Chapter (অধ্যায়): EPISTLES PAGE-316Page: 316 of 519
such and such a man was speaking ill of me, and that he, being unable to bear the same, had a quarrel with him, and so forth. Many thanks for his kind defence of me. But what seriously hinders me from listening to what particular people may be saying about me is-"स्वल्पश्च कालो बहवश्च विघ्ना:-Time is short, but the obstacles are many." . . .
An organised society is wanted. Let Shashi look to the household management, Sanyal take charge of money matters and marketing, and Sharat act as secretary, that is, carry on correspondence etc. Make a permanent centre-it is no use making random efforts as you are doing now. Do you see my point? I have quite a heap of newspapers, now I want you to do something. If you can build a Math, I shall say you are heroes; otherwise you are nothing. Consult the Madras people when you work. They have a great capacity for work. Celebrate this year's Shri Ramakrishna festival with such eclat as to make it a record. The less the feeding propaganda is, the better. It is enough if you distribute Prasada in earthen cups to the devotees standing in rows. . . .
I am going to write a very short sketch of Shri Ramakrishna's life in English, which I shall send you. Have it printed and translated into Bengali and sell it at the festival-people do not read books that are distributed free. Fix some nominal price. Have the festival done with great pomp. . . .
You must have an all-sided intellect to do efficient work. In any towns or villages you may visit, start an association wherever you find a number of people revering Shri Ramakrishna. Have you travelled through so many villages all for nothing? We must slowly absorb the Hari-Sabhas and such other associations. Well, I cannot tell you all-if I could but get another demon like me! The Lord will supply me everything in time. . . . If one has got power, one must manifest it in action. . . .