All this explanation will make you understand these points quite clearly.
Yours, F. H. Dadachanji
P. S. In the letter to you, Baba mentioned you as Premi Mitra — a loving friend. Regarding this, Baba says that his "superfine" Gujarati has thus rendered into Gujarati the two English words, "dear friend." Baba also says that he will continue to mention you as such, because having taken you as his friend, he looks upon you as a Premi [lover] of God.
Baba sends his love and blessings.
The necessary preparations having been made and visas obtained, Baba and four mandali left Nasik for a fourth trip to Europe. On Monday, 21 November 1932, Baba and his companions sailed from Bombay at 12:45 P.M. aboard the Conte Verde , an Italian liner. The mandali with him on the voyage were his brothers Jalbhai and Adi Jr., and Vishnu and Kaka.
An eager crowd had gathered at the quayside hoping to catch a glimpse of one of their fellow passengers: Hollywood actor Douglas Fairbanks, who had boarded the ship in the Far East and was returning to America. Fairbanks had hosted a reception for Baba in Hollywood the previous June.1
Once at sea, Baba issued the following message to the Indian press:
India is a spiritual country. It possesses the most fortunate and unique position in the world, being the land of saints and Spiritual Masters since ages. Therefore, the spiritual atmosphere of India must be kept up even at the cost of being in bondage and materially unhappy.
It does not matter how much India suffers as long as its spiritual power and value are retained. Moreover, the result of its present suffering will be freedom and happiness.
It is only after experiencing bondage and misery that the true value of freedom and happiness are really appreciated. But to bring this suffering to an earlier end, there must be love for friend and foe; there must be goodwill, patience and forbearance. Also, India should try to remedy its own defects instead of clamoring at the faults of others. The hatred between the leading communities, and their petty yet disastrous quarrels and fights, must cease; then freedom and happiness will be assured for India.
The world will soon realize that neither cults, creeds, dogmas, religious ceremonies, lectures or sermons on the one hand, nor ardent searching for material welfare and physical pleasures on the other, can ever bring about real happiness. Only selfless love and universal brotherhood can do it.
Footnotes
- 1.It is not known whether Douglas Fairbanks had any contact with Baba or the mandali during the eleven-day voyage.