THE POOR, THE ILLITERATE, THE IGNORANT, THE AFFLICTED - LET THESE BE YOUR GOD - KNOW THAT SERVICE TO THESE ALONE IS THE HIGHEST RELIGION

Work, worship, and Jnana (knowledge) — first work, and your mind will be purified; otherwise everything will be fruitless like pouring oblations on a pile of ashes instead of in the sacred fire. When Gunanidhi comes, move from door to door of the poor and the destitute in every village of Rajputana. If people object to the kind of food you take, give it up immediately. It is preferable to live on grass for the sake of doing good to others. The Geruâ robe is not for enjoyment. It is the banner of heroic work. You must give your body, mind, and speech to “the welfare of the world”. You have read — “मातृदेवो भव, पितृदेवो भव — Look upon your mother as God, look upon your father as God” — but I say “दरिद्रदेवो भव, मूर्खदेवो भव — The poor, the illiterate, the ignorant, the afflicted — let these be your God.” Know that service to these alone is the highest religion. Swami Vivekananda Page 288, Epistles, Volume 6, Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda