The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Epistles - First Series/XXVII Alasinga
XXVII
U. S. A.,
1894.
Dear Alasinga,
Listen to an old story. A lazy tramp sauntering along the road saw an old
man sitting at the door of his house and stopped to inquire of him the
whereabouts of a certain place. "How far is such and such a village?" he
asked. The old man remained silent. The man repeated his query several
times. Still there was no answer. Disgusted at this, the traveller turned to
go away. The old man then stood up and said, "The village of — is only a
mile from here." "What!" said the tramp, "Why did you not speak when I asked
you before?" "Because then", said the old man, "you seemed so halting and
careless about proceeding, but now you are starting off in good earnest, and
you have a right to an answer."
Will you remember this story, my son? Go to work, the rest will come:
"Whosoever not trusting in anything else but Me, rests on Me, I supply him
with everything he needs" (Gitâ, IX. 22). This is no dream.
. . . The work should be in the line of preaching and serving, at the
present time. Choose a place of meeting where you can assemble every week
holding a service and reading the Upanishads with the commentaries, and so
slowly go on learning and working. Every thing will come to you if you put
your shoulders to the wheel. . .
Now, go to work! G. G.'s nature is of the emotional type, you have a level
head; so work together; plunge in; this is only the beginning. Every nation
must save itself; we must not depend upon funds from America for the revival
of Hinduism, for that is a delusion. To have a centre is a great thing; try
to secure such a place in a large town like Madras, end go on radiating a
living force in all directions. Begin slowly. Start with a few lay
missionaries; gradually others will come who will devote their whole lives
to the work. Do not try to be a ruler. He is the best ruler who can serve
well. Be true unto death. The work we want — we do not seek wealth, name or
fame. . . . Be brave. . . . Endeavour to interest the people of Madras in
collecting funds for the purpose, and then make a beginning. . . . Be
perfectly unselfish and you will be sure to succeed. . . . Without losing
the independence in work, show all regards to your superiors. Work in
harmony. . . . My children must be ready to jump into fire, if needed, to
accomplish their work. Now work, work, work! We will stop and compare notes
later on. Have patience, perseverance, and purity.
I am writing no book on Hinduism just now. I am simply jotting down my
thoughts. I do not know if I shall publish them. What is in books? The world
is too full of foolish things already. If you could start a magazine on
Vedantic lines, it would further our object. Be positive; do not criticise
others. Give your message, teach what you have to teach, and there stop. The
Lord knows the rest. . . .
Do not send me any more newspapers, as I do not notice the missionary
criticisms on myself; and here the public estimation of me is better for
that reason.
. . . If you are really my children, you will fear nothing, stop at nothing.
You will be like lions. We must rouse India and the whole world. No
cowardice. I will take no nay. Do you understand? Be true unto death! . . .
The secret of this is Guru-Bhakti — faith in the Guru unto death! Have you
that? I believe with all my heart that you have, and you know that I have
confidence in you — so go to work. You must succeed. My prayers and
benedictions follow every step you take. Work in harmony. Be patient with
everybody. Every one has my love. I am watching you. Onward! Onward! This is
just the beginning. My little work here makes a big echo in India, do you
know? So I shall not return there in a hurry. My intention is to do
something permanent here, and with that object I am working day by day. I am
every day gaining the confidence of the American people. . . . Expand your
hearts and hopes, as wide as the world. Study Sanskrit, especially the three
Bhâshyas (commentaries) on the Vedanta. Be ready, for I have many plans for
the future. Try to be a magnetic speaker. Electrify the people. Everything
will come to you if you have faith. So tell Kidi, in fact, tell all my
children there. In time they will do great things at which the world will
wonder. Take heart and work. Show me something you have done. Show me a
temple, a press, a paper, a home for me. Where shall I come to if you cannot
make a home for me in Madras? Electrify people. Raise funds and preach. Be
true to your mission. Thus far you promise well, so go on and do better and
better still.
. . .Do not fight with people; do not antagonise anyone. Why should we mind
if Jack and John become Christians? Let them follow whatever religion suits
them. Why should you mix in controversies? Bear with the various opinions of
everybody. Patience, purity, and perseverance will prevail.
Yours etc.,
Vivekananda.