The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles - Second Series/IL Swami Ramakrisnananda

BALTIMORE, U.S.A., 22nd October, 1894.

DEAR—, (Swami Ramakrishnananda.)

Glad to receive your letter and go through the contents. I received today a letter of  Akshay  Kumar  Ghosh from London, which also gives me some information. . ..

Now you have come to know your own powers. Strike the iron while it is hot. Idleness won't do. Throw overboard all idea of jealousy and egotism, once for all. Come on to the practical field with tremendous energy; to work, in the fullness of strength! As to the rest, the Lord will point out the way. The whole world will be deluged by a tidal wave. Work, work, work — let this be your motto. I cannot see anything else. There is no end of work here — I am careering all over the country. Wherever the seed of his power will find its way, there it will fructify — आद्य वा अब्दशतान्ते वा—be it today, or in a hundred years." You must work in sympathy with all, then only it will lead to quick results . . ..

Our object is to do good to the world, and not the trumpeting of our own names. Why doesn't Niranjan (Niranjanananda) learn Pali in Ceylon, and study Buddhist books? I cannot make out what good will come of aimless rambling. Those that have come under his protection, have virtue, wealth, desires, and freedom lying at their feet. माभैः माभैः— Courage! Everything will come about by degrees. From all  of you I want this that you must discard for ever self-aggrandisement,  faction-mongering,  and  jealousy. You must be all-forbearing, like Mother Earth. If you can achieve this, the world will be at your feet. . ..

Try to give less of material food in the anniversary celebrations, and give some food for the brain instead. . ..

Yours affectionately,

Vivekananda.