One day a local mastani was also brought to the bungalow and Baba contacted her.1 Later he disclosed that she was the spiritual chargeman of Dehra Dun.
Upon Baba's arrival in the area, another unfounded rumor was spread, and so the following Life Circular was dictated by Baba on 22 February 1953:
A certain rumor concerning myself and my disciples has reached my ears. It is to the effect that during my stay in Rishikesh with my disciples in 1942, some parcels were sent to us by rail. Some of these parcels, being damaged during transit, were found to contain liquor, and I and my disciples had to leave Rishikesh immediately to save ourselves the embarrassment of an awkward situation.
I deeply appreciate this action on the part of those responsible for spreading such false rumors, as I feel that it has the effect of rendering great service to my work. In spiritual work, opposition, rumors and criticism help as nothing else can. The spiritually Perfect Ones, who are one with the Truth, know and bless such channels that try to conceal and distort the Truth.
A principal part of my work for these many years has been to bow down to saints, sadhus, the so-called sinners and the poor. Now, when I go to Rishikesh and Hardwar, I will also bow down to the persons concerned in the spreading of the rumor and to all those who believed it. I want it clearly understood that this bowing down to them is not an ironical gesture propelled by any motive of egotistic attitude on my part, nor is it caused by any displeasure toward them, but that it is an indication of love, from the bottom of my heart, for the help rendered by them in my great spiritual work.
From the beginningless beginning to the present day I am what I am , irrespective of praise or universal opposition, and will remain so to the endless end.
On 27 February, Baba dictated a letter to Irene Conybeare, clarifying certain points for her book, Civilization or Chaos? Part of his explanation is as follows:
There is no difference in consciousness of the Avatar and a Sadguru, or in their perfection ... Both are one with God. Both experience infinite power, knowledge and bliss, and both use these aspects of sat-chit-anand for the universe. The difference is in the scope of their working. A Perfect Master works for the selected few in a chosen way and for the universe in a general way. The Avatar works for the selected few in a special way and for the universe in a chosen way. So although both work for the universe and the field of their working is not limited, the scope of their work is different.
Footnotes
- 1.The name of the mastani is not recorded.