1897_x000d_ {original in Bengali}_x000d_ Dear Mother {Shrimati Indumati Mitra},_x000d_ Please be not anxious because I could not write to you and could not go to Belgaon. I was suffering very much from illness and it was impossible for me to go then. Now thanks to my travels in the Himalayas, I have greatly regained my health. I shall soon resume work. In two weeks I am going to the Punjab, and just after delivering a lecture or two at Lahore and Amritsar, I shall start via Karachi for Gujarat, Cutch, etc. I shall surely see you at Karachi._x000d_ This Kashmir is a veritable heaven on earth. Nowhere else in the world is such a country as this. Mountains and rivers, trees and plants, men and women, beasts and birds--all vie with one another for excellence. I feel a pang at heart not to have visited it so long. Please write to me in detail how you are doing, mentally and physically, and accept my special blessings. I am constantly having your welfare at heart, know this for certain._x000d_ Yours sincerely,_x000d_ Vivekananda

Srinagar, Kashmir_x000d_ 1897_x000d_ {original in Bengali}_x000d_ Dear Haripada {Mitra},_x000d_ My health has been very bad for the last nine months, and the heat made it still worse. So I have been wandering over the hills from place to place. Now I am in Kashmir. I have travelled far and wide, but I have never seen such a country. I shall soon leave for the Punjab and again go to work. From Sadananda I have heard all the news about you and continue to get it. I am sure to go to Karachi after visiting the Punjab. So we shall meet in person there._x000d_ With blessings,_x000d_ Vivekananda

Leaving Murree on September 6 the Swami and party reached Baramula by tonga on the 8th. From there he started at once for Srinagar by boat. He arrived on the 10th, and was the guest of Justice Rishibar Mukhopadhyaya.

He arrived on the 10th, and was the guest of Justice Rishibar Mukhopadhyaya. Here the Swami was literally besieged by visitors. On the third day after his arrival he paid an informal visit to the palace of the Maharaja. He was received with distinction by two of the higher officials. One of' them, Dr. Mitra, informed him that on the next day Raja, Rama Singh, the brother of the Maharaja, would be pleased to see him. As the Maharaja was then at Jammu, the Swami did not meet him.

C/o Rishibar Mukhopadhyaya_x000d_ Chief Justice_x000d_ Srinagar, Kashmir_x000d_ 13th September, 1897_x000d_ {original in Bengali}_x000d_ My Dear Rakhal {Brahmananda},_x000d_ Now Kashmir. The excellent accounts you heard of this place are all true. There is no place so beautiful as this; and the people also are fair and good-looking, though their eyes are not beautiful. But I have also never seen elsewhere villages and towns so horribly dirty. In Srinagar I am now putting up at the house of Rishibar Babu. He is very hospitable and kind. Send all my letters to his address. In a few days I shall go out somewhere else on excursions; but while returning, I shall come by way of Srinagar, and so shall get the letters also. I have read the letter that you sent regarding Gangadhar. Write to him that there are many orphans in Central India and in Gorakhpur. From there the Punjabis are getting many children. You must persuade Mahendra Babu and get up an agitation about this matter, so that the people of Calcutta are induced to take up the charge of these orphans--such a movement is very desirable. Especially a memorial should be sent to the Government requesting it to see that orphans taken over by the missionaries are returned to the Hindus. Tell Gangadhar to come over; and on behalf of the Ramakrishna Society a tearing campaign should be made. Gird up your loins, and go to every house to carry on the campaign. Hold mass meetings etc. Whether you succeed or not, start a furious agitation. Get all the facts from the important Bengali friends at Gorakhpur by writing to them, and let there be a countrywide agitation over this. Let the Ramakrishna Society be fully established. The secret of the whole thing is to agitate and agitate without respite. I am much pleased to see the orderliness of Sarada's work. Gangadhar and Sarada should not rest satisfied until they have succeeded in creating a centre in every place they visit._x000d_ Just now I received a letter from Gangadhar. It is good news that he is determined to start a centre in that district. Write to him saying that his friend, the Magistrate, has sent an excellent reply to my letter. As soon as we come down to the plains from Kashmir, I shall send back Latu, Niranjan, Dinu, and Khoka. For there is no suitable work for them here any more; also within three to four weeks send Shuddhananda, Sushil, and one other to me. Send them to the house of Mr. Shyamacharan Mukhopadhyaya, Medical Hall, Cantonment, Ambala. From there I shall go to Lahore. They should have each two thick gerua-coloured jerseys, and two blankets for bedding. I shall buy them woollen chaddars, and other woollen necessities in Lahore. If the translation of Raja-Yoga has been completed, get it published bearing all the cost. . . . Where the language is obscure, make it very simple and clear, and let Tulsi make a Hindi translation of it if he can. If these books are published, they will help the Math very greatly._x000d_ I hope your health is now quite all right. Since reaching Dharamsala I have been all right. I like the cold places; there the body keeps well. I have a desire either to visit a few places in Kashmir and then choose an excellent site and live a quiet life there, or to go on floating on the water. I shall do what the doctor advises. The Raja is not here now. His brother, the one just next to him in age, is the Commander-in-Chief. Efforts are being made to arrange a lecture under his chairmanship. I shall write all about this afterwards. If the meeting for the lecture is held in a day or two, I shall stay back, otherwise I go out again on my travels. Sevier is still at Murree. His health is very bad--going about in the jolting tongas and jutkas . The Bengali gentlemen of Murree are very good and courteous. Give my respects to G. C. Ghosh, Atul, Master Mahashay, and others, and keep up the spirits of everybody. What is the news about the house which Yogen suggested we should buy? In October I shall go down from here and shall deliver a few lectures in the Punjab. After that I may go via Sind to Cutch, Bhuj, and Kathiawar--even down to Poona if circumstances are favourable; otherwise I go to Rajputana via Baroda. From Rajputana I go to the North-Western Province, then Nepal, and finally Calcutta--this is my present programme. Everything, however, is in God's hands. My love and greetings to all._x000d_ Yours affectionately,_x000d_ Vivekananda

On the morning of September 14 Raja Rama Singh received the Swami with marked cordiality and honour, seating him on a' chair, and himself sitting with officials on the floor. The interview lasted two hours. Matters of religion and the problem of improving the condition of the poor were discussed. The Raja was deeply impressed, and voiced his desire to help the Swami in carrying out his plan of work.

seating him on a' chair, and himself sitting with officials on the floor. The interview lasted two hours. Matters of religion and the problem of improving the condition of the poor were discussed. The Raja was deeply impressed, and voiced his desire to help the Swami in carrying out his plan of work.

Until his return to Murree, early in the first week of October, the Swami was busy filling many engagements, private and public, and visiting the places of historic interest with which Kashmir abounds. Sadhus, pandits, students, officials of high rank, and scores of others went to meet him. Whenever he was free, he retired to the houseboat that the Wazir (prime minister) of Raja Amar Singh had placed at his disposal. The Wazir himself became an ardent admirer of the Swami. The latter was often invited by the nobility to dine at their houses; and on one of these occasions he discoursed to a large assembly of Brahmins and pandits. He made excursions by boat to nearby places, visited the bazaars, or listened to singing and instrumental music.

C/o Rishibar Mukhopadhyaya_x000d_ Chief Justice_x000d_ Srinagar, Kashmir_x000d_ 15th September, 1897_x000d_ My Dear Shuddhananda,_x000d_ We are in Kashmir at last. I need not tell you of all the beauties of the place. It is the one land fit for Yogis, to my mind. But the land is now inhabited by a race who though possessing great physical beauty are extremely dirty. I am going to travel by water for a month seeing the sights and getting strong. But the city is very malarious just now, and Sadananda and Kristolal have got fever. Sadananda is all right today, but Kristolal has fever yet. The doctor came today and gave him a purgative. He will be all right by tomorrow, we hope; and we start also tomorrow. The State has lent me one of its barges, and it is fine and quite comfortable. They have also sent orders to the Tahsildars of different districts. The people here are crowding in banks to see us and are doing everything they can to make us comfortable._x000d_ A clipping from The Indian Mirror, quoting passages from an article written by Dr. Barrows in an American paper, has been sent over to me by somebody without a name and asking me what reply to give. I send back the cutting to Brahmananda with my answer to the passages which are damned lies!_x000d_ I am glad to learn you are doing well there and going on with your usual work. I also had a letter from Shivananda giving the details of work there._x000d_ After a month I go back to the Punjab, and I will expect three of you at Ambala. In case a centre is founded, one of you will be left in charge. Niranjan, Latu, and Kristolal will be sent back._x000d_ I intend to make a rapid march through the Punjab and Sind via Kathiawar and Baroda, back to Rajputana, and thence to Nepal and last Calcutta._x000d_ Write to me C/o Rishibar Babu at Srinagar. I will get the letter on my way back._x000d_ With love to all and blessings,_x000d_ Yours,_x000d_ Vivekananda

Srinagar, Kashmir_x000d_ 30th September, 1897_x000d_ {original in Bengali}_x000d_ My Dear Shashi {Ramakrishnananda},_x000d_ Now I am returning from a visit to places in Kashmir. In a day or two I shall leave for the Punjab. As my health is now much better, I have decided to tour again in the same way as before. Not too much lecturing--one or two lectures, perhaps, in the Punjab, otherwise none. The people of our country have not yet offered me even as much as a pice for my travelling expenses--and to cap it all, to take with you a whole party, well, you can easily understand how troublesome it all is. It is also a matter of shame to have to draw upon only the English disciples. So, as before, I start out "with only a blanket". In this place there is no need for any person like Goodwin, as you can see._x000d_ A monk from Ceylon, P. C. Jinawar Vamar by name, has written to me among other things that he wants to visit India. Perhaps he is the same monk who comes of the Siamese royal family. His address is Wellawatta, Ceylon. If convenient, invite him to Madras. He believes in the Vedanta. It will not be so difficult to send him to other places from Madras. It is also good to have such a person in the Order. My love and blessings to you and all others._x000d_ Yours affectionately,_x000d_ Vivekananda_x000d_ PS. The Maharaja of Khetri is reaching Bombay on the 10th October. Don't forget to present him an address of welcome. V.

Srinagar, Kashmir_x000d_ 30th September, 1897_x000d_ {original in Bengali}_x000d_ My Dear Rakhal {Brahmananda},_x000d_ I understand from a letter of Gopal Dada that you have seen that piece of land at Konnagar. It seems that that site is rent-free and measures 16 bighas (about 5 acres), and that the price is below eight or ten thousand rupees. Do what you think best after considering the healthiness and other factors. In a day or two I shall leave for the Punjab. So don't write any more letters to me at this address. I shall telegraph to you my next address. Don't forget to send Hariprasanna. Tell Gopal Dada thus: "Your health will soon be all right--winter is coming, what fear? Eat well and be merry." Write a letter to Mrs. C. Sevier at Spring Dale, Murree, as to Yogen's present state of health, marking on the cover "to await arrival". Give my love and blessings to all._x000d_ Yours affectionately,_x000d_ Vivekananda_x000d_ PS. The Maharaja of Khetri reaches Bombay on the 10th October. Don't forget to give him an address of welcome._x000d_ V.

Srinagar, Kashmir,_x000d_ 30th September, 1897_x000d_ Dear Rakhal {Brahmananda},_x000d_ I received your affectionate letter and also the letter from the Math. I am leaving for the Punjab in two or three days. I have received the foreign mail. The following are my answers to Miss Noble's questions in her letter:_x000d_ 1. Nearly all the branches have been started, but the movement is only just beginning._x000d_ 2. Most of the monks are educated. Those that are not are also having secular education. But above all, to do good, perfect unselfishness is absolutely necessary. To ensure that, more attention is given to spiritual exercises than to anything else._x000d_ 3. Secular educators: We get mostly those who have already educated themselves. What is needed is training them into our method and building up of character. The training is to make them obedient and fearless; and the method is to help the poor physically first and then work up to higher regions of mentality._x000d_ Arts and Industries: This part of the programme alone cannot be begun for want of funds. The simplest method to be worked upon at present is to induce Indians to use their own produce and get markets for Indian artware etc. in other countries. This should be done by persons who are not only not middlemen themselves, but will devote the entire proceeds of this branch to the benefit of the workmen._x000d_ 4. Wandering from place to place will be necessary till "people come to education". The religious character of the wandering monks will carry with it a much greater weight than otherwise._x000d_ 5. All castes are open to our influence. So long the highest only have been worked upon. But since the work department is in full operation in different famine-centres, we are influencing the lower classes more and more._x000d_ 6. Nearly all the Hindus approve our work, only they are not used to practical co-operation in such works._x000d_ 7. Yes, from the very start we are making no distinction in our charities or other good works between the different religions of India._x000d_ Reply to Miss N. according to these hints._x000d_ See that there is no remissness whatever in the medical treatment of Yogen--if necessary spend money by drawing on the capital. Did you go and meet Bhavanath's wife?_x000d_ If Brahmachari Hariprasanna can come, it will be very helpful. Mr. Sevier has become very impatient about acquiring a house somewhere; it will be good if something is done quickly about it! Hariprasanna is an engineer; so he will be able to do something quickly about it. Also he understands better about the suitability of places. They (the Seviers) like to have a place somewhere near about Dehra Dun or Mussoorie; that is to say, the place must not be too cold and must be habitable throughout the year. So send Hariprasanna at once straight to Sj. Shyamapada Mukherjee, Medical Hall, Ambala Cantonment. As soon as I go down to the Punjab, I shall send Mr. Sevier along with him. I am returning (to the Math) in a trice after a tour of the Punjab, Karachi, and then via Rajputana, not via Kathiawar and Gujarat--to Nepal. Tulsi has gone to Madhya Bharat--is it for the famine-relief work? . . . _x000d_ My blessings and love to all. I have got the news that Kali has reached New York; but he has not written any letter. Sturdy writes that his work had increased so much that people were amazed--and a few persons have also written me praising him highly. However, there is not so much difficulty in America; the work will go on somehow or other. Send Shuddhananda and his brother along with Hariprasanna. Of the party only Gupta and Achyut will accompany me._x000d_ Yours affectionately,_x000d_ Vivekananda

Srinagar, Kashmir_x000d_ 30th September, 1897_x000d_ My Dear Miss MacLeod,_x000d_ Come soon if you intend to come really. From November to the middle of February India is cool; after that it is hot. You will be able to see all you want within that time, but to see all takes years._x000d_ I am in a hurry; therefore excuse this hasty card. Kindly tender my love to Mrs. Bull and my good wishes and earnest thoughts for Goodwin's speedy recovery. My love to Mother, to Alberta, to the baby, to Holister, and last, not the least, to Franky._x000d_ Yours in the Lord,_x000d_ Vivekananda

Srinagar, Kashmir_x000d_ 1st October, 1897_x000d_ Dear Margo {Nivedita},_x000d_ Some people do the best work when led . Not every one is born to lead . The best leader, however, is one who "leads like the baby". The baby, though apparently depending on everyone, is the king of the household. At least, to my thinking, that is the secret. . . . Many feel, but only a few can express. It is the power of expressing one's love and appreciation and sympathy for others, that enables one person to succeed better in spreading the idea than others. . . ._x000d_ I shall not try to describe Kashmir to you. Suffice it to say, I never felt sorry to leave any country except this Paradise on earth; and I am trying my best, if I can, to influence the Raja in starting a centre. So much to do here, and the material so hopeful! . . . _x000d_ The great difficulty is this: I see persons giving me almost the whole of their love. But I must not give anyone the whole of mine in return, for that day the work would be ruined. Yet there are some who will look for such a return, not having the breadth of the impersonal view. It is absolutely necessary to the work that I should have the enthusiastic love of as many as possible, while I myself remain entirely impersonal. Otherwise jealousy and quarrels would break up everything. A leader must be impersonal. I am sure you understand this. I do not mean that one should be a brute, making use of the devotion of others for his own ends, and laughing in his sleeve meanwhile. What I mean is what I am, intensely personal in my love, but having the power to pluck out my own heart with my own hand, if it becomes necessary, "for the good of many, for the welfare of many", as Buddha said. Madness of love, and yet in it no bondage. Matter changed into spirit by the force of love. Nay, that is the gist of our Vedanta. There is but One, seen by the ignorant as matter, by the wise as God. And the history of civilisation is the progressive reading of spirit into matter. The ignorant see the person in the non-person. The sage sees the non-person in the person. Through pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, this is the one lesson we are learning. . . . _x000d_ Yours ever with love and truth,_x000d_ Vivekananda