The mandali objected, opining that it would be impossible to find qualified teachers who also had an inclination toward renunciation.
Rustom expressed this point of view: "This charitable, spiritual school will create a good impression on people and Baba's name will spread far and wide. There may be many able and learned persons who would be ready to serve for free in return for the sahavas of a Sadguru. But the question is, how can we create faith in them that Baba is a Sadguru? For this, Baba himself should work internally. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to find good teachers."
So it was settled that, at first, the teachers would be paid, and gradually, selfless persons who were seeking Truth should be found who would be willing to teach without wages.
Baba seemed to accept Rustom's view, as he nodded in approval and agreed to hiring teachers. Of course, as with everything Baba did, his primary reason for keeping the children and teachers at Meherabad was for their spiritual benefit. It was his intention that the teachers should not come for the sake of money, because those who only worked for money would not be serving with all their heart. And, according to his casual remarks, from a spiritual standpoint it appeared that if the staff were paid, it would "nullify" the benefit Baba intended to bestow.
After two hours, Baba again called the mandali and stated:
The previous discussion has opened my eyes. You asked how the world is to know that I am a Sadguru or a great spiritual authority, and how you are to convince people of this. Hearing this I now find that neither am I a Dev nor a Sadguru, which up to now I have been claiming to be. I was doing it only with the view to make people believe in me. I am an ordinary man! Those who have been harboring hopes of spiritual advancement, or expecting benediction, have now nothing of the sort to gain from me. When I myself have not experienced God, how could I make others have His darshan?
So those of you who want to stay with me should stay on your own accord with the conviction and clear understanding that you will gain nothing from my hands. I hereby withdraw all the written agreements, oral promises, and sacred oaths I have taken from you and make you free of all restraint imposed on you by me.