It is men such as he who really know me. And they do
their entrusted duties lovingly and pleasingly. Such a life is worth living. On
the other hand, there are hundreds who come to me with their hundreds of worldly
problems. They do not really "come" to me, but keep their distance by
harboring their thousands of desires.
It was quite a peculiar sight to see, as those who were
with me will tell you: this thin, feeble, cracked-looking man coming straight
ahead toward us, making a reverential bow, then giving me a flower and walking
straight back without so much as glancing sideways. It was a sight. And
stranger to see was that after the man disappeared, everyone who noticed us,
Hindu and Muslim alike, would also fold their hands to us!
So my work now begins, and I once again warn you all to
have your langoti tied tight for 24 hours — i.e., to gird your loins and
be ready to carry out all my orders fully. Stick to me during this journey until
the end, for no one can tell what will happen. You know I work according to my lahar [whim]. I am as strict as I am mild, and who knows what my whim
will do or where my fancy will lead us! So once again I caution you to keep your
langoti tight [obey me] for the next 24 hours. Otherwise, not only will you get
a thrashing, but I will, too! Believe me; what I am telling you is true.
Don't ask why. There is a reason. You know well how
much love I had for [Aga] Ali at first. I actually gave a party to all at
Meherabad when he returned for the first time. I kept him so near me for a
certain period. Then I gave him up — kept him far from me for a long time
and actually did not see him for many days. Recently, I have kept him quite
close to me. Now again, from today, I am keeping him aloof and am not even
touching him. There is a reason for this, of course. But let that be as it may
and listen to what I am telling you.
You all should not talk to him [Aga Ali]; do not even
look at him and do not touch him. He is a very good boy if he is in a good mood,
and a very bad boy if he loses his temper.