215. We have safely reached Benaras

GOPAL LAL VILLA, BENARAS CANTONMENT,

7th Feb. 1902.

MY DEAR JOE­—

We have safely reached Benaras, and Mr. Okakura [Kakuzo] has already done Benaras. He goes to see Sarnath (the old Buddhistic place) today and starts on his tour tomorrow.

He has asked Niranjan [Swami Niranjanānanda] to accompany him and he has consented.

Kānāy [Nirbhayānanda] has supplied him with everything he asked for—and he asks me also to send you the accounts. This, on the other page.

I hope Nivedita and Mrs. [Ole] Bull have safely arrived. I am rather better than at Buddha Gaya. This house is nice—well furnished and has a good many rooms and parlours. There is a big garden all round and beautiful roses—and gigantic trees. It is rather cooler here than at Gaya. There was no hitch to our friends being admitted into the chief temple and [allowed to] touch the Sign of Shiva and to worship. The Buddhists, it seems, are always admitted.

With all love and welcome to Mrs. Bull and Nivedita—if they have arrived—and all to you,

VIVEKANANDA.

[Enclosed in the above letter was the following accounts list.]

4TH FEBRUARY 1902. RS 100

5TH FEBRUARY

6TH FEBRUARY 1902 [1]

ⓘ[1] “P.” stands for pie-s, twelve of them making one anna (As.) and sixteen annas making one rupee (Rs.).