One day in June 1898, shortly after Swami Vivekananda’s disciple J. J. Goodwin died, the Swami carried off a few lines of Sister Nivedita’s writing, and brought back this poem, which was sent to the widowed mother, as his memorial of her son.

We have chosen to publish the version of this poem which appeared in the first edition of Notes of Some Wanderings with the Swami Vivekananda by Sister Nivedita.

The poem as published in the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda and later editions of Notes of Some Wanderings appear to be editor’s changes in both words and punctuation which in our opinion does not improve the Swami’s original inspired poetry….

For a comparison of the two and a discussion of the editing of Vivekananda’s poetry see editor’s notes …. On Editing Vivekananda’s letters and poetry

Speed forth, O soul! upon thy star-strewn path,
Speed, blissful one, where thought is ever free,
Where time and sense no longer mist the view,
Eternal peace and blessings be on thee!

Thy service true, complete thy sacrifice,
Thy home the heart of love transcendent find,
Remembrance sweet, that tells all space and time,
Like altar-roses, fill thy place behind.

Thy bonds are broke, thy quest in bliss is found.
And-one with that which comes as Death and Life, –
Thou helpful one! unselfish e’er on earth,
Ahead, still aid with love this world of strife.

– Swami Vivekananda