When a brother-monk asked him, "Swamiji, where will the funds come from?", he replied with a sudden fierceness of decision: "Why, we shall sell the newly-bought Math grounds, if necessary! We axe sannyasis; we must be ready to sleep under the trees and live on daily Bhiksha [alms] as we did before. What! Should we care for Math and possessions when by disposing of them we could relieve thousands suffering before our eyes!" Fortunately, this extreme Step was not necessary, for he soon received promises of ample funds for his immediate work.

Plague patients would be accommodated and nursed in such a manner that Hindu norms and customs would not be disregarded. Workers came in numbers to Co-operate with the Swami’s disciples. He instructed them to teach sanitation and to themselves clean the lanes and houses of the areas to which they were sent. The relief that this service afforded the plague patients was immense, and the measures adopted by the Swami gave the people confidence. The work endeared him to them They saw that he was in truth a practical Vedantin, for he applied the metaphysical doctrines of the Vedanta to the relief of want and affliction among his fellow-men.

On May 3 the Swami reached Calcutta, although his, health was not good. He thought that he might be of help to his people. They were terror-stricken by the plague and dismayed by the plague regulations. It was as if a storm were about to burst over Calcutta. People were fleeing in panic. Troops were called to quell riots. The Swami grasped the gravity of the situation at once.

Om Salutations to Bhagavan Shri Ramakrishna_x000d_ Brothers of Calcutta!_x000d_ _x000d_ 1. We feel happy when you are happy, and we suffer when you suffer. Therefore, during these days of extreme adversity, we are striving and ceaselessly praying for your welfare and an easy way to save you from disease and the fear of an epidemic._x000d_ _x000d_ 2. If that grave disease__fearing which both the high and the low, the rich and the poor are all fleeing the city__ever really comes in our midst, then even if we perish while serving and nursing you, we will consider ourselves fortunate because you are all embodiments of God. He who thinks otherwise__out of vanity, superstition or ignorance__offends God and incurs great sin. There is not the slightest doubt about it._x000d_ _x000d_ 3. We humbly pray to you__please do not panic due to un¬founded fear. Depend upon God and calmly try to find the best means to solve the problem. Otherwise, join hands with those who are doing that very thing._x000d_ _x000d_ 4. What is there to fear? The terror that has entered people's hearts due to the occurrence of the plague has no real ground. Through God's will, nothing of the terrible form that plague takes, as seen in other places, has occurred in Calcutta. The government authorities have also been particularly helpful to us. So what is there to fear?_x000d_ _x000d_ 5. Come, let us give up this false fear and, having faith in the infinite compassion of God, gird our loins and enter the fiel of action. Let us live pure and clean lives. Disease, fear of an epidemic, etc., will vanish into thin air by His grace._x000d_ _x000d_ 6. (a) Always keep the house and its premises, the rooms, clothes, bed, drain, etc., clean._x000d_ (b) Do not eat stale, spoiled food; take fresh and nutri¬tious food instead. A weak body is more susceptible to disease._x000d_ (c) Always keep the mind cheerful. Everyone will die once. Cowards suffer the pangs of death again and again, solely due to the fear in their own minds._x000d_ (d) Fear never leaves those who earn their livelihoods by unethical means or who cause harm to others. Therefore, at this time when we face the great fear of death, desist from all such behaviour._x000d_ (e) During the period of epidemic, abstain from anger and from lust__even if you are householders._x000d_ (f) Do not pay any heed to rumours._x000d_ (g) The British government will not vaccinate anyone by force. Only those who are willing will be vaccinated._x000d_ (h) There will be no lack of effort in treating the af¬flicted patients in our hospital under our special care and super¬vision, paying full respect to religion, caste and the modesty (Purdah) of women. Let the wealthy run away! But we are poor; we understand the heartache of the poor. The Mother of the Universe is Herself the support of the helpless. The Mother is assuring us: "Fear not! Fear not!"_x000d_ _x000d_ 7. Brother, if there is no one to help you, then send infor mation immediately to the servants of Shri Bhagavan Rama¬krishna at Belur Math. There will be no dearth of help that is physically possible. By the grace of the Mother, monetary help will also be possible._x000d_ _x000d_ N. B. In order to remove the fear of the epidemic, you should sing Nâma Sankirtanam [the name of the Lord] every evening and in every locality.