reputation and fame as a great teacher and researcher in almost every part of the world. He could concentrate on studies and produce high quality research work as there was peace at home and that he was not disturbed by his wife regarding any household affairs. Our mother was a soft spoken, homely, religious, affectionate and a very simple person. Therefore she was loved by all her children and also the family friends. Although not highly educated, she was very wise, far sighted and decisive homemaker who nicely managed the household, children and relatives etc. She always inspired and advised us all by her wise counsel. It was because of this eternal co-operation and inspiration, that our father could produce quality research work. He expresses his appreciation for her sacrifices in the preface of ‘Akbar the Great’ volume 3, 1972, “He acknowledged with gratitude his wife’s (Shrimati Phool Kumari’s) sacrifices and lifelong co-operation for a period of over 55 years, without which no work of scholarship could ever have been undertaken”.

There were many facets of his personality. Although he seemed to be a very strict man but actually he was very simple and kind hearted person. He had love for all and always helped the needy, be it a relative or a poor student and willingly provided the required help, in the form of advice, money or any other form. 

He allocated one room in his house for the poor, needy students even if they were neither students of history nor his direct students.  He looked after them like a father and not only guided them but always inspired them to work hard and progress in life.  Some students even got close to the family like his own children and freely moved in the house.  Shri Ved Prakash, son of a Railway clerk, was one such student who lived with Dr. Srivastava’s family in Bikaner.     Dr Srivastava helped him to get a scholarship for further studies in England. On return, Shri Ved Prakash was appointed as advisor in the Ministry of Education, Government of India.   In the same way, he inspired another student Shri Nathuram Kkhadgawat, who later on became the Director of the Archaeology Department of the Government of Rajasthan.   The research work of   his another student, Dr. Gopinath Sharma was highly appreciated.  Dr. Gopinath was appointed Professor of history in the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.  Similarly, Dr. Shanti Prasad Verma who was awarded D.Litt., later became Professor of Political Science in the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

In Lahore, Dr. Srivastava not only supervised the research work for Ph.D. degree of his students like Dr. Premnath Chopra, Dr. Ramamurthy, Dr Sarla Khosla, etc, but also guided them in their personal life matters as well.  In Agra also, students like, Dr. Ramesh Johari, Dr. K L Sharma, Dr. Gopinath,  Dr.   Lal Bahadur, Dr. Pratima  Asthana,  Dr. Agam  Prasad  Mathur,  Dr. Babulal Gupta  and Dr. Kailash Chandra Chaturvedi, were his research students and some of them even took his advice in their personal matters also.

Dr. Srivastava taught the fundamentals of research to some persons like Dr. Lal Bahadur and Dr. K C Chaturvedi who then were not in the teaching profession but after earning their Ph.D. Degrees became College teachers.  When Dr. Srivastava went to Lahore from Bikaner, then Shri Ved Prakash could not stay at Bikaner any longer   and very soon followed his mentor and reached Lahore and stayed with his family.  One fine morning, Shri Ved Prakash was humming a famous song of Film: Zindagi (1940) sung by Singer: Kundan Lal Sehgal, “so ja raj kumari so ja..”.  After  listening to this, the land lady, whose name  was incidentally also Rajkumari misunderstood  the young man, she lost her temper and told Dr. Srivastava to either ask Shri  Ved  Prakash  to  leave  the  house  or  else  vacate  the  house.  In  Krishna  Nagar,  Dr. Srivastava,  instead  of asking  his student  Shri  Ved  Prakash  to  leave  the  house,  shifted  in another house at Ram Nagar, which was still under construction and  was incomplete and had no electricity connection. Everyone had to use lantern for studies. This is an example as to how much he not only loved his students but also supported them when and so needed.

At the end of August 1965, Pakistan attacked India and the Government of Rajasthan ordered that leave of all the persons working with government organizations be cancelled.  During that time his youngest son, Daya Bhanu, working at Jodhpur, had gone to Agra to look after him as Dr Srivastava had undergone a major operation.  The University cancelled his youngest son’s leave and ordered him to join the duties immediately.  Despite repeated telegraphic requests by his youngest son that he was badly needed at the bedside of his old and ailing father who had undergone a major operation, his leave was cancelled again and again.  When Dr. Srivastava came to know of it, out of his tremendous love, asked his youngest son not to go and directed him to again request for leave. The University again ordered his youngest son to join the duties. After this, with a heavy heart, he allowed him to go and join the duty.  Such was his love for his children.

When  the post of Principal,  Agra College,  fell vacant,  his family members  requested  him  to apply  for  that  post.  But he  declined  to  apply  and  argued  that  people  always  praised  and remembered persons like Tulsidas and Kalidas for their literary achievements and did not remember as to who were the officers at that time.

Dr. Srivastava always touched the feet of his teachers as a mark of respect. He always remembered and praised persons like Professor Kali Shankar Bhatnagar and Dr. K R Qanungo, who not only taught him but also inspired him to take up research work in history. He dedicated his  first  research  monograph,  “The  First Two  Nawabs  Of  Awadh”, 1933, to  his  teacher Dr. Qanungo,  “To my Guru Professor  Dr. Qanungo”.  In the same way, he dedicated the second revised edition in 1973 to the memory of his Grand teacher late Sir Jadunath Sarkar, “Dedicated to the sacred memory of my revered Guru Sir Jadunath Sarkar Kt. C.I.E., D. Litt”.

In the year 1951, during the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee (125th Year) Celebrations of Agra College, Agra, the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the chief guest.  On the request of the then Principal, Dr. K C Mehta, Dr. Srivastava requested his Guru Sir Jadunath Sarkar to   Grace that occasion.    But in the mean time, the U.P.  Government offered  to treat  Sir Jadunath  Sarkar  as a state  guest  in the  Agra  Circuit  House  with  all the facilities.   Professor Sarkar politely declined the government offer saying that he will stay with his student Dr. Ashirbadi Lal Srivastava in the Bhargava Hostel.  Although, Dr. Srivastava did try to provide all comforts to his Guru, who by overlooking all his personal inconveniences, chose to honour his student, by staying with him.

During  the  post centenary silver  jubilee  celebrations,  when  the  then  President  of  India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, in the presence of his staff and all the government  dignitaries,  touched the feet of his teacher  Sir Jadunath  Sarkar,  then all the government  officials  present  there  were simply taken aback.

Although Dr. Srivastava remained busy with his research studies, yet he kept an eye on all the family members and knew about the activities and the friends of his children so that they did not develop bad habits or bad company.  He always helped his relatives as much as he could, but  always  advised  his  children  that  give  only  that  much  money  as  loan  which  you  can conveniently  afford  to forget. Simultaneously  he also advised  we children  that if you want to make  your  friend  into  a foe,  then  give  him  money  on  loan.   He   himself was very self-respecting and even during hardships never asked for monetary help from anyone.

Due to the then prevalent riots in Lahore and Punjab, instead of the normal schedule, all schools and colleges were closed from April for summer vacation.  Dr. Srivastava  who was then working as Professor at DAV College, Lahore and also  was holding the additional charge of Professor  and Head, Department  of History,   of the Punjab  University,  Lahore.  Thinking that things will settle down after some time, he went to his native village near Lucknow, for a change. But during this period, partition of India took place and Lahore went to Pakistan.  Thus, all his household belongings and some money in Nilibar Bank was left behind in Lahore there and he was literally left   in the position of a refugee, with all his possessions and bulk of his savings stuck in another country now like a refugee.   But he  chose  not to register himself as a refugee since  he  was  a  native  of  Uttar  Pradesh  and  not  Punjab.    In August 1947, when he was appointed as Professor of History and Political Science at Agra College, Agra, he started his life afresh anew and had to purchase each and every requirement of the household.  The year 1947-48 was   very troublesome and testing time for the whole family which had to be borne with courage and patience.    His two sons Satya Bhanu and Daya Bhanu     were admitted to Christian College Lucknow, while he and his elder son Dharma Bhanu went to Agra.   His wife along with their   three daughters Lakshmi, Savitri and Saraswati shifted to Sitapur to his brother Dr Ram Lal’s family.   During 1947-48, the family was spread over at three places, Agra, Lucknow and Sitapur. Winter season was very troublesome and the family found it difficult to manage all the woolen clothes and beddings etc. for all the family members.

Dr.  K  M Munshi, the then Governor of U.P, requested Dr.  Srivastava to provide him with authentic historical information about Dewal Rani Khizr Khan, a character of his Novel.  After, going through the original sources, Dr. Srivastava submitted the information to the Governor.  Dr K M Munshi was so impressed and pleased with the historical account that he offered him the post of Professor of history at the newly formed University of Gorakhpur.   But Dr. Srivastava politely declined the offer. Dr. Munshi then offered him the post of Chief Editor of ‘Uttara Bharati’ a Research  Journal  of  the  Universities  of  Uttar  Pradesh  which  till  then  was  being published  by Lucknow University.   Dr. Ashirbadi Lal gladly accepted this offer and worked as Chief Editor of ‘Uttara Bharati’ for a number of years. The journal was during that period, published by Agra University instead of Lucknow University.

After, the partition of the country, the Punjab University started working at Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The then Vice Chancellor Diwan Anand Kumar invited Dr. Srivastava to again work as Professor of history, but due to personal reasons, he declined the offer.

He was so fearless that on March 4th, 1947, when a small group of military personnel started firing at the DAV College Hostel, Lahore, he being the Chief Warden, and despite the insistence of his wife and without caring of his own safety, he almost ran towards that group. Similarly on hearing the firing the then Principal, Dr. GL Dutta also came rushing there and both of them persuaded the officer there to calm down and not to behave like students.  That very evening the communal riots started in Lahore.  When the then congress leader Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the hostel, the markings of firing at the hostel were shown to him.

He  continued   progressing    well  in  his  teaching  and   doing  research  work   and  went  on progressing and never cared for those who apparently  used to be very polite and humble to him, but at the same time, out of jealousy, conspired against him.  These people misguided some students also against him.    They started spreading all sorts of absurd things not only against him but also about his family.  Once they were  almost about to succeed in their vicious campaign, but by chance, Dr. K L Sharma of Agra who was working as a lecturer at a college at Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, U.P. came to know about  this conspiracy  and  informed  all these  tragic  developments  to his  colleague  Shri  Hari Ratan,  an  old  student  of  Dr.  Srivastava.     Shri Ratan came running to Agra and enquired about the whole conspiracy against his beloved teacher. Mr Hari Ratan then contacted the concerned dignitaries and explained to them the correct position and who then acted swiftly to save him.  As and when these very conspirators needed any help for guidance in research work, unmindful of their vicious propaganda and conspiracies, he supervised their theses and guided them and enabling them to obtain Ph.D. Degrees.

During this  period when Dr. Srivastava was supervising and correcting research thesis  of the apparent detractors, the  family  members  often    reminded  him  about  their  vicious  propaganda  and conspiracies. But he always said that he knew everything about these people and he is simply fulfilling his own obligation of a teacher.  These very persons during his lifetime took all possible advantages from him and progressed in life and even after his death took advantages in his name but from time to time spat venom as well.

Due to his honesty, hard work, faithfulness, reliability and   strength of character, Dr. Srivastava was always liked by the Principals at Udaipur, Bikaner, Lahore and Agra colleges. Therefore, all the Principals at Udaipur, Bikaner, Lahore and Agra, entrusted him with   for various responsibilities regarding the administrative   responsibilities work, conduct  of  exams, appointment of teachers, appointment of Wardens of hostels and advisors of student unions etc.

He had an excellent memory and whenever any former student or hosteller met him even after some years, he always addressees him by his name.  In the same way, he knew the antecedents of all the students of his class and hostel.   So many students took him as their ideal and  some  even  treated  him  like  their  own  father  and  without  fear  discussed  their  various problems with him with the confidence  that he will not only advise them correctly but will also  solve their problems and provide them  with whatever relief and help was required by them.

Dr. Srivastava always helped his students even though it may be against his principles. It was due to this strong bond of faith and affection between Dr. Srivastava and his students that not only many boys but even some girl students used to discuss their personal problems even like love-affairs, marriage, family, feuds and sought his advice.

Owing to these close bonds between the teacher and the students, whenever any old student visited Agra, he or she irrespective  of  their  higher  positions  like being,  Collector, Commissioner,  Judge  or  Vice  Chancellor,  made it a point  to visit  Dr. Srivastava at his residence  to  seek  his  blessings.  Some students   continue to have even maintained close family relations with his children even now.

Although he lived mostly in cities but whenever he found the facilities, he always preferred to keep a cow at his home.  He achieved success in life and earned a high reputation, yet remained a firm follower of Indian culture and human values.  He used to talk in Hindi and exemplified the principles of simple living and high thinking.  

Dr. Srivastava was neither very orthodox nor ultramodern and believed in the principles and traditions of the family and the society. Although he possessed all the necessities of comfort, yet he used them only when so needed.   He was   very simple at heart and always remained aloof from politics. Dr. Srivastava was a man of principles who always preferred cleanliness.   Whenever anyone did not behaved properly or did not act immediately on his orders, he sometimes lost temper and then he could normalize himself only after some time.

Although there  was no established  Institute  of  Historical  Research  at Agra  but owing to   Dr. Srivastava’s own prolific research work  and the research  work of his students,  Agra became a centre of Medieval Indian Historical Research, where students from every nook and corner of the country came to learn research methodology  and  carry out their research work under his supervision  to obtain Ph.D. Degrees.  Agra was very well connected by train and was a good centre of education.   Therefore, Dr. Srivastava decided to settle down there and despite many offers of Professorships at various Universities, did not leave that city.

Dr. Srivastava did not enjoy the patronage of any Godfather.   Due to his simplicity and plain speaking, some persons apparently did not say anything to him but in their heart of hearts felt offended and got annoyed due to this habit of plain speaking.   Even after knowing  this well, he never wrote or said anything against such behaviour, but  was always  without  fear and  favour  based  his  conclusions  on  the  basis  of  his  own  study  of  the original resources.   He never spoke or wrote anything flattering any person or to downgrade anybody or to favour anyone and always wrote whatever was the well researched fact according to him.  He sometimes used to tell that when after independence the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru requested the then great historian Sir Jadunath Sarkar to write Indian History, then Sir Jadunath politely declined the offer saying that the Indian history written by him will not be liked by the government and that he will be unable to write as per the wishes of the government.
Dr Srivastava always followed in the footsteps of his Great Grand Guru Sir Jadunath Sarkar.   He devoted his fulltime to history and continued pursuing   research work till his last moments.

The Family and Friends: The Family: His family comprised of himself, his wife Smt. Phool Kumari, three sons Dharma Bhanu, Satya Bhanu and Daya Bhanu and three daughters Lakshmi Devi, Savitri Devi and Saraswati Devi. His eldest Son Dr.Dharma Bhanu, Principal, Government College Morena, (M.P.) was married to Smt. Urmila Rani, daughter of Shri Har Saran Sahai Sinha, Qanungo, Hardoi, (U.P.) Second Son Professor Satya Bhanu, Principal, Government College, Kota (Rajasthan), was married to Smt. Hemlata, daughter of Shri Girish Chandra Srivastava, City Magistrate Jodhpur,(Rajasthan). The youngest Son Professor Daya Bhanu, Associate Professor of Zoology, J.N.V.University, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) was married to Smt. Sushil Kumari, daughter of Shri Ganga Shankar, Zamindar, Bari (U.P.) His eldest daughter Smt. Lakshmi Devi was married to Shri Sachidanand Srivastava, Under Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi, who was nephew of Professor Dr. Bisbeswar Prasad, Professor of History, Delhi University and who was also Historical Advisor to the Ministry of Defence, Government of India./li> His second daughter Smt.Savitri Devi was married to Professor Janardan Prasad Srivastava, Professor of Geography, Government College, Reva (Madhya Pradesh) who was son of Shri Ambika Prasad, Advocate and Legal Advisor to the Ruler, Raja of Ajaigarh State (Madhya Pradesh). The youngest daughter Smt. Saraswati Devi was married to Shri Brij Bhuvan Nath Srivastava, Filaria Control Officer, Uttar Pradesh, who was son of Shri Triloki Nath Srivastava, Principal, Subhash National College, Unnao (Uttar Pradesh).

Friends : At Udaipur (Rajasthan), he had developed friendship with Shri S.D.Jagdhari, Shri S.S. Kulshreshta, Shri Rizvi and Shri Shankar Sahat Saxena. In Bikaner (Rajasthan) his close friends were Shri S.S. Shukla and Shri N.P. Mukherji. Other friends and acquaintances were Shri R.S. Gupta, Shri J.D.Vaishya, Shri Milkhy Ram and Dr. P.N. Mathur. At Agra also he had developed friendships with some persons like Principal Dr. R.K.Singh, Dr. Birjadhish Prasad, Principal J.P. Gupta, Surgeon Dr. Sharda Prasad Srivastava, Advocate Shri Surya Verma, Professor Dr. R.D. Saxena and Advocate Shri Laxmi Narain Srivastava.

SICKNESS AND DEMISE Our loving mother used to complain about pain in her breast. On consultation, Doctor advised her for a surgery. During operation and after undertaking tests, her viscera were found to be cancerous. Accordingly, her one breast was removed. However, even after the surgery, her pain continued. Thereafter several doctors were consulted, including the famous homeopath of Agra, Dr Pareek. But even after taking all types of available treatments, she did not get any relief from her pain. One day, by chance, our father consulted his friend Dr. Sharda Prasad Srivastava, who was an eminent Plastic Surgeon and Professor of surgery in the Sampurna Nand Medical College of Agra. Surgeon S.P. Srivastava, in confidence, told our father that now her life was limited to about six months.

This considered opinion of the great surgeon shook him altogether. During last 55 years of their happy married life, he always depended on her for everything in the house. On knowing about this, he was not only greatly disturbed, but also from there on, he became indifferent towards his ailing health and did not strictly follow the prescribed precautions about his diet and medicines. Normally, he did not share his feelings with anyone, but perhaps that day he was so much in panic and sad that he told his children about the doctor’s opinion that our mother will not recover and may live only for about six months. He therefore advised us that during her last days we should take care of her as much as possible and spend maximum time in her company.

In the beginning of July 1973, his stomach ulcer burst and started bleeding. He was admitted to Sarojini Naidu Hospital of the Sampurna Nand Medical College, Agra. There he did not respond to the treatment and his health continued to deteriorate. In the evening of July 12, 1973, he breathed his last. News about his demise was broadcasted on All India Radio and was covered by news papers on front page along with his life sketch. After performing all the religious rituals after demise of our father, our mother became so much nervous, disturbed and worried that she was unable to live in Agra anymore. With a heavy heart she decided to leave Agra to live with her youngest son Daya Bhanu who was based at Jodhpur (Rajasthan) and handed over the keys of her house to her eldest son Dr. Dharam Bhanu for taking care in her absence. At Jodhpur, she was treated by Allopathic doctors, Homeopaths and Vaidyas. The famous Vaid, Ambalal Joshi regularly examined her. One day Shri Ambalal ji came with another senior vaid Shri Babu Lal Joshi who was a disciple of “Guran” the great Vaidya of Jodhpur. As the patient was a lady, Shri Babu Lal ji asked his wife (Who was also a Vaidya) to examine her. After serious deliberations, three of them prescribed another medicine for her. Vaidya Babu Lal ji informed us that if her fever is subsided with the new treatment and multi organ failure does not happen, she would definitely recover from her ailment.

As a result of the new treatment, her fever subsided in few days, however, all of a sudden, she suffered multi organ failure and on the evening of 26th December, 1973, she peacefully left for her heavenly abode. All her children who respected and loved her immensely were at her bedside at the time of her death and all of them participated in her last rites. It was surprising that her “Teraheen tithi” (date) and our Father’s “Chhamahi Tithi” (date) (a ritual after six months of death) coincided. Therefore after our Pandit Shri Mohar Pal Ji opined that according to the “Hindu Dharma” the “Shradha” Hindu ritual ceremony of both would have to be performed on the same “Tithi” (day) i.e Thirteenth Day of Pitra Paksha ( a dark fortnight of the month of “Ashwin”).