Way back in 1932, Rudyard Kipling, whose stories of India I have always loved, wrote a poem called “The Disciple.” Margaret Craske frequently gave it to those of her dancers who became Baba followers. Basically, it carries a strong warning about what can happen the further one gets from the Avatar’s lifetime. We are now 33 years beyond Meher Baba’s lifetime and it seems to me that Kipling certainly knew what he was talking about. See what you think.

 

The Disciple

by Rudyard Kipling (1932)

 

He that hath a Gospel

to loose upon Mankind,

 

Though he serve it utterly. —

Body, soul and mind —

 

Though he go to Calvary

daily for its gain —

 

It is His Disciple

Shall make his labour vain.

 

He that hath a Gospel

For all earth to own —

 

Though he etch it on the steel,

Or carve it on the stone —

 

Not to be misdoubted

Through the after-days —

 

It is His Disciple

Shall read it many ways.

 

It is His Disciple

(Ere Those Bones are dust)

 

Who shall change the Charter,

Who shall split the Trust —

 

Amplify distinctions,

Rationalize the Claim;

 

Preaching that the Master

Would have done the same.

 

It is His Disciple

Who shall tell us how

 

Much the Master would have scrapped

Had he lived till now —

 

What he would have modified

Of what he said before.

 

It is His Disciple

Shall do this and more . . .

 

He that hath a Gospel

Whereby Heaven is won

 

(Carpenter, or cameleer,

Or Maya’s dreaming son),

 

Many swords shall pierce Him,

Mingling blood with gall;

 

But His Own Disciple

Shall wound Him worst of all!

 

Chilling, isn’t it?