The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles - Second Series/LXIX Shashi
LXIX
(Translated from Bengali)
1895.
DEAR SHASHI,
. . . I am quite in agreement with what Sarada is doing, but it is not
necessary to preach that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was an Incarnation, and
things of that sort. He came to do good to the world; not to trumpet his own
name — you must always remember this. Disciples pay their whole attention to
the preservation of their master's name and throw overboard his teachings;
and sectarianism etc., are the result. Alasinga writes of Charu; but I do
not recollect him. Write all about him and convey him my thanks. Write in
detail about all; I have no time to spare for idle gossip .... Try to give
up ceremonials. They are not meant for Sannyasins; and one must work only so
long as one does not attain to illumination .... I have nothing to do with
sectarianism. Or party-forming and playing the frog-in-the-well, whatever
else I may do.... It is impossible to preach the catholic ideas of
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and form sects at the same time.... Only one kind of
work I understand, and that is doing good to others; all else is doing evil.
I therefore prostrate myself before the Lord Buddha.... I am a Vedantist;
Sachchidananda — Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute — is my God. I scarcely
find any other God than the majestic form of my own Self. By the word
"Incarnation" are meant those who have attained that Brahmanhood, in other
words, the Jivanmuktas — those who have realised this freedom in this very
life. I do not find any speciality in Incarnations: all beings from Brahmâ
down to a clump of grass will attain to liberation-in-life in course of
time, and our duty lies in helping all to reach that state. This help is
called religion; the rest is irreligion. This help is work; the rest is
evil-doing — I see nothing else. Other kinds of work, for example, the
Vaidika or the Tântrika, may produce results; but resorting to them is
simply waste of life, for that purity which is the goal of work is
realisable only through doing good to others. Through works such as
sacrifices etc., one may get enjoyments, but it is impossible to have the
purity of soul.... Everything exists already in the Self of all beings. He
who asserts he is free, shall be free. He who says he is bound, bound he
shall remain. To me, the thought of oneself as low and humble is a sin and
ignorance. " [069_shashi_01.jpg] — This Atman is not to be attained by one
who is weak."
" [069_shashi_02.jpg]
— If you say Brahman is, existence will be the result; if you say Brahman is not, non existent It shall verily become." He who always thinks of himself as weak wild never become strong, but he who knows himself to be a lion,
" [069_shashi_03.jpg]
— rushes out from the world's meshes, as a lion from its cage." Another
point, it was no new truth that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa came to preach,
though his advent brought the old truths to light. In other words, he was
the embodiment of all the past religious thoughts of India. His life alone
made me understand what the Shâstras really meant, and the whole plan and
scope of the old Shastras.
Missionaries and others could not do much against me in this country. Through the Lord's grace the people here like me greatly and are not to be tricked by the opinions of any particular class. They appreciate my ideas in a manner my own countrymen cannot do, and are not selfish. I mean, when it comes to practical work they will give up jealousy and all those ideas of self-sufficiency. Then all of them agree and act under the direction of a capable man. That is what makes them so great. But then they are a nation of Mammon-worshippers. Money comes before everything. People of our country are very liberal in pecuniary matters, but not so much these people. Every home has a miser. It is almost a religion here. But they fall into the clutches of the priests when they do something bad, and then buy their passage to heaven with money. These things are the same in every country — priestcraft. I can say nothing as to whether I shall go back to India and when. There also I shall have to lead a wandering life as I do here; but here thousands of people listen to and understand my lectures, and these thousands are benefited. But can you say the same thing about India? . . . I am perfectly at one with what Sarada is doing. A thousand thanks to him.... In Madras and Bombay I have lots of men who are after my heart. They are learned and understand everything. Moreover they are kind-hearted and can therefore appreciate the philanthropic spirit.... I have printed neither books nor anything of the kind. I simply go on lecturing tours.... When I take a retrospective view of my past life, I feel no remorse. From country to country I have travelled teaching something, however little, to people, and in exchange for that have partaken of their slices of bread. If I had found I had done no work, but simply supported myself by imposing upon people, I would have committed suicide today. Why do those who think themselves unfit to teach their fellow-beings, wear the teacher's garb and earn their bread by cheating them? Is not that a deadly sin? ...
Yours etc.,
VIVEKANANDA.