The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Epistles - First Series/XXX Alasinga
XXX
U.S.A.,
12th January, 1895.
Dear Alasinga,
I am sorry you still continue to send me pamphlets and newspapers, which I
have written you several times not to do. I have no time to peruse them and
take notice of them. Please send them no more. I do not care a fig for what
the missionaries or the Theosophists say about me. Let them do as they
please. The very taking notice of them will be to give them importance.
Besides, you know, the missionaries only abuse and never argue.
Now know once and for all that I do not care for name or fame, or any humbug
of that type. I want to preach my ideas for the good of the world. You have
done a great work; but so far as it goes, it has only given me name and
fame. My life is more precious than spending it in getting the admiration of
the world. I have no time for such foolery. What work have you done in the
way of advancing the ideas and organising in India? None, none, none!
An organisation that will teach the Hindus mutual help and appreciation is
absolutely necessary. Five thousand people attended that meeting that was
held in Calcutta, and hundreds did the same in other places, to express an
appreciation of my work here — well and good! But if you asked them each to
give an anna, would they do it? The whole national character is one of
childish dependence. They are all ready to enjoy food if it is brought to
their mouth, and even some want it pushed down. . . . You do not deserve to
live if you cannot help yourselves.
I have given up at present my plan for the education of the masses. It will
come by degrees. What I now want is a band of fiery missionaries. We must
have a College in Madras to teach comparative religions, Sanskrit, the
different schools of Vedanta, and some European languages; we must have a
press, and papers printed in English and in the Vernaculars. When this is
done, then I shall know that you have accomplished something. Let the nation
show that they are ready to do. If you cannot do anything of the kind in
India, then let me alone. I have a message to give, let me give it to the
people who appreciate it and who will work it out. What care I who takes it?
"He who doeth the will of my Father," is my own. . . .
My name should not be made prominent; it is my ideas that I want to see
realised. The disciples of all the prophets have always inextricably mixed
up the ideas of the Master with the person, and at last killed the ideas for
the person. The disciples of Shri Ramakrishna must guard against doing the
same thing. Work for the idea, not the person. The Lord bless you.
Yours ever with blessings,
Vivekananda.