Letter from Swami Ji to His Younger Brother Brindaban
My most beloved, blessed and eminent brother Lala Brindaban, may you always prosper!
After blessings for enhancement of your wealth and rank, which is the genuine wish of my heart, I should like you to know that by the grace of Sat Guru Sahib all is well here, for which we should be grateful to the Almighty.
I believe that, since the time you left this place for Ajmer, you have been attending to your official work with care and honesty and that you are leading and guiding others also along the path of honesty and righteousness.
Following as a regular rule of conduct, the advice which I have been giving you, of discharging your duties faithfully and honestly, you should, at the same time, remain engaged in your devotion to the Guru, and but for attending to those two duties, namely, first your official work, which provides the means of your livelihood, and secondly, devotion to the Supreme Being, who bestows the precious gift of eternal life, you should, on no account, attend to any thing else. Such course of action will lead to your advancement and progress in both the worlds.
You should not feel disheartened during the periods of worries and difficulties. Keep on reading the holy books, which you have with you, and do not, even for a moment, forget the two instructions given above. I, too, am busy with official work.
Your first letter should contain a description of that place and of the journey. I shall then write to you whatever would seem appropriate at that time. Under all circumstances, keep yourself engaged in the devotion to the Guru. Do not think of doing anything but good to your friend and foe alike. You should attune your mind to the will of the Supreme Creator. Whatever He wills shall come to happen.
Under all conditions keep cheerful and smiling and, when necessary, read my letter with attention, so that it may afford you the necessary peace of mind, when you are faced with any difficulty. Keep your spirits high in whatever you do. With blessings.
Please convey my respects to revered Lala Nandi Shankar. I have the same message for him. He should also keep his mind engaged in devotion to the Almighty alone and should not get himself entangled in unnecessary worldly affairs. To say anything more to him would be like teaching medicine to Luqman1.
I close with blessings. All is well at residence of that gentleman.
Please accept Sat Naam from Shiva Narain, clerk of the office, and respects from Babu Ram Dhan writer.
Shiv Dayal
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1) Luqman is a figure who is mentioned many times in Quranic and pre-Islamic tradition. In the Koran, the 31st sura - Sura Luqman - is named after him. According to various sources, Luqman was a hakim (sage, philosopher, physician, healer).