"You are never unclean"

From Lord Meher, vol. 11, pp. 4030-31:

During the Nagpur stay, Baba and the mandali's food was coming from Nana Kher's family's house and was daily being delivered to where Baba was staying. He was not eating at anyone's house, but he once went to see the Kher family at their residence.

There were so many dishes for lunch that Baba complimented Nana's mother, Godubai, "My belly is full just looking at them!"

Then, examining every dish minutely, he inquired, "Why hasn't Asha prepared chutney? Where is she?"

Godubai explained, "She specially came from Amraoti for that purpose, but because she is having her menstrual period, she is weeping." (In India, it is an old custom that when a woman is menstruating she keeps herself aloof and does not touch anyone, much less cook.)

Baba sent for Asha and asked her, "What do you take me for?"

"Paramatma," she said.

"Yes, I am Paramatma. I am the Ocean which has within it both good and bad. The ocean is never polluted if filth is thrown in it, nor does it ever give out fragrance if it contains sandalwood. The ocean is infinite. It always is as it ever was.

"I contain within myself both your good and bad actions and keep you clean. I am infinitely pure and purify every bit of dirt in my Infinite Ocean. So, dedicating both good and bad to me, everyone should become pure.

"To me, you are never unclean. Go and prepare and bring my chutney. I am waiting for it."

For Asha, it was a wondrous thing, as she had been brought up in a Hindu orthodox, traditional manner. Baba's love took firm root in her heart, and she prepared the chutney with much love—which Baba ate with zest, praising her all the while.