Swami Vivekananda
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The Complete Works: Volume VIPage 1 of 1

Epistles: Second Series

75. In this Satya-Yuga the tidal wave of Shri Ramakrishna’s Love has unified all.

(Translated from Bengali)

U.S.A.,

(Beginning of?) 1895.

MY DEAR SHASHI,

Yesterday I received a letter from you in which there was a smattering of news, but nothing in detail. I am much better now. Through the grace of the Lord I am proof against the severe cold for this year. Oh, the terrible cold! But these people keep all down through scientific knowledge. Every house has its cellar underground, in which there is a big boiler whence steam is made to course day and night through every room. This keeps all the rooms warm, but it has one defect, that while it is summer indoors, it is 30 to 40 degrees below zero outside! Most of the rich people of this country make for Europe during the winter, which is comparatively warm.

Now, let me give you some instructions. This letter is meant for you. Please go through these instructions once a day and act up to them. I have got Sāradā’s letter—he is doing good work—but now we want organisation. To him, Brother Tārak, and others please give my special love and blessings. The reason why I give you these few instructions is that there is an organising power in you—the Lord has made this known to me—but it is not yet fully developed. Through His blessings it will soon be. That you never lose your centre of gravity is an evidence of this, but it must be both intensive and extensive.

1. All the Shāstras hold that the threefold misery that there is in this world is not natural, hence it is removable.

2. In the Buddha Incarnation the Lord says that the root of the Ādhibhautika misery or, misery arising from other terrestrial beings, is the formation of classes (Jāti); in other words, every form of class-distinction, whether based on birth, or acquirements, or wealth is at the bottom of this misery. In the Ātman there is no distinction of sex, or Varna1 or Āshrama,2 or anything of the kind, and as mud cannot be washed away by mud, it is likewise impossible to bring about oneness by means of separative ideas.

3. In the Krishna Incarnation He says that the root of all sorts of misery is Avidyā (Nescience) and that selfless work purifies the mind. But “किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिता:—Even sages are bewildered to decide what is work and what is no-work” (Gitā).

4. Only that kind of work which develops our spirituality is work. Whatever fosters materiality is no-work.

5. Therefore work and no-work must be regulated by a person’s aptitude, his country, and his age.

6. Works such as sacrifices were suited to the olden times but are not for the modern times.

7. From the date that the Ramakrishna Incarnation was born, has sprung the Satya-Yuga (Golden Age). …

8. In this Incarnation atheistic ideas … will be destroyed by the sword of Jnāna (knowledge), and the whole world will be unified by means of Bhakti (devotion) and Prema (Divine Love). Moreover, in this Incarnation, Rajas, or the desire for name and fame etc., is altogether absent. In other words, blessed is he who acts up to His teachings; whether he accepts Him or not, does not matter.

9. The founders of different sects, in the ancient or modern times, have not been in the wrong. They have done well, but they must do better. Well—better—best.

10. Therefore we must take all up where they are, that is, we must lead them on to higher and higher ideals, without upsetting their own chosen attitude. As to social conditions, those that prevail now are good, but they shall be better—best.

11. There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly on only one wing.

12. Hence, in the Ramakrishna Incarnation the acceptance of a woman as the Guru, hence His practising in the woman’s garb and frame of mind,3 hence too His preaching the motherhood of women as representations of the Divine Mother.

13. Hence it is that my first endeavour is to start a Math for women. This Math shall be the origin of Gārgis and Maitreyis, and women of even higher attainments than these. …

14. No great work can be achieved by humbug. It is through love, a passion for truth, and tremendous energy, that all undertakings are accomplished. तत् कुरु पौरूषम्—Therefore, manifest your manhood.

15. There is no need for quarrel or dispute with anybody. Give your message and leave others to their own thoughts. “सत्यमेव जयते नानृतम्—Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood.” तदा किं विवादेन—Why then fight?

… Combine seriousness with childlike naïveté. Live in harmony with all. Give up all idea of egoism, and entertain no sectarian views. Useless wrangling is a great sin.

… From Sāradā’s letter I came to know that N—Ghosh has compared me with Jesus Christ, and the like. That kind of thing may pass muster in our country, but if you send such comments here in print, there is a chance of my being insulted! I mean, I do not like to hamper anybody’s freedom of thought—am I a missionary? If Kāli has not sent those papers to this country, tell him not to do it. Only the Address will do, I do not want the proceedings. Now many respectable ladies and gentlemen of this country hold me in reverence. The missionaries and others of that ilk have tried their utmost to put me down, but finding it useless have now become quiet. Every undertaking must pass through a lot of obstacles. Truth triumphs if only one pursues a peaceful course. I have no need to reply to what a Mr. Hudson has spoken against me. In the first place, it is unnecessary, and secondly, I shall be bringing myself down to the level of people of Mr. Hudson’s type. Are you mad? Shall I fight from here with one Mr. Hudson? Through the Lord’s grace, people who are far above Mr. Hudson in rank listen to me with veneration. Please do not send any more papers. Let all that go on in India, it will do no harm. For the Lord’s work at one time there was need for that kind of newspaper blazoning. When that is done, there is no more need for it. … It is one of the attendant evils of name and fame that you can’t have anything private. … Before you begin any undertaking, pray to Shri Ramakrishna, and he will show you the right way. We want a big plot of land to begin with, then building and all will come. Slowly our Math is going to raise itself, don’t worry about it. …

Kāli and all others have done good work. Give my love and best wishes to all. Work in unison with the people of Madras, and let someone or other amongst you go there at intervals. Give up for ever the desire for name and fame and power. While I am on earth, Shri Ramakrishna is working through me. So long as you believe in this there is no danger of any evil for you.

The Ramakrishna Punthi (Life of Shri Ramakrishna in Bengali verse) that Akshaya has sent is very good, but there is no glorification of the Shakti at the opening which is a great defect. Tell him to remedy it in the second edition. Always bear this in mind that we are now standing before the gaze of the world, and that people are watching every one of our actions and utterances. Remember this and work.

… Be on the look-out for a site for our Math. … If it be at some little distance from Calcutta, no harm. Wherever we shall build our Math, there we shall have a stir made. Very glad to learn about Mahim Chakravarty. The Andes have turned into the holy Gaya, I see! Where is he? Please give him, Sj. Bijoy Goswami, and our other friends my cordial greetings. … To beat an opponent one needs a sword and buckler, so carefully learn English and Sanskrit. Kāli’s English is getting nicer every day, while that of Sāradā is deteriorating. Tell Sāradā to give up the flowery style. It is extremely difficult to write a flowery style in a foreign tongue. Please convey to him a hundred thousand bravos from me! There’s a hero indeed. … Well done, all of you! Bravo, lads! The beginning is excellent. Go on in that way. If the adder of jealousy does not come in, there is no fear! माभै:—Cheer up! “मद्भक्तानाञ्च ये भक्तास्ते मे भक्ततमा मता:—Those who serve My devotees are My best devotees.” Have all of you a little grave bearing. I am not writing any book on Hinduism at present. But I am jotting down my thoughts. Every religion is an expression, a language to express the same truth, and we must speak to each in his own language. That Sāradā has grasped this, is all right. It will be time enough to look to Hinduism later on. Do you think people in this country would be much attracted if I talk of Hinduism?—The very name of narrowness in ideas will scare them away! The real thing is—the Religion taught by Shri Ramakrishna, let the Hindus call it Hinduism—and others call it in their own way. Only you must proceed slowly. “शनै: पन्था:—One must make journeys slowly.” Give my blessings to Dinanath, the new recruit. I have very little time to write—always lecture, lecture, lecture. Purity, Patience, Perseverance. … You must ask those numerous people who are now paying heed to Shri Ramakrishna’s teachings, to help you pecuniarily to a certain extent. How can the Math be maintained unless they help you? You must not be shy of making this plain to all. …

There is no gain in hastening my return from this country. In the first place, a little sound made here will resound there a great deal. Then, the people of this country are immensely rich and are bold enough to pay. While the people of our country have neither money nor the least bit of boldness.

You will know everything by degrees. Was Shri Ramakrishna the Saviour of India merely? It is this narrow idea that has brought about India’s ruin, and her welfare is an impossibility so long as this is not rooted out. Had I the money I would send each one of you to travel all over the world. No great idea can have a place in the heart unless one steps out of his little corner. It will be verified in time. Every great achievement is done slowly. Such is the Lord’s will. …

Why didn’t any of you write about Daksha and Harish? I shall be glad to know if you watch their whereabouts. That Sānyāl is feeling miserable is because his mind is not yet pure like the water of the Gangā. It is not yet selfless, but will be in time. He will have no misery if he can give up the little crookedness and be straightforward. My special loving greetings to Rākhāl and Hari. Take great care of them. … Never forget that Rākhāl was the special object of Shri Ramakrishna’s love. Let nothing daunt you. Who on earth has the power to snub us so long as the Lord favours us? Even if you are at your last breath, be not afraid. Work on with the intrepidity of a lion but, at the same time with the tenderness of a flower. Let this year’s Shri Ramakrishna festival be celebrated in great pomp. Let the feeding be quite ordinary—Prasāda being distributed in earthen plates among the devotees standing in rows. There should be readings from Shri Ramakrishna’s Life. Place books like the Vedas and the Vedānta together and perform Ārati before them. … Avoid issuing invitation cards of the old style. “आमन्त्रये भवन्तं साशीर्वादं भगवतो रामकृष्णस्य बहुमानपुर:सरञ्च—With Bhagavān Shri Ramakrishna’s blessings and our great esteem we have the pleasure to invite you.” Write some such line, and then write that to defray the expenses of Shri Ramakrishna’s Birthday Festival and those of the maintenance of the Math, you want his assistance. That if he likes, he may kindly send the money to such and such, at such and such address, and so on. Also add a page in English. The term “Lord Ramakrishna” has no meaning. You must give it up. Write “Bhagavān” in English characters, and add a line or two in English:

THE ANNIVERSARY OF BHAGAVĀN SHRI RAMAKRISHNA

Sir, we have great pleasure in inviting you to join us in celebrating the——th anniversary of Bhagavān Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. For the celebration of this great occasion and for the maintenance of the Alambazar Math funds are absolutely necessary. If you think that the cause is worthy of your sympathy, we shall be very grateful to receive your contribution to the great work.

Yours obediently, (Name)

If you get more than enough money, spend only a little of it and keep the surplus as a reserve fund to defray your expenses. On the plea of offering the food to the Lord, do not make everybody wait till he is sick, to have a stale and unsavoury dinner. Have two filters made and use that filtered water for both cooking and drinking purposes. Boil the water before filtering. If you do this, you will never more hear of malaria. Keep a strict eye on everybody’s health. If you can give up lying on the floor—in other words, if you can get the money to do it, it will be excellent indeed. Dirty clothes are the chief cause of disease. … About the food offering, let me tell you that only a little Pāyasānna (milk-rice with sugar) will do. He used to love that alone. It is true that the worship-room is a help to many, but it is no use indulging in Rājasika and Tāmasika food. Let the ceremonials give place to a certain extent to a little study of the Gitā or the Upanishads or other sacred books. What I mean is this—let there be as little materialism as possible, with the maximum of spirituality. … Did Shri Ramakrishna come for this or that particular individual, or for the world at large? If the latter, then you must present him in such a light that the whole world may understand him. … You must not identify yourselves with any life of his written by anybody nor give your sanction to any. There is no danger so long as such books do not come out associated with our name. … “Say yea, yea, to all and stick to your own.”

… A thousand thanks to Mahendra Bābu for his kindly helping us. He is a very liberal-hearted man. … About Sānyāl, he will attain the highest good by doing his bit of work attentively, that is, by simply serving Shri Ramakrishna’s children. … Brother Tārak is doing very good work. Bravo! Well done! That is what we want. Let me see all of you shoot like so many meteors! What is Gangādhar doing? Some Zemindars in Rajputana respect him. Tell him to get some money from them as Bhikshā; then he is a man. …

Just now I read Akshaya’s book. Give him a hundred thousand hearty embraces from me. Through his pen Shri Ramakrishna is manifesting himself. Blessed is Akshaya! Let him recite that Punthi before all. He must recite it before all in the Festival. If the work be too large, let him read extracts of it. Well, I do not find a single irrelevant word in it. I cannot tell in words the joy I have experienced by reading his book. Try all of you to give the book an extensive sale. Then ask Akshaya to go from village to village to preach. Well done Akshaya! He is doing his work. Go from village to village and proclaim to all Shri Ramakrishna’s teachings, can there be a more blessed lot than this? I tell you, Akshaya’s book and Akshaya himself must electrify the masses. Dear, dear, Akshaya, I bless you with all my heart, my dear brother. May the Lord sit in your tongue! Go and spread his teachings from door to door. There is no need whatever of your becoming a Sannyāsin. … Akshaya is the future apostle for the masses of Bengal. Take great care of Akshaya; his faith and devotion have borne fruit.

Ask Akshaya to write these few points in the third section of his book, “The Propagation of the Faith”.

1. Whatever the Vedas, the Vedānta, and all other Incarnations have done in the past, Shri Ramakrishna lived to practise in the course of a single life.

2. One cannot understand the Vedas, the Vedānta, the Incarnations, and so forth, without understanding his life. For he was the explanation.

3. From the very date that he was born, has sprung the Satya-Yuga (Golden Age). Henceforth there is an end to all sorts of distinctions, and everyone down to the Chandāla will be a sharer in the Divine Love. The distinction between man and woman, between the rich and the poor, the literate and illiterate, Brahmins and Chandālas—he lived to root out all. And he was the harbinger of Peace—the separation between Hindus and Mohammedans, between Hindus and Christians, all are now things of the past. That fight about distinctions that there was, belonged to another era. In this Satya-Yuga the tidal wave of Shri Ramakrishna’s Love has unified all.

Tell him to expand these ideas and write them in his own style.

Whoever—man or woman—will worship Shri Ramakrishna, be he or she ever so low, will be then and there converted into the very highest. Another thing, the Motherhood of God is prominent in this Incarnation. He used to dress himself as a woman —he was, as it were, our Mother—and we must likewise look upon all women as the reflections of the Mother. In India there are two great evils. Trampling on the women, and grinding the poor through caste restrictions. He was the Saviour of women, Saviour of the masses, Saviour of all, high and low. And let Akshaya introduce his worship in every home—Brahmin or Chandāla, man or woman—everyone has the right to worship him. Whoever will worship him only with devotion shall be blessed for ever.

Tell him to write in this strain. Never mind anything—the Lord will be at his side.

Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.

PS. … Ask Sānyāl to send me a copy each of the Nārada and Shāndilya Sutras, and one of the Yogavāsishtha, that has been translated in Calcutta. I want the English translation of the last, not a Bengali edition. …

Notes

  1. The four principal castes, viz Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. ↩
  2. The four orders of life, viz Brahmacharya, Gārhasthya, Vānaprastha, and Sannyāsa. ↩
  3. For some time Shri Ramakrishna dressed himself as a woman and practised Sādhanā conceiving himself to be a woman to get rid of the sex-idea ↩
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Contents

Lectures and Discourses
  1. The Methods and Purpose of Religion
  2. The Nature of the Soul and its Goal
  3. The Importance of Psychology
  4. Nature and Man
  5. Concentration and Breathing
  6. Introduction to Jnana-Yoga
  7. The Vedanta Philosophy and Christianity
  8. Worshipper and Worshipped
  9. Formal Worship
  10. Divine Love
Notes of Class Talks and Lectures
  1. Religion And Science
  2. Religion Is Realisation
  3. Religion Is Self-Abnegation
  4. Unselfish Work Is True Renunciation
  5. Freedom Of The Self
  6. Notes On Vedanta
  7. Hindu And Greek
  8. Thoughts On The Vedas And Upanishads
  9. On Raja-Yoga
  10. On Bhakti-Yoga
  11. On Jnana-Yoga
  12. The Reality And Shadow
  13. How To Become Free
  14. Soul And God
  15. The Goal
  16. On Proof Of Religion
  17. The Design Theory
  18. Spirit And Nature
  19. The Practice Of Religion
  20. Fragmentary Notes On The Ramayana
  21. Notes Taken Down In Madras, 1892-93
  22. Concentration
  23. The Power Of The Mind
  24. Lessons On Raja-Yoga
  25. Lessons On Bhakti-Yoga
  26. Mother-Worship
  27. Narada-Bhakti-Sutras
Writings: Prose and Poems
  1. Historical Evolution of India
  2. The Story of the Boy Gopala
  3. My Play Is Done
  4. The Cup
  5. A Benediction
  6. The Hymn of Creation
  7. On the Sea's Bosom
  8. Hinduism and Shri Ramakrishna
  9. The Bengali Language
  10. Matter for Serious Thought
  11. Shiva's Demon
Epistles: Second Series
  1. 1. Leaving Ayodhya I have reached the holy Vrindavan
  2. 2. Twice did Gangādhar ascend up to Tibet and Bhutan.
  3. 3. A full measure of proficiency in the Vedic language is impossible without first mastering Pānini’s grammar
  4. 4. He must be made of stone whose mind does not melt at the sight of Kashi and its Lord!
  5. 5. You have hit Ramakrishna in the right point.
  6. 6. My health is passable, but the state of mind is terrible!
  7. 7. One has to suffer at times for holding in one’s brain novel views of all sorts.
  8. 8. One may attain to the knowledge of Brahman without having studied the ceremonial parts of the Vedas.
  9. 9. For all time my head shall bend low in reverence wherever I see greatness, broadness of heart, and holiness
  10. 10. When a pitcher is being filled (by immersion), it gurgles, but when full, it is noiseless
  11. 11. Gangādhar’s blood won’t cool down before seeing Lhasa.
  12. 12. I can’t appreciate your citing Spencer’s parody on the German transcendentalists
  13. 13. My resolve is something like “either to lay down my life or realise my ideal”
  14. 14. Please inquire and inform me whether the Kumbha fair this year is going to be held at Hardwar or not.
  15. 15. “Lord have mercy”, is all right, but He helps him who helps himself.
  16. 16. In this land of Bhagavān Shuka’s birth, renunciation is looked down upon as madness and sin!
  17. 17. It is so very difficult to meet the Bābāji.
  18. 18. Unless one is face to face with the life of such men, faith in the scriptures does not grow in all its real integrity.
  19. 19. No trouble taken for the sake of such a great soul can ever go unrewarded.
  20. 20. Such amazing endurance and humility I have never seen
  21. 21. I am greatly suffering from lumbago.
  22. 22. The sons of my Master are indeed the great objects of my service
  23. 23. what the Lord Buddha has designated as Prajnāpāra—the transcendental—if such there be, I want that alone.
  24. 24. The mind does not find rest here any longer
  25. 25. The great conclusion is that Ramakrishna has no peer
  26. 26. I too shall be off to Prayag.
  27. 27. My motto is to learn whatever good things I may come across anywhere.
  28. 28. Gagan Bābu with whom I am putting up, is an exceedingly courteous, noble, and generous-minded man.
  29. 29. Bless me that I may have the most unflinching patience and perseverance.
  30. 30. I shall be drawn up to the hills by the attraction I have for Hrishikesh
  31. 31. If ever I get this true renunciation, I shall let you know
  32. 32. Do please pray for me to Vishvanātha that He may grant me strength
  33. 33. I am Ramakrishna’s slave, having laid my body at his feet “with Til and Tulasi leaves”
  34. 34. We should go on striving and striving even unto death.
  35. 35. Try to be pure and unselfish­—that is the whole of religion.
  36. 36. My children, the secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice.
  37. 37. You must go on with your Japa whatever direction the mind takes.
  38. 38. For us is only submission, calm and perfect.
  39. 39. Please read the Gitā every day to the best of your opportunity.
  40. 40. American women befriended me, gave me shelter and food, took me to their homes and treated me as their own son, their own brother.
  41. 41. The whole American nation loves and respects me, pays my expenses, and reveres me as a Guru.
  42. 42. She wants to work apart from all religions to ameliorate the conditions of women
  43. 43. May even the dust of the world never touch you
  44. 44. Stick to God! Who cares what comes to the body or to anything else!
  45. 45. It won’t do merely to call Shri Ramakrishna an Incarnation, you must manifest power.
  46. 46. A Hindu son never lends to his mother, but the mother has every right over the son
  47. 47. Think all of you that you are the infinitely powerful Ātman, and see what strength comes out.
  48. 48. I can bundle myself up anywhere and feel quite comfortable
  49. 49. Courage! Everything will come about by degrees.
  50. 50. The American women, as everywhere, came to my rescue
  51. 51. Everything will come right if you are pure and sincere
  52. 52. Are you progressing morally, spiritually, and in your worldly affairs?
  53. 53. Honesty is the best policy, and a virtuous man must gain in the end
  54. 54. I want no name—I want to be a voice without a form.
  55. 55. We must work, and this cannot be done by merely sitting idle.
  56. 56. This is a place for action, not enjoyment, and everyone will go home when his task is done
  57. 57. In New York I find more men interested in religion than in any other city
  58. 58. Start centres at different places.
  59. 59. When it comes to doing something I want, they are nowhere.
  60. 60. An immediate work at hand should always have the preference
  61. 61. We must plunge heart and soul and body into the work
  62. 62. In the tiger and in the lamb, in the saint and sinner all He!
  63. 63. See that cooking and drinking water be filtered
  64. 64. Always evil comes out of laziness
  65. 65. This gentleman is the chief citizen of Madras and a Judge of the Supreme Court
  66. 66. Though the attendance is large, it does not even pay enough to cover the rent
  67. 67. I go into the forest alone and read my Gitā and am quite happy
  68. 68. All is for good. All conjunctions are for subsequent disjunction.
  69. 69. To me, the thought of oneself as low and humble is a sin and ignorance
  70. 70. I got up an idea of making books out of the bark
  71. 71. From the day Shri Ramakrishna was born dates the growth of modern India and of the Golden Age.
  72. 72. The first requisite for organisation is obedience.
  73. 73. Know partiality to be the chief cause of all evil
  74. 74. Wherever you can, open a centre.
  75. 75. In this Satya-Yuga the tidal wave of Shri Ramakrishna’s Love has unified all.
  76. 76. Why not wear one’s country-dress, as befits gentlemen?
  77. 77. Why look up to men for approbation, look up to God!
  78. 78. Those who are protected by the Lord must be above fear.
  79. 79. Purity, perseverance, and energy—these three I want
  80. 80. “Avoid not and seek not—wait for what the Lord sends”, is my motto.
  81. 81. When an Englishman takes up a thing, he goes to its very depths.
  82. 82. All great things must of necessity be slow.
  83. 83. I trust those that will not desert me in prosperity and adversity alike.
  84. 84. I am translating a little book on Bhakti with Mr. Sturdy with copious commentaries
  85. 85. Householders of poor means take to various tricks to supply their wants.
  86. 86. I sail by the Britannic on Wednesday, the 27th.
  87. 87. Even if the nation is spiritually poor, it aspires for physical freedom.
  88. 88. The supply must follow the demand, and the demand alone.
  89. 89. Will be glad to lecture before the Harvard Philosophical Club as requested.
  90. 90. Higher direction and not destruction is the law.
  91. 91. Oh, the grief! If I could get two or three like me, I could have left the world convulsed.
  92. 92. Want of sympathy and lack of energy are at the root of all misery
  93. 93. I have worked my best. If there is any seed of truth in it, it will come to life.
  94. 94. What you need is only obedience
  95. 95. I am suffering from slight fever the last two days
  96. 96. I like very much to foster this sort of adventurous spirit among my countrymen
  97. 97. The masses will always have the person, the higher ones the principle; we want both
  98. 98. Above all, his reverence for Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is extreme
  99. 99. In America alone there is that something in the air which brings out whatever is best in every one
  100. 100. We want organisation. Organisation is power, and the secret of this is obedience.
  101. 101. Send Kāli to England as soon as you get this letter.
  102. 102. Beyond, beyond reason and learning and talking is the feeling, the “Love”, the “Beloved”
  103. 103. The English people are very generous.
  104. 104. I want to forget the world entirely at least for the next two months and practise hard. That is my rest.
  105. 105. I want to start a Math at Almora or near Almora rather.
  106. 106. It is for the sinful that the Lord manifests Himself specially, not so much for the virtuous.
  107. 107. Who works? Whose work? There is no world. It is God Himself. In delusion we call it world.
  108. 108. Perfect life is a contradiction in terms
  109. 109. My natural tendency is to go into a cave and be quiet
  110. 110. Great freedom with great law-abidingness.
  111. 111. Specification of work is absolutely necessary. Our special branch is to preach Vedānta.
  112. 112. I am a socialist not because I think it is a perfect system, but half a loaf is better than no bread.
  113. 113. The first edition of Rāja-Yoga is sold out
  114. 114. We want a whole hill, with a view of the snow-range, all to ourselves
  115. 115. Can anything be done unless everybody exerts himself to his utmost?
  116. 116. I am going to start a centre in Calcutta and another in the Himalayas
  117. 117. I intend to return to the U.S. and to Europe thence in about a year.
  118. 118. My idea is to start on a very small scale. I do not know anything yet.
  119. 119. The mind is more powerful than the body.
  120. 120. Tomorrow we reach Rome
  121. 121. My journey has been a huge procession—crowds of people, illuminations, addresses, etc.,
  122. 122. The more the opposition, the more the demon in me is roused.
  123. 123. On metaphysical lines no nation on earth can hold a candle to the Hindus
  124. 124. All caste either on the principle of birth or of merit is bondage.
  125. 125. In all the Vedas illumination alone is the concern
  126. 126. Even my wicked deeds were not for self.
  127. 127. We have been able fearlessly to preach our Vedantic doctrines both in India and England.
  128. 128. Work, work, work, even unto death!
  129. 129. Buy all the good scientific books that you can have in Bengali, and have them read.
  130. 130. Let Memorial Halls and things of that kind go to the dogs.
  131. 131. Never worry about money.
  132. 132. Do not mix in politics etc., nor have any connection with them.
  133. 133. You ought to know from the first that India is the dirtiest and unhealthiest hole in the world
  134. 134. This Kashmir is a veritable heaven on earth.
  135. 135. What one does has no destruction—no, never.
  136. 136. In our country we at present need manhood and kindness.
  137. 137. Victory to the Lord!—To work! To work!
  138. 138. Come out, man! No sleeping all life; time is flying.
  139. 139. Duty must be done first.
  140. 140. Any least trouble undergone, is bound to produce its excellent results.
  141. 141. Be of good cheer. “Never a worker of good came to grief.”
  142. 142. Hinduism and Islam—Vedānta brain and Islam body—is the only hope.
  143. 143. Things go on all right whether we lend them our helping hands or not.
  144. 144. The Mother is our guide and whatever happens or will happen is under Her ordination.
  145. 145. You are appointed by the Mother to watch over my life
  146. 146. Two years of physical suffering have taken away twenty years of my life.
  147. 147. Mother knows best, that is all about me.
  148. 148. Suffering is the lot of the world’s best and bravest
  149. 149. This sort of nervous body is just the instrument to play great music at times
  150. 150. If the Lord has made me His hack to work and die on the streets, let Him have it.
  151. 151. Mother is working it up. She cannot let me go before Her work is done
  152. 152. We are all sacrifices—each in his own way.
  153. 153. One road is quite as good as the other.
  154. 154. The more heart you will be able to manifest, the greater will be the victory you achieve
  155. 155. To become fearless, to be daring, to be careless of everything!
  156. 156. My dreams are breaking. Om Tat Sat!
  157. 157. The seed must die underground to come up as the tree
  158. 158. I have bundled my things and am waiting for the great deliverer.
  159. 159. Mother seems to be kind again and the wheel is slowly rising up.
  160. 160. Mother knows, as I always say. Pray to Mother.
  161. 161. You must know once for all, I am born without jealousy
  162. 162. Who cares for great things? Why not do small things as well?
  163. 163. “Chutney is the thing”, said a voice near the door.
  164. 164. I am surely coming this evening and of course
  165. 165. Two great Englishmen gave up their lives for us—us the Hindus.
  166. 166. Everything is green and gold, and the grass is like velvet
  167. 167. Occasion never found me low yet; Mother will not make me now depressed.
  168. 168. We all work by bits, that is to say, in this cause.
Conversations and Dialogues
  1. I
  2. II
  3. III
  4. IV
  5. V
  6. VI
  7. VII
  8. VIII
  9. IX
  10. X
  11. XI
  12. XII