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MEHER GAZETTE "Me her Asramam '' : Saidapet, (Madras).

A bi-monthly review devoted to the P ropagation (Jf' S ri Babaji's Message and of Universal Brotherhood Through Meher League.

Vol. 2

MAY-JUNE 1933

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SRI MEHER BABA

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That is real service · W here ther e is no ·t hought of self at al l. · '' Sr i Meher Baba."

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CONTENTS.

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SAYINGS OF MASTER MEHER BABA THE M A9TER'S MESSAGE .. .

NEWS ABOUT THE HOLY MASTER

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EDITORIAL NO. 1 10 ' l CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT MYSELF (by Frederick L. Collin in 'Liberty') 12

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BHARATA VARSHA., THE BLESSED LAND OF SAINTS

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MEHER GAZETTE. A Bi-monthly review devoted to the Propagation of Sri Babaji's Message and of Universal Brotherhood Through Meher League.

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VOL. 2

MAY-JUNE 1933

No. 2

Sayings of the Master Sri Sadguru Meher Baba ..

1. The really happy are those their lot.

who are always contentud wit9

2. Freedom is realized in its true, origin a l form only by him whq has experienced binding.

3. It is not wise to conceal one's knowledge of wha t one feels one really is.

4.

One must try to be cheerful evâ‚Źm in trying periods.

5. How can one know happines.s unless he has lcnown unhappin ess?

THE MASTER'S MESSAGE. II

I am not come to establish any cult, society or organisation, nor even to establish a new Religion. 'l'he Religion I shall give teaches the knowledge of the one behind the many. The book that I shall make people read, is the book of the heart, which holds the key to the mystery of life. As for ritual, I shall teach humanity to discriminate, express, and live rather than utter it. I shall bring ab)ut a happy blending of the head and heart.

Societies and organisations have never succeeded in bringing truth nearer. Realization of Truth is solely the concern of the individual.. ' He that stays in the valley will never get over the hill.

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MEHER GAZETTE

[1933

Every being is a point from which a start could be made towards ... the limitless ocean of Love, Bliss, Knowledge and Goodness already within him. No spiritual Master brings religion to the world in the form which it eventually assumes. His very presence is a blessing and radiates spirituality. He imparts it to others by personal contact.

The so.called religions are an effort to commemorate the associa¡ tion with a great spiritual Master and to preserve his atmosphere and influence. It is like an archaeological department trying to preserve things which only resuscitate the past. 'Ihe living spirit being absent, religions or organisations gradually lose their glamour. The result is a mental revolt against the establishsd order. Something more sub¡ stantial and practical is required which expresses the life of the spirit.

There exists at the moment a universal dissatisfaction and an indescribable longing fo; wmething, that will end the chaos and misery that is holding the world in its grip. I will satisfy this craving and lead the world to real happiness and peace by making people look more deeply into things hitherto.

As a rule Masters help individually according to the temperament and fitness of the aspirant, but this being an Avataric period, (which means the end of the previous cycle and the beginning of a new one) my spiritual help to humanity will be both individual and collective.

The period of Junction of the old and new cycles usually connotes the advent of a Master who rejuvenates religious thought, infusing new life and meaning into the old order of things. Besides imparting the highest state of spirituality to a select few, he gives a general spiritual push to the whole world.

(To be continued.)

NEWS ABOUT THE HOLY MASTER. The Holy Master is now in Nasik.

The party of English and American devotees who had come to India recently to pay a visit to Hiin left India on 27-4-33. For reasons best known to Him, His visit, with the party, to Madras was cancelled.

This sudden cancellation of His visit to Madras caused much disappointment to the numerous devotees who eagerly wished to have His 'darsana.'

B~tter

a !!lip witl,J. the foot tb!lon the tong1,1E;J.

1933]

3

NEWS ABOUT THE HOLY MASTER

Brother Dadachanji writes to me that the Master may visit Madras in the near future. So there is hope yet.

Since writing these lines I received a wire from Bro Dadachanji on the 1st instant, that our beloved Master was busy preparing to go to the West. I wired to him praying that the Master may go to Madras after His retlrn in September, when He might stay there for a few days.

We, His faithful bhaktas, humbly wish him bon voyage.

[As stated in the previous issue of this Magazine the biography ot my Master Sri Sadguru Meher Baba will appear. Ed.]

CHAPT:i:R I

BHARATA VARSHA, THE BLESSED OF SAINTS.

!.~AND

"This land [India] is not dead. On thP. contrary it has survived all the great Empires, which were its contemporaries in past ages. ¡ Egypt, Persia, Babylon, Gr~ece, and Rome live only in their influence upon the civilizations which succeeded them. India is yet alive though not fully awake today. It is precisely because it is a. living force, that provokes antagonism from those who dislike or fear its culture. Does any one now fume against, or 'ridicule the life and morals of Egypt ot Babylon? They and other past civilizations are left, as things which . are dead and gone, to the scientific dissection of the cool historian. But,. when touching India, even scholars cannot be impartial. Why:?

Because India is not the subject of mere academic talk, but is a living force. India is still feared where she is not loved. Why again?

Precisely because, she lives. Because, she is still potentially powerful to impose he'r ideas upon the world. She is still an antagonist to be reckoned with in the conflict of cultures; Why has she, with her civilization so un ique, so different from any other of East or West, been preserved? India lives because of the world-purpose, which she has to fulfil: because, the world will be enriched by what she can give to it". [Sir John Woqdroffe].

"When we read with attention the poetical and philosophical monu¡ ments .... .. of India ... we discover there so many truths, and truths so profound, and wh ich make such a contrast with the meanness,. of the Pride goes before a fall.

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MEHER GAZETTE

[1933

re3ults at which the European genius has sometimes stopped, that we are constrained to bend the knee before that of the East, and to see in this cradle of the human race, the native land of the highest philo• sophy," [Victor Cousin].

India--'' the cradle of the human race ' \ It is now a settled ques'tion that our remote ancestors did not immigrate into Bharata Varsha, but emigrated from the Land of the Seven Rivers to other parts of this Globe: The Arctic Home, European, and the Oentral Asian theories have been completely demolished. As M. Louis Jacolliot says our beloved India is "the world's cradle", It has been clearly proved that our Rig-Veda ancestors lived in the Tertiary Epoch, which ended about 80,000 years ago. They lived at a time when Saraswati rose in the Himal~yas and flowed into the Sea. The River and the Rajputana Sea disappeared in the Pleistocene Era~(Rig. Veda VII. 95-2). It was then that the immortal Rig Veda was given by S::tcred Rishis. A careful study of the Rig Veda pl'Oves that our Rig-Veda ancestors were then basking in the sunshine of a glorious civilization. The other civilizations, which came into existence later, are dead, but th!l.t of our Motherland continues without sacrificing mtich of the splendour of Her profound Soul, in spite of foreign aggressions and inroads. She always ungrudgingly gave and gives to the world har b 3st from her inex.hausti-. ble spiritual mine, and so she lives.

Judged by the criterion that it is the literature, art, science, philosophy, morality and last but not least spirituality of a nation that mark its civilization, and not its brutal conquests, it may be stated without hesitation that the civilization of our Motherland has always been a living force, and will live as it has a world purpose to fulfil.

It is clear that India's civilization was solely due to the sagacity, courage; education, freedom, and strength of character of our Vedic mothers-. As ·Professor Weber observes " The free position held by WoOmen at thistime is remar.kable. We find songs of the most exquisite l?ind a.-ttributed to poeteRses and queens, among whom the daughter of Atri appears in the foremost rank.'' Many of the Vedic Hymns show in what high respect Vedic ladies were held in those halcyon days (R. V ..v. 61'6). Ladies like Visvavara, Apata, and Gosha composed Mantras and rose to the position of Rishis. The incidents related in Wine is a. turncoat; fit·st a friend, then an enemy.

1933]

THE BLESSED LAND OF' SAINTS

5

Btihadaranyakopanishad ahout Gargi and Yajnavalkya, and Maitreyi and Yajnavalkya testify to the wonderful wisdom of Vedic women 'to which there is no parallel in the his tory of the world. As MrPavgie 'observes" She has had the dominating influence in all our domestic, 'SOcial, religious. and even political affairs ~ especially, as during our halcyon days, she had had an equal share in the education of the day which having been liberal and of a varied character, gave her courage a.nd sagacity, firmness and perseverance, legitimate freedom and strength of character." Says Manu, "Let women be always honoured (Pujyante) : "Where women are honoured, great men (Devataha) are horn: Where they are not honoured, the family perishes." It is only in later days when India, on account of her bad karma., w'a s subject to frequent foreign raids by wickeq races, that the seclusion of tndian women became unfortunately a custom, and consequently we find in some parts of India the subordination and degraded condition of our sisters. But as Tod observes " though immured and invisible, their influence on society is not less certain than if they moved in the glare of open day."

As long as the four classes (Varna) in India-there was no .fifth or depr13ssed class in those days-were determined according t0 ~heir qualifications, accomplishments and character, as enjoined, b,r.. the Vedas and Smritis, her civilization shone like the Orb in the firmament.

People then ft~.ithfully discharged the duties pertaining to .their cla.s~es_, and there was perfe()t harmony everywhere. Our ancestors th~n knew not subjection (Natvevaryasa dasabhavaha) as K:autilya says i.n, h.is Arthasastra. Wlth the incoming of uncivilized foreign races this harmony disappeartJd, and the caste system based solely on birth slowly . . came into existence, which was, to my mind, the death kne!l of that glorious civilization.''

The literature of India i~ the grandest in. the 'YW,ld, First, we have the s:1cred Veiic literature. Professot路 Ma~ Mullet路 stated emphatically, "there exists no literary relic that ca,rries us back to a more primitive state in the history of manthan the Veda路路: As Swami Dayananda Saraswati has observed there is no knowledg~ equal to the divine knowledge cJntai.nef in the VeC!aR. He conclusively proved that they emphat ically ass ert the existenc e ofonly ene God. Referring to the Vedas and Upanishads, Yaska and Satapatha Brahmana, the Beware of a silent dog and

w.1. ter.

M:EHER GAZETTE

h933

only true authorities on those scriptures, he gives the correct meaning of the word 'deva ', and states that the learned and wise describe the one existing God (Ekam Sat) by many names, such as Indra (the glorious), Mitra (the glorious), Varuna (thd greatest), A.gni (the adorable), Aditya (the imperishable), Va.yu (the Omni-present), Chandrama (the giver of happiness), Sukra (the Creator), Brahma (the Great), Vishnu (the all-pervading), Siva (the source of happiness), Apah (the all-pervading), Pra.japati (the lord of all creatures) and so on. Here we have at the earliest times the true conception of God, and the grandest philosophy based on it. The great G e1·man philosopher, Schopenhauer, who read a Latin transation of a Persian tra.nslation of the Upanishads, observed: "Ft·o::n every sentence deep, original and sublime thoughts arise, and the whqle is pervaded by a high and holy and earnest spirit. Indian air surrounds us, and original thoughts of kindred spirits. And oh, how thoroughly is the mind here washed clean of all early eng rafted Jewish superstitions, and of all philosophy that cringes before those superstitions! In the whole world there is no study, except that of the originals, so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Oupnekhat (Upanishad). It has been the solace of my life, it will be the s~lace of my death!" This is nothing but the truth.

Even Professor Max Muller stated that "the earliest of these philosophical treatises will always maintain a place in the literature of th~ world, among the most astounding productions of the human mind in any age and in any country ". We have also the Smritis, the Puranas, and other classes of religious literature, and the Epics, the Ramayana a.nd the Mahabarata. Homer's Iliad and Vit·gil's Aeneid stand no comparison to these Epics either in grandeur of dict.ion or depth of thought. Kalidasa is one ofthe greatest epic poets and dramatists in the world. Goethe, the German poet-philosopher, wrote thus about Sakuntala :"Wouldst thou the young year's blossorr.s and the fruits of its decline, And all by which the sout is charmed, enraptured, feasted, fed-Wouldst thou the earth and heaven itself in one sweet name combine ?

1 name thee, Sakuntala, and all at once is said ' '.

Happy is he that is happy in his Children.

1933]

THE BLESSED LAND OF SAINTS

Sanscrit literature is rich in poetry, drama, lyric, pros_e romance a r, d fable!'. There are numerous books on technical literature, drama¡turgy, poetics, grammar and lexicons. Rajatarangani, a history of Ka!?hmir written by Kalhar,a in the 12th Century A. D. is really history in the modern sense of the term.

The Rig-Veda clearly shows that our forefathers had a system Of Go vemment, which, in my humble opinion, is the best. They had the three Estates of the Realm viz., (i) Vidadah or the Lords Spiritual (ii} Samiti or the village commune and (iii) Sabha or the National assembly or the Commons. The people elected the king. In course of time Politics and Economics reached a high degree of development. The Arthasastra of Kautilya or Chanakya, Kamandakiya-Niti and Sukra Niti are works of much importance.

Music attained a high degree of development in India. The SamaVeda Samhita comprises Gramageyam, Oohaba, Oohyam and Aranya.ganam, which are set to music. India has produced some of tbe greatest inspired musicians of the world. Mr. Leopold Stokowski, of one of the best symphony Orchestras in America, came to India and said " Music, the divine Indian music. That is what has brought me here. We westerners have much. to learn from the highly developed rhythm of Indian music", 'Ihe world was benefited by the Scientific literature of India. Our forefathers attained a high level of success in Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics and Chemistry. The Siddhantas were the earliest scientific works. Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Brahmagupta, and :Bhaskaracharye,, are some of the celebrated names in the field of Scien.ce. In his intraduction to the Vedic commentary Swami Dayananda Sqraswati states that there are mantras in the Vedas which refer to the revolution and rotation of the Earth, Gravitation and Attraction, machanical arts and sciences, and to the art of building ships and aircraft; We have very interesting and important books on medicine.

Charaka and Susruta are the authors of the samhitas bearing their names. Our forEifathers made considerable progress in medicine and surgery. We have a splendid literature on agriculture, horticulture, architecture, sexual science, horses, elephants, and all the different phases of human thought.

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[1933

True religion teaches us the Unity of all selves, and this is the foundation of the ethical science. Sheetashavatarop Upanishad says that 'f On'e God is hidden in all beings, all-pervading, the inmost Self Of all". The ini1i10rtal Bhagavat Gita emphasises over and over again the recognition ofthe Unity of the Self and His presence in everything.

Love fllone c,a n understand this Truth. Realization of the Unity of Self, Love, and Virtue go tugether : Many-ness, Hate, and Vice go together. The Vibhrat hymns (Rig-Veda) on Truth are the grandest in Vedic literature. As Professor Max Mulle1· truly says the literature of the .Hindus ''from one end to the other is pervaded by expressions of love and reverence for truth". Again he says '· \Vere I to quote from all the law-books, and from still later works, everywhere you would hear the same key-note of truthfulness vibrating through them all".

Our Vedic forefathers were all lovers of truth, and they denounced the ·:rule of the wicked. We have the unimpeachable testimony of Megasthelies about the Indians of his dayl:l: He says "The Indians live happily enough, being simp;e in their manne1· and frugal. They never drink wine except at sacrifices. Theft is of very rare occurrence.

Their houses and property they generally leave unguarded. The ·simplicity of their laws and their contracts is proved by the fact that 'they Eeldom go to law. Truth and Virtue they hold alike in esteem".

He also records "It is accordingly affirmed that famine has never visited India and that there has never been a general scarcity in the supply of nourishing food", · From the earliest times our forefathers realized the value of sound educ'a tion, and students were educated in the ancient Universities of Takshasila and Nalanda, The Chinese traveller Hiouen Tsang, who studied ·at Nalanda, says that there were thousands of similar institutions in India. The Gurukula system of education has no parallel in the world. The traveller describes the results of such an education: "When they have finished their education and have attained thirty years of age, then their character is formed and their knowledge ripe .. , ... With them there is honour in knowing truth and there is no disgrace in being destitute''. · We have seen that o-ur Vedicforefathen::, many centuries ago, gave . the world true religious knowledge, and that India had a glorious civilization. It is clear that whenever the selfishness of the priestly ~--------------------------------

Humility often gains more than pride.

1933]

THE BLESSED LAND OF SAINTS

9

class brings about Adharma, and poor people begin to suffer, great Sadgurus or Saints appear and remove the dross which obscure the true religion. When the simple true theism of the sacred Vedas degenerated into polytheistic worship, Spitama Zarathustra taught the erring people the Truth -the realization of the one God Ahura. When ·the wrong interpretation of holy mantras gave rise to awful animal sacrifices, and the iniquit.o us caste system worked havoc among brothers and sisters, Lord Budha proclaimed the equality of human beings and the sacredness of animal life. The Lord Jesus incarnated to purify Judaism. The prophet Mahamed incarnated to preach Monotheism to people who behaved worse than brutes. Kabir, Guru Nanak, Vallabha· charya, Tulasi Das, Guru Govind, Swami Virajanand, Swami Dayanand, Swami Ram Tirath, and the 1leaders of Brahmo Samaj-Rajah Ram Mohun Roy, Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, Kesav Chandra Sen, Pratapachandra Mazumdar, Sasipada Banerji, Ananda Mohun Rose and Pandit Sivanath Sastri, incarnated to purge the degenerated Hinduism of their day of its ·superstitions. It is very interesting that our Lord Sri Kril'lhna revolted against the degenerated Hinduism of His days, and proclaimed to the world in His immortal Gita the existence of one God, the equality of all human beings, and kindness to all creatures.

The present condition of the world has been graphically described

by M. Romain Rolland in his message to Mahatmaji: "Under the miserable conditions existing at present-when the whole world is drowned in cruelty and violence; when every moment wars, greater both in cruelty and massacre than all previous ones are imminent ; when mankind has been divided into two camps, oppressors and oppressed: when drunk with power the rulers suppress subjects, at such a time your resolution of self-sacrifi ce in the cause of peace, justice and truth, is comparable to that of Jesns and is equally holy and precious for the whole world ". At such a time great Masters are necessary for saving such a world. In spite of our present condition. it may be truly said that our dear Mother India has not lost her spirituality. Great Masters have been assiduously guarding Her interests.

All the great Saviours of mankind incarnated in the East. India is now the custodian of spirituality. Brothers and Sisters, listen to Her spiritual trumpet call. Cast off the errors of ages, understand true Virtue is ihe beauty of the soul.

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MEHER GAZETTE

[1933

spirituality, which is your birthright, and work for the spiritual welfare ¡ of the world.

My dear master His Holiness Sri Sadguru Meher Baba is a godrealized personage, who has incarnated for the spiritual upliftment of humanity in these days when adharma is rampant. He is a Persian Zoroastrian by-birth, but He has incarnated with a message for the whole world. I have no doubt that His name is carved deep on the illuminating ~croll of our Indian Spiritual History. I am proud that it is my privilege to write, under His directions, His interesting and instructive life-story.

In the next chapter we shall write what we know of the parents of our beloved Master.

CHILD MARRIAGE. Editorial I] In 1931-March-issue of this Journal I wrote about the Grihapravesa (Home-entry) ceremony.

Then we have the Pravesa-homa-ceremony (Entry ~ sacrifice).

The husband shall keep the nuptial fire ablaze. He shall spread a hull's hide, and the bride shall sit on it. While she touche~ him he shall, uttering the following mantras, make the four obtations with ghee: i May Prajapati give us children ; may He bless our bipeds and quadrupeds.

Enter your husband's house auspiciously: bring blessing to our bipeds and quadrupeds.

Accept this: This offering is to Surya Savitri. ii

Not evil-eyed, friend of thy husband, bring happiness to the cattle.

God-loving, bearing heroes, bring blessing to our bipeds and quadrupeds. Accept this: This offering is to Surya Savitri.

iii

0 generous Indra, make my wife blest in sons and fortunate.

Give her ten sons and make her husband the eleventh (Ekadasam Vrithi). Accept this: This offering is to Surya Savitri.

Examples are

~he

best lessons for youth.

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THIRD PART GARBHADANAM

l933] iv

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Ove¡r thy father-in-law ami mother-in-law bear sway (Samragni). Also over your sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Accept this : This offering is to Surya SavitrL

Then comes the Hridayavamarsanam (Uniting of hearts).

The husband besmears the heart rP.gion of himself and his wife with some -of the remaining ghee uttering the following mantra: "May all learned men, and the waters join our hearts.

May Mataris~a, Dhata, and Deshtri bind us ".

(N.B.-As I have stated elsewhere Surya [Life and Light of the Universe], Matarisva [Powerful like wind], Indra [All-powerful], Aryama [One who Judges] etc., are the names of the One God).

UPASAMHARAM. (CONCLUSION) The husband shall then say "May the Yegnes wara be pleased with this pravesahoma '', Then while ladies, who h~ve husbands and sons, shall make arati' and Brahmanas utter benedictions, the husband will sit with his wife happily.

THIRD PART-GARBHADANAM. (CONSUMMATION OF MARRIAGE) The husband and wife should, for three nights (Triratram), observe Brahmachari Vritam (brahmacharinow), wear ornaments a.nd sleep on the ground. They should not eat saline -and pungent food (Asharalavanasinow). At the end of this Vritam, the husband and wife should hear the Surya Suktam, and consummate the marriage. The bride's two cloths should be given to the person who recited the hymn. The brahmans should then be fed. These brahmans shall then bless the couple.

To•day must borrow nothing of to-morrow.

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MEHER GAZETTE

[1933

(Iti Vivahaprayoga.ha: Thus the marriage ceremony).

Instead of this simple ritual we have now a very complicated and wasteful one. There was the marriage proper, and consummation on the fourth day. It is therefore clear that the Vedic ritual does not sanction Kanya-dana, or Mangalasutrabandhana to which our ladyfolk attach much importance! Our Vedic .marriages took place between a man and young woman, who understood the significance of the mantras they uttered. Child-marriage is at present India's curse. It has not the sanction of the Vedas and the ancient Smritis and Grihya Sutras, Nirukta emphatically says that a person who does not understand the mantras is a dull fellow who is fit only to bear burden. (Sthanurayam).

The brahmin, who is proud on account of his birth, has begun to sufler.

Let him wake up. He is a brahmin who has head and heart. Let him understand everything properly and become the simple, learned, sympathetic brahmin of old, always carrying the mighty banner of Love before him. If he does not take time by the forelock, he and his friends are doomed to become hewers of wood and drawers of water.

Editorial 2].

Mp dear Master emphatically states: " India became depresseu with the establishment of the depressed classes. When the depressed classes will be elevated, India will find herself to be one of the greatest countries, if not the greatest, in the world". He also reminds us "Real happiness lies in Oneness: wherever there is duality, there is trouble". Has not India produced the untouchable (I studder to use this word because i honestly feel that I am not fit even to touch their feet) Saints-Nanda of Southern India, Ravi Das of Hindus than, Chokamela of Maharashtra, and H aridas of Bengal ? I shall give a short account of these Saints in the next and subsequent issues of this journal. We have ill-treated our dear brothers and sisters. N em isis has been inflicting on us deserved punishments.

Let us now at least embrace our brothers and sisters and realize that Life is One.

I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT MYSELF. by~ Frederick L. Collins in ' Liberty '.

[A portrait of a happy Man, silent seven years, who is -seeking to . right the world through Love : Sri Meher Baba.]

A bird in the hand ,is worth two in the -bush.

1933]

! CAN HARDt y BELiEVE IT MYSELF

" I want you to come to tea," said my friend, " with Shri Sadguru Maher Baba. '' " With What"?

My friend smiled in her most superior manner.

"With the new perfect Master from India", I am not much on perfect Masters, myself. Or on tea. But my friend was insistent. So off we went to visit her Globe-trotting Parsee • But in the taxicab my reluctance grew into a sort of terror. " What language does this friend of yours speak? "

I asked.

" He doesn't speak at all,'' was the reply. He hasn't spoken for seven years ".

The interview was looking sourer and sourer to me, "What did you say his name was? "

I asked in desperation.

My companion was very patient, "Shri," she said'' which means Sir, Sadguru, which means Perfect Master. Meher, which means compassionate. And Baba, which means Father".

Sir Perfect Master c-ompassionate Father l That was a large order.

But I must say that Shri Sadguru Meher Baba, in spite of the fact that he had dressed up for tea in an imitation-Chinchilla Coat and lightgray flannelpants, looked every inch the part. Not very many inches, to be sure; for Baba-that's what I decided to call him-was small, in the oriental fashion; yet some how strangely impressive.

How, in such a get-up, he managed te be anything but funny was more than 1 could see. Certainly it was not the sartorial or tonsorial effect of Shri Sad~uru Meher Baba, as he sat draped over the soft red upholstery of Mrs, Phelps Stokes' best square-backed couch, that kept me from laughing out loud. It must have -been-although I was loath to admit it-the man himself.

A stunning yellow-headed, ruddy Englishwoman was J)Ouring Ba.ba's tea-on her knees by a small tabouret in front ef th~ Sadguru.

Baba is not married. At thirty-seven, he even flirts tentatively with the doctrine of celibacy as a sort of world sedative. But his disciples made it clear that he did not prescribe celibacy for his followers.

"Sex for me," he said," does not exist".

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Temperance is the best of physic.

14.

[1933

MEHER GAZETTE

Of course, he did not say it; but he communicated it to me by a method I'll explain in a minute. " Modern marriage is too much of a business affair," he continued "No wonder it so often results in divorce. Husband and wife shCluld put each other first. It is essential for a happy family life that self-less love should predominate over lust".

I ventured to suggest that we who live in America had a good Baba smiled sympat_h etically, humorously. His smile was like an open fire in a cold house. . ~any problems right now besides sex problems.

Things have been messed up a good deal here " he said, " by lack of understanding".

The fact that this Parsee Messiah was discussing our American problems in American language as naturally as if he had lived here all his life didn't seem so strange as you might think.

(To be continued.)

POEMS. TO SRI MEHER BABA. Daily, hourly do I pray To thee, the Perfect and the Pure.

Thou art the Life, the Truth, the Way That must eternally endure.

With burning heart I worship Thee, My love, a constant Stream, is poured Into the bosom of Thy sea ; Thou art the soul's immediate Lord . . I long to lose myself in The~.

I seek to comprehend thy Love, .So that which is below may be Like unto that which is above. ~eredith

. . ... '-路- 路路路

-

God reaches us good things by our ewn hands.

Starr.

1933]

SPIRITUAL TOPICS

15

SONG OF MY CONVALESCENCE. (TO BABA) In a golden nest I make my home, And sing the whole day through ; And all of my thoughts, Beloved, Are filled to the brim with You. I pass the idle hours, In laughter and in song ; And all of my thoughts, Beloved, To your own sweet self belong.

And what shall I do, Beloved, When I must leave my nest?

I'll fly to your arms, Beloved, And find eternal rest !

JO [A disciple of Sri Baba] New York. March 6, 1933.

HEROES AND SAVANTS. Men of light and men of lore Are to the world like sun and moon : The former by their nature pour Their splendour like the sun at noon And -scattering clouds from drooping core Make life boil with its own might; The latter come at the end of day With soothing breath and lucent light To bosoms yearning for a ray Of warming light in hours of night.

P.M. Hari.

SPIRITUAL TOPICS. (1)

Sadgurus are really Devas on earth. They intercede for us with the Great God. N anjiyar used to say " Whenever I met a saint, I fell at His feet. I then felt as if my hunger vanished".

The wolf loses his teeth, but not¡ his

inclination~.

16

MEHER GAZETTE

[1933

(2)

CHARITY IN SAINT'S HEARTS. A low caste woman in Srirangam had filled her pots with Kaveri water, but there was no one near her to help them to her head. The high caste Saint Azhvan, who was near her, at once helped her.

Will our present day Sanatanists note this ?

(3)

A person offered a proposal of marriage to a lady and informed the blessed Prophet Mahamed of the same. The Prophet asked him 路'Have you seen her?". The latter answered in the negative. ThertJUpon the Prophet said "then see her, for it will be most conducive to love between yourselves".

(4) "Oh prophet of God! what is the best thing which a man is given?" ~~Good manners", said the blessed Prophet.

(5)

The Lord Jesus said "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them 1hat curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully me you, and persecute you".

The Lord Buddha said: " 路'Hatred does not cease by hatred at any time, hatred ceases by love : this is its nature. Let us live happily, not hating those who hate us. Among men who hate us, let us live far 路from haired. Let him overcome anger by love : let him overcome evil by good''. (Dammapada, v: 197 and 223).

THE LADIES' PAGE. 1. The great Lawgiver Manu says: ''Let a maid wait for three years after she has begun to menstruate (Trini Varshanyudisheta Kumaryurthumathi sati) and then let her choose for herself a husband, who is her equal (sathrusam patim)''.

2. The same authority says "It is better that men and women (though they attain puberty- Rutumatyapi-l should remain single till death rather than many unsuitables.

Scorn路delights and live l&borious days.

1933]

THE CHILDREN'S PAGE

17

3. Did not the great sage Yajnavalkya. discuss abstruse questions of philosophy with his dear wife Maitreyi? (Brihada.ranyaka Upanishad: 2nd chapter 4th Bra.hmana and 4th chapter 5th Brahmana). Did not Gargi, the daughter of Vacaknu, ask the sage Yajnavalkya abstruse question ~ , and was requested by the latter not to press the last question "On what then are woven and rewoven the worlds of Brahman?''.

Sisters, you are the descendants of Gargi, Maitreyi and K atyayani, It is said that Maitreyi was fond of discussing the nature of Brahman, and Katyayani wise in the duties of a house-wife. Sisters, education is your birthright. You should try to be Maitreyi and Katyayani in one,

THE CHILDREN'S PAGE. Astronomy for May. (1)

You have see n the beautiful constellation Southern Cwss. It is not visible in England. In Australia it may be seen high in the sky.

In Indi a it is visible near the southern h orizon. It was named "Southern Cross'' by a Spanish exploser named Amerigo Vespucci in the sixteenth century. The southern star in the con stellation is its brightest. It is a triple star. The western star is a double-star.

(2)

On tbe western side of this constellation are the two bright stars, Alpha and Beta Centauri. These are ¡ the principal stars in the constallation Centa uru s. Alpha Centaurus is the third brightest star in the sky, and the nearest to the earth. It is a double star. My dear child, if you travel by a mail train at 60 miles an hour without stopping any where, it will take you 50,000,000 years to reach that beautiful star.

And, do not forget, it is our nearest star. Light travels at the rate of 186,000 nules a second. It takes 4~ y ears to tra vel from that star to us.

The light from Beta Centaurus takes about 100 years t9 reach us.

We have a number of stars in this consellation named' Omega Centauri'. Through a stong telescope we can see thousands of stars there. These are not visible in England.

(3) Near the Centaur is the small. constellation named Ara, the A.ltar,

The many fail : the one succeeds.

3

18

MEHER GAZETTE

[1933

(4) To the left of the Centaur is the constellation Lupus, the wolf. 'fhe ancients called the wolf " the wild beast ". It is bounded by the constellations Scorpio, Libra and Centaur.

(5)

Libra (Thula) means 'scales'. It is the seventh small constellation of the Zojiac. It is between the constellations Virgo (Kanya) and Scorpio (V rischika).

When the Sun i <- in Libra, the days and nights are equal.

Children, see these wonderful constellations in the heavens, which are the work of the one Almighty God and offer your prayers to Him.

THE HARIJAN PAGE. 1. The class system was inaugurated by the great Manu, and in the days of Rig Veda ensured order and happiness. It was based, as Sri Kri shna says, on ' attributes and actions '. It is truly said ·• By birth every one is a Sudra. By Samskara he becomes twice-born".

2. That gre:~.t system fell into decay. It is pride and 1'\elfishness that brought into existence the tyrannical caste system.

3.

There was no fifth caste or Depressed class.

4. We have now begun to realize our folly. You are our-brothers and sisters. You are the descendants of Nanda, Chokamela, Ravidas and other Saints.

5. We embrace you: arise: we will help you: Our dear Master Baba blesses you. He and Mahatmaji are making .Tapas for you.

6. Just as we go to the press we learn that Providence enabled Mahatmaji to complete his fas t. May he live lor,g and remove the curse of untouchability from this sacred land of Rishis. This successful fast has conclusively demonstrated to the materjal world thl).t he, who conquers flesh, can only r ealize God. 0 ur beloved Babaji quietly fasted many a time for the purification of the world.

7. It is extraordinary, but I am glad, that some sanatanists have made up their minds to go- to England to give evidence before the Joint Select.... Committee on of the Sa.natanists.

'Mr. M. K . Acharya is - ------ -- , ..behalf - ... -_--:·;-.--- - -- -- ---.- _. . --.. - ,---- - . -

-

· Health is best for mortal man.

-1 933]

THE SPIRITUAL RETREAT EAST CHALLACOMBE

19

sailing on the3rd June. Raja Bahadur Krishnamacharia.r M.L.A. regrets tha.t he could not go on account of ill-health, and prays "God will spare me for such service as He may call upon me to render in the hoiy cause of His dbarma and motherland by restoring me to health".

In spite of the opposition of many sanatanists to foreign travel our sanatanistl! friends are now going to England, though it is against their Sastras! Well done, my friends! we request you to apply this principle of yours to our brethren, the so-called depressed classes.

THE SPIRITUAL RETREAT EAST CHALLACOMBE, COMBE MARTIN, NORTH DEVON, ENGLAND. (Vide pape 13 of No. I of last issue).

This asramam is situated in one of the loveliest spots of England.

Ilfracombe is the nearest railway station. We alight there and a bus takes us to the village Combe Mutin, which is nearest the farm. There we alight, and climb up about a mile with the Atlantic Ocean on our left side. It will be convenient to use galoshes as we have to walk through soggy soil.

The solitary Retreat is an old farm house situ a ted in grounds of sixty acres of open ct:mntry. "Individual help and instruction in meditation and practical psychology are given by the Founder.

Visit~rs usually divide their time between meditation, study and exercise according to individual requirements''. I was in this charm. ing Retreat from the 14th October to 18th October 1932, spending my time in calm meditation and in the in! eresting up-to-date library.

The experiences of a sincere soul in this charming Retreat have been described in sober earnest, in an illimitable way, by M 1¡. Richard Ince in his very interesting autobiography, the Shadow Show (published

by Eric Partridge at the Scholartis Press, 30, Museum Street, London W.O., p.p. 170 to 188).

This spiritual Retreat (or Asramam) is run on western lilies, by Mr and Mrs Meredith Starr, sincere followers of Sri Meher Baba.

Those seriously interested may apply for full particulars to The Hon. Secretary, East Challacombe, Combe Martin, N. DEVOlif, !Jngland.

Fresh air is cordial' of incredible virtue.

a

20

MEHER GAZETTE

[1933

M:fflHER LEAGUE. When His Holiness Sri Sadguru Meher Babaji graced Saidapet with his Presence the following resolution, among others, were passed in His immediate presence :i. That a League called "Meher League" be formed with the object of promoting Universal Brotherhood.

ii. That all persons who are aged 15 and above might become members of the League. iii- That the only condition for becoming a member is that he or she should undertake in writing to promote Universal Brotherhood in thought, word and deed. iv. That the League should spread the message of our Divine Lord Meher Babaji viz, Universal Brotherhood.

His Holiness Sri Meher Babaji is the Patron of the League.

President: Mudaliar Esq.

C. V. Sampath Aiyangar. Vice-President: M. Vadivelu

Treasurer: C. V. Ramanujacharlu E sq.

Secretaries : Sister V. T. Lakshmi M.A.; L.T.; M,R.A.S. K. S. Srinivasan Esq. [N.B. Those who wish to join Meher League may apply to:-

C. V. Sampath Aiyangar, â&#x201A;Ź6, 3rd cross . Road, Sankarapuram, Bangalore City, or V. T. Lakshmi M ..A..L.T. ; M.R.A.S. (same address as above).

IV1EMBERS OF 'MEHER LEAGUE' .

17J. 174.

17 5.

176.

177.

178.

179.

180.

181. lo2.

SisterS. Rajamanikkam.

M. A. Sivaswami Pillai.

Thandavakrishna N ayudu.

Karunakara Parida . .

S. V. Narasimhulu.

Shewakram Chand.

Mrs. Gulmae Kaikushru Irani.

Dinsha Hormusji Sanja.na.

Bomansha Pestonji Marker.

Ifaikushru J amasji Minodhe Herhamji . . .

-

~ - ..;:.......,,..,----;.--- -,--~-:-::-

Love is the light and sunshine of iife;

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS

1933]

21

183.

Hormuz Jehanghir Irani.

Mrs. Pila Hormuz Irani.

(N. B. Members are requested to write to the Editor the change of their addresses, if any).

-184.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. .Messrs.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

U. 1J.

14.

15..

16.

17.

11:S. 19. ~0.

.H .

22.

23.

P. C. Atchen.

Khan Baha.dur .B. D. Pudumji.

Dhunjishaw F. Shroff.

K. S. Sriniva.sula. N aidu.

A. Vedacha.llam Mudaliar.

B. S. Lokiah N aidu.

S. Ba.lu Pilla.i.

N. Ga.nesa. Pillai.

C. R. Doraiswa.my Muda.liar.

T. G. Logana.tham Pillai.

Y. N. :::)rinivasulu Na.idu, Deenathayalu Mudaliar.

Gopala.swa.mi Naidu.

U. .&. 'l'na.nika.challam Muda.lia.r.

S. N a.tesa. Mudaliar.

C. Deva.ra.julu Uhetty.

G. Kesa.vulu Na.idu, R. Ko&hand~~opani Chettia.r.

Rao Sahib V. ::::). Tiruvenglf.daswami Muda-liar.

Srimathi.-U. V. Kamala.mma.l. , V. T. Lakshmiammal. , A. K. J ana.kia.mmal. , V. Rajammal.

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~~ ~~ UJ -~~~~~~~~~ UJ -~~ Printed at The Guardian Press, Ltd., 158-B, Broadway, Madras and Published by C. V. eampath Aiyangar, the President of Meher League, Meher Asramam, Saidapet, (Madras) Editor: C. V. Sampath Aiyangar,