sleep; this is what we gather from Hafiz' couplet. But, does it really mean all this? No. I shall tell you what Hafiz really means. According to Hafiz literally, if you wish to see anything, you must not see it. If you don't want to see anything, you must see it. This is what is meant by 'stepping out of your nature.' We can go on giving innumerable such examples of 'going against one's nature.' Take another instance. When you run up an incline, you will pant for breath; in such a case, you must not pant, you must breathe normally. Contrariwise, when you feel normal, you must not feel normal, you must breathe hard or pant for breath. Therefore, it is almost impossible to 'step out of the boundary of your very nature,' and it is therefore really impossible for you to realize Me as I really am. Then, what shall we do? Hafiz comes to our rescue and gives us a solution. But, that solution, too, is very difficult, impossible, but somewhat less difficult or less impossible. Hafiz says:—"

Baba asked R. to recite the couplet pointing out by gestures the opening words thereof. It was recited in Persian and later, Baba gave the English translation. It was also translated in Telugu and Gujarati.

Baba translated thus: "O, you mad one, if you have that madness to realize God (to attain Bhagawat-sakshatkaram), then, become the dust at the feet of a Perfect Master."

He continued: "We are coming back to 'becoming dust at the feet of a Perfect Master.' What does Hafiz mean? Dust has no thought of its own. It has no will of its own. Dust can be trampled upon, put on the head, and be suspended in the air. There is no truer and better example of complete obedience than 'of becoming like dust.' "

"If any of you do not understand, don't worry. Just be looking at me and be thinking of Me. That will do," Baba said. "What do we mean by 'obedience'?"

Eruch was asked to read out the points noted by him last week, and in Poona and in Bombay. They were then and there confirmed or added to slightly by Baba, while Eruch was reading his notes:

"There are different types of OBEDIENCE.