Thus, after emancipating himself from maya, a Sadguru has again to involve himself in maya to release others. As Swami Vivekananda says, "He is the real guru who brings himself down to the level of his disciples." For example, suppose a pearl is lying hidden under a heap of filth. To take it out, one has to thrust his hands in it. Likewise, the Sadguru has to involve himself in the filth of illusion; but he is never soiled by it.
The mandali's physical labor continued the next day, centering on the "Bathroom Building," near the Mess Quarters, which the army had used as bathing rooms.
One day Baba found Padri and Ramjoo chatting idly for a few moments. Upset with them, Baba threw a stick he was holding at Padri, narrowly missing him. He then rebuked both men and told them to stop working; however, they resumed their work after a while.
Later, in front of some of the other men, Padri showed his blistered palms to Baba, who remarked:
"You people swear you are ready to give up your life for me, but blisters make you complain. This is not even the beginning of giving up your life — yet you whimper and cry.
"It is a sin to complain in this Path where, for years on end, the body is cut up bit by bit — remaining wounded until it gives up the ghost! Seal your lips and let me kill you slowly — inch by inch. Bravery lies in this, not in showing me the blisters on your palms!"
But Padri's hands were swollen and it was decided that he had to be taken to the Ahmednagar hospital to have his blisters treated. Rustom requested that Baba accompany them in the car. Adi said he would drive, and Baba immediately became displeased with him. Adi then voiced his anger at Baba; however, when they reached Ahmednagar, he asked for Baba's forgiveness and was pardoned. Padri's hands were treated and he was kept in Ahmednagar to recuperate. In his absence, Ramjoo became the manager of Meherabad, taking over Padri's duties and awakening the mandali at five o'clock each morning.
Although Rustom was living with his family in Ahmednagar, he was under Baba's orders and was responsible for handling supply shipments to Meherabad. For some time he failed to send the load of lime on schedule, and Baba became impatient as the work was delayed.