Changing the topic, Baba stated, "I am the Avatar. But tell me, how do you know I am the Avatar?"
Gaya Prasad Khare quoted some couplets ( choupais ) from the Ramayana , and said they were enough to convince him Meher Baba was the Avatar.
Baba replied, "But it is also said that many shall appear in the Kali Yuga [present age] as Sadgurus and Avatars. How do you know that I am the Real One and not a fraud?"
Someone said that none had declared himself as the Avatar as authoritatively as Baba had; hence, Baba must be the Avatar.
"But how can you say that I say all this knowingly?" Baba asked. "I may be copying the style after reading about previous Avatars. So [the proof is] not in saying something in an authoritative way.
"In the world today, there are about 70 persons who claim to be the Avatar of the Age, both in the East and in the West — and God help them all! So the question still remains unanswered as to how you know that I am the Avatar."
Bapiraju related several of his miraculous experiences, saying they were sufficient proof for him to take Meher Baba as the Avatar. To this, Baba replied at length:
All such experiences may be due to your love and faith, and as such are far off the mark to prove that I am the Avatar. Of course, as for myself, I have the Experience that I am the Avatar. But, however much all of you say, I do not feel convinced that you really know that I am the Avatar. To know me as the Avatar, to know me as I am, you have to be what I am!
One day Upasni Maharaj, when we were alone in his hut, said to me with folded hands, "You are the Avatar." Now, though it is a fact that the Avatar, God and you all are One, yet all that I want you to do is to love me, obey me with full faith. For Hafiz says:
O Hafiz! Don't bother about anything.
Only worship your Master by holding fast to his robe.
Don't let go your hold under any circumstances!
To make the point clear, suppose there is a railroad engine with five or six bogies [railroad cars] attached to it. Some contain gold, some silver and some cowdung. But as long as the link with the engine is maintained, all are safe and will reach the same destination. But no sooner is the link snapped, than the wagons shall be where they are.