When the phenomenal success of Swami Vivekananda as a defender of Hindu faith in the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893 was known in India, several meetings were held and addresses of thanks and congratulations were forwarded to him. It was to the addresses of the Hindus of Madras that he wrote his first reply, but that was a clarion call to all who were interested in Hinduism or the welfare of India. In this booklet is embodied that famous reply.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and everything shall be added unto you. This is the one great duty, this is renunciation. Live for an ideal, and leave no place in the mind for anything else. Let us put forth all our energies to acquire that which never fails--our spiritual perfection. If we have true yearning for realization, we must struggle, and through struggle growth will come. We shall make mistakes, but they may be angels unawares.
-Swami Vivekananda