Epistles (second series)
Sahji (Lala Badri Sah)
CV
C/o E. T. Sturdy, Esq.,
High View, Caversham, Reading,
5th August, 1896.
Dear Sahji {Lala Badri Sah},
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.
CXIV
39 Victoria Street,
London S.W.,
21st November, 1896.
{original in Bengali}
Dear Lalaji {Lala Badri Sah},
I reach Madras about the 7th of January; after a few days in the plains I intend to come up to Almora.
I have three English friends with me. Two of them, Mr. and Mrs. Sevier, are going to settle in Almora. They are my disciples, you know, and they are going to build the Math for me in the Himalayas. It was for that reason I asked you to look for some suitable site. We want a whole hill, with a view of the snow-range, all to ourselves. It would of course take time to fix on a site and complete the building. In the meanwhile will you kindly engage a small bungalow for my friends? The bungalow ought to accommodate three persons. I do not require a large one. A small one would do for the present. My friends will live in this bungalow in Almora and then go about looking for a site and building.
You need not reply to this letter, as before your reply will reach me, I shall be on my way to India. I will wire to you from Madras as soon as I reach there.
With love and blessings to you all,
Yours,
Vivekananda.
Epistles (fifth series)
CIX
To Lala Badri Sah of Almora
Darjeeling
7th April '97.
Dear Lalajee,
Just received your kind invitation through telegram. Perhaps you have already heard that I have been attacked by "Dia-betes", a fell disease.
That unsettled all our plans, and I had to run up to Dar-jeeling, it being very cool and very good for the disease.
I have felt much better since, and the doctors therefore do not want me to move about, as that brings about a relapse. If my present state of health continues for a month or two, I think I will be in a condition to come down to the plains and come to Almora to see you all. I am very sorry that I have caused you a good deal of trouble, but you see it could not be helped--the body was not under my control.
With all love to yourself and other friends in Almora.
Yours affectionately,
Vivekananda
CX
To Lala Badri Sah
Devaldhar Bagicha, 117
Thursday, [June 1897]
Dear Badri Sah,
I have been very sorry to learn that you are not well. It would please me very much if you would come down here for a few days, at any rate, with us; and I am sure it would do you good.
Yours with blessings,
Vivekananda.
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