To Sister Christine
THE MATH, BELUR,
DIST. HOWRAH, BENGAL, INDIA,
25th December 1901.
A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year is the usual congratulation. Alas! The stars brought you a tremendous blow. (Sister Christine’s mother had passed away.) Blessed be the name of the Lord. After all, it is only “Thy will be done” — our only refuge. I will not insult you by offering you consolation — you know it all already. Only this line to remind you of one who is in entire sympathy with you and who knows that all your plans must be good in joy or sorrow, as you are dedicated to the eternal Mother. Well, the Mother phenomenal has merged in the Mother absolute, eternal. Thy will be done.
By this time you must have made a decision, or, rather, the “Mother” has shown you the way, surely. I rest content.
The soldier of the Queen has gone abroad to fight for Her cause, leaving all he loves to Her care. The soldier is to look to his duty. The Queen of the Universe knows the rest.
With all love as usual,
VIVEKANANDA.