THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...

THE NEW LIFE 173The mandali were then asked to recite audibly the passages from the Avesta, Bible, Quranand Bhagavad gita. Baba said that he first of all wanted to invoke the forgiveness of God forhimself, for the mandali and for all through the Zoroastrian, Hindu, Christian and Islamicapproaches to God. At the end of the recitations and referring to Khak's qiraat (melodiousrecitation of Quran), Baba remarked that if God cannot be moved with such words, he mustbe either deaf or dead. Baba also said that this was the last ceremony: 'Henceforth there willbe no ceremonies at all'.Ramju was asked to give a brief narration for the benefit of the visitors about the plans andarrangements being made to wind up everything to start the New Life. After that Don read outrapidly the conditions in English with a few interjections from Baba emphasizing the mainsignificance and implications involved. Baba then dec1ared that after taking the oath a copyof the conditions would be given to everyone, and that each should study the contentsthoroughly and return the respective copies within 4 hours with an unequivocal and plain 'Yes'or 'No'.The text of Baba's last oath was then read out solemnly by Donkin at a signal from Baba.Baba rose for the first time from his seat and remained standing for a while facing the wall infront of the scriptures and with his back to the mandali. The oath was as follows:"Before God, the Absolute, whom those who have realized know as their own Self andwhom believers believe to be All-pervading, All-knowing, All-powerful, All-loving and Allmerciful- before this Infinite Existence, Baba, on behalf of himself and his followers, asksforgiveness for all mental, physical and moral weaknesses called sins, and for all lies andfalse dealings, and for all impure and selfish actions."Before this Infinite God who ever was, ever is, and ever will be, Baba decides today on theNew Life that he and those who accompany him will enter from 16 October 1949, and lead ontill the end. This New Life will be based absolutely on all that has been dictated by Baba inthe circular of conditions; and Baba invokes God to make him stand by it as firmly andsteadfastly as his companions in his New Life are required to do."After that, Baba once again warned them all that his decision and the decisions that otherswould arrive at that day were irrevocable and binding for all time: he then had the followingread out:"I forgive each and every disciple, devotee, and follower, all his