I will explain why this is paradoxical — that the Sadguru or Avatar who is infinite in bliss, is said to be simultaneously infinitely suffering. When I say, "Deshmukh,* no one else in the universe suffers like Me," — at once he smiles and says, "Baba, how can You, Who are the source of bliss, ever suffer?" Now, the Sadguru has taken on this cloak. Why? To make others, who also have their garb of illusion, become infinite like him. He sees the suffering of others and hears them say, "Save us! Save us! Save us from that suffering!"

He sees all this with the cloak of illusion he has taken on himself, but with eternal infinite bliss as the background. He experiences all that suffering as nothing. It is just ignorance. So he does not pay attention to this illusory suffering. He now wants them to suffer really and with this real suffering He wants them to burn up their illusory suffering.

But how to do it: How to create in them the real suffering? It is then He, through his cloak of illusion, suffers most. He wants to burn their false life. So he takes on himself the burning of his own cloak of illusion, which he wears for the sake of others. He becomes like a candle and as soon as the candle starts burning, moths gather around it. Now the candle goes on burning and burning and makes thousands of moths burn also. So He suffers for others and makes them suffer for him. Thus, by wearing the Cloak of illusion, the Godman plays the dual role of suffering and making others suffer.

(Avatar Meher Baba's Circular letter to all His lovers who showed great concern over dropping of His body as stated by Him in His Final Declaration, made at Meherabad on 30th September, 1954).

Dear lovers ,

After Avatar Meher Baba returned to Satara from Meherabad, there was a heavy rush of letters and telegrams here till the 7th of October, and all of them were given replies of assurances yesterday evening.

Yesterday, at 7 p.m. Baba gave up alphabet board and since that moment, all the doors through which external relation was maintained with Baba, have also been closed. Your letters filled to the brim with deep love were received in the right time and were read out to Baba. In reply to them all, Baba said:-

"There is no reason at all for any of you to worry. Baba was, Baba is, and Baba will also be eternally existent. Severance of external relations does not mean the termination of internal links. It was only for establishing the internal connection, the external contacts had been maintained till now. The time has now come for being bound in the chain of internal connections. Hence, external contact is no longer necessary. It is possible to establish the internal link by obeying Baba's orders. I give you all My blessings for strengthening these internal links.

"I am always with you and I am not away from you. I was, am, and will remain eternally with you and it is for promoting this realization that I have severed external contact. This will enable all persons to realize Truth by being bound to each other with internal links.

"Oh My lovers! I love you all. It is only because of My love for My creation that I have descended on earth. Let not your hearts be torn asunder by My declarations concerning the dropping of My body. On the contrary, accept My Divine Will cheerfully. You can never escape from Me. Even if you try to escape from Me, it is not possible to get rid of Me. Therefore, have courage and be brave.

"If you thus lose your hearts. how will it be possible for you to fulfill the great task which I have entrusted to you? Be brave and spread My Message of Love far and wide to all quarters, in order to fulfill My Divine Will. Let the words "Baba - Baba" — come forth from the mouth of every child, and let their ignorance be reduced to ashes by the burning flame of My love. Come together in order to fulfill My Will by taking your stand on Truth, Love, and Honesty, and be worthy of participating in My task.

"I give you all My blessings for spreading My Message of Love."

*Dr. Deshmukh, editor of the Discourses