Part 47 (2/2)
(Translated from Bengali.)
To Swami Ramakrishnananda
ALMORA,.
29th July, 1897.
DEAR SHAs.h.i.+, I got information that your work there is going on very well. Get a thorough mastery of the three Bhshyas (commentaries), and also study well European philosophy and allied subjects - see to it without fail. To fight with others one requires sword and s.h.i.+eld - this fact should never be forgotten. I hope Sukul has now reached there and is attending on you all right. If Sadananda does not like to stay there, send him to Calcutta. Don't forget to send to the Math every week a report of the work including income and expenditure and other information.
Alasinga's sister's husband borrowed four hundred rupees from Badridas here, promising to send it back as soon as he reached Madras; inquire from Alasinga and tell him to send it quickly. For I am leaving this place the day after tomorrow - whether for Mussoorie Hills or somewhere else I shall decide later.
Yesterday I delivered a lecture in the circle of the local English people, and all were highly pleased with it. But I was very much pleased with the lecture in Hindi that I delivered the previous day - I did not know before that I could be oratorical in Hindi.
Are there any new boys joining the Math? If so, then carry on the work in the same manner as it is being done in Calcutta. At present don't use up your wisdom too much, lest it should become completely exhausted - you can do that later on.
Pay particular attention to your health, but too much coddling of the body will, on the contrary, also spoil the health. If there is not the strength of knowledge, n.o.body would care twopence for your ringing of the bell - this is certain; and knowing this for certain equip yourself accordingly. My heart's love and blessings to you and to Goodwin and others.
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA. * *.
CI.
(Translated from Bengali.)
To Swami Ramakrishnananda
AMBALA,.
19th August, 1897.
DEAR SHAs.h.i.+, I am very much pained to hear that the work in Madras is not prospering for want of funds. I am glad to learn that the amount borrowed by Alasinga's brother-in-law (sister's husband) has been received back in Almora. Goodwin has written to me to inform the Reception Committee to take some money for expenses from the amount that is left as a result of the lecture. It is a very mean thing to spend the money received on the occasion of that lecture for the purpose of the Reception - and I do not like to tell anybody anything about this matter. I have understood quite well what the people of our country are when it comes to money-matters. . . . On my behalf, you personally talk with the friends there and politely make them understand that it is all right if they can find ways and means to bear the expenses; but if they cannot do so, all of you come back to the Math at Calcutta or go to Ramnad and establish the Math there.
I am now going to the hills at Dharamsala. Niranjan, Dinu, Krishnalal, Latu, and Achyut will stay at Amritsar. Why did you not, all these days, send Sadananda to the Math? If he is still there, then send him to the Punjab on receipt of a letter from Niranjan from Amritsar. I intend to start work in the Punjab after a few days' more rest in the Punjab hills. The Punjab and Rajputana are indeed fields for work. I shall write to you again soon after starting work. . . .
My health was very bad recently. Now I am very slowly recovering. It will be all right, if I stay in the hills for some more days. My love to you and to Alasinga, G. G., R. A., Goodwin, Gupta, Sukul, and all others.
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA. *.
CII.
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