From Epistles – First Series of Volume 5 of The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

The Math, Belur,
Howrah Dist.,
7th September, 1901.

Blessed And Beloved,[1]

I had to consult Brahmananda and others, and they were everyone in Calcutta, hence the delay in replying to your last.

The idea of taking a house for a whole year must be worked out with deliberation. As on the one hand there is some risk of catching malaria in Belur this month, in Calcutta on the other hand there is the danger of plague. Then again one is sure to avoid fever if one takes good care not to go into the interior of this village, the immediate bank of the river being entirely free from fever. Plague has not come to the river yet, and all the available places in this village are filled with Marwaris during the plague season.

Then again you ought to mention the maximum rent you can pay, and we seek the house accordingly. The quarter in the city is another suggestion. For myself, I have almost become a foreigner to Calcutta. But others will soon find a house after your mind. The sooner you decide these two points: (1) Whether mother stays at Belur or Calcutta, (2) If Calcutta, what rent and quarter, the better, as it can be done in a trice after receiving your reply.

Yours with love and blessings,

Vivekananda.

PS: We are all right here. Moti has returned after his week’s stay in Calcutta. It is raining here day and night last three days. Two of our cows have calved.


Notes

  1. Shri M. N. Banerji