To contemplate the terrible trials that the Guru brings to bear would make even the staunchest of heroes turn tail and run away. Take as an example this one who is so near to you, Chhagan. He proved himself to be firm, resolute, determined to stick to Shri while renouncing all else; and towards that end he actually disobeyed him and broke a series of Shri’s orders, who specifically told him to join his family and wife, so that he could uphold Baba’s prior instruction, given before the party arrived at its destination at Akolner. Most creditably he stood firm through the trials and tests that Shri—quite deliberately—put him through. Yet despite his good will and strong intention to stick to Shri through all circumstances, he yielded at last, no matter what the reason, good or bad. This should not be; this should not have happened. One should stick to one’s word, one’s determined attitude, one’s aim, even if this entails opposing the entire world.
You know the story of Gopichand*, who actually watched his own wife jumping from the gallery to the floor and dying before his own eyes. Yet Gopichand never even stopped to take a look at her, much less give scope to his feeling for her as his wife, lest he be attracted towards material Maya. For all the while he bore in mind the words of his Guru, his Guru’s order, “Follow me!” And follow he did, eves in the face of his own true married wife dying for his sake before his very eyes. This is true manliness, true mardi. One who acts thus has the deserving to enter the path of Truth. Such iron will, such a firm mind, such a hard heart, suck a strong spirit is what the Master requires in his disciple or chela.
Regarding the episode that is playing itself out today, Chhagan may indeed have been driven by an honest and sincere motive and be acting out of genuine consideration for Shri; he may have found himself unable to bear the stinging words that others in his family and various outsiders were hurling at Shri and Maharaj. But after all, what do these words of ridicule or blame or defamation amount to? To us Sadgurus, these are the chirping of sparrows and no more. In the same way should all you ordinary human beings take the taunting words and jibes of the people lightly, indeed, disregarding them utterly. This is especially so for those desirous of entering into the spiritual line.
– “Meher Baba’s Tiffin lectures”, p370
11-February-1927, Akolner
* A famous king in the legends of Rajasthan, Bengal, and Maharashtra, and other parts of India, Gopichand is said to have renounced his kingdom in the prime of young manhood and taken to the life of a yogi.