Talk after Luncheon, 19th of May, 1937, Manzil Bungalow

What does not come spontaneously never comes. How many of you refused, how many of you hesitated, when I offered you the mangoes? Honestly, there are many ways of testing faith and love. Love always seeks the will, happiness, pleasure and commands of the Beloved — always. Love never thinks of itself. That is love and that is God. God gives eternally. Love, too, gives. The lover never expects.

I had first intended to give you the rotten mangoes, but I knew that not one of you would have willingly taken them. And yet, you all talk of dying for God! Be honest. When you say you love me — do love me.

Did I ever tell you the story of Ramdas and Kalyan?

Ramdas was a spiritual Master at the time of Shivajee. He had many disciples, the favorite among whom was Kalyan. Ramdas wanted to test his devotion. He asked all his disciples to come together and he pretended to be sick to the point of death. He had put a mango over the knee-joint to simulate swelling and bound it up. It seemed to be swollen like cancer, which Ramdas said it was. Then he asked his disciples whether any of them would suck out the poison from the knee-joint, saying that whoever did so would die in his place, but that he would be pleased. While all the other disciples hesitated, Kalyan arose immediately and sucked the knee-joint, but instead of poison he sucked the juice of the mango.

This is love — to be ready to die for love of the Beloved, for the happiness of the Beloved.

Baba gave the following words in explanation of the riddle:

A) Why is it very easy to become a hypocrite?

B) Why is it very difficult to become a Judas?

C) Why is it most difficult to become a Peter?

Who is the Christ? What is the Christ and who is the Christ and who is Jesus? If I had asked any of you these questions, what would you have replied?

Jesus was the particular Avatar. Christ is One who is One with God. This is all you know. Jesus — the particular Avatar. If I asked you who is Jesus, you would say, The Christ of Nazareth. This is what you would say. But what would you answer if I asked: "What is Christ, and who is Christ?" I will give you my answer and try to explain it next time.

Now, who is Christ? — The individual soul.

Who is Jesus? — The Avatar of Nazareth.

What is Christ? — The Son of God state.

If any of you could explain this next time, I should be happy!

Judas helped Jesus in His universal work. If Christ had not undergone the crucifixion He could not have taken the burden of the universe upon Himself, and Jesus brought about this crucifixion. That most of you made clear.

Peter loved Jesus most. Jesus loved him most, although the love of Jesus for all is the same. Can you explain this? Loving all the same and yet some more than others. It is like the different parts of the body — they all belong to you, but you love some parts more than others. The eyes are more dear than your fingers. Is this clear? Jesus loved Peter most in this respect. Peter was His eyes. When Jesus said to Peter: "You will betray Me," Peter knew he would betray His Master, the One whom he loved best, and yet he bore it bravely. It was the most difficult thing to do — and to be able to love most. To know that he would betray, and yet not to become weak.

Jesus made Peter know that he would betray Him for His work. Judas was made to betray. Peter betrayed willingly. It is most difficult when you love the One you betray.

Take for example — you love me most. You are Peter. You, you are Judas. I want you both to kill me. Now, you, Peter, are made to kill me. You would not willingly kill