Baba emphasized the same point again a few months later in another letter to the Westerners (dated 5 July 1936):
... although written replies [are] not regularly sent, I read all the letters and convey my help and blessings with the help needed, internally. Let them never despair who write to me and not receive written replies. The very fact of writing to me, nay the first thought of writing to me establishes a contact, and that always works, as and when necessary, to convey the help required. They all dwell in Baba's thoughts in whose hearts Baba dwells. Words and explanations are unnecessary where one actually feels.
During March 1936, the question of whether to establish an ashram in Mysore was being seriously discussed between Baba and the mandali. However, Baba expressed that the people of Mysore were far too traditionally religious-minded. Since they were so entangled in orthodox religiosity, he explained, it would be difficult to free them of their narrow-minded prejudices so his ashram could operate in an uncontested atmosphere.
On 15 March, Baba remarked:
I like this place [Mysore], but here my movements will be restricted. I cannot move about independently because of such persons, and I do not like that. The time is past when I could dismantle the whole ashram within eight days as I did in Toka. It was quite a different phase of my work altogether then. Here it is different. I now wish to prepare a definite plan so that there may not be any difficulties in the future.
For that, the sword must be in the hand whereby I can "beard the lion in his own den"; meaning of course that I may be able to do my work here among all this orthodoxy!
All these zealots should be sent to the front of the battlefield! A scoundrel is better than these people for he at least appears as he is. People can recognize him and take precautions to stay away from him. But these orthodox persons are a hidden danger to people. They are devils in the guise of saints!
Lazy, good-for-nothing loafers are often frank and bold by nature, are prepared for any eventuality and are not afraid to die. But these zealots are cowardly, hypocritical posers!
Therefore, these zealots are more dangerous. They are like black sheep wearing the clothes of a sadhu!