DISCOURSES & TALKS BY MEHER BABA

BABA'S  FAVOURITE FAMOUS HISTORICAL FIGURES

 4 Noember, 1927

The following morning, the discussion was resumed in the mandali's quarters, during which Baba commented on some famous historical figures:

Shivaji was the greatest warrior of them all, even greater than Napoleon. Napoleon, though brave and clever, was proud, greedy, and vicious. Shivaji was brave, but less clever than Napoleon; yet Shivaji was not proud or greedy.

He was guided in all his actions by his guru, Swami Ramdas. Everything is fair in war, even trickeries, yet Shivaji actually offered his whole kingdom to his guru. He had great administrative powers, pure motives and conduct, hence he was great in every way — the only great king of the Hindus since the time of Ashoka. 

As to Akbar, he was quite a different case (similar to Dinshaw Merwan [the Poona philanthropist]). It was his greatness of spirit and nobleness of heart that made him great. The great tolerance for the religious feelings of others which he had shows the magnanimity of his heart.

Lord Meher On-line page 849-850

Lord Meher Vol.3 p.971