I went through the conditions-circular this morning with Eruch and Ghani. Before I decide upon this plan as final, I must know from you all one thing definitely. Nobody knows this plan; only Eruch has been given a hint about it.
Listen to me carefully. You all know that for each of you individually I have kept Rs.1,000 with Meherjee, in case I send you away without any fault on your part. In addition, an extra Rs.10,000 is with him, from which Rs.100 each can be given as traveling expenses, if any of you is sent away without fault. But if any of you is told to leave for a deliberate offense, he will receive neither the Rs.1,000 nor the Rs.100 traveling expense.
The Nowalas and those who were not asked to say "Yes" or "No" have been given certain amounts with a view to relieve myself to some extent from the promises given to them [by me to provide for them]. Naturally, therefore, if I send any of you back, I must do something for you. I have done my utmost by keeping aside Rs.1,000 for each of you [against such] a contingency. This was the best I could do under the circumstances.
As I have said, in case any of you is sent away without any fault on your part, he will get Rs.1,000. Now, to finalize the plan and keep the conditions and my oath 100 percent intact, and also to make us face the New Life of helplessness boldly and strongly, we must have better food to keep our mood. If we have to pass through the jaws of a tiger, we should do so with courage and cheer, and not like a sheep — bleating and terrified.
Now I want to know who among you is willing to give me your Rs.1,000 share. As you are still "faultless" ones, I can, without jeopardizing the conditions and my oath, accept the money to fulfill the plan. Only this money belonging to the companions can be used for the furtherance of the New Life. What I mean is that if I send anyone of you away, then you must accept it that you have already received the Rs.1,000 meant for you, as the same amount is also apportioned to the Nowalas and others. Rs.100 will be left for traveling for whoever is sent away without fault. All this means that any of you, after giving up your sum of Rs.1,000 toward the New Life of the companions, should not feel the slightest bit let down at the prospect of confronting worldly life without a pie [cent] in your pocket.