The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Epistles - First Series/LV Alasinga
LV
228 W. 39th St., New York,
20th December, 1895.
Dear Alasinga,
. . . Have patience and be faithful unto death. Do not fight among
yourselves. Be perfectly pure in money dealings. . . . We will do great
things yet. . . . So long as you have faith and honesty and devotion,
everything will prosper.
. . . In translating the Suktas, pay particular attention to the
Bhâshyakâras (commentators), and pay no attention whatever to the
orientalists. They do not understand a single thing about our Shâstras
(scriptures). It is not given to dry philologists to understand philosophy
or religion. . . . For instance the word Ânid-avâtam in the Rig-Veda was
translated — "He lived without breathing". Now, here the reference is really
to the chief Prâna, and Avâtam has the root-meaning for unmoved, that is,
without vibration. It describes the state in which the universal cosmic
energy, or Prana, remains before the Kalpa (cycle of creation) begins: vide
— the Bhashyakaras. Explain according to our sages and not according to the
so-called European scholars. What do they know?
. . . Be bold and fearless, and the road will be clear. . . . Mind, you have
nothing whatsoever to do with the Theosophists. If you all stand by me and
do not lose patience, I assure you, we shall do great work yet. The great
work will be in England, my boy, by and by. I feel you sometimes get
disheartened, and I am afraid you get temptations to play in the hands of
the Theosophists. Mind you, the Guru-Bhakta will conquer the world — this is
the one evidence of history. . . . It is faith that makes a lion of a man.
You must always remember how much work I have to do. Sometimes I have to
deliver two or three lectures a day — and thus I make my way against all
odds — hard work; any weaker man would die.
. . . Hold on with faith and strength; be true, be honest, be pure, and
don't quarrel among yourselves. Jealousy is the bane of our race.
With love to you and all our friends there,
Yours,
Vivekananda.