#093, a little gold will not be amiss to keep my jewel in proper surroundings

Swami Vivekananda claimed to have inherited his oath of distancing from "kaamini and kaancan" (women and gold) from his mentor Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

FACTS Swamiji wrote to Ms. Christina Greenstidel from Belur Math on Aug. 6, 1901.

"... What do you think will be very good for me on earth? Silver? Gold? Pooh! I have got something infinitely better; but a little gold will not be amiss to keep my jewel in proper surroundings, and it is coming, don't you think so?


I am a man who frets much, but waits all the same; and the apple comes to my mouth by itself. So, it is coming, coming, coming.


Now, how are you? Growing ever thinner, thinner, thinner, eh? Do have a very good appetite and good sleep in anticipation of the coming good time — to be in trim for welcoming its advent. ... "


"... Well, you are right as about taste: I renounce the yellow of gold and the white of silver, but stick to amber always — that is to my taste ... "


" ... Amber and corals I always hated; but of late I am awakening to their beauty. One learns as he lives, is it not? ... "


INTERPRETATION AND DEDUCTIONSWas Swamiji planning to buy some amber/coral jewellery? What does "keep my jewel in proper surroundings" mean? Who/what the jewel is? What does "the apple comes to my mouth ... coming, coming" etc. mean?

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