DISCOURSES & TALKS BY MEHER BABA

MAHATMA  GANDHI

12 - 14 February, 1927

While touring Maharashtra, Mahatma Gandhi was scheduled to visit Ahmednagar soon and dedicate some new institution. Chanji suggested that he be brought to Meherabad. Baba responded with indifference, dictating this statement:

Why should efforts be particularly made to bring Gandhi here? There is no need to do that. He should come of his own accord, through love for Truth. In this Path, only love counts. Love is the only qualification necessary to enter this line

Whether one is an emperor or a king, no one can tread the Path without love. A high material position or exalted status cannot help a person enter or progress on the spiritual path.

But two days later (14th), Baba appreciated Gandhi's sincerity and revealed about him:

Gandhi is the best man amongst the present-day political workers and public servants. He is quite sincere. He has no thought of any deception and is not mean-spirited in any of his actions. He has a fine mentality. [So much so that] he will realize God in his third life after this one, after 170 years. He will be one amongst some 300 others who will realize God by then.

Lord Meher On-line page 779-780

Lord Meher V3 p.910

18 February, 1927

When Baba came out of the women's quarters, Raya Sakhare told him that he had seen Mahatma Gandhi walking toward Meherabad. Baba remarked, "His time has not yet come. He will not come here. If he comes, I will begin writing again and explain many things to him." (Vishnu kept Baba's slate and chalk ready, in case Gandhi came unexpectedly.)

Gandhi had arrived in Ahmednagar to address a mass meeting of supporters and for the dedication of the Rashtriya Pathashala. He was staying in a Marwari's bungalow not far from Meherabad and was taking his morning constitutional on the road toward Meherabad. Nusserwan and Kaka Chinchorkar were with him, and they explained to Gandhi about Meher Baba, remarking that he was the chief disciple of Upasni Maharaj. Hearing Maharaj's name, Gandhi was taken aback, and quickly changed the subject and did not express any desire to meet Meher Baba.

There was a reason why Gandhi avoided seeing Meher Baba. As mentioned, in 1923, as ordered by Baba, Rustom had mailed Gandhi a copy of Upasni Maharaj's biography. After Gandhi read it and was released from prison, he went to Sakori to meet Maharaj.

But the mannerisms of such a Master as Upasni Maharaj were often mysterious and inexplicable. At the time, Maharaj was in a terrible jalali mood, abusing those in his presence and anyone who approached him. Not knowing Maharaj's fiery temperament, Gandhi was shocked by his nakedness and uninviting behavior.

Later, when Nusserwan informed Baba of his conversation with Gandhi, Baba repeated that Gandhi's time had not yet come, so Nusserwan should not be disappointed that he had not succeeded in bringing him to Meherabad.

Lord Meher On-line page 781-2

Lord Meher V3 p.912

10 April, 1927

In the afternoon a discussion took place about Mahatma Gandhi and his statement in the newspapers that he had given up his attempts to unite the Hindus and Muslims of India, leaving it to "some greater power" than himself. Baba commented:

It is I who will bring about unity between all the classes and creeds in the world, particularly in India, but Gandhi will be dead by then. Gandhi will die before I break my silence. He is not destined to hear it. Gandhi has no preparedness for it; he is not yet ready. Otherwise, he would have come to me by now or surrendered to any other Realized Master. But he has not the courage, and his companions, too, would not allow him to do so.

Lord Meher On-line page 800

Lord Meher V3 p.930

14 June, 1927

There was mention of the disappointment of a German woman who had gone to Mahatma Gandhi, thinking he was a Spiritual Master. Baba remarked:

Had she gone to Upasni Maharaj at Sakori, she would have gained much. But disappointments are good. Such experiences do much good. Shattering of the intellect is necessary. Such disappointments lessen too much thinking, although the desire does not vanish. It makes its own way — privately, slowly yet steadily, from other directions — and is sure to gain its end someday — even after a number of disappointments — by coming in contact with one real Perfect One who can guide the person concerned correctly.

Lord Meher On-line page 825

Lord Meher V3 p.948

10 August, 1927

In reference to Mahatma Gandhi, Baba commented:

Gandhi will suffer terribly in the next life for his present political activities and social movements, including the picketing of liquor shops, as all these activities have caused so many people to suffer. The sanskaras of those who follow him now, and who suffer doing so, will be the cause of Gandhi's suffering in his next birth. But Gandhi is doing all this with the best of intentions and therefore will realize God in his third life after this.

Lord Meher On-line page 836

Lord Meher V3 p.957