The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 9/Letters - Fifth Series/I Sir
I
(Translated from Bengali)
To Balaram Bose
Glory to Ramakrishna
GHAZIPUR
February 6, 1890
RESPECTED SIR,
I have talked with Pavhari Baba. He is a wonderful saint — the embodiment of
humility, devotion, and Yoga. Although he is an orthodox Vaishnava, he is
not prejudiced against others of different beliefs. He has tremendous love
for Mahâprabhu Chaitanya, and he [Pavhari Baba] speaks of Shri Ramakrishna
as "an incarnation of God". He loves me very much, and I am going to stay
here for some days at his request.
Pavhari Baba can live in Samâdhi for from two to six months at a stretch. He
can read Bengali and has kept a photograph of Shri Ramakrishna in his room.
I have not yet seen him face to face, since he speaks from behind a door,
but I have never heard such a sweet voice. I have many things to say about
him but not just at present.
Please try to get a copy of Chaitanya-Bhâgavata for him and send it
immediately to the following address: Gagan Chandra Roy, Opium Department,
Ghazipur. Please don't forget.
Pavhari Baba is an ideal Vaishnava and a great scholar; but he is reluctant
to reveal his learning. His elder brother acts as his attendant, but even he
is not allowed to enter his room.
Please send him a copy of Chaitanya-Mangala also, if it is still in print.
And remember that if Pavhari Baba accepts your presents, that will be your
great fortune. Ordinarily, he does not accept anything from anybody. Nobody
knows what he eats or even what he does.
Please don't let it be known that I am here and don't send news of anyone to
me. I am busy with an important work.
Your servant,
NARENDRA