Story of Five Blind Men

On 24th Nov.1893 Swamiji gave His first public lecture in Minneapolis in the evening on 'The Hindoo Religion'. This lecture was organised by the Peripatetics which could be a part of the lecture bureau. But His schedule was very flexible because His lecture on 27th at Unitarian Church was not planned but was on a popular demand.

The Minneapolis Newspaper gives -

                                                               'AN ORIENTAL VIEW

 Livami Vivekananda Addresses a Minneapolis Audience.

 Mercenaries in Religion

 In this Way He Characterizes the Western Nations -

 He Tells About the Religions of India.

 The Unitarian church was crowded yesterday morning by an audience anxious to learn something of eastern religious thought as outlined by Swami Vivekananda, a Brahmin priest, who was prominent in the Parliament of Religions at Chicago last summer. The distinguished representative of the Brahmin faith was brought to Minneapolis by the Peripatetic Club, and he addressed that body last Friday evening. He was induced to remain until this week, in order that he might deliver the address yesterday. Vivekanandi is a typical Uindeu, dark - skinned, well rounded features, and a flashing eye that gives evidence of a quick intellect. He appeared in his picturesque native dress. He occupied the platform with Dr. H. M. Simmons, the pastor, the opening prayer was sung, Vivekanandai following the lines closely, and then Dr. Simmons read from Paul's lesson on faith, hope and charity, and "the greatest of these is charity," supplementing that reading by a selection from the Brahmin scripture which teaches the same lesson, and also a selection from the Moslem faith, and poems from the Hindu literature, all of which are in harmony with                       Paul's utterances.

 After a second hymn Swami Vivekanandi was introduced. He stepped to the edge of the platform and at once had his audience interested by the recital of a Hindu story. He said in excellent English:

 "I will tell you a story of five blind men....."

Without resting Swamiji left on the same day for Des Moines, capital off Iowa city and travelled 260 miiles from Minneapolis.

Rest for tomorrrow....

The Twin Cities - Minneapolis and St. Paul

 Minneapolis and St. Paul are the Twin Cities on the eastern bank of the Mississippi. On 21st Nov.1893 Swamiji reached Minneapolis from Madison after travelling 250 miles. Till 24th He didn't have any lecture in the city. Some friends unknown to us till date showed Him the lake, the river transformed by snow and ice into wonderland and all the beauties of the city. On 23rd He saw the Minnehaha Falls(i love the sound of this name) which is more beautiful in winter as it becomes a 'Solid mass of rugged ice fifty feet high and glistening in the bright sunlight' and also had His first ever sleigh ride behind the steaming horses.

Swamiji thoroughly enjoyed the sub-zero weather in Minneapolis as now He had warm clothes and shoes to face it. His letter to Mrs. Hale is very beautiful and we cannot avoid it ---- 

 Minneapolis

 24th Nov'93

 Dear Mother -

 I am still in Minneapolis. I am to lecture this afternoon and day after tomorrow go to Des Moines

The day I came here they had their first snow and it snowed all through the day and night and I had great use For the arctics.* I went to see the frozen Minihaha falls. They are very beautiful. The temperature today is 21. below zero but I had been out sleighing and enjoyed it immensely though. I am not the least afraid of losing the tips of my ears or nose.

The snow scenery here has pleased me more than any other sight in this country.

I saw people skating on a frozen lake yesterday.

I am doing well hoping this will find you all the same I remain

Yours obediently

Vivekananda

Are you all not visualising Swamiji sleighing behind the horses and then writing with a smile on face about not losing his ears or nose due to snow? I get totally lost in the snow watching Him enjoying it all and feel happy from within for the little happiness He got over there.

I am in Bidasar, Rajasthan and with Swamiji thinking all the while about Khetri. Don't think even this time i can make it to go to Khetri. Well it's His wish after all.

Midwestern Tour - Madison, Minniapolis and then Detroit.

Today for sure Swamiji is in Detroit and i am missing being with with Him. His exact date of leaving Chicago is not known but from one of His letter written to Mrs. Kate Tannat Woods we come to know about His Madison and Minniapolis plans. He must have started for His Midwestern tour on 20th Nov.1893 which continued till almost April 1894. He first went to Madison which is the capital of Wisconsin, then to Minneapolis and also to Des Moines.

He again visited Minniapolis in midst of December and in January 1894 went to Memphis and Tennessee. His first stop was at Madison which is 140 trainmiles from northwest of Chicago. He didn't stay here and then went to Minniapolis frrom where He wrote a beautiful letter to Mrs. Hale.

I love the way Swamiji ends His letters always. This letter of 21st Nov.1893 ends beautifully as -

"May you be blessed for ever my kind friend you and your whole family have made such a heavenly impression on me as I would carry all my life."

In Madison Swamiji gave lecture at the Congregational Church. The Wisconsin State Journal gave a very short report of His lecture but what appealed to me most in that report was -

      " Pagan though he be, Christianity may well follow many of his teachings. His creed is as wide as the universe, taking in all religions, and accepting truth wherever it may be found. Bigotry and superstition and idle ceremony, he declared, have no place in "the religions of India."

But the a newspaper by the students of  'Wisconsin University' of Madison named 'Daily Cardinal' gave a full report of the lecture. I will just write the title of it -

                                  RELIGIONS OF INDIA

Viva Kananda, the Hindoo Orator Delivers an Interesting Lecture

It is vey tempting for me to quote His entire speech but i shall just tell you the last paragraph of it -

" Viva Kananda came to this country from India in the interest of the world's congress of religions, and his lecture last evvening on the " Religions of India" was an inspiration to all who heard him. He has a pleasant , clear-cut, dusky face, and a decidedly impressive manner and bearing. His voice is low and pleasant, with a secret something which rivets your attention at the start."

I sincerely am praying to Swamiji to make me finish this task i have undertaken and to force me to write my blog without a gap.  Amen!!!