The processes which create the experiences and later the elimination of these impressions can be called fate, fortune, luck or chance.
Destiny, or the goal that souls have to attain, is the Realization of God; but actually fate is different for every individual. If you can imagine, we can compare destiny to a load of 700 tons of happiness and unhappiness, vice or virtue, which every soul has to carry throughout its existence. One soul carries 700 tons of iron, another soul the same weight in steel, others lead or gold. The weight is always the same, only the kind of matter changes. The impressions of each individual vary and the acquired sanskaras form the structure and the condition of the future life of every individual. Hence, destiny is one, but fate is varied and different for each.
The next day, Baba gathered the Westerners and explained more about the functioning of sanskaras.
Rano had been suffering a very high temperature since the end of April. Her face was swollen, she had a rash on her chest and her skin itched. The doctor told Baba that there was little hope for her survival. Baba called Nilu from Rahuri, who properly diagnosed her illness as scarlet fever. Nilu began treating her according to Baba's advice.
When in Nasik, Baba would look in on Rano two or three times a day. When he entered her room, he would remove his sandals outside the door and enter barefooted so that he might not disturb her if she was asleep. Once Baba came when Rano was asleep. When she awoke, Nonny informed her that Baba had come but that she was sleeping. Rano's prompt response was: "Well, I'm awake now !"
Baba would hand Rano medicine and sometimes spoonfeed her orange juice. Once, during her recuperation period, someone's birthday was celebrated and ice cream was served. Rano asked Baba to let her have a little.
"No," he gestured. "Ice cream will be bad for your throat."
"But they give ice cream for tonsillitis," she pleaded. "Besides, my throat is all right." Baba again said no. But later, he came to Rano's room and gave her a smidgen of ice cream he had put on his pinkie.
Nilu had been ordered to take Rano's temperature seven times a day. When away, Baba was cabled about her condition every day. Baba had ordered Rano not to set foot out of bed.