The next day, explaining about his bowing down to the poor, Baba stated, “When I do it, I do not do it as observance of some custom or mere formality. Taking them as God, I salute them. It is like God bowing down to God.”
Baba also explained the difference between real help and temporary material relief:
When we see beggars on the road suffering from incurable diseases, we feel sorry and wish to do something for them. But this is only a kind of temporary relief. Then how to help? We should help in such a way that those who are suffering will be cured forever. It is of their own karma that people suffer in this world. But none should fear such ills and sufferings, for it is the beginning of real happiness. But this can be realized only by awakening perfect hope in them. This hope becomes the savior, and such type of help can be given only by the Realized Ones.
This does not mean that you should not have pity for the poor and feel for them. Let both help and relief go side by side. If you want to give anything, may it be “selfless service” always. Humanity is in need of such volunteers who would render such selfless service.
—www.lordmeher.org, p3222
Dec, 1952; Khuldabad