Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda - Vol-6
LXXVI
(Translated from Bengali)
C/O E. T. STURDY, ESQ.,
READING, CAVERSHAM, ENGLAND,
1895.
DEAR RAKHAL,
Glad to receive your letters. There are two defects in the letters
which you all write, specially in yours. The first is that very
few of the important points I ask are answered. Secondly, there is
unusual delay in replying. . . . I have to work day and night, and
am always whirling from place to place besides.... These are
countries where the people are most luxurious, fashionable folk,
and nobody would touch a man who has but a speck of dirt on his
body. ... I hoped that somebody would come while I was still here,
but as yet nothing has been settled I see. ... Business is
business, that is, you must do everything promptly; delay and
shuffling won't do. By the end of next week I shall go to America,
so there is no chance of my meeting him who is coming. . . . These
are countries of gigantic scholars. Is it a joke to make disciples
of such people? You are but children and talk like children. Only
this much is needed that there should be someone to teach a little
Sanskrit, or translate a bit in my absence, that's all. Why not
let Girish Babu visit these lands? It is a good idea. It will cost
him but 3000 rupees to visit England and America, and go back. The
more people come to these countries, the better. But then it sets
my nerves on edge to look at those who don hats and pose as
Sahibs!
Black as chimney sweeps, and calling themselves Europeans! Why not
wear one's country-dress, as befits gentlemen? - Instead of that,
to add to that frightfulness of appearance! Good heavens! . . .
Here, as in our country one has to spend from one's own pocket to
give lectures, but one can make good the expenses if one lives
long enough and makes a reputation. Another thing, my incessant
lecturing tours are making my constitution very nervous, causing
insomnia and other troubles. Over and above that, I have to work
single-handed. It is no use depending on my countrymen. No one (in
Bengal) has hitherto helped me with a penny, nor has a single soul
stepped forward to my assistance. Everybody in this world seeks
help, and the more you help him, the more he wants. And if you can
do no further, he will call you a cheat.... I love - and trust
him.... He will be free from disease through the Lord's grace. I
take all his responsibility. . . .
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXVII
(Translated from Bengali)
C/O E. T. STURDY, ESQ.,
HIGH VIEW, CAVERSHAM, ENGLAND,
1895.
DEAR SHASHI,
. . . I am in receipt of Rakhal's letter today. I am sorry to hear
that - has suffered from gravel. Most probably it was due to
indigestion. Gopal's debts have been cleared; now ask him to join
the monastic order. The worldly-wise instinct is most difficult to
root out. . . . Let him come and work in the Math. One is apt to
imbibe a lot of mischievous ideas by concerning oneself too long
in worldly affairs. If he refuses to take the monastic vow, please
tell him to clear out. I don't want amphibious type of men who
will be half monks and half householders. . . . Haramohan has
coined a Lord Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, I see. What does he mean?
English Lord, or Duke? Tell Rakhal, let people say whatever they
will - "Men (who wrongly criticise) are to be treated as worms!"
as Shri Ramakrishna used to say. Let there be no disparity between
what you profess and what you do, also eschew the very name of
Jesuitism. Was I ever an orthodox, Paurânika Hindu, an adherent of
social usages? I do not pose as one. You will not have to say
things that will be pleasant to any section of people. You must
not so much as notice what the Bengalis say for or against us. . .
. They could not do a penny-worth of service to him whose birth
has sanctified their country where the primary laws of health and
sanitation are trampled, and yet they would talk big! What matters
is, my brother, what such men have got to say! . . . It is for you
to go on doing your own work. Why look up to men for approbation,
look up to God! I hope Sharat will be able to teach them the Gita
and the Upanishads and their commentaries somehow, with the help
of the dictionary. - Or, is it an empty Vairâgya that you have?
The days of such Vairagya are gone! It is not for everyone, my
boy, to become Ramakrishna Paramahamsa! I hope Sharat has started
by this time. Please send a copy of the Panchadashi, a copy of the
Gita (with as many commentaries as possible), a copy each of the
Nârada and Shândilya Sutras (published in Varanasi), a translation
(good, not worthless) of the Panchadashi - if it is available -
and the translation by Kâlivara Vedântavâgisha of Shankara's
Commentary. And if there be any translation, Bengali or English
(by Shrish Babu of Allahabad), of Pânini's Sutras, or the
Kâshikâ-Vritti, or the Phani-Bhâshya, please send a copy of each.
... Now, just tell your Bengalis to send me a copy of the
Vâchaspatya Dictionary, and that will be a good test for those
tall-talking people. In England, religious movements make very
slow progress. These people here are either bigots or atheists.
And the former again have only a bit of formal religion. They say,
"Patriotism is our religion." That is all.
Send the books to America, c/o Miss Mary Phillips, 19 West 38th
Street, New York, U.S.A. That is my American address. By the end
of November I shall go to America. So send my books etc., there.
If Sharat has started immediately on your receipt of my letter,
then only I may meet him, otherwise not. Business is business, no
child's play. Mr. Sturdy will see to him and accommodate him. This
time I have come to England just to probe a little. Next summer I
shall try to make some stir. The winter after that, I shall go to
India. . . . Correspond regularly with those who are interested in
us, so as to keep up their interest. Try to open centres in places
all over Bengal.... This much for the present. In my next I shall
give you more details. Mr. Sturdy is a very nice gentleman, a
staunch Vedantist, and understands a smattering of Sanskrit. It is
with a good deal of labour that you can do a little bit of work in
these countries; a sheer uphill task, with cold and rain into the
bargain. Moreover, here you must support yourself and do your
labour of love. Englishmen won't spend a penny on lectures or
things of that sort. If they do come to listen to you, well, thank
your stars - as is the case in our country. Besides, the common
people here do not even know of me now. In addition to all this,
they will give you a wide berth if you preach God and such things
to them. They think this must be another clergyman! Well, you just
patiently do one thing - set about collecting everything that
books, beginning with the Rig-Veda down to the most insignificant
of Puranas and Tantras, have got to say about creation and
annihilation of the universe, about race, heaven, and hell, the
soul, consciousness, and intellect, etc., the sense-organs, Mukti,
transmigration, and suchlike things. No child's play would do, I
want real scholarly work. The most important thing is to collect
the materials. My love to you all.
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXVIII
(Translated from Bengali)
1895.
DEAR RAKHAL,
. . . Your suggestion to me to go back to India is no doubt right,
but a seed has been sown in this country, and there is the
possibility of its being nipped in the bud if I go away all on a
sudden. Hence I have to wait some time. Moreover it will be
possible to manage everything nicely from here. Everybody requests
me to return to India. It is all right, but don't you see it is
not wise to depend upon others. A wise man should stand firm on
his own legs and act. Everything will come about slowly. For the
present don't forget to be on the look-out for a site. We want a
big plot - of about ten to twenty thousand rupees - it must be
right on the Ganga. Though my capital is small, I am exceedingly
bold. Have an eye on securing the land. At present we shall have
to work three centres, one in New York, another in Calcutta and a
third in Madras. Then, by degrees, as the Lord will arrange. ...
You must keep a strict eye on your health; let everything else be
subordinated to that. ...
Brother Tarak is eager for travel. Well, it is good, but these are
very expensive countries; a preacher needs here at least a
thousand rupees a month. But Brother Tarak has boldness, and it is
God who provides everything. Quite true, but he must have to
improve his English a little. The thing is, one has to snatch
one's bread from the jaws of the missionary scholars. That is, one
must prevail over these people by dint of learning, or one will be
blown off at a puff. They understand neither Sâdhus nor your
Sânnyasins, nor the spirit of renunciation. What they do
understand is the vastness of learning, the display of eloquence
and tremendous activity. Over and above that, the whole country
will be searching for flaws, the clergy will day and night try to
snub you, through force or guile. You must get rid of these
obstructions to preach your doctrines. Through the mercy of the
Divine Mother everything is possible. But in my opinion if Brother
Tarak goes on starting some societies in the Punjab and Madras,
and you become organised, it will be the best thing. It is indeed
a great thing to discover a new path, but it is as difficult a
task to cleanse that path and make it spacious and nice. If you
live for some time in places where I have sown the seeds of our
Master's ideals and succeed in developing the seeds into plants,
you will be doing much greater work than I did. What will they who
cannot manage some ready-made thing do with regard to things that
are yet to come? If you cannot add a little salt to a dish almost
done, how am I to believe that you will collect all the
ingredients? Let Brother Tarak, as an alternative, start a
Himalayan Math at Almora and have a library there, so that we may
spend some of our spare time in a cool place and practice
spiritual exercises. However, I have nothing to say against any
particular course which any one may be led to adopt; on the
contrary, God-speed - "शिवा: व: सन्तु पन्थानः - May your journey
be prosperous " Tell him to wait a bit. What's the good of being
in a hurry? You shall all travel the whole world. Courage! Brother
Tarak has a great capacity for work within him. Hence I expect
much of him. . . . You remember, I suppose, how after Shri
Ramakrishna's passing away, all forsook us as so many worthless,
ragged boys. Only people like Balaram, Suresh, Master, and Chuni
Babu were our friends at that hour of need. And we shall never be
able to repay our debts to them. ... Tell Chuni Babu in private
that he has nothing to fear, that those who are protected by the
Lord must be above fear. I am a puny man, but the glories of the
Lord are infinite. माभै: माभै: - Discard fear. Let not your faith
be shaken. ...Has danger any power over one whom the Lord has
taken into His fold?
Ever yours,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXIX
C/O E. T. STURDY, ESQ.,
HIGH VIEW, CAVERSHAM, READING, ENGLAND,
17th Sept., 1895.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
Mr. Sturdy and I want to get hold of a few of the best, say,
strong and intelligent men in England to form a society, and
therefore we must proceed slowly. We must take care not to be run
over with "fads" from the first. This you will know has been my
policy in America too. Mr. Sturdy has been in India living with
our Sannyasins in their manner for some time. He is an exceedingly
energetic man, educated and well versed in Sanskrit. ... So far so
good. ... Purity, perseverance, and energy - these three I want,
and if I get only half a dozen here, my work will go on. I have a
great chance of such a few.
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXX
READING, ENGLAND,
24th Sept., '95.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
I have not done any visible work as yet except helping Mr. Sturdy
in studying Sanskrit. ... Mr. Sturdy wants me to bring over a monk
from India from amongst my brethren to help him when I am away in
America. I have written to India for one. . . . So far it is all
right. I am waiting for the next wave. "Avoid not and seek not -
wait for what the Lord sends", is my motto. . . . I am a slow
writer, but the heart is full of gratitude.
Yours with best wishes,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXXI
C/O E. T. STURDY, ESQ.,
HIGH VIEW, CAVERSHAM, READING,
ENGLAND,
October, 1895.
DEAR MOTHER, (Mrs. F. H. Leggett)
You have not forgotten your son? Where are you now? And Tante and
the babies? What about our saintly worshipper at your shrine? Joe
Joe is not entering "Nirvana" so soon, but her deep silence almost
seems to be a big "Samadhi".
Are you on the move? I am enjoying England very much. I am living
with my friend on philosophy, leaving a little margin for eating
and smoking. We are getting nothing else but Dualism and Monism
and all the rest of them.
Hollister has become very manly, I suppose, in his long trousers;
and Alberta is studying German.
The Englishmen here are very friendly. Except a few Anglo-Indians,
they do not hate black men at all. Not even do they hoot at me in
the streets. Sometimes I wonder whether my face has turned white,
but the mirror tells the truth. Yet they are all so friendly here.
Again, the English men and women who love India are more Hindu
than the Hindus themselves. I am getting plenty of vegetables
cooked, you will be surprised to hear, à la Indienne perfectly.
When an Englishman takes up a thing, he goes to its very depths.
Yesterday I met a Prof. Fraser, a high official here. He has been
half his life in India; and he has lived so much in ancient
thought and wisdom that he does not care a fig for anything out of
India!! You will be astonished to hear that many of the thoughtful
English men and women think that the Hindu caste is the only
solution of the social problem. With that idea in their head you
may imagine how they hate the socialists and other social
democrats!! Again, here the men - and the most highly educated -
take the greatest interest in Indian thought, and very few women.
The woman's sphere is narrower here than in America. So far
everything is going very well with me. I shall let you know any
further developments.
With my love to paterfamilias, to the Queen Mother, to Joe Joe (no
title), and to the babies,
Ever yours with love and blessings,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXXII
READING, ENGLAND,
4th Oct., 1895.
DEAR- ,
. . . Purity, patience, and perseverance overcome all obstacles.
All great things must of necessity be slow. . . .
Yours with love,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXXIII
(Translated from Bengali)
C/O E. T. STURDY,
HIGH VIEW, CAVERSHAM, READING,
4th October, 1895.
MY DEAR RAKHAL,
You know that I am now in England. I shall stay here for about a
month and go back to America. Next summer I shall again come to
England. At present there is not much prospect in England, but the
Lord is omnipotent. Let us wait and see. . . .
It is impossible for - to come now. The thing is, the money
belongs to Mr. Sturdy, and we must have the kind of man he likes.
Mr. Sturdy has taken initiation from me, and is a very
enterprising and good man.
In the first place we want a man who has a thorough mastery of
English and Sanskrit. It is true that will be able to pick up
English soon should he come here but I am as yet unable to bring
men here to learn. We want them, first, who will be able to teach.
In the second place, I trust those that will not desert me in
prosperity and adversity alike. . . . The most trustworthy men are
needed. Then, after the foundation is laid, let him who will, come
and make a noise, there is no fear. - gave no proof of wisdom in
being carried away by a hubbub and joining the party of those
charlatans. Sir, granted that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a sham,
granted that it has been a very serious mistake, indeed, to take
refuge in him, but what is the way out now? What if one life is
spent in vain, but shall a man eat his own words? Can there be
such a thing as having a dozen husbands? Any of you may join any
party you like, I have no objection, no, not in the least, but
travelling this world over I find that save and except his circle
alone, everywhere else thought and act are at variance. For those
that belong to him, I have the utmost love, the utmost confidence.
I have no alternative in the matter. Call me one-sided if you
will, but there you have my bona fide avowal. If but a thorn
pricks the foot of one who has surrendered himself to Shri
Ramakrishna, it makes my bones ache. All others I love; you will
find very few men so un-sectarian as I am; but you must excuse me,
I have that bit of bigotry. If I do not appeal to his name, whose
else shall I? It will be time enough to seek for a big Guru in our
next birth; but in this, it is that unlearned Brahmin who has
bought this body of mine forever.
I give you a bit of my mind; don't be angry, pray. I am your slave
so long as you are his - step a hair's breadth outside that, and
you and I are on a par. All the sects and societies that you see,
the whole host of them, inside the country or out, he has already
swallowed them all, my brother. "मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव
निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् - These have verily been killed by
Myself long ago, be only the instrument, O Arjuna." Today or
tomorrow they will be merged in your own body. O man of little
faith! Through his grace, "ब्रह्माण्डं गोष्पदायते - The whole
universe becomes a hoof-mark of the cow." Be not traitors, that is
a sin past atonement. Name, fame, good deeds, "यज्जुहोषि
यत्तपस्यसि यदश्नासि etc. - Whatever sacrifices you perform,
whatever penances you undergo, whatever you eat" - surrender
everything to his feet. What on earth do we want? He has given us
refuge, what more do we want? Bhakti is verily its own reward -
what else is needed? My brother, he who made men of us by feeding
and clothing and imparting wisdom and knowledge, who opened the
eyes of our self, whom day and night we found the living God -
must we be traitors to him!!! And you forget the mercy of such a
Lord! The lives of Buddha and Krishna and Jesus are matters of
ancient history, and doubts are entertained about their
historicity, and you in spite of seeing the greatness of Shri
Ramakrishna's life in flesh and blood sometimes lose your head!
Fie upon you! I have nothing to say. His likeness is being
worshipped in and out of your country, by godless and heartless
men, and you are stranded at times on disbelief!! In a breath he
will create for himself hundreds of thousands of such as you are.
Blessed is your birth, blessed your lineage, and blessed your
country that you were allowed to take the dust of his feet. Well I
can't help. He is protecting us, forsooth - I see it before my
eyes. Insane that you are, is it through my own strength that
beauty like that of fairies, and hundreds of thousands of rupees,
lose their attraction and appear as nothing to me? Or is it he who
is protecting me? He who has no faith in him and no reverence for
the Holy Mother will be a downright loser, I tell you plainly.
. . . Haramohan has written about his troubled circumstances, and
says he will be dislodged from his home soon. He has asked for
some lectures; but I have none at present, but have still some
money left in my purse, which I shall send him. So he need not be
afraid. I could send him at once, but I suspect that the money I
last sent was miscarried, therefore I postpone sending it.
Secondly, I know, besides, of no address to send it to. I see the
Madras people have failed to start the paper. Practical wisdom is
altogether wanting in the Hindu race, I see. Whenever you promise
to do any work, you must do it exactly at the appointed time, or
people lose their faith in you. Money matters require a speedy
reply. . . . If Master Mahashaya be willing, tell him to be my
Calcutta agent, for I have an implicit faith in him, and he
understands a good deal of these things; it is not for a childish
and noisy rabble to do it. Tell him to fix upon a centre, an
address that will not change every hour, and to which I shall
direct all my Calcutta correspondence. . . . Business is business.
. . .
Yours etc.,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXXIV
READING,
6th Oct., 1895.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
. . . I am translating a little book on Bhakti with Mr. Sturdy
with copious commentaries, which is to be published soon. This
month I am to give two lectures in London and one in Maidenhead.
This will open up the way to some classes and parlour lectures. We
do not wish to make any noise but to go quietly. . .
Yours with best wishes,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXXV
(Translated from Bengali)
LONDON,
13th Nov., 1895.
MY DEAR AKHANDANANDA,
I am very glad to receive your letter. It is excellent work that
you are doing. R- is very liberal and openhanded, but no advantage
should be taken over him for that reason. About the raising of
funds by Shrimân -, well, it is a fair enterprise; but my boy,
this is a very queer world, where even the World-Gods Brahmâ and
Vishnu find it difficult to evade the clutches of lust and gold.
Wherever there is any the least concern with money, there is the
chance for misunderstanding. Let therefore nobody undertake such
work as raising money on behalf of the Math. ... Whenever you hear
of any householder collecting funds in my or our name on the plea
of erecting a Math, or some such thing, the first thing you should
do is to distrust him, and never set your hand to it. The more so,
as householders of poor means take to various tricks to supply
their wants. Therefore, if ever a trusty devotee or a householder
with a heart, being of affluent circumstances, undertakes such
works as the founding of a Math, or if the funds raised be kept in
the custody of a trusty householder of wealth - well and good,
otherwise never have a hand in it. On the contrary, you must
dissuade others from such a thing. You are but a boy and are
ignorant of the snare of gold. Opportunities will turn even a
staunch moralist into a cheat. This is the way of the world.
It is not at all in our nature to do a work conjointly. It is to
this that our miserable condition is due. He who knows how to obey
knows how to command. Learn obedience first. Among these Western
nations, with such a high spirit of independence, the spirit of
obedience is equally strong. We are all of us self-important -
which never produces any work. Great enterprise, boundless
courage, tremendous energy, and, above all, perfect obedience -
these are the only traits that lead to individual and national
regeneration. These traits are altogether lacking in us.
Go on with the work as you are doing it, but then you must pay
particular attention to study. J- Babu has sent a Hindi magazine,
in which Pundit R- of Alwar has published a translation of my
Chicago Address. Please convey my special indebtedness and thanks
to both.
Let me now address myself to you - take particular care to start a
centre in Rajputana. It must be in some central place like Jaipur
or Ajmer. Then branches must be established in towns like Alwar
and Khetri. You must mix with all, we do not want to quarrel with
any. Give my loving embrace to Pundit N-; the man is very
energetic, and will be a very practical man in time. Tender my
loving regards to Mr. M- and -ji too. A Religious Association or
something of the kind has been afoot at Ajmer - what is it? Let me
know all about it. M- Babu writes that he and others have written
me letters; but I have not received any up till now. . . . About
Maths, or centres, or anything of the kind, it is no use starting
them in Calcutta; Varanasi is the place for them. I have many
plans like that, but all depends on funds. You will know of them
by degrees. You might have noticed from the papers that our
movement is steadily gaining ground in England. Every enterprise
in this country takes some time to have a go. But once John Bull
sets his hand to a thing, he will never let it go. The Americans
are quick, but they are somewhat like straw on fire, ready to be
extinguished. Do not preach to the public that Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa was an Incarnation, and things of that sort. I have
some followers at - look after them. . . . Infinite power will
come unto you - never fear. Be pure, have faith, be obedient.
Teach against the marriage of boys. No scripture ever sanctions
it. But for the present say nothing against little girls being
married. Directly you stop the marriage of boys, that of girls
will stop of itself. Girls surely are not going to marry among
themselves! Write to the Secretary, Arya Samaj, Lahore, asking the
whereabouts of a Sannyasin named Achyutananda who used to live
with them. Make special inquiry of the man. . . . Never fear.
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXXVI
LONDON,
21st Nov., 1895.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
I sail by the Britannic on Wednesday, the 27th. My work so far has
been very satisfactory here and I am sure to do splendid work here
next summer. . . .
Yours with love,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXXVII
R.M.S. "Britannic",
Thursday morning, Dec. 5, 1895.
DEAR ALBERTA,
Received your nice letter last evening. Very kind of you to
remember me. I am going soon to see the "Heavenly Pair". Mr.
Leggett is a saint as I have told you already, and your mother is
a born empress, every inch of her, with a saint's heart inside.
I am so glad you are enjoying the Alps so much They must be
wonderful. It is always in such places that the human soul aspires
for freedom. Even if the nation is spiritually poor, it aspires
for physical freedom. I met a young Swiss in London. He used to
come to my classes. I was very successful in London, and though I
did not care for the noisy city, I was very much pleased with the
people. In your country, Alberta, the Vedantic thought was
introduced in the beginning by ignorant "cranks", and one has to
work his way through the difficulties created by such
introductions. You may have noticed that only a few men or women
of the upper classes ever joined my classes in America. Again in
America the upper classes being the rich, their whole time is
spent in enjoying their wealth and imitating (aping?) the
Europeans. On the other hand in England the Vedantic ideas have
been introduced by the most learned men in the country, and there
are a large number among the upper classes in England who are very
thoughtful. So you will be astonished to hear that I found my
grounds all prepared, and I am convinced that my work will have
more hold on England than America. Add to this the tremendous
tenacity of the English character, and judge for yourself. By this
you will find that I have changed a good deal of my opinion about
England, and I am glad to confess it. I am perfectly sure that we
will do still better in Germany. I am coming back to England next
summer. In the meanwhile my work is in very able hands. Joe Joe
has been the same kind good pure friend to me here as in America,
and my debt to your family is simply immense. My love and
blessings to Hollister and you. The steamer is standing at anchor
on account of fog. The purser has very kindly given me a whole
cabin by myself. Every Hindu is a Raja, they think, and are very
polite - and the charm will break, of course, when they find that
the Raja is penniless!!
Yours with love and blessings,
VIVEKANANDA
LXXXVIII
228 WEST 39TH STREET, NEW YORK,
8th Dec., 1895.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
Many thanks for your kind note of welcome. I arrived last Friday
after ten days of a very tedious voyage. It was awfully rough and
for the first time in my life I was very badly seasick. . . . I
have left some strong friends in England who will work in my
absence expecting my arrival next summer. My plans are not settled
yet about the work here. Only I have an idea to run to Detroit and
Chicago meanwhile, and then come back to New York. The public
lecture plan I intend to give up entirely, as I find the best
thing for me to do is to step entirely out of the money question -
either in public lectures or private classes. In the long run it
does harm and sets a bad example.
In England I worked on this principle and refused even the
voluntary collections they made. Mr. Sturdy, being a rich man,
bore the major part of the expenses of lecturing in big halls -
the rest I bore. It worked well. Again, to use rather a vulgar
illustration, even in religion there is no use overstocking the
market. The supply must follow the demand, and the demand alone.
If people want me, they will get up lectures. I need not bother
myself about these things. If you think after consultation with
Mrs. Adams and Miss Locke that it would be practicable for me to
come to Chicago for a course of lectures, write to me. Of course
the money question should be left entirely out.
My idea is for autonomic, independent groups in different places.
Let them work on their own account and do the best they can. As
for myself, I do not want to entangle myself in any organisation.
Hoping you are enjoying good health both physically and mentally,
I am yours, in the Lord,
VIVEKANANDA.
LXXXIX
228 W. 39TH STREET, NEW YORK,
10th Dec., 1895.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
I have received the Secretary's letter and will be glad to lecture
before the Harvard Philosophical Club as requested. The difficulty
in the way is: I have begun to write in earnest, as I want to
finish some text-books to form the basis of work when I am gone. I
have to hurry through four little books before I go.
This month, notices are out for the four Sunday lectures. The
lectures for the first week of February in Brooklyn are being
arranged by Dr. Janes and others.
Yours, with best wishes,
VIVEKANANDA.
XC
NEW YORK,
29th Dec., 1895.
DEAR SISTER, (Miss S. Farmer)
In this universe where nothing is lost, where we live in the midst
of death in life, every thought that is thought, in public or in
private, in crowded thoroughfares or in the deep recesses of
primeval forests, lives. They are continuously trying to become
self-embodied, and until they have embodied themselves, they will
struggle for expression, and any amount of repression cannot kill
them. Nothing can be destroyed - those thoughts that caused evil
in the past are also seeking embodiment, to be filtered through
repeated expression and, at last, transfigured into perfect good.
As such, there is a mass of thought which is at the present time
struggling to get expression. This new thought is telling us to
give up our dreams of dualism, of good and evil in essence, and
the still wilder dream of suppression. It teaches us that higher
direction and not destruction is the law. It teaches us that it is
not a world of bad and good, but good and better - and still
better. It stops short of nothing but acceptance. It teaches that
no situation is hopeless, and as such accepts every form of
mental, moral, or spiritual thought where it already stands, and
without a word of condemnation tells it that so far it has done
good, now is the time to do better. What in old times was thought
of as the elimination of bad, it teaches as the transfiguration of
evil and the doing of better. It, above all, teaches that the
kingdom of heaven is already in existence if we will have it, that
perfection is already in man if he will see it.
The Greenacre meetings last summer were so wonderful, simply
because you opened yourself fully to that thought which has found
in you so competent a medium of expression, and because you took
your stand on the highest teaching of this thought that the
kingdom of heaven already exists.
You have been consecrated and chosen by the Lord as a channel for
converting this thought into life, and every one that helps you in
this wonderful work is serving the Lord.
Our scripture teaches that he who serves the servants of the Lord
is His highest worshipper. You are a servant of the Lord, and as a
disciple of Krishna I will always consider it a privilege and
worship to render you any service in the carrying out of your
inspired mission wherever I be.
Ever your affectionate brother,
VIVEKANANDA.
XCI
(Translated from Bengali)
Jan., 1896.
DEAR SARADA,
. . .Your idea of the paper is very good indeed. Apply yourself to
it heart and soul. . . . Never mind the funds. . . . There are
many to preach Christianity and Mohammedanism - you just go
through the preaching of your own country's religion. But then if
you can get hold of a Mohammedan who is versed in Arabic and have
old Arabic books translated, it will be a good plan. There is much
of Indian history in the Persian language. If you can have the
books translated bit by bit, it will be a good regular item. We
want quite a number of writers, then there is the difficult task
of getting subscribers. The way out is this: You lead a wandering
life; wherever you find Bengali language spoken, thrust the paper
on whomsoever you can lay your hands on. Enlist them by vehemence!
- they would always turn tail the moment they have to spend
something. Never mind anything! Push it on! Begin to contribute
articles, all of you who can. It won't do merely to sit idle. You
have done a heroic deed! Bravo! Those who falter and vacillate
will lag behind, and you will jump straight on top of all! Those
that are working for their own salvation will neither have their
own nor that of others. Let the commotion that you make be such as
to resound to the world's end. There are people who are ready to
pick holes in everything, but when it comes to the question of
work, not a scent of them can be had! To work! - as far as in you
lies! Then I shall go to India and move the whole country. What
fear! "Even a snake loses its venom if it is insisted that it has
none." These people will go on the negative track, till they are
actually reduced to nothing! . . .
Gangadhar has done right heroic work! Well done! Kali has joined
him in work - thrice well done!! Let one go to Madras, and another
to Bombay, let the world shake on its hinges! Oh, the grief! If I
could get two or three like me, I could have left the world
convulsed. As it is, I have to proceed gently. Move the world to
its foundations! Send one to China, another to Japan! What will
the poor householders do, with their little bits of life? It is
for the Sannyasins, Shiva's demons, to rend the skies with their
shouts of "Hara! Hara! Shambho!"
Yours affectionately
VIVEKANANDA.
XCII
(Translated from Bengali)
228 W. 39, NEW YORK.
24th Jan., 1896.
DEAR YOGEN,
. . . I am very sorry to hear that your health is not yet all
right. Can you go to a very cold climate where there is plenty of
snowfall in the winter, Darjeeling, for instance? The severity of
the cold will set your stomach right, as it has done in my case.
And can you give up altogether the habit of using ghee and spices?
Butter digests more quickly than ghee. ...
Three months more and I go to England, to try once more to make
some stir; the following winter to India - and after that, it
depends on the Lord.
Put forth all nerve for the magazine that Sarada is wanting to
publish. Ask Shashi to look to it. One thing, neither Kali nor
anybody else has any need of coming to England at present. I shall
train them first when I go to India, and then they may go wherever
they please.
We would do nothing ourselves and would scoff at others who try to
do something - this is the bane that has brought about our
downfall as a nation. Want of sympathy and lack of energy are at
the root of all misery, and you must therefore give these two up.
Who but the Lord knows what potentialities there are in particular
individuals - let all have opportunities, and leave the rest to
the Lord. It is indeed very difficult to have an equal love for
all, but without it there is no Mukti.
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.
XCIII
NEW YORK,
25th Jan., 1896.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
Your letter to Sturdy has been sent over to me. It was very kind
of you to write that note. This year, I am afraid, I am getting
overworked, as I feel the strain. I want a rest badly. So it is
very good, as you say, that the Boston work be taken up in the end
of March. By the end of April I will start for England.
Land can be had in large plots in the Catskills for very little
money. There is a plot of 101 acres for $200. The money I have
ready, only I cannot buy the land in my name. You are the only
friend in this country in whom I have perfect trust. If you
consent, I will buy the land in your name. The students will go
there in summer and build cottages or camps as they like and
practice meditation. Later on, if they can collect funds, they may
build something up. I am sorry, you cannot come just now. Tomorrow
will be the last Sunday lecture of this month. The first Sunday of
next month there will be a lecture in Brooklyn; the rest, three in
New York, with which I will close this year's New York lectures.
I have worked my best. If there is any seed of truth in it, it
will come to life. So I have no anxiety about anything. I am also
getting tired of lecturing and having classes. After a few months'
work in England I will go to India and hide myself absolutely for
some years or forever. I am satisfied in my conscience that I did
not remain an idle Swami. I have a note-book which has travelled
with me all over the world. I find these words written seven years
ago - "Now to seek a corner and lay myself there to die!" Yet all
this Karma remained. I hope I have worked it out. I hope the Lord
will give me freedom from this preaching and adding good bondages.
"If you have known the Âtman as the one existence and that nothing
else exists, for whom, for what desire, do you trouble yourself?"
Through Maya all this doing good etc. came into my brain - now
they are leaving me. I get more and more convinced that there is
no other object in work except the purification of the soul - to
make it fit for knowledge. This world with its good and evil will
go on in various forms. Only the evil and good will take new names
and new seats. My soul is hankering after peace and rest eternal
undisturbed.
"Live alone, live alone. He who is alone never comes into conflict
with others - never disturbs others, is never disturbed by
others." I long, oh! I long for my rags, my shaven head, my sleep
under the trees, and my food from begging! India is the only place
where, with all its faults, the soul finds its freedom, its God.
All this Western pomp is only vanity, only bondage of the soul.
Never more in my life I realised more forcibly the vanity of the
world. May the Lord break the bondage of all - may all come out of
Maya - is the constant prayer of
VIVEKANANDA.
XCIV
(Translated from Bengali)
BOSTON,
2nd March, 1896.
DEAR SARADA,
Your letter informed me of everything; but I note that you do not
so much as refer to the cable I sent about the celebration. The
dictionary that Shashi sent a few months ago has not arrived so
far. ... I am going to England soon. Sharat need not come now at
all; for I am myself going to England. I do not want people who
take such a long time to make up their minds. I did not invite him
for a European tour, and I do not have the money either. So ask
him not to come, and none else need.
On perusal of your letter on Tibet, I came to lose all regard for
your common sense. In the first place, it is nonsense to say that
Notovitch's book is genuine. Did you see any original copy, or
bring it to India? Secondly, you say you saw in the Kailas Math
the portrait of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman. How do you know
that it was Jesus' portrait, and not that of a man in the street?
Even taking it for granted, how do you know that it was not put up
in the said Math by someone who was a Christian? And your opinions
on the Tibetans too are unsound; you did not certainly see the
heart of Tibet, but only a fringe of the trade route. In places
like those only the dregs of a nation are to be met. If on seeing
the Chinabazar and Barabazar quarters of Calcutta, anybody called
every Bengali a liar, would that be correct?
Consult Shashi properly when writing any article. ... What you
need is only obedience. ...
Yours affectionately
VIVEKANANDA.
XCV
INDIANA AVE., CHICAGO, ILL.,
6th April, 1896.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
Your kind note was duly received. I had beautiful visits with my
friends and have already held several classes. I shall have a few
more and then start on Thursday.
Everything has been well arranged here, thanks to the kindness of
Miss Adams. She is so, so good and kind.
I am suffering from slight fever the last two days; so I can't
write a long letter.
My love to all in Boston.
Yours with kind regards,
VIVEKANANDA.
XCVI
124 E. 44TH STREET, NEW YORK,
14th April, 1896.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
... Here is a curious person who comes to me with a letter from
Bombay. He is a practical mechanic and his one idea is to see
cutlery and other iron manufactories in this country.... I do not
know anything about him, but even if he be a rogue, I like very
much to foster this sort of adventurous spirit among my
countrymen. He has money enough to pay his way.
Now, if with all caution testing of his genuineness of spirit, you
feel satisfied, all he wants is to get some opportunities of
seeing these manufactories. I hope he is true and that you can
manage to help him in this.
Yours with kind regards,
VIVEKANANDA.
XCVII
(Translated from Bengali)
NEW YORK,
14th April, 1896.
DEAR SARADA,
Glad to hear everything in your letter. I have got news that
Sharat arrived safe. I am in receipt of your letter and the copy
of the Indian Mirror. Your contribution is good, go on writing
regularly. ... It is very easy to search for faults, but the
characteristic of a saint lies in looking for merits - never
forget this. ... You need a little business faculty. ... Now what
you want is organisation - that requires strict obedience and
division of labour. I shall write out everything in every
particular from England, for which I start tomorrow. I am
determined to make you decent workers thoroughly organised. ...
The term "Friend" can be used with all. In the English language
you have not that sort of cringing politeness common in Bengali,
and such Bengali terms translated into English become ridiculous.
That Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was God - and all that sort of thing
- has no go in countries like this. M- has a tendency to put that
stuff down everybody's throat, but that will make our movement a
little sect. You keep aloof from such attempts; at the same time,
if people worship him as God, no harm. Neither encourage nor
discourage. The masses will always have the person, the higher
ones the principle; we want both. But principles are universal,
not persons. Therefore stick to the principles he taught, let
people think whatever they like of his person. ... Truce to all
quarrels and jealousies and bigotry! These will spoil everything.
"But many that are first shall be last; and the last first."
"मद्भक्तानाञ्च ये भक्तास्ते मे भक्ततमा मता: - Those who are the
devotees of My devotees are My best devotees."
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.
XCVIII
63 ST. GEORGE'S ROAD, LONDON,
30th May, 1896.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
. . . Day before yesterday I had a fine visit with Prof. Max
Müller. He is a saintly man and looks like a young man in spite of
his seventy years, and his face is without a wrinkle. I wish I had
half his love for India and Vedanta. At the same time he is a
friend of Yoga too and believes in it. Only he has no patience
with humbugs.
Above all, his reverence for Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is extreme,
and he has written an article on him for the Nineteenth Century.
He asked me, "What are you doing to make him known to the world?"
Ramakrishna has charmed him for years. Is it not good news? . . .
Things are going on here slowly but steadily. I am to begin from
next Sunday my public lectures.
Yours ever in grateful affection,
VIVEKANANDA.
XCIX
63 ST. GEORGE'S ROAD, LONDON S.W.,
5th June, 1896.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
The Raja-Yoga book is going on splendidly. Saradananda goes to the
States soon.
I do not like any one whom I love to become a lawyer, although my
father was one. My Master was against it, and I believe that that
family is sure to come to grief where there are several lawyers.
Our country is full of them; the universities turn them out by the
hundreds. What my nation wants is pluck and scientific genius. So
I want Mohin to be an electrician. Even if he fails in life, still
I will have the satisfaction that he strove to become great and
really useful to his country. ... In America alone there is that
something in the air which brings out whatever is best in every
one. ... I want him to be daring, bold, and to struggle to cut a
new path for himself and his nation. An electrical engineer can
make a living in India.
Yours with love,
VIVEKANANDA.
PS. Goodwin is writing to you this mail with reference to a
magazine in America. I think something of the sort is necessary to
keep the work together, and shall of course do all that I can to
help it on in the line he suggests. . . . I think it very probable
that he will come over with Saradananda.
C
(Translated from Bengali)
63 ST. GEORGE'S ROAD, LONDON S.W.,
24th June, 1896.
DEAR SHASHI,
Max Müller wants all the sayings of Shri Ramakrishna classified,
that is, all on Karma in one place, on Vairagya in another place,
so on Bhakti, Jnana, etc., etc. You must undertake to do this
forthwith. ... We must take care to present only the universal
aspect of his teachings. . . .
Sharat starts for America tomorrow. The work here is coming to a
head. We have already got funds to start a London Centre. Next
month I go to Switzerland to pass a month or two there, then I
shall return to London. What will be the good of my going home? -
This London is the hub of the world. The heart of India is here.
How can I leave without laying a sure foundation here? Nonsense!
For the present, I shall have Kali here, tell him to be ready. ...
We want great spirit, tremendous energy, and boundless enthusiasm,
no womanishness will do. Try to go on exactly as I wrote to you in
my last. We want organisation. Organisation is power, and the
secret of this is obedience.
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.
CI
(Translated from Bengali)
HIGH VIEW,CAVERSHAM, READING,
3rd July, 1896.
DEAR SHASHI,
Send Kali to England as soon as you get this letter. . . . He will
have to bring some books for me. I have only got Rig-Veda Samhitâ.
Ask him to bring the Yajur-Veda, Sâma-Veda, Atharva-Samhita, as
many of the Brâhmanas as he can get, beginning with the
Shatapatha, some of the Sutras, and Yâska's Nirukta. . . .
Let there be no delay as in Sharat's case, but let Kali come at
once. Sharat has gone to America, as he had no work to do here.
That is to say, he was late by six months, and then when he came,
I was here. . . .
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.
CII
63 ST. GEORGE'S ROAD, LONDON S.W.,
6th July, 1896.
DEAR FRANKINCENSE, (Mr. Francis H. Leggett whom Swamiji addressed
thus.)
. . . Things are going on with me very well on this side of the
Atlantic.
The Sunday lectures were quite successful; so were the classes.
The season has ended and I too am thoroughly exhausted. I am going
to make a tour in Switzerland with Miss Müller. The Galsworthys
have been very very kind. Joe (Miss Josephine MacLeod, also
referred to as Joe Joe.) brought them round splendidly. I simply
admire Joe in her tact and quiet way. She is a feminine statesman
or woman. She can wield a kingdom. I have seldom seen such strong
yet good common sense in a human being. I will return next autumn
and take up the work in America.
The night before last I was at a party at Mrs. Martin's, about
whom you must already know a good deal from Joe.
Well, the work is growing silently yet surely in England. Almost
every other man or woman came to me and talked about the work.
This British Empire with all its drawbacks is the greatest machine
that ever existed for the dissemination of ideas. I mean to put my
ideas in the centre of this machine, and they will spread all over
the world. Of course, all great work is slow, and the difficulties
are too many, especially as we Hindus are the conquered race. Yet,
that is the very reason why it is bound to work, for spiritual
ideals have always come from the downtrodden. Jews overwhelmed the
Roman Empire with their spiritual ideals. You will be pleased to
know that I am also learning my lessons every day in patience and,
above all, in sympathy. I think I am beginning to see the Divine,
even inside the high and mighty Anglo-Indians. I think I am slowly
approaching to that state when I should be able to love the very
"Devil" himself, if there were any.
At twenty years of age I was the most unsympathetic,
uncompromising fanatic; I would not walk on the footpath on the
theatre side of the streets in Calcutta. At thirty-three, I can
live in the same house with prostitutes and never would think of
saying a word of reproach to them. Is it degenerate? Or is it that
I am broadening out into the Universal Love which is the Lord
Himself? Again I have heard that if one does not see the evil
round him he cannot do good work - he lapses into a sort of
fatalism. I do not see that. On the other hand, my power of work
is immensely increasing and becoming immensely effective. Some
days I get into a sort of ecstasy. I feel that I must bless every
one, everything, love and embrace everything, and I do see that
evil is a delusion. I am in one of these moods now, dear Francis,
and am actually shedding tears of joy at the thought of you and
Mrs. Leggett's love and kindness to me. I bless the day I was
born. I have had so much of kindness and love here, and that Love
Infinite that brought me into being has guarded every one of my
actions, good or bad, (don't be frightened), for what am I, what
was I ever, but a tool in His hands, for whose service I have
given up everything, my beloved ones, my joys, my life? He is my
playful darling, I am His playfellow. There is neither rhyme nor
reason in the universe! That reason binds Him? He the playful one
is playing these tears and laughters over all parts of the play!
Great fun, great fun, as Joe says.
It is a funny world, and the funniest chap you ever saw is He -
the Beloved Infinite! Fun, is it not? Brotherhood or playmatehood
- a school of romping children let out to play in this playground
of the world! Isn't it? Whom to praise, whom to blame, it is all
His play. They want explanations, but how can you explain Him? He
is brainless, nor has He any reason. He is fooling us with little
brains and reason, but this time He won't find me napping.
I have learnt a thing or two: Beyond, beyond reason and learning
and talking is the feeling, the "Love", the "Beloved". Ay, saké,
fill up the cup and we will be mad.
Yours ever in madness,
VIVEKANANDA.
CIII
63 ST. GEORGE'S ROAD, LONDON S.W.,
8th July, 1896.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
The English people are very generous. In three minutes' time the
other evening, my class raised £150 for the new quarters for next
autumn's work. They would have given £500 on the spot if wanted,
but we want to go slow, and not rush into expense. There will be
many hands here to carry on the work, and they understand a bit of
renunciation, here - the deep English character.
Yours with best wishes,
VIVEKANANDA.
CIV
SAAS-GRUND, SWITZERLAND,
25th July, 1896.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
I want to forget the world entirely at least for the next two
months and practice hard. That is my rest. ... The mountains and
snow have a beautifully quieting influence on me, and I am getting
better sleep here than for a long time.
My love to all friends.
Yours etc.,
VIVEKANANDA.
CV
C/O. E. T. STURDY, ESQ.,
High View, Caversham, Reading,
5th August, 1896.
DEAR SAHJI, (Lala Badri Sah. The letter was actually written from
Switzerland.)
Many thanks for your kind greetings. I have an inquiry to make; if
you kindly forward me the information I seek, I would be much
obliged.
I want to start a Math at Almora or near Almora rather. I have
heard that there was a certain Mr. Ramsay who lived in a bungalow
near Almora and that he had a garden round his bungalow. Can't it
be bought? What is the price? If not to be bought, can it be
rented?
Do you know of any suitable place near Almora where I can build my
monastery with a garden etc.? I would rather like to have a hill
all to myself.
Hoping to get an early reply, I remain, with blessings and love to
you and all the rest of my friends in Almora,
VIVEKANANDA.
CVI
(Translated from Bengali)
LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND,
23rd August, 1896.
MY DEAR SHASHI,
Today I received a letter from Ramdayal Babu, in which he writes
that many public women attend the Ramakrishna anniversary festival
at Dakshineswar, which makes many less inclined to go there.
Moreover, in his opinion one day should be appointed for men and
another for women. My decision on the point is this:
1. If public women are not allowed to go to such a great place of
pilgrimage as Dakshineswar, where else shall they go to? It is for
the sinful that the Lord manifests Himself specially, not so much
for the virtuous.
2. Let distinctions of sex, caste, wealth, learning, and the whole
host of them, which are so many gateways to hell, be confined to
the world alone. If such distinctions persist in holy places of
pilgrimage, where then lies the difference between them and hell
itself?
3. Ours is a gigantic City of Jagannâtha, where those who have
sinned and those who have not, the saintly and the vicious, men
and women and children irrespective of age, all have equal right.
That for one day at least in the year thousands of men and women
get rid of the sense of sin and ideas of distinction and sing and
hear the name of the Lord, is in itself a supreme good.
4. If even in a place of pilgrimage people's tendency to evil be
not curbed for one day, the fault lies with you, not them. Create
such a huge tidal wave of spirituality that whatever people come
near will be swept away.
5. Those who, even in a chapel, would think this is a public
woman, that man is of a low caste, a third is poor, and yet
another belongs to the masses - the less be the number of such
people (that is, whom you call gentlemen) the better. Will they
who look to the caste, sex, or profession of Bhaktas appreciate
our Lord? I pray to the Lord that hundreds of public women may
come and bow their heads at His feet; it does not matter if not
one gentleman comes. Come public women, come drunkards, come
thieves and all - His Gate is open to all. "It is easier for a
camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to
enter the Kingdom of God." Never let such cruel, demoniacal ideas
have a place in your mind.
6. But then some social vigilance is needed. How are we to do
that? A few men (old men, preferably) should take charge as the
warders for the day. They will make circuits round the scene of
the festival, and in case they find any man or woman showing
impropriety of speech or conduct, they will at once expel them
from the garden. But so long as they behave like good men and
women, they are Bhaktas and are to be respected - be they men or
women, honest citizens or unchaste.
I am at present travelling in Switzerland, and shall soon go to
Germany, to see Professor Deussen. I shall return to England from
there about the 23rd or 24th September, and the next winter will
find me back in my country.
My love to you and all.
Yours etc.,
VIVEKANANDA.
CVII
LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND,
23rd August, 1896.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
I received your last today. By this time you must have received my
receipt for £5 you sent. I do not know what membership you mean. I
have no objection to have my name to be put on the list of
membership of any society. As for Sturdy, I do not know what his
opinions are. I am now travelling in Switzerland; from hence I go
to Germany, then to England, and next winter to India. I am very
glad to hear that Saradananda and Goodwin are doing good work in
the U.S. As for me, I do not lay any claim to that £500 for any
work. I think I have worked enough. I am now going to retire. I
have sent for another man from India who will join me next month.
I have begun the work, let others work it out. So you see, to set
the work going I had to touch money and property, for a time. Now
I am sure my part of the work is done, and I have no more interest
in Vedanta or any philosophy in the world or the work itself. I am
getting ready to depart to return no more to this hell, this
world. Even its religious utility is beginning to pall me. May
Mother gather me soon to Herself never to come back any more!
These works, and doing good, etc., are just a little exercise to
cleanse the mind. I had enough of it. This world will be world
ever and always. What we are, so we see it. Who works? Whose work?
There is no world. It is God Himself. In delusion we call it
world. Neither I nor thou nor you - it is all He the Lord, all
One. So I do not want anything to do about money matters from this
time. It is your money. You spend what comes to you just as you
like, and blessings follow you.
Yours in the Lord,
VIVEKANANDA.
PS. I have entire sympathy with the work of Dr. Janes and have
written him so. If Goodwin and Saradananda can speed the work in
U.S., Godspeed to them. They are in no way bound to me or to
Sturdy or to anybody else. It was an awful mistake in the
Greenacre programme that it was printed that Saradananda was there
by the kind permission (leave of absence from England) of Sturdy.
Who is Sturdy or anybody else to permit a Sannyasin? Sturdy
himself laughed at it and was sorry too. It was a piece of folly.
Nothing short of that. It was an insult to Sturdy and would have
proved serious for my work if it had reached India. Fortunately I
tore all those notices to pieces and threw them into the gutter,
and wondered whether it was the celebrated "Yankee" manners the
English people delight in talking about. Even so, I am no master
to any Sannyasin in this world. They do whatever it suits them,
and if I can help them - that is all my connection with them. I
have given up the bondage of iron, the family tie - I am not to
take up the golden chain of religious brotherhood. I am free, must
always be free. I wish everyone to be free - free as the air. If
New York needs Vedanta, or Boston, or any other place in the U.S.,
it must receive them and keep them and provide for them. As for
me, I am as good as retired. I have played my part in the world.
CVIII
AIRLIE LODGE, RIDGEWAY GARDENS,
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND,
17th Sept., 1896.
DEAR SISTER, (Miss Harriet Hale.)
Your very welcome news reached me just now, on my return here from
Switzerland. I am very, very happy to learn that at last you have
thought it better to change your mind about the felicity of "Old
Maids Home". You are perfectly right now - marriage is the truest
goal for ninety-nine per cent of the human race, and they will
live the happiest life as soon as they have learnt and are ready
to abide by the eternal lesson - that we are bound to bear and
forbear and that life to everyone must be a compromise.
Believe me, dear Harriet, perfect life is a contradiction in
terms. Therefore we must always expect to find things not up to
our highest ideal. Knowing this, we are bound to make the best of
everything. From what I know of you, you have the calm power which
bears and forbears to a great degree, and therefore I am safe to
prophesy that your married life will be very happy.
All blessings attend you and your fiancé and may the Lord make him
always remember what good fortune was his in getting such a wife
as you - good, intelligent, loving, and beautiful. I am afraid it
is impossible for me to cross the Atlantic so soon. I wish I
could, to see your marriage.
The best I can do in the circumstances is to quote from one of our
books: "May you always enjoy the undivided love of your husband,
helping him in attaining all that is desirable in this life, and
when you have seen your children's children, and the drama of life
is nearing its end, may you help each other in reaching that
infinite ocean of Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss, at the touch of
whose waters all distinctions melt away and we are all one!" (A
reminiscence of Kalidasa's Shakuntalam, where Kanva gives his
benedictions to Shakuntalâ on the eve of her departure to her
husband's place.)
"May you be like Umâ, chaste and pure throughout life - may your
husband be like Shiva, whose life was in Uma!"
Your loving brother,
VIVEKANANDA.
CIX
C/O MISS MULLER,
AIRLIE LODGE, RIDGEWAY GARDENS,
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND,
7th October, 1896.
Once more in London, dear Joe Joe, and the classes have begun
already. Instinctively I looked about for one familiar face which
never had a line of discouragement, never changed, but was always
helpful, cheerful, and strengthening - and my mind conjured up
that face before me, in spite of a few thousand miles of space.
For what is space in the realm of spirit? Well, you are gone to
your home of rest and peace. For me, ever-increasing mad work; yet
I have your blessings with me always, have I not? My natural
tendency is to go into a cave and be quiet, but a fate behind
pushes me forward and I go. Whoever could resist fate?
Why did not Christ say in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are
they that are always cheerful and always hopeful for they have
already the kingdom of heaven"? I am sure, He must have said it,
He with the sorrows of a whole world in His heart, He who likened
the saintly soul with the child - but it was not noted down; of a
thousand things they noted down only one, I mean, remembered.
Most of our friends came - one of the Galsworthys too - i.e. the
married daughter. Mrs. Galsworthy could not come today; it was
very short notice. We have a hall now, a pretty big one holding
about 200 or more. There is a big corner which will be fitted up
as the Library. I have another man from India now to help me.
I enjoyed Switzerland immensely, also Germany. Prof. Deussen was
very kind - we came together to London and had great fun here.
Prof. Max Müller is very, very friendly too. In all, the English
work is becoming solid - and respectable too, seeing that great
scholars are sympathising. Probably I go to India this winter with
some English friends. So far about my own sweet self.
Now what about the holy family? Everything is going on first-rate,
I am sure. You must have heard of Fox by this time. I am afraid I
rather made him dejected the day before he sailed by telling him
that he could not marry Mabel, until he began to earn a good deal
of money! Is Mabel with you now? Give her my love. Also give me
your present address.
How is Mother? Frankincense, same solid sterling gold as ever, I
am sure. Alberta, working at her music and languages, laughing a
good deal and eating a good many apples as usual? By the by, I now
live mostly on fruits and nuts. They seem to agree with me well.
If ever the old doctor, with "land" up somewhere, comes to see
you, you may confide to him this secret. I have lost a good deal
of my fat. But on days I lecture, I have to go on solid food. How
is Hollis? I never saw a sweeter boy - may all blessings ever
attend him through life.
I hear your friend Cola is lecturing on Zoroastrian philosophy -
surely the stars are not smiling on him. What about your Miss
Andreas and our Yogananda? What news about the brotherhood of the
ZZZ's and our Mrs. (forgotten!)? I hear that half a shipload of
Hindus and Buddhists and Mohammedans and Brotherhoods and what not
have entered the U.S., and another cargo of Mahatma-seekers,
evangelists etc. have entered India! Good. India and the U.S. seem
to be two countries for religious enterprise. Have a care, Joe;
the heathen corruption is dreadful. I met Madam Sterling in the
street today. She does not come any more for my lectures, good for
her. Too much of philosophy is not good. Do you remember that lady
who used to come to every meeting too late to hear a word but
button-holed me immediately after and kept me talking, till a
battle of Waterloo would be raging in my internal economy through
hunger? She came. They are all coming and more. That is cheering.
It is getting late in the night. So goodnight, Joe. (Is strict
etiquette to be followed in New York too?) And Lord bless you ever
and ever.
"Man's all-wise maker, wishing to create a faultless form whose
matchless symmetry should far transcend creation's choicest works,
did call together by his mighty will, and garner up in his eternal
mind, a bright assemblage of all lovely things, and then, as in a
picture, fashioned them into one perfect and ideal form. Such the
divine, the wondrous prototype whence her fair shape was moulded
into being." (Shakuntalam by Kalidasa, translated by Monier
Williams).
That is you, Joe Joe; only I would add, the same the creator did
with all purity and nobility and other qualities and then Joe was
made.
Ever yours, with love and blessings,
VIVEKANANDA.
PS. Mrs. & Mr. Sevier in whose house (flat) I am writing now,
send their kindest regards.
CX
AIRLIE LODGE, RIDGEWAY GARDENS,
WIMBLEDON,
8th October, 1896.
DEAR (MISS S. E. WALDO),
. . . I had a fine rest in Switzerland and made a great friend of
Prof. Paul Deussen. My European work in fact is becoming more
satisfactory to me than any other work, and it tells immensely on
India. The London classes were resumed, and today is the opening
lecture. I now have a hall to myself holding two hundred or more.
...
You know of course the steadiness of the English; they are the
least jealous of each other of all nations, and that is why they
dominate the world. They have solved the secret of obedience
without slavish cringing - great freedom with great
law-abidingness.
I know very little of the young man R-. He is a Bengali and can
teach a little Sanskrit. You know my settled doctrine. I do not
trust anyone who has not conquered "lust and gold". You may try
him in theoretical subjects, but keep him off from teaching
Raja-Yoga - that is a dangerous game except for the regularly
trained to play at. Of Saradananda, the blessing of the greatest
Yogi of modern India is on him - and there is no danger. Why do
you not begin to teach? . . . You have a thousand times more
philosophy than this boy R-. Send notices to the class and hold
regular talks and lectures.
I will be thousand times more pleased to see one of you start than
any number of Hindus securing success in America - even one of my
brethren. "Man wants Victory from everywhere, but defeat from his
own children". . . . Make a blaze! Make a blaze!
With all love and blessings,
VIVEKANANDA.
CXI
WIMBLEDON,
8th October, 1896.
DEAR MRS. BULL,
. . . I met in Germany Prof. Deussen. I was his guest at Kiel and
we travelled together to London and had some very pleasant
meetings here. . . . Although I am in full sympathy with the
various branches of religious and social work, I find that
specification of work is absolutely necessary. Our special branch
is to preach Vedanta. Helping in other work should be subservient
to that one ideal. I hope you will inculcate this in the mind of
Saradananda very strongly.
Did you read Max Müller's article on Ramakrishna? . . . Things are
working very favourably here in England. The work is not only
popular but appreciated.
Yours affly.,
VIVEKANANDA.