22. The sons of my Master are indeed the great objects of my service

(Translated from Bengali)

Victory to the Lord!

GHAZIPUR,

19th Feb., 1890.

DEAR SIR,

I wrote a letter to brother Gangādhar asking him to stop his wandering and settle down somewhere and to send me an account of the various Sādhus he had come across in Tibet and their ways and customs. I enclose the reply that came from him. Brother Kāli is having repeated attacks of fever at Hrishikesh. I have sent him a wire from this place. So if from the reply I find I am wanted by him, I shall be obliged to start direct for Hrishikesh from this place, otherwise I am coming to you in a day or two. Well, you may smile, sir, to see me weaving all this web of Māyā—and that is no doubt the fact. But then there is the chain of iron, and there is the chain of gold. Much good comes of the latter; and it drops off by itself when all the good is reaped. The sons of my Master are indeed the great objects of my service, and here alone I feel I have some duty left for me. Perhaps I shall send brother Kāli down to Allahabad or somewhere else, as convenient. At your feet are laid a hundred and one faults of mine—“I am as thy son, so guide me who have taken refuge in thee.” [1]

ⓘ[1] An adaptation from the Gitā, II. 7.

Yours etc.,
VIVEKANANDA.