(vivekananda) Where To Go For Help? Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

Swamiji was stuck up at Chigago.
For help, where should he go?
He had no single friend
In that strange foreign land.

At first, for help, he contacted
The Theosophical Society’s head
The same, they promised,
If he supported their creed.

As most of their principles
Were found unacceptable,
He refused their request
To extend his support.

That source then failed.
Someone there advised,
“Go to Boston, better,
That place is cheaper.”

He took a train to Boston.
And as a divine sanction,
A wealthy lady came
In the train with him.

His dress attracted her,
And she gave an offer
To take him as her guest
And financially support.

Miss Kate Sanborn was
That kind Lady hostess,
Who took care of him
In her place, all the time.

To meet, many people came.
Each one questioned him
On the Indian social customs
And their religious practices.

The lady, Mrs. Johnson,
Superintendent of prison,
The one kept for women,
Took him to that prison.

It didn’t look a prison,
But as a humanitarian
Rehabilitation centre
For women prisoners.

He had one more visitor,
J.J. Wright, a Professor
Of Harvard University,
On a special study.

The professor encouraged him
To represent Hinduism
In the Parliament of Religion,
A forum for each nation.

Mr. Wright wrote to his friend,
“Here is a man more learned
Than our learned professors
All of them put together.”

This friend was the Chairman
Of the Parliament of Religion,
Who gave his permission
To Swamiji without hesitation.