Baba added: "God is just as soft as He is hard, and as compassionate as He is harsh. But just remember that when you call Him or invoke Him, if He is touched even once, the work is done — the impossible becomes possible.
"But again, this is not an easy thing, but very difficult. So repeat God's names wholeheartedly. I know you will do it. Then I and God will see about it."
Baba further said, about his excitable nature: "These days I try not to get angry or excited. Whenever I am about to do so, I remember the words of Christ and say: 'Get thee behind me, Satan!'
"So whenever any thought of lust, greed, anger, jealousy, money matters or family affairs tries to possess your heart, say with me, 'Get thee behind me, Satan!' and be at peace.
"Now I am 100 percent happy and 100 percent sure that I will either end this universal mess, or end this body. And if this body does not end, then there will be a Real End, which implies Real Living."
Baba had read out to him the list of persons who were to accompany him for different periods until the end of April 1953. Eight men were to remain with him continuously until the end of April: Aloba, Baidul, Eruch, Gustadji, Kaikobad, Pendu, Vishnu and Savak Kotwal.1
He discussed each and everyone's case, and stated: "I must take Yeshwant Rao with me for some time to come. Maharaj had deputed him to serve me with paan day and night when I was in a very different but unique state in Sakori [1921–22]. Yeshwant Rao did this work wholeheartedly, which is another reason why Maharaj has devolved the responsibility of Yeshwant Rao and Gustadji upon me."
Baba asked Gustadji to tell (in signs) all that Upasni Maharaj had told him in Modi language (a dialect of Marathi). Maharaj had said to Gustadji: "I have made Merwan perfect like me. I have given my charge and have handed over my key to him. Now, follow Merwan's orders faithfully and sincerely."
After such talk and reminiscences, Baba said, "At present, I am bent upon doing or dying. As for me, it does not matter whether this or that. If my body lasts until the end of April, it is well and good. Ninety-nine percent, I feel that my body will not fall, and in that case, I will surely think of Gustadji. Indeed, his longing, love and patience stand beyond measure."
Footnotes
- 1.Aloba had elected to remain in Bombay since the last stages of the New Life, but during this period in 1952 he returned to Meherabad to stay permanently with Baba.