Girish Gosh’s mother died when he was only eleven years old. Although his father was very loving and indulgent towards Girish, he wanted the boy to learn to stand on his own feet and depend on none but God. Once Girish went with his father by boat to visit Navadwip, the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya, which is several miles up the Ganges from Calcutta. On the way their boat was suddenly caught in a crosscurrent. As it whirled around in imminent danger of sinking, Girish clung tightly to his father’s hand. Luckily the boatman was able to navigate the boat to safety. When they reached the shore, Girish’s father said to him: “Why did you hold my hand? Don’t you know that my life is dearer to me than yours? If the boat had started to sink, I would have snatched my hand from you and tried to save my own life. You would have been forsaken.” Speaking of this incident many years later, Girish said, “My father’s cruel words hurt me terribly, but I learned that there is no one but God to hold to at the time of danger.” Three years after his mother’s death, Girish lost his father. (Source: They Lived with God)