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Letters written from Boston
(March)
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
To Sister Christine
C/o the Procopeia
45 St., Botolph Street
Boston, Mass.
22nd March '96
Dear Christina,
Herewith [words excised] to countersign it and put it [words excised]. I am afraid I have made a mistake in writing Miss to your name. In that case you will have to sign also as Miss etc.
I am enjoying Boston very much, especially the old friends here.
They are all kind. Reply promptly. Write fully later on.
With everlasting love and blessings,
Yours etc.,
Vivekananda
To Mrs. Charles (Mary) Funke
C/O THE PROCOPEIA
45 ST., BOTOLPH STREET
BOSTON, MASS.
22nd March '96
DEAR MRS. FUNKEY [FUNKE] —
I had no time to write a line even, I was so busy. I am enjoying Boston immensely, only hard work. The meeting with old friends is very pleasing, no doubt. The so-called class swelled up to 500 people last night and, am afraid, will go on increasing. Everything going on splendidly. Mr. Goodwin as nice as ever. We are all friends here. I go next week to Chicago.
Hope everything is going on well with you there. Kindly give my love to Mrs. Phelps, Mr. Phelps and all the rest of my friends.
With all love and blessings,
Yours,
VIVEKANANDA
Boston
23rd March, 1896
Dear Alasinga,
. . . One of my new Sannyasins is indeed a woman. She was a leader of the labourers. The others are men. I am going to make some more in England and take them over to India with me. These "white" faces will have more influence in India than the Hindus; moreover, they are vigorous, the Hindus are dead. The only hope of India is from the masses. The upper classes are physically and morally dead. . . .
My success is due to my popular style--the greatness of a teacher consists in the simplicity of his language.
. . . I am going to England next month. I am afraid I have worked too much; my nerves are almost shattered by this long-continued work. I don't want you to sympathise, but only I write this so that you may not expect much from me now. Work on, the best way you can. I have very little hope of being able to do great things now. I am glad, however, that a good deal of literature has been created by taking down stenographic notes of my lectures. Four books are ready. . . . Well, I am satisfied that I have tried my best to do good, and shall have a clear conscience when I retire from work and sit down in a cave.
With love and blessings to all,
Vivekananda
(text in red denotes that text was not included in complete works of SV.) |
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