(Nov. 1955) There is another important thing I told the other groups. On leaving here, you should all go directly to your own places carrying me with you. If you have to go to some other place for business, et cetera, you can go later on. If you do not do this, it would be only fifty percent sahavas and fifty percent business and other affairs. You should take Baba with you and go straight home without breaking the journey anywhere along the way.
While translating this in Marathi, Dhakephalkar on his own added, “Besides anywhere else, you should not go either to Pandharpur, Shirdi or Sakori.” Baba became somewhat vexed at this unnecessary observation, and due to Dhake’s slip of the tongue, Baba amended his ruling and permitted those wishing to visit any of the above three places to visit them.
If you want to go there, you may go; but do not go purposely. I do not want you to go anywhere, because your coming here is itself more than a pilgrimage. But since Dhake has created this misunderstanding, those who wish to go to Shirdi, Sakori or Pandharpur may go.
One mistaken word here or there in the translation makes a world of difference in what I say and creates any amount of misunderstanding.
Baba asked Dhake to translate what he had said, but because of his mistake tears were flowing from his eyes, and he could not say a word. Baba then asked Bal Natu’s friend, V. J. Kher, to deliver the Marathi version.
Baba repeated his wish for them to go straight home, and added, “All places are mine. I forgive you and also forgive Dhake for his mistake. A business trip is not desirable while on pilgrimage. You should make a second journey to Shirdi, Sakori or Pandharpur if you at all wish, after reaching your homes and out of love.”
Calling Dhake to him, Baba embraced him.
Despite these clear and definite instructions, some stood up and delineated their difficulties in going home directly, whereupon Baba stated:
There may be individual problems, but the solution is in your hands. Whatever I wanted to say, I have said. Katta Subba Rao of Andhra had come here with the Telugu group, and while here he received four telegrams and one urgent phone call, demanding him to Bombay on business. He asked me what to do. I replied if he wanted to follow me, he should go to his home first and then go to Bombay, and he obeyed. I am not here to ease your problems and difficulties. They are immaterial.
Baba did, however, permit one man to deviate from his route to pick up his family on his way home.
Lord Meher, Original Publication, Bhau Kalchuri, Vol. 13, pp. 4826 – 4827.