Math, Belur_x000d_ My dear Shashi,*_x000d_ _x000d_ I am going with my mother to Rameswaram, that is all. I don't know whether I shall go to Madras at all. If I go, it will be strictly private. My body and mind are completely worked out; I cannot stand a single person. I do not want anybody. I have neither the strength nor the money, nor the will to take up anybody with me. Bhaktas (devotees) of Guru Maharaj or not, it does not matter. It was very foolish of you even to ask such a question. Let me tell you again, I am more dead than alive, and strictly refuse to see anybody. If you cannot manage this, I don't go to Madras. I have to become a bit selfish to save my body._x000d_ _x000d_ Let Yogin - Ma and others go their own way. I shall not take up any company in my present state of health._x000d_ _x000d_ Yours in love,_x000d_ _x000d_ Vivekananda

but in speaking about Advaita Ashrama, its situation, and his stay there, he was all praise and appreciation. Its scenery, the quiet of the Himalayan jungles, the loving attention that he had received from Mrs. Sevier, the unremitting and devoted service of the little band of his disciples there – all these and other things had made his visit to Mayavati a very happy one. In fact, he regretted that he had to leave the hills so soon.

The Swami and his disciple reached Calcutta from Mayavati on the morning of January 24,1901; and in the afternoon he went to Belur Math. His return was the cause of rejoicing among his brother-disciples and his own disciples. They wanted to have him again in their midst for a long period. Before leaving for Mayavati he had stayed at the, Math for eighteen days. This had given him sufficient opportunity to see the progress that had been made in all directions during his absence in the West. Classes of various kinds were being held, physical exercises had been introduced, and there were set hours for meditation and spiritual practice. New Brahmacharis had joined the Order, and his own disciples and brother-monks were strenuously occupied in study, teaching, training, and serving.

The Math, Belur,_x000d_ Howrah Dist.,_x000d_ Bengal,_x000d_ 26th January, 1901_x000d_ _x000d_ My dear Mother,*_x000d_ _x000d_ Many thanks for your very encouraging words. I needed them very much just now. The gloom has not lifted with the advent of the new century, it is visibly thickening. I went to see Mrs. Sevier at Mayavati. On my way I learnt of the sudden death of the Raja of Khetri. It appears he was restoring some old architectural monument at Agra, at his own expense, and was up some tower on inspection. Part of the tower came down, and he was instantly killed._x000d_ _x000d_ The three cheques have arrived. They will reach my cousin when next I see her._x000d_ _x000d_ Joe is here, but I have not seen her yet._x000d_ _x000d_ The moment I touch Bengal, especially the Math, the asthmatic fits return! The moment I leave, I recover!_x000d_ _x000d_ I am going to take my mother on pilgrimage next week. It may take months to make the complete round of pilgrimages. This is the one great wish of a Hindu widow. I have brought only misery to my people all my life. I am trying at least to fulfil this one wish of hers._x000d_ _x000d_ I am so glad to learn all that about Margot; everybody here is eager to welcome her back._x000d_ _x000d_ I hope Dr. Bose has completely recovered by this time._x000d_ _x000d_ I had a beautiful letter also from Mrs. Hammond. She is a great soul.

Soon after the Swami's return to the Math, he was invited to preside over the prize-distribution ceremony at Belur M.E. School. Since the day was a Sunday, this probably happened on January 2 7, and not on the 22nd, as reported in the Press.

Moreover he did not reach Calcutta until the 24th. The audience was composed chiefly of the boys of the school and some elderly persons of Belur. The Swami's highly practical speech on this occasion was summarized in the Indian Mirror of February 15. He stressed the need of learning a handicraft. This had an educative, and not just a utilitarian, value. Secondly, the health of students was of prime importance. Thirdly, they must be trained in character and good manners.

Accordingly, a Trust-deed was executed on January 30, 1901, and registered on February 6. By this Deed, Swami Vivekananda vested all the Belur Math properties in a Board of Trustees consisting of Swamis Brahmananda, Premananda, Shivananda, Saradananda, Akhandananda, Trigunatitananda, Ramakrishnananda, Advaitananda, Subodhananda, Abhedananda, and Turiyananda — all disciples of Shri Ramakrishna. The Swami had deliberately left out his own disciples to guard against any possible legal complication in the future.

The Math, Belur,_x000d_ Howrah Dist.,_x000d_ Bengal,_x000d_ 2nd February, 1901_x000d_ _x000d_ My dear Mother,**_x000d_ _x000d_ Several days ago I received your letter and a cheque of Rs. 150 included. I will tear up this one, as the three previous cheques I have handed over to my cousin. Joe is here, and I have seen her twice; she is busy visiting. Mrs. Sevier is expected here soon -- en route to England. I expected to go to England with her, but as it now turns out, I must go on a long pilgrimage with my mother._x000d_ _x000d_ My health suffers the moment I touch Bengal; anyhow, I don't much mind it now; I am going on well and so do things about me._x000d_ _x000d_ Glad to learn about Margot's success, but, says Joe, it is not financially paying; there is the rub. Mere continuance is of little value, and it is a far cry from London to Calcutta. Well, Mother knows. Everybody is praising Margot's Kali the Mother ; but alas! They can't get a book to buy; the booksellers are too indifferent to promote the sale of the book._x000d_ _x000d_ That this new century may find you and yours in splendid health and equipment for a yet greater future is and always has been the prayer of your son_x000d_ _x000d_ Vivekananda

The Swami himself had to go with a pleader to the Registrar's Office at Howrah to register the Deed. On February 8 the stamped and signed copy of the Trust-deed was brought from the Howrah Sub-Registrar's Office to the Math.

According to Swami Brahmananda's diary a meeting of the Trustees was held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 10, to elect the President. Three candidates had been proposed. Swami Brahmananda was proposed by Premananda and seconded by Swami Shivananda; Swami Ramakrishnananda was proposed by Saradananda and seconded by Subodhananda, and Swami Saradananda was proposed by Brahmananda. Vote was taken by ballot and as a result Swami Brahmananda was elected President of the Math. Then Swami Premananda proposed Swami Saradananda's name as Secretary, and Swami Nirmalananda, Assistant Secretary. Swami Trigunatita seconded the proposal, and it was unanimously carried. The Swami and eight of the eleven Trustees were present at the meeting.

Belur Math_x000d_ Dist. Howrah,_x000d_ 14th February, 1901_x000d_ _x000d_ My dear Joe,*_x000d_ _x000d_ I am ever so glad to hear that Bois is coming to Calcutta. Send him immediately to the Math. I will be here. If possible I will keep him here for a few days and then let him go again to Nepal._x000d_ _x000d_ Yours etc.,_x000d_ _x000d_ Vivekananda

The Math, Belur_x000d_ Howrah, Benga_x000d_ 17th February, 1901_x000d_ _x000d_ Dear Joe,_x000d_ _x000d_ Just now received your nice long letter. I am so glad that you met and approve Miss Cornelia Sorabji. I knew her father at Poona, also a younger sister who was in America. Perhaps her mother will remember me as the Sannyasin who used to live with the Thakore Sahib of Limbdi at Poona._x000d_ _x000d_ I hope you will go to Baroda and see the Maharani._x000d_ _x000d_ I am much better and hope to continue so for some time. I have just now a beautiful letter from Mrs. Sevier in which she writes a whole lot of beautiful things about you._x000d_ _x000d_ I am so glad you saw Mr. Tata and find him so strong and good._x000d_ _x000d_ I will of course accept an invitation if I am strong enough to go to Bombay._x000d_ _x000d_ Do wire the name of the steamer you leave by for Colombo. With all love,_x000d_ _x000d_ Yours affectionately,_x000d_ _x000d_ Vivekananda

On February 17, which, was Shivaratri day that year, the Swami received M. Jules Bois at the Math. When the Swami heard that this French friend of his was coming, he wrote on February 14 to Miss MacLeod: "I am ever so glad to hear that Bois is coming to Calcutta. Send him immediately to the Math. I will be here. If possible, I will keep him here for a few days and then let him go again to Nepal."

By inviting M. Bois to the Math, the Swami wanted to return the hospitality that he himself had received in Paris; but Bois preferred to stay in a hotel in Calcutta. Miss MacLeod, who was also staying in the city then, already knew M. Bois as the Swami's host in Paris, and as their co-traveller to Turkey and Egypt.

On Sunday, February 24, the sixty-eighth birthday of Shri Ramakrishna was celebrated at Belur Math in grand style by more than 30,000 people from far and near. The Sankirtana parties and many visitors were received by the Swami and his brother-monks. A large number of poor people were sumptuously fed, and some were given Khichuri Prasad in hand.