My close disciple, Rustom, has dedicated the cinema and motor garage in India to me so that I may use the income for my work. The toddyshop also was owned by a close disciple, where my early followers would gather and where I would discourse to them on spiritual subjects. As for the other two accusations, that I keep paid women companions and privately speak with my own people, I can but reply with a merciful smile.
What type of men and women my mandali consist of! Renouncing everything, they have come and stayed with me. Can paid servants ever do as they do? At a sign from me, they are ready to sacrifice their lives for me. No one has any idea of their renunciation!
As far as keeping silence goes, you all know and see how I observe silence. I have nothing further to say about it.
Those who spread such false rumors are to be pitied. As for Dastur, who is behind all this, his case is more pitiable than others, because he had accepted me to be his "all in all," and publicly declared that he was ready to wash my feet with his blood. And now, see what he is doing! Dastur loves me, but he is playing Judas' part. His letters are with me and the mandali know what things he has written in them. Were anyone to read them, he would be amused by his present behavior.
Poor Paul Brunton has been made a fool and a tool by Dastur. Brunton has been to India, stayed in Nasik and has observed things with his own eyes. When he sought my advice, I told him to go on a pilgrimage to certain places in India. He did not do that, and coming under the influence of Dastur, he has commenced spreading lies about me here. This is the result.
But you may take it that the result was expected, and it has happened through me. Only an hour ago, we were talking about opposition and now you hear about it. So none of you should be anxious about it. Nothing should disturb you. It is my game and I will see to it.