have a feeling that you are in every one.” To this Beloved Baba replied, "I am also in a thief and a murderer; then what is it that prevents you from respecting and worshipping them? If you were really to see me everywhere as I am, there would not arise any need for you to go to saints, or even to come to me to pay your respects.

"I have been saying all the time, age after age, that when I, the Ancient One, assume this human form, there are many false prophets who claim themselves as Avatars. For instance, a week ago I received a letter from U. P. from a devotee who writes that there are two persons in his town, and each proclaims himself as the Avatar of the age. This created a great deal of confusion in his mind. Also, in one of the towns in Northern India there is one social worker who claims, and has a genuine feeling for his claim, that he is the Avatar.

“I am telling you all these things in detail for it is my right alone to say so, as all of them are my children. As far as you are concerned you should neither criticize nor indulge in backbiting. If you speak ill of a real saint, it will be harmful for you. You will create dreadful (sanskaric) blunders. You should avoid vilifying even the so-called mahatmas who call themselves saints, because it is not possible for you to be certain whether they are real or not. The presumptuous saints outwardly act like real saints. You will not be able to differentiate between them, just in the same way as you would not be able to differentiate between the Masts and mad persons. Yet what a world of difference lies in their inner states!

"Coming back to the point of real saints, I would like you to know that to become a saint is not child's play. The very word saint when commonly used or made applicable to anyone, creates a lot of misunderstanding. I will tell you something that will clarify the misunderstandings regarding saints.

"There are two types of saints: (1) real saints and (2) imitation saints. Just as an ordinary person cannot distinguish between a real and an imitation pearl, you cannot distinguish between a real saint and an imitation saint. I alone, like a jeweler, can make out the difference.

"Particularly in India, we find a lot of imitation saints: and this is due to the superficial study of the Vedanta. By studying Vedanta one can say, 'I am God'; Sadgurus also say, 'I am God.' Imitation saints also say the same thing, but with the help of Vedanta. Real saints need no such help;