Epistles (second series)

Govinda Sahay

XXXV
Ajmer
14th April, 1891
Dear Govinda Sahay,
. . . Try to be pure and unselfish--that is the whole of religion. . . .
Yours with love,
Vivekananda

 

XXXVI
Mount Abu
30th April, 1891
Dear Govinda Sahay,
Have you done the Upanayana of that Brahmin boy? Are you studying Sanskrit? How far have you advanced? I think you must have finished the first part. . . . Are you diligent in your Shiva Puja? If not, try to be so. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all good things will be added unto you." Follow God and you shall have whatever you desire. . . . To the two Commander Sahebs my best regards; they being men of high position were very kind to a poor fakir like me. My children, the secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice. To be good and to do good--that is the whole of religion. "Not he that crieth 'Lord', 'Lord', but he that doeth the will of the Father". You are a nice band of young men, you Alwaris, and I hope in no distant future many of you will be ornaments of the society and blessings to the country you are born in.
Yours with blessings,
V.
PS. Don't be ruffled if now and then you get a brush from the world; it will be over in no time, and everything will be all right.

XXXVII
Mount Abu
1891
Dear Govinda Sahay,
You must go on with your Japa whatever direction the mind takes. Tell Harbux that he is to begin with the Pranayama in the following way.
Try hard with your Sanskrit studies.
Yours with love,
V.

 

LII
c/o G. W. Hale, Esq.,
Chicago, U.S.A.
Dear Govinda Sahay,
Do you keep any correspondence with my Gurubhais of Calcutta? Are you progressing morally, spiritually, and in your worldly affairs? . . . Perhaps you have heard how for more than a year I have been preaching Hindu religion in America. I am doing very well here. Write to me as soon as you can and as often as you like.
Yours with love,
Vivekananda

LIII
U.S.A.
1894
Dear Govinda Sahay,
. . . Honesty is the best policy, and a virtuous man must gain in the end. . . . You must always bear in mind, my son, that however busy or however distant, or living with men however high in position I may be, I am always praying, blessing, and remembering everyone of my friends, even the humblest.
Yours, with blessings,
Vivekananda

 

 

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