THE PRESENT SUFFERING WAS INTENDED FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS

 
As for Baba, he was imposing upon himself, during this period, all sorts of physical austerities such as fasts of long duration, sometimes on water, milk, tea or lemon juice, feeling none the worse in bodily activity and energy.

In particular, Baba's prolonged ordeal of striking his forehead against the ground or a piece of stone to bleeding point, repeated a number of times daily for a certain period, was altogether inexplicable and shocking to the onlookers.

The only explanation forthcoming by Baba, was that a realized being never needs undergo any penance. The present suffering of his was intended for the benefit of others, especially his circle. Explaining his acute illness and the consequent physical sufferings, on one occasion, he said that he was undergoing this torture and pain in connection with a certain member of his circle whom he actually mentioned by name.

He further declared that in his spiritual working for the circle, he would be required to die and suffer in that manner for each one of the members connected therewith.