At one point, the mayor of Jabalpur, Mr. D'Silva arrived. The man stated that he was an atheist and launched into his opinion about the root cause of the current troubles between the Hindus and Mohammedans, blaming the British for fomenting enmity between the two groups. "There is no true sense of service to the nation as claimed by our political leaders," he stated. "It is all a guise for lust of power in the name of service."
Baba agreed and added, "It is all due to self-interest and selfishness rather than selflessness."
The mayor continued, "My only creed is service to humanity irrespective of caste or creed."
Baba commended him, "That is serving God."
"I do not care. I give it no name or label."
"All the better. Serving humanity is the true ideal, while claiming nothing for the self. I am pleased."
The mayor was informed of Baba's wishes to establish a center and he urged Baba to consider Jabalpur.
The deputy superintendent of police, Ali Akbar, also came for darshan and anxiously informed Baba, "My son is gravely ill in the hospital. Please have your nazar on him."
Baba comforted and assured him, "Don't worry. He will be all right. I have my eye on him!"
Finally, acceding to Chanji's request, Baba was about to interrupt darshan and go for his meal when Chowdhary and Pathak of Mandla arrived. Chowdhary invited Baba to Mandla to view the land he had offered to Baba, and the next day Baba went there. Baba liked the beautiful place very much and sat for half an hour under a tree.
He remarked, "I am infinitely old and eternally young ... This is my old, old spot," and looking at Chowdhary and Pathak added, "And here are my old, old friends."
Baba did not explain their past connection.
Baba returned to Jabalpur the same day and assigned to Jal Kerawalla the work of legally transferring the property to his name.
Another prominent person who was granted an interview during Baba's stay in Jabalpur was H. V. Kamath. Introducing him, Jal Kerawalla informed Baba that Kamath had held a high position in the Indian Civil Service, but gave it all up to work for the country through the Congress party.
Baba remarked, "Sacrifice is sweet when it is for a good cause."
Kamath asked Baba, "What is the goal of creation?"
Baba responded, "To know the Self as the infinite eternal existence and enable others to realize this same Self."
"Why do forces of evil predominate over forces of virtue?"
"It is all in the scope of Universal Law. The suffering that appears so grave is necessary for happiness, as binding is necessary to experience freedom. Unless evil temporarily triumphs, suffering cannot be experienced. This universe is based on duality. Binding and freedom, good and bad, evil and virtue, are inter-dependent. If only one aspect existed, there would be no interest or meaning in life. For the attainment of ultimate freedom and happiness, temporary victory of evil over virtue is necessary."
"Why does God who is so kind and merciful give suffering and pain to so many?"
"God has nothing to do with this. God is all, One-in-One. He is aloof and yet so attached that whatever is done is by His Law of Love and Will ... God is neither merciful nor cruel in your 'awakened' state."
"Will India come in the forefront, as in days of old, to lead the world?"
"It is the duty of India to lead the world spiritually."
Baba urged Kamath, "Work with all your heart with the one motive of making India truly free, but do not think of the results of your work. Men like you can do what millions cannot do, as you have heart, intellect and sincerity. This selfless service of yours in striving for India's freedom will lead you ultimately to God."
In a letter to the Backetts on 11 January 1939, Baba spoke about youth and then described the property and its donor:
I love all children and all youth with their unclouded vision, enthusiasm and energy. I will have a centre large enough to have a number of them with me that I may train them in my own way for future work ...
Since I left Meherabad I have received offers of land in many parts - in Hyderabad 600 acres and at Mandla, 60 miles from here, 100 acres. The latter is ideal.1
Footnotes
- 1.Chowdhary donated 37 acres in Mandla and Baba subsequently purchased an additional 71 acres of adjacent land, so the property became 108 acres.