The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 8/Epistles - Fourth Series/CI Shashi
CI
(Translated from Bengali.)
To Swami Ramakrishnananda
AMBALA,
19th August, 1897.
DEAR SHASHI,
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.