"No, Maharaj, I swear I will turn my face from such a life if provision is made for my children. Once that is done, I will never rob again."
Baba then asked seriously, "Do you know before whom you are swearing? Do you have any idea to whom you are giving this promise? If you break your promise to God, your life will be ruined. God knows everything. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Maharaj, I understand. I will never repeat my past actions. I will never break my promise!"
At this, Baba stretched out his hand and gestured, "Give me your promise!"
Immediately Satya Mang came forward and touched Baba's palm with his own.
Baba then warned, "If you go back on your word to me, you will become completely paralyzed. Remember this."
Baba then arranged for the maintenance of his family and instructed Satya Mang to come to Meherabad once a week. From that day on, the threat of robbery disappeared from Ahmednagar District and people were greatly impressed by this "miraculous occurrence." Everyone was amazed at Baba's intervention. For a robber like Satya Mang, who had successfully eluded the police for years, to submit to a Spiritual Master and surrender to him was something unheard of.
Satya Mang held to his promise and remained faithful for some time, but soon his hands began itching with the desire for stealing. He stealthily entered a house one night to rob it, and was about to steal a few valuable articles when he saw Meher Baba standing in front of him!
Frightened, he recalled Baba's words: "God is ever-present. He sees everything. Nothing is hidden from Him!"
Suddenly everything became dark as if he had gone blind. Satya Mang grew pale and closed his eyes. When he opened them, Baba had disappeared. Leaving the stolen goods behind, he hastened to Meherabad to find Baba, and when he saw Baba, tears streamed down his cheeks as he confessed, "Maharaj, please forgive me this once. I have gone back on my word."
Feigning ignorance, Baba asked, "What are you talking about? What happened?"
Satya Mang cried out, "You know everything. Forgive me!" and he fell at Baba's feet.
Baba pardoned him because of his sincere repentance and warned, "Never do it again. Paramatma knows everything and sees all."
Thereafter, Satya Mang never committed a crime or theft again and the police even availed themselves of his help in tracking down other criminals.