Posted on: 18 September 2012

Digital Rare Book:
Gaorishankar Udayashankar, C.S.I., Ex-minister of Bhavnagar, now in retirement as a Sanyasi
By Javerilal Umashankar Yajnik
Printed by Education Society's Press, Bombay - 1889

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The interesting portrait opposite to the title-page of this volume requires some explanation. The portrait is also to be found in my volume on Buddhism, but is only inserted there to illustrate the connexion between Brahmanism and Buddhism. It is really an engraving from an excellent photograph of an eminent Brahman which was taken not long ago at Bombay, and may be regarded as furnishing good evidence of the fact that orthodox Brahmanism has not yet died out in India. It will be seen that every Brahman, when he arrives at the fourth stage of life, ought to become a Sannyasi—that is, to withdraw from all active duties and devote the rest of his days to religious meditation. The person represented was an able prime minister of the native State Bhaunagar, and in consequence of his eminence was created a C. S. I. by our Government. He has recently retired from his high office and become a Sannyasi. A Rudraksha rosary is suspended round his neck. In front of his raised seat are various ceremonial implements. Near the right-hand corner of his seat is a Kamandalu or water-gourd. In front of the seat, on the right of the figure, is an Upa-patra or subsidiary vessel used with the Kamandalu. In the middle is the Tamra-patra or copper vessel for containing the water used at the performance of ceremonies, and on the left is the Panca-patra for the purifying water measured out with the AcamanI, or spoon used at Acamana. Near the left-hand corner are the wooden clogs. In his left hand is the Danda or staff called Sudarsana. It is a mystical weapon employed against evil spirits and consists of a bamboo with six knots. The mystic white roll, which begins above the left hand and ends before the fifth knot, is called the Lakshmi-vastra. The projecting piece of cloth, folded in the form of an axe (Parasu), represents the weapon of Parasu-rama with which he subdued the enemies of the Brahmans.

- Extract from 'Brahmanism and Hinduism or Religious Thought and Life in India' by Monier-Monier Williams.


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is perhaps him the inspiration of Kipling story: 'The miracle of Purun Bhagat'?

Gosh, I was thinking along the same lines - you beat me to it. Yes, he could be, indeed!

An excellent account of what the real and routine stuff of politics of the day was. Although the gentleman took sanyas at a certain stage of life, his working life was spent in serving his masters to the best of his ability. Politics really has very little to do with religion and has more to do with communal discord and harmony. The account gives many interesting anecdotes of historical significance. One such anecdote is about the historical lineage of a certain Desai family of "civil servants" (Diwans) who had served different masters (powers that be at different times) including the one of Muhammad Tughaq. Above all. the book gives an excellent account of the financial affairs of the State of Bhaunagar and how deftly, the British "managed" the native states. Mr. Gaurishankar was rewarded with a C.S.I. (Civil Servant of India?) for his role in keeping the Bhaunagar State pro-British during the mutiny and his skillful handling of many a delicate situation. Another interesting account is that how Mr. Gaurishankar handled a dispute with the Arab Jamadars of Kandla. I can now relate to Aamir Khan's film Lagaan a little more differently after reading this book. Statehood and politics was after collection of revenues and managing the finances of the State to maintain hegemony of a set of rulers. The book gives a very vivid account of how the lagaan disputes in the region arose and how they were handled including a wonderful narration about three stages of British dispensation of justice in courts of law (Trial courts, and the subsequent two appellate stages) and how law tips on the fulcrum of technicalities sans substance. Lastly, another interesting observation about this particular copy of the book is that it signed by a son of Gaurishankar. The book mentions he had two sons and that they were great collectors. Wonder where the descendents are these days. Must be residing somewhere in Mumbai engaged in international trade!

Thank you Shekhar Sathe for an excellent critique of this book! Only wish you would do this more often. : )

Re: " C.S.I. (Civil Servant of India ?) ".... C.S.I. stands for ' Companion of the Order of the Star of India '... the third rung on the senior branch of the Anglo-Indian peerage ~ trumped in precedence by the Grand Commander (GCSI) and the Knight Commander (KCSI). The order finally became extinct in 2009.

i think it is G.S.I. meaning what....?

sorry read it wrong