SWAMI VIVEKANANDA WRITES AND INSPIRES US

LETTER NO.5

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

Dear ......................*,

Do you know who is the real "Shakti - worshipper"? It is he who knows that God is the omnipresent force in the universe and sees in women the manifestation of that Force… Manu, again, has said that gods bless those families where women are happy and well treated.

What does our Manu enjoin? "Daughters should be supported and educated with as much care and attention as the sons." As sons should be married after observing Brahmacharya up to the thirtieth year, so daughters also must observe Brahmacharya and be educated by their parents. But what are we actually doing? Can you better the condition of your women? Then there will be hope for your well - being. Otherwise you will remain as backward as you are now.

If anybody is born of a low caste in our country, he is gone forever, there is no hope for him. Why? What a tyranny it is!.. In India there is a howling cry that we are very poor, but how many charitable associations are there for the well - being of the poor? How many people really weep for the sorrows and sufferings of the millions of poor in India? Are we men ? What are we doing for their livelihood, for their improvement? We do not touch them, we avoid their company! Are we men?

With love and best wishes,

Yours,

Vivekananda.

SOURCE: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume-5
                    [Epistles-First Series-Letter no.VI]