“”He should have stuck to his decision, especially when he had invited me to his father-in-law's house. He should not have remained behind with his in-laws. If he had any sense he would have accompanied me back to Meherabad. He is still kacha [unripe, raw] and inexperienced. This was the reason I drew your attention this morning to the fact that there was not a single real man among you. This hint referred to you all in general and Chhagan in particular.
In this particular episode today, Chhagan may have been impelled by an honest and sincere motive and by genuine consideration for me, since he may not have been able to bear the words of others of his family and of outsiders against me and the mandali. But what are these "words" of ridicule or blame or defamation? To us Sadgurus, they are the chirping of sparrows and nothing more. So should you, ordinary human beings, treat the taunting words of the people of the world quite lightly, indeed, disregarding them utterly — particularly those of you who want to enter into the spiritual line.
In conclusion, Baba stated:
“”Look at your own shadow. It seems so near you, indeed, not even separate from you. Now try to grasp at your shadow. The more you try, the more it flies away and eludes you. Even if you follow it till doomsday, still it won't come within your grasp. In the same way, God is not only actually attached to you but within you. So near to you, yet so queer; so distant, so hard, so inaccessible is God! For though He is near you, you cannot even see Him, much less grasp Him. To see or realize God is not so easy a task as most people think. It is actually death — death in the real sense of the word.
Baba then turned to Dhake and asked about their tea and breakfast since they were not offered anything to eat at the wedding reception. Dhake said he knew a Brahmin who lived nearby and hurried to his home. The man had Meher Baba's photograph in his house and was delighted to have the rare opportunity to serve the Master personally. Baba blessed his home with his presence, and all enjoyed a hearty breakfast before returning to Meherabad at 11:00 A.M.
“”Baba was pained by Chhagan's behavior and observed, "I will have to take back the lost sheep."
