Baba remarked:
Reza Shah alone cannot bring about changes in Persia, nor can he revitalize the spirit and attitude of its people to suit modern ideals.1 He has lost the original objective and will not last long on the throne. All this noise on his part is not a sign of courage but an expression of the cowardice hidden within him. Quite the reverse of the true spirit of bravery shown by [Germany's Field Marshall] Hindenburg.2
Rao remarked that perhaps a monarchy would be better for Germany, but Baba replied with a definite, "No!"
On the 18th while they were eating lunch, Baba commented to Gustadji, Chanji, and Raosaheb about the mandali:
Members of my mandali are of three types: The first group is like milk mixed with salt; the second is like milk mixed with dirt; the third is like milk and sugar. Milk is comparable to love, service, devotion, obedience, et cetera — attributes which every one of the mandali has for me. But alongside these qualities, there is contrariness in their behavior.
I look around at each one and find that all are not equal. When I seem to be sad and suffering much, some feel deeply for me, some take it lightly or indifferently thinking that I am the Perfect Master and can withstand all that, and some are of the opinion that I purposely create all these complications and difficulties that cause me so much strain and suffering. I know well that all of you have love, devotion and faith in me, but I behave differently with you because of your varying behaviors.
You people [mandali] should only pay attention to your duties. By creating different circumstances, I afford you the opportunity to serve me, but you spoil the milk by mixing salt or dirt in it, i.e., when you disobey my instructions. Continue putting sugar in the milk to make me happy. Always keeping me happy is to mix sugar in the milk!
The pre-monsoon weather was damp and chilly, with occasional drizzling rain, preventing Baba from walking much. Baba daily discussed going elsewhere, such as back to Ajmer, but in the end he remained at Mount Abu at the "staff quarters" for almost two weeks. He may have returned to the Arbuda Temple Cave and sat in seclusion there for a while, but its stone walls made it too chilly to stay for long.
Footnotes
- 1.Reza Shah Pahlavi (1877–1944) was Shah of Iran from 1925 to 1941. In 1941 he was deposed by the British and Russian forces because of his German sympathies during World War II.
- 2.Paul von Hindenburg (1847–1934) won great victories on the Eastern front of Europe during World War I. He was president of Germany from 1925 to 1934. In the election of 1932, he defeated Adolf Hitler and was reelected, but was persuaded to appoint Hitler chancellor in 1933, while he continued as a figure-head president until his death.