"A World Teacher, A World Student and World's Best Son"

At the beginning of 1895 Swamiji decided to settle down in New York. He had a hectic travelling and strenuous lecture touring through the Midwest and East of America for almost more than a year. Now, He had chosen New York as His headquarter instead of Chicago or Boston. It was in New York that Swamiji started His mission full fledged by applying His Master’s message to all aspects of Eastern & Western life.

His lectures and classes were always filled with the true spirit of Sri Ramakrishna, the tremendous power of His Master of which He had a firsthand knowledge and also which was transmitted in Him with full force. He was fully aware of the infinite spiritual power flowing through Him during this period. Just two weeks before He closed the New York sessions He wrote to Mrs. Hale, His first American mother – “Financially, this winter’s work was not success at all. I could barely keep myself up, but spiritually it was very great”. 

Swamiji never ceased to learn; He knew Eastern life but He kept studying about the culture & history of Western life. He was not only a World Teacher but a World Student too. Everything concerned with humanity interested Him. He read, retained and related every facet of man’s life.

In the intense activity of lecturing He still found time to write inspiring letters to His brother disciples in India and planning & finding practical solutions to India’s problems.

He never cared for praise or blame. He knew one cannot keep the society in good humour & at the same time do great works! He wrote to Mrs. Bull, “One must work as the dictate comes from within and then if it is right and good the society is bound to veer round, perhaps centuries after one is dead and gone. We must plunge heart and soul and body into the work. Until we be ready to sacrifice everything else to one idea and to one alone, we never, never will see the light.” With so much work going on all the time His first season of New York classes came to a close on 1st June 1895. 

Swamiji always writes about His travel plans, His whereabouts, His work to either Mrs. Hale or to Mrs. Bull. 

I love this aspect of Swamiji..! He seems to be a genuine son to these mothers! Even we in our lives are not so thoughtful to simply call and convey to our parents about what we are up to!! Read the below two letters to Mrs. Sara Bull -  

The 28th May'95                                                                                                          

 Dear Mother                                                                                                           

Your last kind letter to hand. This week will be the last of my classes. I am going next Tuesday with Mr. Leggett to Maine. He has a fine lake and a forest there. I will be two or three weeks there. From thence I go to the Thousand Islands. Also I have an invitation to speak at a parliament of religions at Toronto Canada on July 18th. I will go there from Thousand Islands and return back.

             So far everything is going on well with me

             Ever your grateful son

             Vivekananda

             P.S. My regards & love to your daughter and pray for her speedy recovery'"

                                                                         V

4th June '95

Dear Mother

Today I leave New York at 5 p. m. by steamer with Mr. Leggett.

The classes were closed on Saturday last [June 1] and so far the work has been very successful, no small part of which is due to you.

             Ever praying for you & yours

             I am ever your Son

             Vivekananda

             P.S. I will acquaint you with my whereabouts as soon as I know it myself.