Although the rumor concerning me and my devotees regarding consumption of liquor at Swarg Ashram is absolutely false, it is a fact that once in a great while I give wine to my lovers and make them understand that it is not this wine of grapes, but the true wine of love-giving Divine Intoxication that helps toward union with God.
I allow vegetarians to follow their diet and non-vegetarians to eat meat, fish, eggs, et cetera. I do not interfere with any religion and permit all to follow their own creeds unhindered. When faced with love for God, these external ceremonials have no value. Love for God automatically and naturally results in self-denial, mental control and ego annihilation, irrespective of the lover following or renouncing these external adoptions.
I sometimes see motion pictures (mostly humorous ones), and enjoy my real state of being the Eternal Producer of the vast, ever-changing, never-ending film called the universe . I also find relaxation in listening to humorous stories, all the time being aware of the humor that lies in the aspect of the soul, which is the source of infinite power and glory being made to feel so helpless in its human bondage of ignorance, in its various forms of duality.
Once in a while, I give darshan and prasad of love to the people, each person benefiting according to his or her receptivity. I give updesh [advice] in the form of instructions to those who have surrendered to Perfect Masters, and I give help in the form of general advice to a few who long for the Truth. All this, of course, is effective in accordance with the worthiness of the recipient.
Perfect Ones can impart divine knowledge, bestow divine love and shower the grace of God-union by a mere glance, touch, or a single divine thought.
I feel very happy, and give my love and blessings to all. If my gesture of love is understood even by one among you all, my coming here today will have served its purpose.
Baba then saluted the ashram inmates and stated, "There is now no need for you to salute me, as I am in you as well as in everyone, and I salute myself in you."
The secretary sought Baba's permission to say a few words, and on receiving it stated: "The people of Swarg Ashram, where Baba stayed in 1942, were responsible for spreading the false rumor, and particularly a Swami Abhyan Ananda, an unpleasant character who has spread similar obnoxious gossip about Swami Shivananda."