36. My children, the secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice.

MOUNT ABU,

30th April, 1891.

DEAR GOVINDA SAHAY,

Have you done the Upanayana of that Brahmin boy? Are you studying Sanskrit? How far have you advanced? I think you must have finished the first part. … Are you diligent in your Shiva Pujā? If not, try to be so. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all good things will be added unto you.” Follow God and you shall have whatever you desire. … To the two Commander Sāhebs my best regards; they being men of high position were very kind to a poor fakir like me. My children, the secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice. To be good and to do good—that is the whole of religion. “Not he that crieth ‘Lord’, ‘Lord’, but he that doeth the will of the Father”. You are a nice band of young men, you Alwaris, and I hope in no distant future many of you will be ornaments of the society and blessings to the country you are born in.

Yours with blessings,
V.

PS. Don’t be ruffled if now and then you get a brush from the world; it will be over in no time, and everything will be all right.