7. How, O man, dost thou want satisfaction in such a world!

VII(Translated from Bengali)

GHAZIPUR,

15th March, 1890.

DEAR ATUL BĀBU [1] ,

ⓘ[1] Atul Chandra Ghosh.

I am extremely sorry to hear that you are passing through mental afflictions. Please do only what is agreeable to you.

यावज्जननं तावन्मरणं

तावज्जननीजठरे शयनम् ।
इति संसारे स्फुटतरदोष:
कथमिह मानव तव सन्तोष: ॥

—“While there is birth there is death, and again entering the mother’s womb. This is the manifest evil of transmigration. How, O man, dost thou want satisfaction in such a world!”

Yours affectionately,

VIVEKANANDA.

PS. I am leaving this place tomorrow. Let me see which way destiny leads!