Baba's Grace Book.Pdf

BABA’s GRACE

Waryam Singh Sahni

Publisher: Waryam Singh Sahni S/o S. Pritam Singh Meher DDA Flat No.39, Block AC-Pkt 3, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi-110088

Printed By : Vasu Printers Pitam Pura, Maurya Encalve, Contact : 9810352585

Edited by: D V Balakrishna Meher

All Quotes of Avatar Meher Baba are printed with kind permission of Avatar Meher Baba Public Perpetual Charitable Trust, PB 31, Kings Road, Ahmadnagar 414 001 (Maharashtra)

Note: This Publication is not a profit making or a competitive venture and its sole object is to experience the company of AVATAR MEHER BABA and disseminate His message of love and truth for the benefit of one and all.

Dedication

My Divine Father Avatar Meher Baba

My Father Late Pritam Singh Meher

My Mother Late Gyan Kaur

My Son Late Gurcharan Singh

And

My Wife Late Inderjeet Kaur

Samadhi of Avatar Meher Baba at Meherabad

“I have come to remind all people that they should live on earth as the children of one father until My grace awakens them to the realization that they are all one without a second and that all division and conflicts and hatred are but a shadow play of their ignorance."

“Do not seek My blessings which is always with you, but long for the day when My grace will descend on you all who love Me. Most blessed are they who do not even long for My grace, but simply seek to do My will.” AVATAR MEHER BABA

Letter from Bhau Kalchuri V.S. Kalchuri (Bhau) Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust Post Bag No.31, King’s Road, Ahmednagar-414001, (M.S.) India

Beloved Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai

17th October, 2007 My Dearest Waryam Singhji,

Dear B.N. Bhasin presented the book “Baba’s Grace” (or “Grace of Baba”) to me and he requested that I should write a preface for the revised and enlarged second edition. I find so much love from you for the Beloved. You have dedicated this second edition also to your father the late Pritam Singh Meher your mother the late Gyan Kaur, your son Late Gurcharan Singh, and to your Divine Father Avatar Meher Baba, Your father and mother and you and the family are really very close to Beloved Baba.

I used to go to Delhi every year for Trust work, and when I would go I would see your father and Principal Niranjan Singh. When I went to see your father, he was lying in the bed, and Baba’s picture was in front of him on the wall. He would not talk and he would just look at Baba’s picture. So I asked your mother, “Since when he is lying down in the bed?” And she said, “He has been lying down in the bed since long. He does not talk and he just looks at Beloved Baba’s picture continuously.”

But when he saw me standing before him, he got up and he embraced me. The tears were in his eyes and he was saying, “Baba, Baba, Baba.” I felt so much love of Beloved

Baba in his eyes, and good that I met him. After three days, he passed away. Your father was doing business out of India. Once it was Buddha’s anniversary and people were seeking some Indian to take in procession. They found Pritam Singh. He saw Buddha’s love in them, and he thought, “Just see, I am from India. They love Buddha so much, and I don’t know anything about Buddha.” The procession was very large, and they had a big chariot for him. As people were watching, they said “Some Indian is there leading the procession”. Pritam Singhji’s eyes were full of tears. The people looked at him and thought, “How much love he has for Buddha” But actually, Pritam Singh was repenting that he did not know anything about Buddha. In this procession, people would come running and garland him and he had nothing but tears.

After Buddha’s anniversary, he sold out the business and came back to India. He went to Sarnath, Buddha’s place, and he was sitting there repeating “Buddha, Buddha, Buddha”. The watchman of the stupa came to him and asked, “Do you know the living Buddha?” Pritam Singhji immediately queried, “Is living Buddha in India?” The watchman replied, “He has come here four or five times. He is there at Meherabad”.

Pritam Singhji took the address and wrote a letter to Meher Baba saying “I want to see you”. The letter was read out to Baba. He informed Pritam Singh that he would see him when He would come out of His seclusion, He would inform him. It took four years, and then he received a letter from Baba saying, “You come here on such-and-such date.”

Pritam Singhji did come to Meherabad, and when he embraced Baba he was so much touched to see Baba that he could not utter a word, but only had tears in his eyes. He wanted to be with Baba, but Baba said, “You look after your family, and just wait for My call, I will call you.” And he did receive Baba’s call when he dropped his body in 1983.

Previously, according to Baba’s instruction, he would come for Beloved Baba’s darshan, Sahavas, and all the programs which would happen from time to time when Baba would meet people. He had also come to attend the first anniversary of Beloved Baba’s

dropping the body. Only Baba was in his life, and the whole family belonged to Baba.

So you, my dear Waryam Singhji, have written the book BABA’S GRACE, and now you have expanded it. I am really very much touched with your love for Beloved Baba. He is really the Compassionate Father, and only One who comes down on earth age after age. He came as Zoroaster, Ram, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Prophet Mohammed and in this age, as Meher Baba.

How blessed you and the dear ones of the family are who all love Beloved Baba so deeply. So how can I say in words about your love for Beloved Baba, and the family’s love? The only thing I can say is that I salute your love in name of Beloved Avatar Meher Baba 101 times.

Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai!

With all love and Jai Baba to you,

In His Love and Service,

V.S. Kalchuri (Bhau)

Preface to Second edition

My father was a great lover of Beloved Avatar Meher Baba and during his last days he was actually in communion with Baba. It is due to him that I came to the threshold of Beloved Meher Baba. In him I saw the innocent and pure love flowing from his eyes for Baba. I also understood Baba’s Love for His lovers. Here, I would like to mention that the small experiences I had and the new life Baba gave in spite of seven stab wounds is entirely because of His compassion and grace. Perhaps I do not deserve any. The life that I have lived and the way this book has come about is also due to His grace.

Baba’s Darshan for the first time on 14th January 1956 at Pune. I always had a deep desire to publish the account of my father’s love story with Beloved Meher Baba, which became possible at Pune in February 2000 on the occasion of Beloved Meher Baba’s birthday on 25th February. The book was titled ‘Panj Pyare-The five favorite Sikh lovers of Meher Baba’. Further, the book was translated in Hindi as well as in Telugu and released by Bhau Kalchuri during 33rd and 34th Amartithi on 31st January 2003 and 2004 respectively. It was really His grace that publishing these books were possible.

Regarding the book ‘Panj Pyare’, K.K. Rama Krishnan said in the introduction of the book, “It will be worthwhile to mention here that Waryam Singh had Baba’s Darshan on 14th January, 1956 and the draft copy of this book was received by him on 14th January, 2000. He was overjoyed to receive the book on the same day. This is not a coincidence but Meher Baba’s way of revealing to us His rhythm, timing and pace”.

During the 34th Amartithi there was an announcement which attracted my attention. The announcement was made by Raj Khilnani who said, “Recently I read a book which was a compilation of various people’s description of how Jesus Christ looked when they had a vision of Jesus Christ. Today, there are many Baba lovers who have seen Baba; so let us also compile the account of each person as how they felt Baba looked like. This will be a special compilation because God has again come and currently His followers who have seen Him are also available. Before it is too late, I request all those who saw Baba must send their description to me or to the Trust Office.” This announcement made me think deeply of my three opportunities when I had Baba’s darshan.

While I thought of Baba’s darshan, my life itself came to me as a film directed by Baba Himself. So I had a desire to recount and record my life with Baba into a small article. But again by His grace my account has taken the form of a book. It is for the posterity to decide whether this simple account of a lover about his Master’s guidance and unconditional love was worth the effort. As I understand that all these events as well as other events of my life were purely because of Baba’s grace, hence, I have named this effort as “Baba’s Grace.”

I have recounted events as I remember to the best of my knowledge. My idea is to spread His message of Love and tell the whole world that Avatar has come and given His call “Come all unto Me”. I like this special message of Baba, which he gave on His first tour to the West, “I have come to sow the seeds of love in your hearts so that, in spite of all superficial diversity which your life in illusion must experience and endure, the feeling of oneness through love is brought about amongst all nations, creeds, sects and castes of the world”.

I would like to quote late Dr. G.S.N. Moorty (popularly called as roaming ambassador of Meher Baba) who said about this book, “Truly, books are for the mind while experiences are for the heart and soul. This book, “Baba’s Grace” is for the heart and only for the heart with no intellectual gymnastics involved”. I have no further

words to express my happiness for this attempt to achieve “Baba’s Grace”.

In his message for the first edition of “Baba’s Grace”, late R.N. Malhotra, President of Avatar Meher Baba Delhi Center had written “This book gives a glimpse of divine play in which Avatar Meher Baba has captured his fishes in His net so as to further evolve them by His yoga yog sanskaras and redeem them on their path of spirituality. I hope the personal life depicted here may sow the seeds of divine love in the hearts of readers.”

Today, there are many Baba lovers who wrote their lives with Meher Baba to bring out how He guided them and made them understand the deeper aspects of spirituality. Some wrote because they were told by Baba to do so while some have not yet written. I have attempted this project only for the single purpose of singing His glories.

Once, when Dr G.S.N. Moorty was staying with us, I said, “I am not a Baba lover, because I do not obey Baba. He said, “Then you oppose Him”. I said, “No”. “What are you”? “I don’t know what am I?” Even on me Baba has showered His grace, which shows how compassionate He is!

I had heard a story long back that a procession was passing and it was said, that this procession was of Hindus, then another followed which was of Muslims then of Sikhs, Christians and all of different religions. Thousands of people attended these processions. Ultimately, there was last procession and only one man was sitting in the chariot. Everyone were wondering whose procession it could be? And it is said that this procession is of God, and He alone Is!

I feel it is most difficult to love Baba, to obey Baba and to surrender to Baba. But this is possible only by his grace.

I have explained positive side of my life and now I would like to tell, negative side as well. When I assess myself I find no good thought, no good word no good deed on my part, but in spite of all these negative points, the Compassionate Father took me in His fold. Baba is not only for saints and advanced souls but He is equally for sinners. Despite my shortcomings, He embraced me, allowed me to bow at His Holy feet. 12

I would only say that irrespective of whether I deserved whatever He has given me, is all His grace. Thoughts such as, ‘Is Baba an Avatar’ or ‘Would He break His Silence?’ These thoughts never disturbed me because I have full conviction that He is God in human form. As it is natural for a person born in Sikh family to go to Gurudwaras, similarly I took to Baba in a natural way.

I must place it on record the efforts of D.V. Balakrishna Meher to make this book possible. Hope this effort brings out the spirit of Love and surrender to Beloved Avatar Meher Baba who is the Controller and Protector of all of us and the creation.

I recollect there was a circular issued by Baba as per which, His lovers were to write in few words what they understand about Him. In response, I wrote, “You are my Father and Mother, my protector, my Lord, my Friend and You are my only Beloved Lord”.

I present this book dedicated to my Beloved Lord and to all the spiritual seekers to have a glimpse of His grace.

15 Feb 2008 Waryam Singh Sahni

Preface to the Third and enlarged edition

2nd Edition of ‘Baba’s Grace’ was released by Bhauji, Chairman of Avatar Meher Baba Trust in 2008 during the Golden Jubilee congregations of 1958 Sahavas at Meherabad. On the very first day of Golden Jubilee Programme on 15th February 2008, I was allowed to present big size laminated pictures of Baba (clicked by me) as well as a group photograph in which I was also sitting along with my father. Actually, I was allotted ten minutes to speak my experiences of 1958 sahavas on the last day on 17th February, 2008, but Dr. Gokaran Srivastava invited me to express my experiences soon after I presented these pictures to Bhauji. I could hardly utter, “I am fortunate to attend Baba’s 1958 Sahavas with my father and now attending this Golden Jubilee by his grace”. I was so overjoyed that my voice chocked and I could not speak any more words. I could not control myself and burst into tears crying internally ‘Baba’, ‘Baba’ like an innocent child. I then settled down in the audience.

I recollected that during 1958 Sahavas I had seen men and women crying helplessly with tears of Joy in their eyes. Pukar, a staunch Baba lover, who was a towering personality, used to lift Baba lovers physically out of the pandal till they were calm. Beloved Baba would look at such sahavasees mercifully as if helping them internally. To my understanding, when one is in the presence of Baba, who is our final goal, one cannot tolerate the separation because, although one sees the goal but one is still not united, and this separation makes the soul cry.

Whenever I met Bhauji he would say, “ whenever I see you, I remember your father” and I would reply, “Bhauji, ‘Of course there is effect of age on your face and body but you are always young in Baba’s love”. In one of his letters, Bhauji wrote, “You are continuing your Dynasty and I feel so much love. Whenever I

receive your letter, your card or anything from you, I just remember Pritam Singhji, He was really great”.

Once, in a dream I saw a person approached me and gave a message: - Bhauji is calling you. And I said to him, “Bhauji is gone”. Then I woke up. Bhauji passed away on 23 Oct 2013 after serving His Master for over sixty years. Yes, Bhauji is gone to his Beloved Baba.

Few days after this dream, I had the urge to publish the 3rd edition of “Baba’s Grace” as I wanted to share some more recent experiences of His grace. In addition, I also intended to include all the discourses and messages by Baba, but it is not possible for the drop to contain the ocean but can merge in him by His grace. With this urge, once again I took the assistance of D V Balakrishna Meher to make the third edition of Baba’s Grace.

I pray to Beloved Meher Baba to bless all the readers of ‘Baba’s Grace’ to love Him more and more until one day one becomes worthy of His grace and one merges in Him!

31 Jan 2015 Waryam Singh Sahni

Gratitude

Heartfelt thanks to my father Pritam Singh Meher and my mother Gyan Kaur who were instrumental in bringing me to the threshold of Baba. I also thank my wife Inderjit Kaur whose support and perseverance made this book possible.

I deeply thank Avatar Meher Baba PPC Trust, Ahmednagar for quotations and Photograph of Avatar Meher Baba. I also thank all the Baba Lovers who directly and indirectly influenced this project. I thank late Professor A.K. Hazra and late Maimoona Bharucha for quoting few paragraphs from a chapter from the book “The Memoirs of a Zetetic”.

With utmost care and devotion Sukesh Kapur typed the matter of the book and co-operated with me fully to make the book error free. After typing book, he felt this book will shake anyone who reads it.

I thank D.V. Balakrishna Meher who has once again involved himself in publishing the third edition of Baba’s Grace.

I am grateful to late Professor B. N. Bhasin for his contribution.

Finally, I thank Avatar Meher Baba who is the director of all the events and who alone is. In Him I thank all those whom I cannot remember and not been able to acknowledge for their contribution.

AVATAR MEHER BABA KI JAI!

Waryam Singh Sahni, Delhi

Editor’s Note

It is always Beloved Meher Baba’s grace that allows a tiny and ignorant lover of His to participate in His divine work in any form. Meher Baba said that He alone does His work. While He allows us to undertake any task, it is entirely His inspiration and His guidance that works out the execution and completion of the envisaged mission. He is the Divine Potter who gives shape with His divine hands over the small and incapable hands of ours. I experience every word while I write this.

Editing this account of a lover’s saga of love with His Divine Father and Master has been a special experience and has thrown light on many aspects which I slowly discovered. When Waryam Singh approached me to edit this small account, I had not imagined that this would take this present form as I had unassumingly blurted out that this matter could be made into a book. Although I am entirely incapable to undertake any such task, I have totally relied on Avatar Meher Baba for His protection and inspiration.

The story of Waryam Singh is special because he is a part of the second generation of Baba Lovers whose father himself was proclaimed by Baba as one of His favorite Sikh Lovers and he called Pritam Singh ‘Meher’ and His other four Sikh Lovers as ‘Panj Pyare’. The story of Waryam Singh is a simple tale of surrenderance of a lover to His master.

The small events of his life denote how a lover receives the Love of the Lord and Master. It is truly the Master’s grace that the very ordinary lives of the aspirants become a manifestation of the process of purification and spiritual journey that Baba always emphasized upon. The title of this book,” Baba’s Grace” is apt. A small discourse of Meher Baba on Grace has been included. Also, Baba’s life and related matter has been added to give new readers comprehensive information.

I feel some love stories and their tales are never written, they just happen. The exercise of putting all the effort to pen down one’s insignificant event is not an ego trip but a humble endeavor to sing the glory of the Highest of the High who alone deserves all praise. 17

This book is nothing but a small effort to praise the Lord – Avatar Meher Baba

I humbly seek the forgiveness of the readers for any and all mistakes. I also seek pardon if I have not been able to bring out the essence of love and surrender in these broken words.

31st Jan. 2005 D V Balakrishna Meher

Contents

Part I 1. My Childhood 19 2. Pritam Singh’s Darshan Diary 25 3. My Divine Father-Meher Baba 32 4. Darshan, Devotion & Dedication 37 5. Sahavas Snippets 45 6. Baba-The Divine Guard 68 7. Mundane life carries on 70 8. My father passes away 73 9. My son too passes away 76 10. Master’s constant guidance 79 11. My Visits to Meherabad-Meherazad 82 12. The book ‘Panj Pyare’ 84 13. Child speaks 86 14. Meher Baba’s grace Never Fails 88 Part II 15. Short Biography of Avatar Meher Baba 99 16. Perfect Masters 102 17. Meher Baba’s Call 103 18. The inexorable ‘Must’ 108 19. The circles of the Avatar 109 20. God Alone Is 114 21. Meher Baba’s messages on Grace 117 22. The Avatar 120 23. How to love God 125 24 Sixteen select quotes 126

Part I

Experiences and Incidents with Avatar Meher Baba

1 My Childhood

“Spiritual progress is like climbing through hills, dales, thorny woods and along dangerous precipices to attain the mountain top. On this path there can be no halting or return. Everyone must get to the top, which is the direct realization of the supreme Godhood”.

-Meher Baba ______

By Beloved Meher Baba’s grace, I was born in a Baba lover family on 23rd April, 1930 in Thailand. I took to Baba as naturally as fish takes to water. Although, it is customary to start narration of one’s life from childhood, I would like to begin this book with the story of my father.

Gautam Buddha shows the way

Pritam Singh, my father was a successful civil engineer and perhaps he would have continued to stay in Thailand but for one event that changed our lives. Destiny has strange ways and stranger is God’s awakening calls. My younger sister Swaran Kaur told me that one strange incident had happened when our father was born. It was narrated by our grand mother to her. She narrates, “A cow crossing the veranda in front of the room entered the room, looked at the newly born child and went away without harming any one in the room”. Perhaps this was an indication that my father would grow up to meet the Divine Shepherd and become His disciple and lover!

My father was God loving and God fearing but his idea of entering into the spiritual path was to have his hand in a living Master’s hand. My father used to visit saints and advanced souls. He was visiting one such saint in Gujranwala town now in Pakistan. The saint would start giving discourses to him but my father would laugh like a child. The saint would feel disturbed and would say, “I pray to God for you but there is no effect of my prayer on you”.

And my father would reply, “I want a Master who would hold my hand in His hand”. Beloved Meher Baba did hold his hand and fulfilled his desire. He always narrated how Meher Baba- the Omniscient One touched his heart by holding his hand. During the Darshan programme in November, 1955 at Meherabad, Meher Baba took all His lovers to the tomb. His heart was immersed in the ocean of love but his mind had a passing thought.

tsIt islks said pWnk in mxosGuru lqjt Granth p

~~“JEY SAU CHANDA UGWAY, SOORAJ CHADEY HAZAR, AETEH CHANAN HONDIAYA, GURU BIN GHOR ANDHAR”~~

Which means, “Even if hundreds of moons and thousands of suns rise and cause so much light, yet without Guru there is only darkness. He thought, “In my Sikh religion, when the Guru (Master) gives Deeksha (Initiation on the path), the Guru confirms the initiation of the disciple by holding the right hand of the disciple. But Meher Baba, the Master of Masters, hasn’t held my hand”. And lo, Meher Baba instantly held his right hand with His right hand tightly giving a compassionate look in His own inimitable way. His Joy knew no bounds. Beloved Baba gave Deeksha as per his choice. My father wished that Beloved Baba holds his hand once again. Again the Omniscient One held his hand convincing him that he is already His. Pritam’s heart wept with joy and he silently surrendered to his Master. The Omniscient One cleared all doubts once for all that he belonged to Him. The Compassionate One never fails to acknowledge our prayers. He never fails to reply, respond or reciprocate. He is ever present and never fails to listen provided one calls Him from the depths of one’s heart.

To come back to my father’s story of how he came in to Meher Baba’s contact, he continued his visits to saints and also pursued his studies to become a civil engineer. During that time, it was very rare for a common man to think of going abroad for greener pastures. He had the desire and the forethought to do so. He got an opportunity and he immigrated to Thailand.

In Thailand my father’s business was successful and it was almost now fourteen years. My mother tells me I was two years old then. One fine day, local people felicitated my father on the occasion of Lord Gautama Buddha’s birthday. My father was surprised at their felicitating him and they said, “You come from the land where Lord Buddha was born”. This touched his heart; the seed of spirituality perhaps was germinating. He mulled over this incident and concluded that he must now leave Thailand and go back to India, the land of Gods. Possibly, his time was nearing to understand the spiritual part of life and destiny started working to take him closer to the Lord of Love-Meher Baba.

~~No Politics~~

During British rule my father told me he was member of revolutionary party in Thailand and through him mail carried on elephants through jungles. But, unfortunately he was caught along with his companion. He was produced before the British officer who looking at him told him, “You being a young man, I will leave you only if you promise that you will never indulge in any activities against the British rule in India”. My father was frightened and promised not to do so, but the other man was shot dead. Baba gave him a new life.

~~Contact with Meher Baba~~

We returned to the undivided India at Rawalpindi, now in Pakistan. Some years of my childhood were spent in district Rawalpindi now called Islamabad. My father later shifted to Ranchi. He sent us telegrams and letters to come immediately saying some political unrest might occur. We came to Ranchi and after few months’ political upheaval started in large scale and India was divided. Had it not been for my father, today our stories would have been different. My father’s search for the Master continued and it was not until few more years that my father would have Meher Baba’s darshan. It was in the year 1936 that my father heard the name of Avatar Meher Baba in one of the columns of the English Daily Newspaper, ‘Advance’ of Calcutta. He was at Asansol then. This article was written by Dr. C.D. Deshmukh of Nagpur.

My father accepted Meher Baba as his Guru and Master soon after reading this article. He was a person who would get tears seeing Ram Lila. He had to wait for six long years after reading this article before he had the opportunity of Baba calling him to Meherabad. He was invited to Meherabad for Darshan programme from 27th to 29th December, 1942.

We were at Dehradun in the year 1942. My father used to recite sufi couplets in the early morning. One such couplet which I remember was uk eSa cUnk] uk [kqnk Fkk] eq>s ekyqe u Fkk] nksuks byr ls tqnk Fkk eq>s ekywe uk Fkk “Na main Banda na khuda tha, mujhe maloom na tha Dono illat se juda tha, mujhe maloom na tha”. This couplet means, “I was neither man nor god, I do not know. I was different from these; I do not know”. One morning one of the family members woke up and there was fragrance of roses from his body and bed. Then all the family members were awake and experienced the sweet fragrance of roses. With the rising of the sun it vanished slowly.

Often my father described his first Darshan of Baba. “I reached Meherabad at about 3 P.M., on the 26th of December, 1942. Soon after arrival there, Adi K Irani (Secretary to Meher Baba) came running there saying Baba called me. This call came to me as a blessing from God. I followed Adi in a state of immense joy, my heart full of His love, my eyes full of joyous tears, running towards the Lord of my heart, who made me His own long before I met Him in person. One step in the hut at Lower Meherabad and I was face to face there with Baba in a reclining position. I saw His brilliant face shining as a full moon, more beautiful than anyone I had ever seen before. His two most sparkling eyes, wide and deep pierced my heart and kissed my soul. His gentle smile confirmed forever that I belonged to Him and Him alone. I was lost in Him for a while; when Adi held my hand and made me sit beside Baba. Baba looked at me for the first time and His one gracious look won my heart forever. Happiness of my million of lives cannot equal the bliss of that one moment with Baba. Baba held my hand, drew me to His heart and gave me a warm embrace and made me aware that I was in the lap of the God-mother drinking deep from the well of His love.” Baba asked, “What do you wish for” Before I could reply, Baba dictated on the board, “I know what you want. For you, words are unnecessary” and He took me in His embrace again.”

~~Attacked during riots~~

Owing to my father’s various transfers, we saw Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Jabalpur, Madras and few other places. It was in 1947 just, before partition that we came to Ranchi where my father had contract business. On the day of Ram Navami there was a big procession. I went to see it. Then suddenly riots between Hindus and Muslims broke out. I ran towards the home and took the short route which passed through a Muslim colony. The road was deserted, but when I reached the center of the road, then dozens of people with knives & lathis attacked me. I fell on the ground unconscious. (Baba says unconscious always involves, temporary return to the original, beyond-beyond state of God regardless of the cause, ‘whether it be sound sleep, drugs a physical accident) When I regained consciousness I found someone had stabbed me in the chest and ran away. I had been stabbed seven times by then. A police man appeared who knew me and asked me what had transpired. I was aghast; I admonished him for having come after I was stabbed. He took me to a nearby hospital in a rickshaw.

I also recollect that three months before this incident I had a dream in which I saw that few people were running with weapons to attack me. The area that I saw in the dream was around the same place where the incident occurred. This again shows how Baba had forewarned me. But, it is unfortunate that human mind does not understand the mysterious indications until the happening of the incident.

Someone had informed my father of the incident and he came running to the hospital. Doctor came and attended to my wounds. He wanted to stitch the wounds with anesthesia but I did not want any. I was totally disappointed at the human behavior of killing innocent ones in the name of religion. Later a Police Inspector came to record my statement. I said, “It is the fault of a Hindu as to why he is born a Hindu, the fault of a Muslim as to why he is born of Muslim parents and the fault of a Sikh as to why he is a Sikh?” Finally, he said, “Is this a statement? I said, “Mob is mad; so many died, but nothing has happened to the culprits but in my case I am alive because of Meher Baba’s grace, God’s grace. Today, when I reflect on the incident, I realize that had it not been for His grace I could not have survived those deep wounds! 25

~~God is above religion~~

My father would distribute pamphlets of Baba and I also would distribute them. It was in the year 1940 then we were staying at Jamshedpur. One of the pamphlets, eSa jkt dkt vkSj lekt lc cny nwWxk I recollect, “Meher Baba says, Main Raj Kaaj aur samaaj sab badal doonga” which means, “I will change the governance, working culture and the society”, I do not recollect which message it was, but definitely this message had a deep impact on me because of two reasons: first I myself had distributed those leaflets. Second, this quote did have a significant meaning in my later part of the life. What Baba had said sixty years back is happening now.

Baba said about religion: “I am not come to establish a new religion. The religion that I shall give teaches the knowledge of the one behind the many. The book I shall make the people read is the book of the heart that holds the key to the mystery of life, I shall bring about a happy blending of the head and the heart. I shall revitalize all religions and cults and bring them together like beads on one string.

~~Life went on and I completed my education in many places and reached Madras before I went for my first Darshan of Meher Baba. ______~~

~~2 Pritam Singh’s Darshan Diary~~

“God is Love. And Love must love. And to love there must be a Beloved. But since God is Existence infinite and eternal there is no one for Him to love but Himself. And in order to love Himself He must imagine Himself as the Beloved Whom He as the Lover imagines He loves. Beloved and Lover implies separation. And separation creates longing; and longing causes search” #. --Meher Baba

~~My father always longed for Baba’s Darshan. He also wrote to Baba many times and received as many replies from Him. I am reminded of what Nanak said,~~

~~tkds efLrd deZ izHk ik;s] lk/k lj.k ukud rs vk;s~~

~~“Jake Mastak karam Prabh paye , Sadh Saran Nanak te Aye”, which means, “One who is destined to meet God, O Nanak, only he can come in contact with a Saint (Master)”.~~

~~He was one of the very fortunate few who were destined to have Baba’s Darshan several times.~~

~~As I went through all the correspondence my father had with Beloved Meher Baba, I am tempted to share few letters he received from Baba.~~

~~A Letter of Love Satara 9th September, 1955 Dear Pritam Singhji,~~

……….. All your letters to Beloved Baba, to Bhau and to me were read out to dear Baba. Baba was touched to hear every word of love from you. He says that he knows too well how you love Him. Your fervor and your deep and silent devotion has often been a subject of discourse from Baba. Baba has felt exceedingly pleased with you always; and we, the Mandali here, often remember you, all of a sudden, and then think of you with great esteem and fond regards………………”

~~Yours lovingly, SD/- (Eruch) In His company~~

He was ever eager to serve Beloved Meher Baba, seek His Darshan and constantly longed to be with Him forever. During January, 1958 Meher Baba wrote a very loving letter in reply to his earnest request to be with Him forever. The letter is reproduced as under: -

~~C/o Adi K.Irani, King’s Road, Ahmednagar 9th January, 1958~~

~~My Dear Pritam Singhji,~~

Your very loving letter of 6th was instantly read out to Baba, The Beloved was deeply touched to hear the outpourings of your heart. He wants me to convey to you that you are very dear to Him and he is happy with you.

Regards your staying near Him even before the sahavas commences, Baba says that even if you are thousand of miles away from His physical presence and remember Him sincerely, you will NOT miss Him. He is always near those who love Him ardently. Baba wants you to rest contended with the stay of one week near Him during the

~~period of sahavas, he says for those who know the way to stay near Him and love Him as he ought to be loved.~~

Baba does NOT want you to feel distressed in obeying His wish. He wants you to make His wish your pleasure. In obedience to Him is embedded the glorious path to the God itself. Perfect obedience is the greatest service one can render at the feet of the Ancient One. Therefore, the Beloved wants you NOT to feel disheartened and worried. On the contrary, He wants you to be happy in the knowledge that He loves you dearly. Baba sends His fond LOVE to you.

~~Yours lovingly, SD/- (Eruch) Humor and Hope~~

Meher Baba, the King of Kings was also the king of humor. In fact, He said that he retained the quality of humor to make the lives of His Mandali and lovers lively. On the first day during the Sahavas programme in 1958, my father was standing ahead of me in the queue, Baba jokingly said to my father, “Pritam ji Pritam se Miliye” in Hindi. It means, “Beloved, please meet the BELOVED”. My father Pritam Singh was really a ‘Pritam’ of Meher Baba. Once Baba said to my father through Eruch, “Baba says He folds His hands to your love”. In love, the lover longs more and more for the Beloved. When dependence increases more and more separation becomes even more acute. My father was a lucky one who had Baba’s Darshan regularly. He never left his Master behind and prayed earnestly to Baba not to leave him. Once in April, 1960, at Guruprasad, my father was sitting in front of Baba and he said to Baba, “This man called by the name of Pritam Singh humbly prays to his Beloved Baba not to leave him even for a moment, otherwise he will be lost and will be no more. You are his only hope”.

~~Beloved Baba in reply gestured “Kabool” meaning accepting his earnest request. How fortunate my father was, for the Divine Beloved accepted to be His constant companion.~~

~~Permission to Change the name~~

Truly, my father’s love for Meher Baba was seamless. He was ready to offer any sacrifice for Him. He was increasingly identifying himself with Meher Baba. In fact, he had a desire to change his name from Pritam Singh Sahni to Pritam Singh Meher. He was indeed very fortunate to get the permission to change his name from Beloved Baba Himself. Here is the permission accorded by Baba.

~~14th October, 1966 Pritam Singh Sahni K-3/11, Model Town, Delhi110009.~~

~~Dear Pritam Singh~~

~~Your letter to me of 10th seeking Beloved Baba’s permission to use the word “MEHER” instead of “Sahni” was read to Him in His very deep seclusion.~~

~~Baba permits you to make the change, and call yourself here-forth Pritam Singh Meher, and carry on to spread His cause as you have been so far doing silently and unassumingly.~~

~~Beloved Baba sends you His love,~~

~~Yours brotherly, SD/- (Eruch) Renunciation~~

My father was a tireless worker of Meher Baba. He always undertook the work of printing Baba’s messages and distributing them. His efforts to spread the name and messages of Meher Baba speak volumes of his love for Him. Once he distributed four thousand pamphlets in four days during World Conference of Religions in 1974. He wished to write the name of the Lord on every atom of this universe.

~~In love one lives less for himself and more for the Beloved. Self abnegation comes naturally to a true lover. Love takes the 30~~

lover to great heights of selflessness. He renounces many desires. Pritam Singh reached the peak of self abnegation. He wrote a letter to Beloved Baba seeking permission to renounce his family and retire to a secluded place to live in His communion forever. The reply of Baba is as under or follows.

~~April 01, 1967 Sri Pritam Singh Meher, K-3/11, Model Town, Delhi- 110009.~~

~~Dear Pritam Singh~~

Your letter of 28th March, 1967 was read to Beloved Baba, because it was lucky it reached here and was read to Baba before 1st April Baba does not want anyone to write to Him or to His Mandali, except about His work. I hope you got my specially printed postcard about this “no-correspondence” from 1st April, 1967.

In reply to your wish to retire to a secluded place, Beloved Baba wants you to continue to reside with your family till such time as you see Him after 1967 and then you may personally ask Baba about this life that you wish to live. Till then, you have to lead a retired life with your family, and should not take any step till you see Baba after 1967 and have His advice. With loving regards, Yours brotherly, SD/- (Adi K.Irani) Much later, he wrote the following on this letter:

“In strict obedience to these commands of Beloved Baba, I did not request for Darshan nor did I write any letter to His Mandali members. On 31st January, 1969 Baba dropped His physical body hence I had no chance to ask Him. I reached Meherabad on 4th February, and had Baba’s Darshan at the tomb on 5th also. On the 6th before my returning to Delhi I had last Darshan of my Beloved Baba’s most lovely form in reclining position in the crypt at the tomb. Placing my forehead at His lotus feet – I spoke to Him about my desired life in Him……… I recollected on 26th December, 1942, I had first Darshan of my Beloved in reclining position at Lower Meherabad……………. 31

My father retired. He started living more and more in the invisible presence of Beloved Baba. He was often talking to himself and to the Divine Beloved. He was always with Him. The Divine one had granted His companionship to him. After a brief illness he died in 1983, leaving behind Him an exemplary life lived for the sake of the Beloved. His love for Baba would not only inspire God seeking aspirants but also great yogis who probably would exchange their life time of “Tapasya” for his one moment of Baba’s presence.

His deep desire to live in Baba was long before fulfilled when Baba said “Kabbool” to his prayers. The Divine Tavern man filled the cup of his heart with so much of Divine love that it overflowed. I quote from a letter written by Baba through Eruch to my father on 23rd May, 1957.

~~23rd May, 1957~~

~~Dear Pritam Singhji,~~

~~“Your letter made Beloved Baba feel very happy. Baba says that He is very pleased with your love and devotion for the only ONE worthy of being loved.~~

~~A time will come when your cup will not only be filled upto the brim but it will also be overflowing”.~~

~~Yours lovingly, SD/- (Eruch)~~

~~Darshan of Beloved Baba~~

~~My father had several opportunities to have the Master’s Darshan. I have tabulated them:~~

Sl No Date Place Highlight First 26 Dec 1942 Meherabad This was the first time for Pritam Singh Darshan to have Baba’s Darshan. Second 28 June to 30 Hyderabad To attend Baba’s God determined step. Darshan 1951 He traveled from Suri Birbhum in West Bengal to Hyderabad. Third 29 & 30 Sep Meherabad To attend Baba’s Final Declaration Darshan 1954 programme. He traveled form Jabalpur to Meherabad. Fourth 19 to 25 Nov Meherabad To attend Sahavas programme. He Darshan 1955 travelled from Madras (Chennai) to Meherabad. Fifth 14 to 20 Feb Meherabad To attend Sahavas programme. He Darshan 1958 travelled from Madras to Jabalpur to Meherabad. I was also present in this programme. Sixth 10 Jul 1958 Meherabad To receive Universal Message. He Darshan travelled from Madras Jabalpur to Meherabad. Seventh 18 April 1960 Guru Prasad, Pune General Darshan Programme. He Darshan travelled from Agra to Pune. Eighth 4 & 5 May 1960 Guru Prasad, Pune General Darshan Programme. He Darshan travelled from Agra to Pune. Ninth 1 to 4 Nov 1962 Guru Prasad, To attend East- West gathering. He Darshan Pune travelled from Agra to Pune. Tenth 05 May 1963 Guru Prasad, In this Darshan, Meher Baba asked my Darshan Pune father to recite a couplet from Granth Sahib. My father recited, “Tum Thakur tum pe Ardas” Baba was very pleased with this recitation and He embraced my father. He travelled from Agra to Pune. Last 4 to 6 Feb 1969 Meherabad To attend what is called as Great Darshan Darshan after Baba dropped His body on 31 Jan 1969. From 1970, this date is celebrated as Amartithi. He had traveled from Delhi. My father attended few Amartithi celebrations at Meherabad. He had attended the Amartithi in 1970, 1971, 1974 and 1976. His Darshan diary may indeed turn many angels envious. ______

~~3 My Divine Father – Meher Baba~~

“If I am the Highest of the High, then a wish of my Universal Will is sufficient to give, in an instant, God-Realization to one and all, and thus free every creature in creation from the shackles of Ignorance. But blessed is Knowledge that is gained through the experience of Ignorance, in accordance with the Divine Law. This Knowledge is made possible for you to attain in the midst of Ignorance by the guidance of Perfect Masters and surrenderance to the Highest of the High. # -Meher Baba

~~It is my good fortune that I was born of parents who were Baba Lovers. It did not take very long for me to understand that Baba is God. It was a natural process for me to accept Him as God.~~

~~Meeting Masts & advanced souls~~

I did have few encounters with advanced souls. We were at Jabalpur in 1953 when I had darshan of a Mast named then Than Than Pal Baba. “The Wayfarers’ by Dr. William Donkin which is a great work on Baba’s spiritual work with the Masts, records that at that time Than Than Pal Baba as a 2nd plane mast. He was generally found playing in a village near Jabalpur. Later, we shifted to Madras (Now known as Chennai) and there was a mast named Moti Baba who was known to be a high mast of 6th plane. I used to go for his Darshan daily. This great Mast was found by Kaka Baria (one of the male Mandali members who had a knack of finding masts) and Eruch on a trip of almost incredible hardship, when the two of them were sent by Baba from Bangalore to bring Masts for the newly established special Mast Ashram there. Moti Baba was first contacted by Baba in November, 1939 shortly after Kaka and Eruch had first seen him and again in January, 1942. Sometimes he would play cards with me and sometimes he would ignite a match stick and show me the light of it by bringing it close to my eyes. Once on Diwali, I had gone to him, he brought a small container of sweets and chose me only among the crowd who were present and gave the sweets. Nothing significant happened while I met him. But I would feel very glad to have met him.

Once, I went to a Tantrik, who gave me a lemon with the promise that I should keep it undisturbed for 21 days and that if I cut it after 21days I would get a seven colour stone. True to his words, I found a seven colour stone. I got the stone fixed in a gold ring. Once, when I went to Mast Moti Baba he removed the Ring and I never tried to get it back.

The Mast was staying in a verandah of a bungalow which belonged to a Muslim Businessman. The mast was fond of tea. He used to go outside to a nearby tea stall and I would follow him. Tea vendor never hesitated to offer tea to the mast. He would sip and pass on the glass of tea to me. I always accepted it without any thought. The mast wore clothes which I think were never washed.

Baba said,” A Pir or Master of the 6th plane, when is pleased with someone, he may ask for a glass of water or a cup of tea and taking a sip or two may give it to him to drink; or he may ask the person for something such as a handkerchief or scarf and after using it for some time, return to him. By such a seemingly insignificant action, the Pir may bring him up through any of the lower planes, even to his own station and cause him to take a complete about-turn so that Maya is forever behind him and before him is the indescribable beauty and glory of God.”

~~Moti Baba~~

Perhaps it is all His grace that I was able to meet such masts and saints. The basis and the realization of meeting these advanced souls were neither known to me nor did I ever try to dissect these meetings. I can only say that on the journey to God, we all are wayfarers and those are really fortunate who have their hands in the Master’s. I would like to quote from ‘The Wayfarers’ as follows:

“In 1939, Baba sent Eruch and Kaka to bring masts to Bangalore Ashram. They went to Nagapatnam in search of masts. The next day they devoted to two meetings with Moti Baba – who is a high mast of the sixth plane-and although they failed to persuade him to come with them, their experiences were odd.

~~During their first encounter in the morning nothing memorable came to pass, and they left with a promise to come back - the same 35~~

evening. At sunset, when they reached house, they joined a group of disciples and visitors who were awaiting Moti Baba’s return, and after some time his shuffling footsteps were heard approaching, and a hush fell on the gathering. This little old man with bright eyes then stepped up onto the verandah, and at once peeled off his wet outer clothes. These were composed of seven coats and seven pairs of trousers, which he removed in two pieces en bloc, one of seven coats each within the other, and the other of seven pairs of trousers invaginated into each other in the same way. He then reclined, covered only by the indefinite folds of an assortment of undergarments, and was silent for a time, while he enjoyed several country cigarettes. Thereafter, he ordered one of his attendants to prepare and bring food. This was placed before them by a man, previously a leper, who had begged Moti Baba to heal him. He had been told to stay as an attendant, and rub the dust from Moti Baba’s feet every day over the leprous patches, and he was now apparently cured, and had devoted his life to the service of the man by whose grace he had been healed.

After the meal, Kaka and Eruch, at a moment that seemed propitious, repeated their plea of the morning that Moti Baba should come away for a few days with them. He replied in a strange way. He pointed to his feet, indicating the mud and filth upon them, and told them, with a sigh, how tired he was, since he had but now returned from a visit to the man who had sent them, and that there was therefore, no need for him to go with them.

Some time later, apparently without rhyme or reason, he lit three matches in succession, and gave them to Kaka, who acting on the principle that whatever a saint gives to one should be kept, placed the cinders in his pocket. It was then nearly midnight, and suddenly Moti Baba asked Baba’s men to prepare tea for him. The ex-leper, after a hectic search in the city, produced two large beakers, one of tea, and other of coffee. Moti Baba then invited the three of them to sleep on the floor beside him, but because of the plans that lay ahead they declined, and set out for the station. Kaka still feels that they should not have refused this invitation, for he thinks it possible that they might have undergone some memorable spiritual experience. But such a chance, once rejected, is not offered a second time. 36

~~Prof AK Hazra~~

Our family would always indulge in talking about Baba. My father would waste no time in any other pursuit except to involve himself in some activity related to Baba. I remember, once at Khamaria, Jabalpur there was Baba programme in year 1953. Bhau Kalchuri, Nana Kher and few others had come for that programme. There was no electricity due to some failure and finally the programme was held with the help of lanterns. My father who was always eager to participate in such activities would get immersed in telling Baba stories. Many would come to meet him and he would tell Baba tales in the most touching manner.

Professor A.K. Hazra was also living at Jabalpur at that time. He also had very profound memories of my father, which he described in his book, “Memoirs of a Zetetic”. Once he had come to our place and my father narrated him the story of Baba Flag. In the words of Prof A. K. Hazra recorded in his memoirs, “A peculiar phenomenon took place when Pritam Singh was pouring out his heart’s love for Meher Baba in the most touching words. A strong exudation of fragrance, like a hundred roses, would suddenly fill the room as old eyes sparkled with tears punctuating his stories about his Master. Meher Baba must have made an invisible member of the audience at such times apart from SKG, RBN and I, and the sudden manifestation of fragrance was the testament of His presence. Sardar Pritam Singh ‘Meher’ was in his sixties at that time, while we were in our twenties. But he looked brighter and more youthful than we with all our meat eating and high calorie diets, as well as our physical exercise.”

Prof Hazra wrote further about my father in his memoirs as, “Baba Lover named Sardar Pritam Singh “Meher”, an elderly gentleman who deeply impressed us with his age, sagacity, intelligence and utter devotion to Meher Baba. Formerly a government Contractor and having property and business outside India, this old gentleman’s story of his first meeting Meher Baba touched us deeply. He saw a brilliant light and lost consciousness of the outer world. After he regained consciousness, someone asked him what his impression about Meher Baba was, Pritam

~~Singh’s reply was “Can a new born baby describe his father? This was an apt manner in which to describe the indescribable”.~~

~~My father is my role model. And my Divine Father Meher Baba models us in to various roles! ______~~

~~#Excerpt from Meher Baba’s Highest of the High Copyright Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust~~

~~4 Darshan, Devotion & Dedication~~

“True love is very different from an evanescent outburst of indulgent emotionalism or the enervating stupor of a slumbering heart. It can never come to those whose heart is darkened by selfish cravings or weakened by constant reliance upon the lures and stimulations of the passing objects of sense. # -Meher Baba

Before I went for Baba’s darshan at Poona, Baba was always in my thoughts. This was automatic without me putting any conscious effort. I remember that I used to recite a poem published in Awakener magazine in 1955, written by Ruano Bogislav-

~~Take Me O Beloved~~

Take me O Beloved In to that land of light, Where love creates the endless day And there shall be no Night! And there with Thee, Beloved All life is as a song A strange and Glorious harmony To which we all belong!

~~Ruano Bogislav~~

~~My first Darshan of Meher Baba~~

Baba planned to give public darshan at Poona on 14th January, 1956. My father sent me to this darshan programme. I reached Poona on 13 January, 1956 evening and stayed in the house of one Baba Lover. It was getting difficult to wait until the 39

morning before I could see my Divine Father. In the evening someone suggested to go for Darshan of Babajan’s Samadhi. This proposition was too good to say no as Babajan was one of Baba’s Masters. We reached Babajan’s Samadhi crossing Saint Vincent School where Baba had studied. It was such a beautiful time that one felt like being in clouds. Before one could realize events were passing by. Perhaps, while one is in the field of influence of a Master, things change their speed and momentum.

When we were there Brother Adi Senior met me and asked me, “Are you son of Pritam Singh? “Yes” I said, I had not met Adi senior ever before. It was surprising that be could recognize me as the son of Pritam Singh Meher. Then he asked whether I had Baba’s darshan before. When I answered in the negative, he patted my back and said that this time I would definitely have His darshan.

We all were ready in the morning of 14 January, 1956 to march to the sight where darshan was arranged. It was at Plot No.5 near the Poona Meteorological Laboratory at Ganeshkhind. I think it was Ahuja’s building opposite to this bungalow.

At 8 am Baba’s green colour car reached the darshan place. Baba was sitting in the front seat wearing pink coat. Baba was so beautiful and radiant. I felt that I had not seen any man or women so beautiful and was crying inside me ‘Baba Baba’. I felt Baba was responding to everyone. He was like a bright Sun with His rays of light and love all around. I was just melting in His presence and wanted to keep looking at Him only. Baba alighted from the car and went inside the building and after some time darshan programme started. I was in queue for darshan. While in queue I do not remember what I was thinking. But it was a special feeling to be in the orbit of the Avatar. After some time, my turn came. I do not remember whether I bowed at Baba’s feet or He embraced me, I was blank then. But I remember Baba gave me Prasad and with one hand gestured something which I did not understand. (Closing his fingers below his chin-sign of beard; my father had long beard). Brother Eruch translated His gesture saying Baba says, “Go and give Prasad to Pritam ji”. I felt very happy. Baba gave me the experience that He was all Knowing.

~~About darshan of Master it is said in Guru Granth Sahib:~~

~~/ku lw osyk ftr n’kZu djuk gksa cfygkjh lrxq# pj.kk rqe esgsjoku nkl ge nhuk ukud lkfgc Hkjiqj yh.kk~~

~~Dhan Su Wela Jit Darshan karna haon Balihari Satgur charna Tum Meherwan dass Hum Dina Nanak Sahib Bharpur lina~~

~~That moment was auspicious when I had darshan. I am a sacrifice at the holey feet of the master You are merciful lord, I am your poor slave. Nanak is full with your love Divine.~~

~~Pictures clicked by: Waryam Singh at Poona Public Darshan in 1956~~

I came back home and gave the Prasad of Baba to my father. For days together I was feeling Baba’s presence and I too longed like my father to have His darshan as soon as possible. I had to wait for another two years before I could have His darshan for the second time. Soon after having first darshan of Baba I began to have wonderful experiences in dreams. I saw a palace like building having spherical pillars and Baba was sitting on a dais wearing garland of precious stones. For many days I used to see the same dream. In one of the dreams, I saw Baba coming out of bathroom and gestured me to support and I supported Him.

~~Second Darshan~~

I got my second opportunity to take Baba’s darshan during sahavas at Meherabad from 14th February to 19th February, 1958. I and my father attended this sahavas programme. There were seven hundred fifty people including women this time. It was such a wonderful time. We reached Meherabad after a long and arduous journey from Jabalpur. It was so difficult those days. One had to change at least three trains before one could reach Meherabad. The arrangements were very good. There were different pandals for men and women. We were given meals and tea and all requirements were looked after. It was actually like heaven. Being with Baba and no cares and worries is something which perhaps even the angels will yearn for.

It is so difficult to reconstruct that atmosphere but surely I shall bring out what I remember. On the first day Baba came in a regal manner and He occupied His seat. Mr. Pandey was taking Baba’s picture. Baba remarked to him regarding some picture which he might have clicked earlier. He said “What a wonderful picture you have taken! It showed as if Baba is giving birth to Baba. He always encouraged even the smallest of efforts. Baba then gave a discourse. “In my previous incarnations, God had the chance of playing the role as God the father, but in this incarnation, God has the chance of playing both the role as God the Father and God the Mother.”

~~Beloved meets beloved~~

We were then standing in queue for His darshan. I was in the line carrying album of photos, (which I had clicked during my first darshan at Poona on 14th February, 1956) behind my father. I saw my father with folded hands in front of Baba. Then he turned his folded hands towards me as if he had silently prayed to Baba for me. My father’s turn came and Baba said to him. “Pritamji PREETAM se miliye”. Preetam means beloved. So Baba in His humorous style meant, ‘Beloved please meet the BELOVED’. When my turn came for darshan I was not aware of my existence, nothing existed for me for those moments, and then I was blank. Baba must have embraced me and I must have bowed at Baba’s Holy feet, because He promised so.

Baba said,” When your life presents an honest and sincere picture of your mind and heart, just an embrace from a Perfect Master is enough to quicken the spirit. When I, the Ancient One, embraces you, I awaken something within you which gradually grows. It is the seed of Love that I have sown. There is a long period and great distance between the breaking open of the seed and its flowering and fruiting. Actually the Goal is neither far nor near and there is no distance to cross nor time to count. In Eternity, all is here and now. You have simply to become that which you are. You are God, the Infinite Existence.”

~~It is said in Guru Granth Sahib,~~

~~esjs g`n; lq/k cq/k folj xbZ eu vklk fpra folkfj;k~~

~~“Mere hirday sudh budh visar gayee mann asa chint visarya”~~

which means, “My heart has achieved the state of forgetfulness and my mind has got freed from hopes and worries. ” gj tu jk[ks xq# xksfcUn jk[ks xq# xksfcUn dWWWaaB yk;s] vox.k lc esVs] n;ky iqj[k c[k’kanA

“Har Jan Rakhey Gur Gobind, Rakhey Gur Gobind Kanth laye, Avgun Sab Meytey, Dayal Purakh Bakhshand”, which means, “Master who is the lord protects His people himself, His embrace removes all bad qualities, who is compassionate and forgiving one”.

~~Pictures clicked by: Waryam Singh in 1958 Sahavas~~

Sahavasees had tied entrance badges on their left arms. My father’s badge no. was 355 and my badge no. was 356. Each day the darshan programme would end with His arti and every one felt like being in His presence for ever. Once Meher Baba said, “When I am in your midst, I am the way and the Goal. The path has no existence. The path then begins to follows you. When you begin to love, I am yours and you are Mine”.

~~Baba looks at everyone at the same time~~

One day during the Parvardigar prayer we all were facing towards Baba who was also standing with folded hands and someone was reciting the prayer. My mind was running towards home and I was feeling it was going step by step towards the door of the Pandal. But when it reached the door, some hidden hand brought it back till the prayer was finished. Baba showed me His authority. In His presence our body, mind and soul belonged to Him alone. It was the last day of the sahavas at Meherabad. Baba had fever, so it was decided that there will be two rows of lovers and Baba will be taken in the chair through the lovers for darshan. When Baba was carried each one felt that He was looking at him. And it is hundred percent correct that Baba was looking at everyone at the same time. 44

~~Take me with you~~

We just did not know how time passed and these five days of sahavas were over. It was a very difficult moment for all of us to part from the Beloved of hearts. We all reached at the railway line. The railway officials were requested to halt the train at the make shift platform of Meherabad for all the sahavasees to board. Then a special train arrived from Ahmednagar at Meherabad. We all boarded the train which was decorated with Baba flags and flowers. Baba touched His heart and raised His hand and said. “Take Baba with you in your hearts”. That moment we were totally lost to the world and only Baba was there. There were shouts of “Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai”. One can see this immortal scene in few movies shot by His lovers.

The train slowly moved towards Ahmednagar and Baba’s car was speeding on the road towards Meherazad. Baba took His hand out of the car window and waved at us. Everyone was yearning to have a glimpse of Baba. All were intoxicated with His Divine Love.

This second darshan of Baba is too precious to me and it was indeed such an experience that I can never trade with anyone for any price. Perhaps one waits for births together for one can come in to the orbit of the Avatar and perhaps several more life times to get such an opportunity to be in the presence of the Lord of Lords. Baba’s love really overwhelmed all of us.

~~Third darshan during East-West gathering~~

Life went on and it was not until 1962 that I could avail the third opportunity of having His darshan. East-West gathering was again a special time when Baba had called His eastern and western lovers. Baba was working towards blending the spirituality of the east and practicality of the west to bring about desired spiritual results. It was during November, 1962 that I too was given permission to come for Baba’s darshan, called the East-West gathering from 01 to 04 Nov 14. I saw Baba for the third time and that was my last time when I had His darshan. Each time I had His darshan I felt something inside me grew up and my vision broadened, words actually fail to capture these moments. Those who have had His darshan can easily experience and appreciate such feelings. During 1962 East West gathering, a press reporter 45

~~came to Baba and asked what would be the result now that China attacked India. Baba said, “Since, I, the ancient one is here in India, India will win”.~~

Truly, I am fortunate to be blessed with His Darshan three times. By my experience I can say that a disciple may fall short of the expectations of the Master, but the Master shall never fail us and shall never let us down. In my life, Baba has never let me down. It is these three darshans that have sustained me through the storms of my life.

~~______~~

~~5 Sahavas Snippets~~

“Those who love me are mine. The whole world is mine. You are mine. Everything is mine. All are mine. I am the one for those who love me. I am only his who loves me. Write this in your hearts. All are mine. The one who loves me is mine, whether he is sitting near me or staying miles away from me. That is a fact. Don’t feel worried. Don’t feel nervous. I want you all to go happily and cheerfully. I know everything. Take me with you fully. Take as much of me as you can with you.” # -Meher Baba ______

The record of sahavas programs with Beloved Baba is available in books, CDs and cassettes. Some of the incidents that happened and messages given by Meher Baba during 1958 Sahavas are my most wonderful memories. I share few of them:

~~➢ 1958 Sahavas was unique in the sense that for the first time even ladies were invited to attend the sahavas.~~

~~➢ The sahavas was arranged for the first time on such a large scale when over 750 people attended the programme.~~

~~➢ There was another sahavas which was arranged immediately after the Hindi Marathi Sahavas for Telugu Gujarati people.~~

~~➢ It was for the first time that a Train had stopped at Meherabad at the make shift platform for His lovers to board the train at Meherabad itself.~~

~~➢ Some glimpses of this sahavas was recorded in a video film which is very touching to see Baba telling His lovers to take Him with them.~~

~~➢ This sahavas was unique in few more ways because, Baba Himself took the sahavasees to see His tomb at upper Meherabad. When Baba took us for darshan of His~~

~~Samadhi, Baba remarked, “You all are fortunate to see my Samadhi while I am in body.”~~

~~➢ Moreover, this sahavas was arranged by Pendu, who was severely injured in the accident, which Baba met on 02 Dec 1956.~~

~~➢ This Sahavas was also unique because Godavari Mai had come to attend.~~

~~➢ In this sahavas, Baba gave very important and serious discourses, especially on false saints.~~

➢ One Baba Lover from Hamirpur got so overjoyed and emotional that he could not control himself. He suddenly started dancing on the stage wearing Dupta (a piece of cloth ladies wear to cover their heads). He started dancing abruptly (Baba says whatever action you do, it binds you, but action done in my name liberates you, even if you dance in my name that liberates you). I had seen Divine glow (Nur-e- Elahi) on Baba’s face when He had hearty laugh. The Joy and Bliss experienced in Baba’s physical presence will ever remain indescribable. It was the climax of heavenly life on this earth. Then there was no worry, no tension, no hope, and no thought except Baba. No one can explain the heavenly atmosphere when He laughs. Baba would not produce any sound while laughing. His laughter was also silent. Baba silently shared His laughter, His eyes sparkling with amusement. During the five days of the Sahavas, it was the first time I saw Baba so happy.

➢ Once Baba was embracing everyone and it was the turn of Dr. C.D. Deshmukh. Baba quietly flicked his pen from his pocket and showed it to others. Hiding the pen Baba asked Deshmukh, “Have you lost any thing?” Dr Deshmukh was looking lost. Then Baba gave back his pen. Baba never missed an opportunity to play mischief and bring humor. He said that humor relaxed Him.

~~➢ On one of the days, wife of Pankhraj from Jabalpur came for Baba’s darshan. Pankhraj and his wife were short. Baba was in a very jovial mood. When she approached Baba, He 48~~

~~held her hand and said, “Were you to marry this short man only? Instead you could have married me! While He cracked this joke all present could not control their laughter.~~

➢ During the sahavas, one day, Baba was calling a person again and again. A thought came to my mischievous mind. Is there partiality here? The very next moment Eruch translated Baba’s gestures- Baba says, “I call only that person again and again with whom I have work”. This announcement not only clarified my doubt but also assured me that Baba is for all. A little late I came to know that the person whom Baba was looking for was Meherji Karkaria.

~~➢ The seven sahavas saying that were hung for all of us to read, remember and retain in our lives are tabulated:~~

~~S.No Message~~

~~1 Be angry with none but your weakness.~~

~~Hate none but your lustful self. Be greedy to own more and more wealth of tolerance and justice.~~

~~Let your temptation be to tempt Me with your love in order to receive my grace.~~

~~Wage war against your desires and Godhood will be your victory.~~

~~2 Real happiness lies in making others happy.~~

~~The real desire is that which leads you to become Perfect in order to make others Perfect.~~

~~The real aim is that which aims to make others become God by first attaining Godhood yourself.~~

~~Real living is dying for God. Live less for yourself and more 3 for others, one must die to one’s own self to be able to live in all other selves. 49~~

~~One who dies for God lives forever.~~

~~4 Love others as you would love yourself and all that is yours.~~

~~Fortunate are they whose love is tested by misfortune.~~

~~Love Demands that the lover sacrifice for the Beloved.~~

~~5 Seek not to possess anything, but to surrender everything. Serve others with the understanding that in them you are serving me.~~

~~Be resigned completely to My will and My will be yours.~~

~~Let nothing shake your faith in Me and all your bindings will be shaken off.~~

~~6 Desire for nothing except desirelessness.~~

~~Hope for nothing except to rise above all hopes.~~

~~Want nothing and you will have everything.~~

~~7 This Period of Sahavas is the period of my suffering and helplessness.~~

~~My glorification will follow my humiliation.~~

~~In this sahavas Baba gave very poignant messages for generations to follow.~~

~~I want to share the messages that were given by Baba during this 1958 sahavas date wise.~~

~~15 Feb 1958~~

By the evening of 14 Feb 1958, which was a Friday, most of us had reached Meherabad but we were all worried as it was conveyed to us that Baba was keeping very unwell and was undergoing tremendous physical suffering. Some of us understood that the sahavas programme could be cancelled. The next day, when Beloved Baba’s car arrived at around 8.30 AM, there were huge shouts of ‘Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai’ and the whole atmosphere changed. This was the first day and Beloved Baba met everyone and had embraced each one of us. He was looking so radiant that none of us could make out that He was undergoing so much of suffering. On this day, He told us about the meaning of sahavas:

“Sahavas means the give-and-take of love. I am the only Beloved, and you all are my lovers; or, I am the only Lover and you all are my beloveds! I wish that you remain happy in my sahavas. This will be the last sahavas, so I want you to be happy and draw as much of my love as possible.

“In the sahavas congregation, I will tell you something very original. After this, there will be no more programs. Do you know why I have taken this form? During sahavas, my incarnation will take solid state. Do not miss this sahavas of February 1958, even if you are indisposed or you have some very important work.”

“This sahavas will be unique in the sense that you will witness and share my present universal suffering by being near me as my fortunate companions – being with the Ancient One, who will be completely on the human level with you……...”

“Make the most of this opportunity. I am the Ocean of Love. It rests with you to draw as much love as you can from this Ocean. It does not rest with me to explain to you how to love me. Try to understand it. Suppose a man loves a woman and vice versa. Is it ever possible for the man to tell the woman, or the woman to tell the man how they should love each other? One thing is certain: I want to give you as much of my love as possible, but it rests with you to receive it. The easiest way is for you to forget about your home, family and worldly affairs when you are here, and try to be receptive

to my love. This is the first thing required if you want to absorb the maximum of my love. The second thing is to feel completely comfortable, have a good night's rest, sleep well each night, so that when you come daily for my sahavas you will feel fresh.

“I am God, and if you doze in my presence, you will miss me and your drowsiness will force you to remain absent from my presence, in spite of your daily attendance. The meaning of sahavas is intimate companionship. In order to establish this companionship, you should be free with me. You should try to be as intimate with me as possible. Sahavas is the intimacy of give-and-take between lovers. It is not necessary to explain this give-and-take of the lover and the Beloved. To create an atmosphere of explanations and discourses is to mar the dignity of love which is established only in the closest of intimacy.

“After five minutes, we will have prayers. After that, you may garland me, meet me, take my darshan and even embrace me; but come one after another. Do not create pandemonium. There is no urgency; there is plenty of time. My whole time will be spent in sahavas. I want you to meet me intimately, in the closest friendship.

~~“I appear to you all to be happy and cheerful, and you must be thinking that Baba is all right. But how could you ever know how I suffer for the universe? I [alone] know how I suffer.~~

“The last sahavas [November-December 1955] was only for men, and they requested that the women should also be given sahavas. The women were never given such an opportunity, and so I permitted them to come for this sahavas, which is chiefly for them. But since it was not possible for the women to travel alone, men were also allowed. Yet, in spite of that, I find that the number of women attending this sahavas is fewer than the men. And what about their children? I had to refuse their coming because they would have caused confusion. If all the men had stayed at home to care for and look after their children, the women would surely have come in larger numbers.

“After the prayers, when you come to meet me, embrace me with all your heart. Today is the day for it, because half of you have the flu. If I catch it, then tomorrow, besides fever, I may have the flu 52

also. But one thing is certain: you should not expect miracles from me. I have never performed one. Before dropping this body, I will perform the only miracle [breaking of my silence]. But I will tell you one thing: I will perform miracles through my real lovers. How will my intimate lovers perform miracles? All these arrangements that you see here are in themselves a miracle of what my lovers have done. You have no idea how all this was accomplished. Pendu was entrusted with the arrangements. You must have seen his condition. After suffering from a brain concussion in the auto accident, he cannot think or speak clearly, but he was put in charge of everything. And I deferred giving final permission about arrangements for days. Four days ago, I visited Meherabad and Pendu was complaining and weeping before me like a child. Nothing was here four days ago, no tents, no bathing rooms, no latrines, no electricity. Padri's health is also not good. He has constant back pain. He cannot stand for long and give orders, and he is the man [who lives] to work. Vishnu was helping both Pendu and Padri. Vishnu was also involved in the accident which has affected his nerves. Even a little work leaves him nervous and exhausted. Behind these three is Adi. Adi is the most responsible behind this show. You should see him to believe how he works night and day — until two o'clock at night. He complained that he was being driven mad. So many people were changing groups, and newcomers were constantly being added to the list.

“To see Eruch standing here is a miracle in itself. Physically, he is shattered. He has had no rest for even five minutes. All the time, I keep him engaged. He is keeping nightwatch, too. But after all this, the day of sahavas has dawned, and all the arrangements are in order. You should not forget many other lovers who came here in advance to help. These five [Pendu, Padri, Vishnu, Adi and Eruch] are not the only ones. There are so many other lovers who work day and night”.

~~Meher Baba explained how He experienced the sahavas:~~

“It is I alone who bow down to myself and embrace myself; it is I who smile, I who weep. It is Baba who sits on the dais, and it is Baba squatting on the floor of the pandal. Baba meets Baba, Baba comforts Baba. It is Baba who pats each one lovingly, and it is Baba

~~who is being patted. It is all Baba, Baba, and Baba! That is my experience”.~~

~~It was a wonderful day as Baba spoke to each of them in His way. Baba left for Meherazad at 5 PM.~~

~~16 Feb 1958~~

~~It was a nice Sunday morning and Baba arrived at 8 AM itself. He addressed:~~

“I will be in the tent today for half an hour. Then, going to the hall, I will meet lovers of different groups separately. I will spend only five minutes with every group. All the group heads should be present. In the afternoon, a qawaali program will be held in the tent. Tomorrow morning, I will take you up Meherabad Hill, where I will show you my final resting place, and also other places of interest and tell you something about them. In the afternoon, there will be meetings of workers of different centers. And the day after tomorrow — if you people are still breathing — we will meet again.

~~One very interesting incident regarding Saib Asmi happened, which I quote form Lord Meher:~~

~~“Baba observed:~~

This is Saib Asmi. He is a resident of Lahore and a famous Pakistani poet. He has not met me before and this is the first time he has come to Meherabad. Yet, he has written a book in Urdu, Sarod-e-Javidan, which is dedicated to me. In the book, he has devoted about 100 pages to my life as much as he knows about it and has composed poems about me. He has introduced me to the Muslim world as Saheb-e-Zaman [the Messiah]. All this from a Muslim who has not seen me before and that, too, in a land [Pakistan] where people do not believe in the conception of man becoming God. I know he has taken this courageous step out of his deep love for me, and that sort of daring and love pleases me most.

~~Eruch was interpreting Baba's hand signs and conveying them in English, and Keshav Nigam was translating them into Hindi. By mistake, Keshav introduced Saib Asmi to the gathering as 54~~

"Saheb-e-Zaman Asmi," creating a burst of laughter. Baba declared, "Saib Asmi is not Saheb-e-Zaman, but Keshav has mistakenly said so. Some day, in one of his future births, Asmi may become [Qutub] Saheb-e-Zaman!" This elicited loud cheers of "Avatar Meher Baba ki jai!" and the pandal resounded with the cries. Keshav then apologized for his mistake, saying that only Meher Baba was the Saheb-e-Zaman. Saib Asmi laid his head on Baba's feet, and Baba warmly embraced him. Again there was loud cheering.

~~Baba then gave a wonderful discourse on false saints:~~

“For one to declare that he is a saint and allow people to bow down to and revere him, without real authority, is to feed one's ego with intense happiness. Simultaneously, with the feeding of the ego comes a feeling of well-being. One who is addicted to [eating or smoking] opium derives a similar feeling of well-being, though temporarily. After a time, the opium addict begins to feel the after- effects of opium such as severe constipation, loss of appetite, headache, dullness and drowsiness. He then begins to realize that it would have been better had he not become addicted. But, unfortunately, he cannot give up the habit. He has become its slave. He realizes this too late and sinks into deeper addiction, being tempted to take greater and greater quantities of opium to keep pace with the gradual loss of the feeling of well-being.

“Similarly, one who indulges in happiness by allowing people to bow down to him, without real authority, feels the prick of conscience later on. And with this feeling he realizes that he has no authority, but has got so used to the habit of feeding his ego in this manner that he is unable to stop the practice. He continues indulging and, after a time, does not pay heed to the pricks of conscience. He becomes numb to the voice within. After years of addiction, it so happens that one day the opium addict is found lying unconscious in a gutter of filth. An extra overdose of opium proves tragic for the addict who lost complete control over himself. The passerby scoffs, ridicules, points at him as a confirmed opium addict.

~~“In the same way, a person who poses as a saint, without really being one, starts to behave in an unworthy manner after years of indulgence in addiction to overdoses of homage. With him, unlike~~

the opium addict, his unworthy behavior is accounted as "perfection" by his followers. When he abuses others, his words are accepted as blessings! When he beats someone, his beating is accepted as the descent of his grace! When he indulges in lovemaking with the opposite sex, it is accepted as pure love! In short, whatever he does, anything and everything, is accepted in a spirit of reverence and love by the followers of the man who has posed as a saint. The unrulier his behavior, the greater the admiration of the followers. And the greater the admiration, the richer becomes the feeding of the ego of that man. Eventually, he falls from the high pedestal of admiration because, not being a genuine saint, the rich doses of admiration and reverence prove too much for the ego to digest! With his fall this "opiumized" saint is ridiculed. Those very persons who once called themselves his followers now scoff and call him a fraud. Just as an opium addict has his personal friends who extol the effects of opium and bring into their fold innocent people, so, too, a person who poses as a saint has a ring of followers who extol him and his "miracles" to attract others to their fold. Such miracles may be just coincidences, or even genuine experiences of simple and devout followers who get desired results through their own faith in and love even for such an opiumized saint.

“One who has no authority and yet permits people to bow down to him plays a losing game, while those who bow down gain. The unburdening of sanskaras [mental impressions] of those who bow down at his feet is the cause of his loss, for he takes on sanskaras that can only be wiped off by many more births. The point to be considered is this: If thousands can benefit at the cost of a false saint, should this person be allowed to continue? If such a person is already in contact with a Perfect Master and loves him, the Master immediately puts a stop to this and corrects the man's shortcomings, and warns his followers about such unauthorized behavior. If, however, such a person is not already in contact with a Perfect Master, the Master never interferes, because eventually this person also derives some benefit. The Master knows that this is the play of ego. The cause of any eventual benefit to such a deluded person is that, at the cost of his own condemnation, he proved to be a dustbin for thousands to heap their sanskaras therein.

~~“There is no doubt that in his subsequent birth his past behavior makes the person suffer much more due to this burden of acquired sanskaras. But, with the intensity of his suffering, the 56~~

redeeming factor is the speed with which these acquired sanskaras get wiped off. They are wiped off in proportion to the intensity of suffering. Along with the wiping off of the acquired sanskaras, his own sanskaras also get wiped off speedily. Just as an unauthorized person, posing as a saint, proves a source of benefit to thousands, so also he proves of harm to many. All this is a play in illusion!

“As an opium addict feels happy to give a tiny bit of opium to another, and that other, when he gets the taste of it, hands over another small dose to a friend, they thus create a circle of opium- eaters. The two or three persons close to the "opiumized" saint of our discourse start spreading news that such-and-such a woman was blessed with a child, and that another got her wish fulfilled, and that he, a "saint," performed many such miracles. A clique of followers is created around the opiumized saint. This happy picture does not last long, for after some years it so happens that at least one person finds out one day that his Master is a fraud and is not God-realized. The impact of such a great setback in his confirmed belief is so forceful that all his sanskaras, which he had inadvertently transferred on to the "saint" in his belief and devotion, all of a sudden recoil on him spontaneously and overburden him afresh. Thus, the person who had placed faith in the opiumized saint suffers a great deal.

“Let us view the picture from another angle: Suppose I am the opiumized saint and you love me and revere me as the Perfect Master. Your love becomes so deep and your faith so great that you actually make progress on the spiritual path, and really begin to have experiences of the Path. In this instance, you are surely benefited at the hands of an opiumized saint. Whereas in the previous case, the opiumized saint has done a great harm. Through such false saints, harm and benefit recoil and accrue. In India we find people without spiritual authority allowing others to bow down to them. Even one of my old followers [Vibhuti], after many years of contact with me, left me 30 years ago and established an "ashram" at Nasik. You have seen or heard of it as a place of spiritual pilgrimage. He used to tell people: "Meher Baba has made me his chargeman." People paid much homage to him. The news reached me, and I sent one man to tell him to stop all this display and nonsense and come back to me. He did not listen. He was very happy with his surroundings.

“Three years passed and he established a big following, among whom was a very beautiful woman. Theirs was not a proper [legal] marriage and the woman conceived. The police heard of it and the man got frightened. He left Nasik and ran to me. Then I reminded him that he did not come three years before when I called. Now, he should either go back and settle with the police, or stay with me and suffer with leprosy.

“There is no mention of this in any of the books, but it is recorded in Chanji's diary. He stayed with me and he did get leprosy, all the time repenting. I forgave him and instructed him to go out and beg for his food, to be without money and not to touch women. I sent him wandering; he was not to stay anywhere and to return after a year. He roamed about for two years and then came back. He was cured of the disease. Now he loves me fully and longs to tell everyone about me. But all this is a play in illusion. It is all my play. None can fathom me as I really am. I am in everyone and I do everything; simultaneously, I also do nothing.

~~“Be brave. Be happy. I and you all are One; and the Infinite that eternally belongs to me will one day belong to every individual”.~~

~~On this day, Baba gave a beautiful discourse to a group on love-~~

“Love has no limit, but the mind gets in the way. This hindrance cannot be removed without my grace, because it is a question of the mind annihilating the mind! For instance, if I were to ask Niranjan Singh to jump over himself, the most he would do is a somersault. To leap over oneself is impossible. Baba knows that from the purity in his heart, as follows, Niranjan Singh wants to realize me, but the hitch is there”.

During the sahavas someone was singing a ghazal of Seemab, who had died some time back. The ghzal composed by Seemab (as follows eq>s Xkys YkXkk ds Uk Nk¢Muk e¢jh ftUnXkh dk lokYk gS, (Don’t leave after embarrassing me, it is a question of life and death for me) was so touching that Baba Himself was touched that Baba suddenly became solemn and serious. Then He declared, "I gave mukti [liberation] to Seemab just now."

~~This was also a wonderful day spent in His presence. In fact, He stayed longer and said that next day He would go early as He had done overtime.~~

~~17 Feb 1958~~

~~It was the most special day, because Baba took all of us to His Tomb, where, He said His body would rest after He dropped His body. How fortunate we were to visit along with Him.~~

~~He told us the importance of His Samadhi. He said,~~

“On this hill, I have done my Universal work. The stone structure on my right was formerly a water reservoir during the First World War. There is a room inside it in which I had sat in seclusion several times in 1924. There was an iron ladder leading to a window, which I used to climb to enter and come out of the room.

“Shortly, I will send you to the place where my body will be kept after I drop it. Inside it is a pucca [sturdily] built crypt, where for six months, I stayed in seclusion and fasted on only coffee once a day and water. The seclusion lasted for two years, from 1927-28. Seventy years after I drop my body, this place will turn into a place of pilgrimage, where lovers of God, philosophers and celebrities will come to pay homage. How fortunate you all are that you are here in my living presence and could come up the hill with me!

“Those of you who have not seen the Tomb before should go there now, one by one. See it and pay your respects with a firm resolve that you will try your best to give happiness to others at the cost of your own, and that you will love Baba with all your heart. Having made this resolve, try to follow these two things honestly”.

~~To one of the lovers He remarked:~~

“Books and discourses will never bring about one's spiritual regeneration. The mind cannot be annihilated by the mind, just as one cannot jump over oneself. Only by loving me as I ought to be loved can the mind be destroyed. Anyone may have love for me, but not the love I want. My lovers may be likened to one who is fond of lions and admires them so much that he keeps a lion in his own 59

home. But, feeling afraid of the lion, he puts it in a cage. The lion is always kept caged, even while he feeds it; he feeds the pet from a distance, standing outside the cage. Baba is also treated like a lion by his lovers. There is love, there is admiration, there is an intense desire to see Baba comfortable and happy, and Baba is also frequently fed by the love of his lovers. But all this is done keeping Baba segregated from one's own self. What is wanted is that the lovers should open the "cage" and, through intense love for their Baba, throw themselves inside it to become food for the Lion of Love. The lover should permit himself to be totally consumed through his love for the Beloved.

~~In the afternoon, there was a meeting of Baba workers. Baba explained:~~

“What is Baba's work? It is to explain to people who and what Baba is. Baba has always emphasized that one should love all, slander no one, not make others suffer and have a pure heart. Baba is the Avatar of the Age and the greatest work anyone can do is to love Baba as Baba ought to be loved. If the workers themselves lack these attributes, how will they be able to influence people? On the contrary, it would not be Baba's work, but an increase of burden on Baba.

“There are two types of workers. For example, Keshav tells people who Baba is and what Baba says, and himself acts and lives as I want my workers to be in life. Then there is Dillipati, who also loves me in his own way, but lacks the qualities desired by me. When such a man, instead of doing my work in a haphazard manner, confesses his incapacity to others and tells them what I want them to do, though he himself cannot do it, because he is honest there is no binding created for him, and no burden felt by me on behalf of such a worker.

“The workers should be bold and candid enough to admit to their weaknesses and to try to overcome their weaknesses before they attempt to preach what Baba says. In doing Baba's work, there is one great difficulty. No doubt the workers have love for Baba, but, at the same time, they have their own characteristic weaknesses. The great difficulty resides in the expression of one's ego, the feeling of self-importance by which a man is possessed, despite

~~one's best efforts to lose it. The heart is for weakening the ego, but the mind is for strengthening it. The mind gains a sense of greatness in doing Baba's work. There is no escaping this.~~

“What is to be done then? Try to be humble. But even if the leader of a group, charged with the responsibility of spreading Baba's message of love far and wide, tries to be humble, his co- workers may take it as mere posing on his part and look down upon him. Although, other people will ultimately respect him for his quality of leadership.

“Another difficulty in doing Baba's work is that the workers themselves fail to cooperate. With differences of opinion prevailing, they find fault with one another. The result is that the work itself suffers. All this results from the workers differing among themselves while they dare to carry to people my message of love, tolerance and purity of heart”.

~~Hearing everyone say that it was true, KK Ramakrishnan of Poona Centre said that it was all due to Maya to which Baba replied,~~

“If maya were not there, then the work I started in the beginning [creation], from which I am not yet free, would not be there. Then, where would differences and disunity come into the picture? In fact, I, myself, am the worker, the work and everything. No, this [maya] is not the answer. I have been looking for a remedy for ages, but until now I have not found it. Can anyone suggest one? But there is a remedy for this type of disunity. If the workers tried to act upon it sincerely, it would be easy. Real workers are those who, in addition to helping their leader, disregard his faults. In such cases, the workers themselves become leaders and yet remain sincere workers, too. My workers- follow this advice and cooperate with their leaders and co-workers, understanding that it is I who have entrusted the responsibility to the group heads, then Baba's work would be done”.

~~Baba left at 5.30 PM to go back to Meherazad. These were heavenly days and we would not know when the day would end in His remembrance.~~

~~18 Feb 1958~~

~~This day was also very special because Godavari Mai along with two kanyas came from Sakori to meet Baba. On this day, Baba gave very poignant discourses. He said,~~

“I am happy, as my mother Godavri Mai is near me. Often I have told my lovers that Godavri is to me what Yashoda was to Krishna. Godavri is my Yashoda [adopted mother]. I will tell you the background. When I was Krishna, Godavri was my Yashoda. The basis for this lies in the greatness of Godavri Mai.

“Hazrat Babajan disclosed to me my Ancient State, and Upasni Maharaj established that state in me. One day Upasni Maharaj told those around him to hold fast to Merwan, as he used to call me. At that time, and soon after, there was a peculiar atmosphere in Sakori. Upasni Maharaj is present here, and remains here always. He is witness to what I am going to tell you today, and what I am telling you is the absolute truth.

“Things started happening on a certain night soon after Upasni Maharaj told some devotees to hold fast to me. Even Yeshwant Rao [who was present in the pandal] did not know what happened on that night. Maharaj and I were sitting in a hut. Maharaj folded his hands and told me, "Merwan, you are the Avatar." Maharaj then told me to leave him, adding that soon he would create such an opposition as would make it difficult for those whom he had asked to stick to me, to follow his advice. "Even those who want to hold fast to your daaman will abandon you!" he said.

“In those days, there were two groups in Sakori: those who loved and followed me, and those who envied me and were against me. Those against me were pleased at Maharaj's creating opposition against me. One among those who loved me was Durgabai, and in the opposition was a Brahmin Talati [a village tax revenue officer]. I would not like to go into detail of how these two elements clashed and how I kept free from it. But one thing I will tell you about Godavri Mai, and it is her greatness — she was the beloved of Upasni Maharaj. Those who used to come for Maharaj's darshan were also taking Godavri Mai's. Just imagine how Godavri Mai created a favorable atmosphere for me after the passing away 62

~~of Upasni Maharaj. He created opposition, and the opposition continued even after Maharaj's dropping his body.~~

“Godavri Mai is a jewel. Today, she is enthroned on Maharaj's gaadi [seat]. She is loved and respected by thousands in India. What was the necessity for Godavri Mai to invite me to Sakori, to revere me, when Maharaj had done otherwise? She is already famous, she had thousands of devotees, and she was the occupier of Maharaj's gaadi. In spite of that, she changed the atmosphere for me in Sakori. I again repeat that Godavri Mai is my Yashoda — my mother. She has tenderness, humility and greatness. She entertains me, reveres me, worships me, performs my arti, and at the same time, she is so humble. I call her Mother, and yet she bows down to me. I call her Yashoda Mai and still she does my arti. Is this not humility and greatness?

“Before dropping his body, Upasni Maharaj and I met together in a hut near Sakori [October 1941]. I bowed down to Maharaj. Maharaj wept like a child. He told me to break my silence, but I did not do it. Maharaj then told me, "Merwan, I shall soon drop this body; keep an eye on Sakori."

“I am the Ancient One. Not even the leaf of a tree quivers without my will. I am the One who is in everyone and everything. I also know what difficulties Godavri Mai had to face to maintain her seat on Upasni Maharaj's gaadi, after he passed on. I know how vast the difference is between the previous and present atmosphere in Sakori. I tell you all I am very happy and pleased with my "mother." I love her intensely.

~~Beloved Baba then gave a discourse on the ‘Affairs of the Universe’:~~

“The affairs of the universe will continue without my paying any special attention to them, and without there being any burden on the Creator. The subject of discourses and explanations is a headache to me. One's breathing is natural and one has not to pay any attention to it, but after some exertion, the mind becomes conscious of it. In the same way, the affairs of the universe go on without my paying any special attention to them. But when it comes to the matter of giving explanations, I feel like one who has climbed a steep mountain and becomes breathless. Giving discourses is a 63

burden for me. It reminds me of the affairs of the universe, and the discussions and explanations that are included in the affairs of the universe become more of a burden to me. Playing marbles, flying kites and playing gilli-danda and cricket are also included in the affairs of the universe, but they "unburden" the burden. It is like coming down a hill; it is more a relaxation than an exertion.

“Elcha and Dhake, by their jokes and witticisms, lighten this burden and I relax. These are the things that give me relaxation. But, whether burdened or relaxed, I play my role equally well. Burden or relaxation makes no difference to me, for I am beyond all this.

“God is One — both Father and Mother in one. Of course, He is in everything and everyone, and everyone knows it. But God is beyond this, too. I will tell you about God in His Divine Beyond state. In the Beyond state, God is both Father and Mother in one. Now, let us consider the worldly father and mother. Suppose a couple has seven sons. It is but natural for the father to love those who are useful to him, who are healthy, strong, and intelligent— and obviously he will remain pleased with such sons. Now six sons of the father are healthy, hearty, brilliant — good in all respects — and he loves them very much. But the seventh son is a cripple, a simpleton, dull-headed, gullible and innocent. The father has comparatively little love for his seventh son, but the mother loves her seventh son the most: more so because he is a weak, disabled, guileless child. Such is the general tendency found among worldly fathers and mothers.

“Now, we again come to the Beyond-God, Who is both the Father and Mother in one. During cycles of cycles of time, after ages, when God descends as the Avatar on this material plane, he always takes a male form. He is never born as a woman. Avatars are the Sons of the Father in the Beyond state. All the past Avataric periods witnessed the presence of the Avatar as the healthy, bright, intellectual Son of the God-Beyond. This means, in my previous advents, I always remained the Beloved Son of my Father. I was like the six sons of the worldly parents.

~~“But in the past, the Beyond-God did not have the occasion of playing the part of God the Mother. In this Avataric period, God~~

the Father is very pleased with me at my being infinitely bright, infinitely intelligent, infinitely brilliant, ustad [masterful], and so forth. I give promises and never fulfill them. [The group laughed.] I am bright and shrewd, as my Father wants me to be, and I am the Beloved Son of my Father.

“At the same time, in this form, I am physically disabled. In America in 1952, I broke the left side of my physical frame from head to foot. Now in India, the right side has been completely shattered in the recent auto accident. Besides being physically disabled, I am infinitely bhola [innocent], guileless and easily duped. Therefore, I always listen to all that you say and yield to your wishes. I have not the strength to say no to any of you, nor refuse any of your requests, despite my plans, instructions and circulars. Thus, I am the well-beloved Son of God as the Mother also. In this incarnation of the Avatar, God has the chance, as it were, to play the part of both Father and Mother”.

~~I think this discourse of Baba will be a subject of philosophy for ages to come in future. Shortly thereafter, Baba gave another discourse on Split ‘Ego’ or ‘I’:~~

“I have dictated points about the present discourse which will be read out in English, and its translations in Hindi and Marathi. We have heard about split personality. We hear it is quite common. One day a person may be happy and in a buoyant mood, and the next day or next moment, he may feel dejected and depressed. One day he does good actions and the next he may do actions which are undesirable. Compared to split personality, split ego or split I is something new. Never before has such a thing been explained. It is quite original.

~~“Most of you must have heard about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde — a combination of good and evil propensities in one man. This is a good example of a split personality.~~

“Just as there is a thing like split personality, there is also a thing like split ego. All do not have a split personality, but all do have a split I. The Real I of all is always one indivisible whole. Simultaneously, there is also the false I in every individual which gives rise to his separative existence. We find that the very same 65

one Real I plays the part of infinite false I's in different ways, creating as many separate beings and things born out of the one Real and Eternal Existence. In reality, there is only one Real I. This Real I is so uncompromisingly one and indivisible that it knows not any separate existence. All of you present here are the part and parcel of that one whole inseparable I. Then, how is it that we see forms here? From where has this division come? If this separation were not there, then no one would have found that there is only one indivisible Real I. The I is real; but the split ego — that is, the separative I — is unreal, and yet we see all this division. This one Real I is apparently split into innumerable false I's. What can we expect from this false "I?" The false I, being false, represents everything false. The Real I in me sees the One without a second, and the Real I in you has apparently split into the false I which sees divisions everywhere. In short, it is the one Real I that plays the part of innumerable false I's in multifarious ways and in varying degrees. The main support of the false I is ignorance, and this false I utilizes three channels for its expression — the gross [physical] body, the subtle body [energy] and the mental body [mind]. In other words, with the support of ignorance, the Real I takes itself as the false I and tries to derive as much fun out of it as possible. While continuing to derive fun, it is also continually enduring setbacks and suffering. What happens eventually? The Real I eventually gets fed up and stops playing the part of the false I. As soon as the Real I stops playing the part of the false I, it becomes conscious of its [Original] pristine state. This Consciousness is eternal. And it also realizes that, being eternally happy, its experience of being fed up was sheer, nonsensical ignorance.

~~“The Real I, when playing the part of the false I, as the false I, whatever it does, sees, feels, thinks, understands and says is [utterly] false, because the false I is virtually false itself.~~

“The aim of all yogas is one: the false ego, or the falsity of the split ego, should disappear, and the Real Ego be manifested in its glory. In other words, the Real I, which plays the part of the false I, should completely forget to play the part it plays of the false I through action and search for Reality.

~~“For example, take Eruch. He is the Real I within; but as Eruch, he is the false I. Now the Real I within Eruch tries to forget~~

that it is only playing the part of the false I as Eruch. While trying to do so, the false I as Eruch tries its best to serve so many other false I's. This it does by actions; it is called karma yoga. But the fun or irony is that one false I, in its struggle to forget, to efface itself, remembers so many other false I's, while bent upon serving them. The Real I, which is eternally free, gets apparently further bound by this process, and it is eternally trying to forget the false I and trying to remember the Real I at one and the same time.

“In another type of yoga [bhakti yoga], the Real I, while acting the part of the false I, tries to worship the Real. The false I cannot be anything but false and it cannot have any conception of the Real I. The Real I, acting as the false I, forms a false conception of the Real I. Then what does the false I say? It says, "O Real I, I worship Thee in all! You are the Only Reality. I bow down to Thee. You are Omniscient in all," et cetera. And the irony is that when the false I prays to and worships the Real I, it sees and comes across only other innumerable false I's. In fact, it worships other false I's rather than the One and Real I.

“However, the Path of Love [prem yoga] is unique because, in [that form of yoga], the Real I plays the part of the false I, the lover, while it, itself, covertly remains in the background as the Beloved. And, while continuing to play this part, it burns or consumes its false ego, ultimately to remain itself as the Beloved.

“In Eruch, for example, the Real I acts as the false I and loves the Real I within. On one hand, there is the Real I, and on the other there is the false I as Eruch. But these are not two separate I's. The false I as Eruch tries to bestow love on the Real I. And that is why with a gradual increase in love and with a greater intensity of longing, the false I by degrees [as the lover] gets more and more consumed and effaced by love. All the while, the Real I as the Beloved remains in the background as it really is. Eventually, when the false I is totally consumed, there remains neither the false I nor love. The Beloved as the Real I reign supreme as One Infinite, Indivisible Self.

~~“In the subtle planes, the inner experience of the Real I may be said to be a divine hallucination. In the mental planes, the inner~~

~~experiences of the Real I may be said to be a spiritual nightmare. Inner experiences end in divine awakening”.~~

This day too ended with Baba’s departure to Meherazad and all His lovers trying to discuss on these discourses. We were now dreading the next day as it was the last day of the sahavas and we had to leave to our respective places.

~~19 Feb 1958~~

It was the last day and all of us were very happy on one end and also had heavy hearts on the other as we were to leave that place without our divine Beloved. Baba came at 8 AM sharply that day and this was the day when group pictures were taken. The pictures were taken by Bhaiya Pandey and Bhikhubhai. All of us were standing in the long tent. Many people wanted to give Him chits and pray to Him for their fulfilling desires and solve their problems. Seeing this Baba said:

“No one should come to me with his difficulties or seek interviews. I know everything. So what is the use of your laying before me your troubles and tales of woe? Those wishing to convey something to me should not write it out and send it on pieces of paper, but should tell it to me from the bottom of their hearts, as I reside in all hearts. If I am not all-knowing, what is the good in sending me chits? And if I am omniscient, then it is useless to send them. I want to tell you all that I know everything and am omnipresent!"

~~Lunch was arranged for all of us and Baba wanted us to eat to our full and depart with His names. We all went for lunch at 11.30, while our bags were being packed in bullock carts.~~

It was one of the most wonderful sights to see. All our bags were ready and the train arrived. All our bags were put in the train and every one was so overwhelmed that we felt that our hearts could no longer contain the patience. But Baba reminded that it was obedience that mattered to Him. There were little Baba flags (of seven colour) around the engine, and a big one hoisted in front. In some of the compartments were pasted pictures of Baba and there were also banners with words. 68

~~Avatar Meher Baba Is the soul of souls, The Beloved of the Gods, The life of his lovers And the slave of his dear one~~

The men and women tearfully shouted “Baba Ki Jai!” It was a very moving sight. Although the Beloved was in their hearts, they could not help but weep. How valuable were those tears shed for HIM and for the sake of love?

When the train was full, Baba’s car was driven down so that he could wave Good-bye. “Immediately there rose tremendous cheers of Baba! Baba! Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai! From every compartment it was obvious that they were all intending to leave the train to surge towards Baba’s car. He waved a hand and gestured that they should not come down. Baba acknowledged the salute of the engine-driver and gestured that he should start the train. After a very long piercing whistle, the ‘Baba-train’ moved forward, and as the long line of packed compartments filed past the Beloved’s car, the air thundered with reverberating cries of ‘Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai!’. Many were standing on the windows. Some folded hands reverently, hundreds of others waved ecstatically. Baba acknowledged their love with joined hands or waved and gestured, “I am happy, take me with you “.

~~#All the discourses are quoted from Lord Meher~~

~~Pictures clicked by: Waryam Singh in 1958 Sahavas~~

~~6 Baba - The Divine Guard~~

“If I am the Highest of the High, nothing is then impossible for me; and though I do not perform miracles to satisfy individual needs—the satisfaction of which would result in entangling the individual more and more into the net of ephemeral existence—yet time and again at certain periods I manifest the Infinite Power in the form of miracles, but only for the spiritual upliftment and benefit of humanity and all creatures.” # -Meher Baba

~~One of the stories of my father which proved Baba’s protection for those who call out to Him sincerely is not only wonderful but also powerful.~~

~~My father would describe his experience-~~

“Earlier, I was doing some contract work in a forest area. Those days, Indian forests were full of tigers. One day some workers were confronted by a tiger. They ran for their lives, but no one was hurt. They were all very scared. Few hundred workmen were working for me in the forest then. The next day again some people saw the beast and this happened continuously for few days. By now the workers were too scared to work and they protested. They said that they would work no longer and had almost begun to leave the work. I tried my best explaining all the Jim Corbett theories but nothing convinced them. I was now in a tight spot.”

“In a spur of moment I hit upon a new idea. I took a piece of cloth and made a flag of Meher Baba and hoisted it at the location site of ours where everyone was living. I gathered some courage and then collected all people and told them that I had prayed to Meher Baba to see that tigers do not come to that area henceforth. I then assured them thus- “If you see any tiger in spite of the flag being hoisted, then I will stop all work at whatever cost it might be to me!” the workmen agreed to my proposal.

“To everyone’s surprise from that day no Tiger ever came to that area. After few weeks, one day suddenly one worker came running to the camp and he was petrified and panicking to every one’s horror. It appeared that he had seen a Tiger. A doctor was called and he recovered after several days from his state of anxiety and delirium.

“All of us were very anxious to know what had transpired that fateful day. The worker then revealed the story that when he had reached the spot where flag had been hoisted, he saw the giant form of Meher Baba near the flag. Meher Baba’s hands and legs were very huge and HE had taken gigantic proportions! Seeing this form of Baba, the worker almost fainted. This explained his fear and anxiety. We were directly subjected to an experience of His Protection”.

~~My father would share this experience often in Baba gatherings.~~

Such stories of our lives not only assure us of His protection but also inspire many to place their faith of Him without a second thought on Baba. My father had by now won the trust of all his workers. Isn’t this a bountiful blessing on all those who seek Him?

~~______~~

~~#Highest of the High message given on 07 Sep 1953 at Dehradun. GLIMPSES OF THE GOD-MAN, Vol. 4, pp. 105-111, Bal Natu 1984 © Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust~~

~~7 Mundane life carries on~~

“Age after age, I come amidst mankind to maintain my own creation of illusion, thereby also awakening humanity to become aware of it. The framework of illusion is always one and the same, but the designs in illusion are innumerable and ever-changing. My advent is not to destroy illusion because illusion, as it is, is absolutely nothing. I come to make you become aware of the nothingness of illusion. Through you I automatically maintain illusion, which is nothing but the shadow of my Infinite Self, and through me you automatically discard illusion, when you are made aware of its falseness.” # -Meher Baba

Life carried on and I went about my job and my family affairs. My father by now selected Delhi, the capital of the country, to settle down. There was a big event that shook the world of Baba lovers and for a while, perhaps, even the Mandali of Meher Baba were in a state of shock and awe. I am talking of the event that took place on 31st January, 1969.

~~The last darshan~~

My father too went to Meherabad for the last darshan of the Master. My father’s reaction to this event taught me a big lesson. He felt that Baba was as much available as he was before 31st January, 1969. He said, “When I first met Meher Baba, he was in a reclining position and now too, is in a reclining position. “It had made no difference to him and I too feel the same. Meher Baba lovers have increased by leaps and bounds and what Baba said in 1956 is slowly coming true. He said, “Sixty years from now, Meherabad and Meherazad will become world centers to which thousand will make pilgrimage vying with each other to sacrifice their very lives in My name.”

~~Inspiration from Don Steven’s story~~

I was married and had two children and my life was swinging. There was no looking back. I kept taking Baba’s name and went ahead in life. My father was getting older and he would be at home. I changed over a couple of business and was not too happy with my factory business until recently. My job was good and 72

~~I was earning enough. Here I would like to relate the story of Don Stevens.~~

The story though is known to so many; I still would like to narrate it here as I feel some more may benefit from this story. The story goes like this; Don E. Stevens (Don E. Stevens and Ivy O. Duce edited Baba’s unique book God Speaks) was working in Standard Oil Company in USA and was earning a decent salary. He felt at that time that he should be in to more of a humanitarian kind of a job rather than the present job. He thought he would clarify with Baba. He went to Meherazad shortly and somehow missed out asking Baba about this point. He decided that he would ask the next time. The next time too while he was about to broach the topic with Baba that something happened and due to the distraction, he missed out asking this time also. The third time he arrived in India, he decided that he would definitely ask Baba about his predicament.

Yes, He did get the opportunity and he told Baba about his feelings. Baba said “Who do you think has put you in the Oil business? I put you in the Oil ‘business because it is the environment which most satisfactorily brings up the sanskaras which you must work out in this particular life. I put you there; now stay there.”

This story of Don Stevens made me feel light and now I keep telling people not to be so bothered about their boring jobs. I have been regularly going to Baba Centre here at Delhi and my children grew up and many incidents happened which proved Baba’s protection and grace. ______

~~#The final declaration given by Meher Baba on 30 Sep 1954 © Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust~~

~~8 My father passes away~~

“I say with my Divine Authority to each and all that whosoever takes my name at the time of breathing his last comes to me; so do not forget to remember me in your last moments. Unless you start remembering me from now on, it will be difficult to remember me when your end approaches. You should start practicing from now on. Even if you take my name only once every day, you will not forget to remember me in your dying moments”. #

~~-Meher Baba~~

My father slowly became absorbed more and more in to Baba and was less and less interested in other affairs of the family and world. He kept to himself and would often talk to Baba and tell us also that he was talking to Baba. My father met with two accidents, his hip joint was broken and operated upon. Strangely indeed that at the age of 93 years he was walking again. Innocently, he would laugh and say, “Baba in my next birth do not give me hands and feet since they get broken”.

My father really never saw anything bad in anyone. One of our relatives who insulted us and was the cause of some losses came to us. My father blessed him also. When he went away, I reminded my father that this person was such and such. He said, “Is that so? You should have reminded me at that time. The next time he came, my father did the same. Perhaps he neither remembered such insults and losses nor was there any space in his heart for these things. His heart was fully for Baba.

~~Immersed in Baba~~

One day during 1983 Bhau Kalchuri came to Delhi and came to our place as well. In the year 2004 while releasing the Telugu translation of Panj Pyare at Meherabad, Bhauji said, “When I had gone to Delhi, I had gone to meet Pritam Singh Meher. I found him alone in his room and talking to Baba. He was totally immersed in Baba.”

~~Slave of Meher Baba~~

After the death of my father his photograph was required to be placed before Guru Granth Sahib for the last prayer. I searched for it. My mother gave me framed photo of Baba and told to open it. I found photo of my father under Baba’s Photo, with his own hand he had written, “Fortunate Slave of Avatar Meher Baba.”

~~Zero~~

He loved me very much. Once my wife asked him, “What do you think of us?” He said, “You are zero. My wife is zero. Others are also zero. Whole family is zero. Only my Waryam is number one.” I still do not understand why he said that, He never wanted anything other than Baba.

~~Ask Baba for blessings~~

My father was keeping ill and we sort of knew that his end was near. He died on 13th November, 1983 with Baba’s name on his lips. It was painful to lose him after such a long bonding. After my father passed away, we had Akhand Path and Bhog at our house. The same night, I had a dream. I was searching for my father. Ultimately, I found he had gone to Baba. He was sitting on a chair with a cup of tea on the table. I asked him for his blessings. He replied, “Ask Baba for Blessing!” This dream gave me lot of comfort.

~~Mohammed Mast~~

After some time in early 1984 I went to Meherabad. I always bow to Baba’s chair kept in the Meherabad Hall. After bowing down to the chair I went to Mohammed Mast. Of all the Masts, whom Baba contacted, were sent away except Mohammed who had been staying in Meherabad for long years. Baba said that these masts are God intoxicated souls who are only conscious of their love for God and are rather unconscious to this world. “The Wayfarers” by Dr. William Donkin is a great work on Baba’s mast activities.

Mohammed Mast was sitting in the verandah of the hall wearing a blanket, since it was cold. I wept bitterly. He would look at me and then turned his face. I saw his eyes full of tears. When I wanted to stand and go he told me in Marathi to sit. And after about 15 minutes he allowed me to go.

The mast was very soft in his behavior until then, but shortly thereafter, whenever I went to see him, he was violent. I had to be very cautious to enter the hall and bow at Baba’s chair. Whenever he saw me he would cry ‘get out’. I came back from Meherabad and my life slowly returned to normalcy without my father but with the help of my Divine Father.

~~Again I went to Meherabad during October, 1984. Just a week before Indra Gandhi, the then Prime Minister was assassinated.~~

As usual I went to the Mandali Hall at Lower Meherabad and was about to bow down to Baba’s Chair. I suddenly noticed Mohammed Mast started shouting, “Punjabi aya Punjabi ko maro”. It means, “A Punjabi (Sikh) has come kill him”. He repeated this several times. I was disturbed and could not understand the underlying meaning of these mysterious words. I then narrated this incident to Nana Kher at Meherabad. He commented that something would happen. I returned to Delhi. And exactly after one week riots against Sikhs started throughout India.

Once again Baba’s protection and grace was on me. He forewarned me about the riots. It is truly because of His grace that I am alive today. My father passed away but My Divine Father always passed me in all my life’s examinations.

~~______~~

~~#My Wish given by Meher Baba © Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust~~

~~9 My son too passes away~~

“To those whose hearts are pure and simple, true love comes as a gift through the activating grace of a Perfect Master, and this Divine Love will perform the supreme miracle of bringing God into the hearts of men. All the same, human love should not be despised, even when it is fraught with limitations. It is bound to break through all these limitations and initiate an aspirant in the eternal life in the Truth”. # -Meher Baba

It was in 1988, my only son Gurcharan Singh met with an accident and expired on 23rd March. His motorcycle fell in the canal at about 10 P.M. He was drowned. It was too difficult to bear such a major setback in life.

~~A vision~~

It is customary to immerse the ashes in Ganges. On 7th day I, along with my brother went to Haridwar to immerse the ashes of my son in the river Ganges. And after final rites I was sitting just opposite ‘HarkiPauri’ and was lost in the thoughts of my son and my father. I was not within myself. Then a strange thing has happened. I suddenly felt Baba’s presence and it was hundred percent clear. It was not an imagination or a dream. I was thinking how this atmosphere is changed. I was consciously noticing everything. What was I seeing! I saw gross things vanishing. Baba was standing on top of the hill. It was all greenery. The sun light was bright but was not hot. Baba was wearing His usual Pink coat and a sadra. A ball of light rose from the ground and fell at Baba’s feet. Then Baba disappeared. I was wide awake and saw with my gross eyes where as my brother did not see anything!

I was rather in a mixed mood. I did not understand the meaning of this vision. I was all lost to myself. We came back to Delhi. On the 10th day I arranged for Bhog and Akhand Path at our place. It was about 10 A.M…... Again, I had a vision of Baba, this time I saw Baba sitting on a sofa wearing white sadra only and my son who was also wearing white dress was standing and embracing 78

~~Baba. My God! What a sight! Was Baba telling me not to worry about my son? The vision enveloped me so deeply that even today I can recollect every pixel of that vision.~~

~~Eruch explains about the vision~~

In 1989, I went for Baba’s darshan and went to Meher Nazar at the Avatar Meher Baba Trust Office, Ahmednagar. I narrated the whole incident to Eruch. After listening to me he said, “That ball of light which you had seen was spirit and Baba has shown you that your son is back to Him.” Then he asked Sister Mani to listen to this experience. I was bitterly weeping and narrated what had transpired. She embraced me and consoled me. She said, “You should not feel disheartened since he has come to Baba”. Sister Mani gifted me a locket of Baba and she told me that Baba had given her that locket 20 years back.

Eruch bhai told me what you had seen was spirit. I was confused regarding the terms soul and spirit. I had asked the difference between soul and spirit to some Baba lovers, but was not satisfied. I had read Baba’s discourse which follows.

On Sunday, December 11 Meher Baba discoursed about reincarnation, explaining what spirit means. The soul always remains the same, it is only the spirit which reincarnates and takes successive possession of bodies. People do not understand what spirit is and only vaguely use the term. There are so many terms used for one aspect. The soul is infinite, everlasting and pure. At present you do not realize the soul, what clothes are to the body. You are not the mind that feels and experiences everything, you are not the ego- you are soul. Until it is realized the spirit has to reincarnate and changes bodies. You change your clothing when it becomes old and so it is with the body. You all have had many bodies, yet your soul never changes. It is spirit which reincarnates again and again until you get back to the source of all-which is Baba.

~~Meeting women Mandali~~

I then went to Meherazad. Meherazad was to be closed in the month of March for Baba Lovers for few months and it was the last day. This was the first and last darshan of beloved Mehera Mai for me. I was in the line and she gave me Prasad. Then I went to the garden and sat on a bench. Sister of Dr. Goher came with a message, ‘Come Mehera wants to bless you’. Mehera Mai gave me BABA’s Brooch with instructions, “when you go out keep it with you”. It is most valuable treasure for me.

We all had food and milk less tea and also ice cream was served. Sister Mani was sitting on the steps of Blue Bus with a cup of ice cream and I was standing in front of her. She had taken a small portion and handed over the cup saying. “This is Baba’s Prasad take it”. Since she had to attend to other Baba lovers, she asked ‘Eruch to attend to me and take me to his cabin. A servant brought juice for Eruch. Another servant appeared with a cup of tea which Eruch offered me saying, take it. It is Baba’s Prasad. Then I went to Aloba’s room who gave me Toffee Prasad. It was such a wonderful trip to the twin centers of God’s activities. I felt so happy to be consoled and guaranteed of Baba’s grace.

~~______~~

~~10 Master’s Constant Guidance~~

“Divine Love is qualitatively different from human love. Human love is for the many in the one and Divine Love is for the One in the many. Human love leads to innumerable complications and tangles; but Divine Love leads to integration and freedom. Human love in its personal and impersonal aspects is limited; but Divine Love, with its fusion of the personal and the impersonal aspects, is Infinite in being and expression. Divine Love makes us be true to ourselves and to others and makes us live truly and honestly. Thus, it is the solution to all our difficulties and problems; it frees us from every kind of binding; purifies our hearts and glorifies our being”. # -Meher Baba

Like anyone my life too is a series of ups and downs and that is the time when one requires all kind of help and assurance from the Master. I narrate two incidents which once again gave me the evidence of Baba’s unfailing grace and guidance.

~~Inter caste marraiges~~

My daughter was to be married and like any father I too wanted to get her married in my Sikh community. But she had chosen a boy of Hindu community. It was a difficult decision to allow her to go her way. But again by Baba’s grace I was able to accept and respect her decision. Since both the boy and girl loved each other, I agreed.

My Son-in-Law’s sister too went for love marriage. She married a boy from a Jain Community. I then recollected Baba’s words which I also had distributed in pamphlets, “Main Raj Kaaj Samaaj, sab bandal doonga”! In fact, He was doing the same thing. I also recollected His words which He said when He went to the West, “My coming to the West is not with the object of establishing new creeds or spiritual societies and organizations; but it is intended to make people understood religion in its true sense. The religion I shall give teaches the knowledge of one behind the many. I intend to bring together all religions and cults like beads on one string and revitalize them for individual and collective needs. This is My mission to the West.” 81

Yes, He was bringing the beads of three religions in one string in our case. The children of my daughter (Meheranshi and Bhaktishi) and that my Son-in-Law will not dislike or hate any of three religions. They are intertwined with each other, the children will respect each other’s religion and definitely what Baba said will come true. Having understood this, we felt very happy and we keep telling others about the working of Baba. Truly, it is His grace that worked out such understanding harmony in all our three families.

~~Perfect timing~~

Here is another story of Baba’s help and guidance. The Book “Panj Pyare – Meher Baba’s favorite Sikh Lovers’ was published in February, 2000. At each and every step one does receive the guidance of the Master provided one is connected enough to decipher it. This happened in February, 2000 on the occasion of release of ‘Panj Pyare’, Balakrishna Meher kept requesting me to arrive at Pune for the release of ‘Panj Pyare’. Deva Rao also had been inviting me to come to Byramangala for the inauguration of Baba’s room. So I decided to go to Byramangala first and then to Pune and from there to Meherabad for Baba’s darshan and then reach back home. I had booked the tickets for 19th February, 2000.

Although I had planned this move I was not very sure whether this Journey would be completed. On 19th February I felt very unsay and refused to go the Railway Station to the surprise of my wife. My wife and my daughter said, “All Baba Lovers yearn to go for Baba’s darshan while you are refusing”! With great reluctance, I reached the station. I wanted to check our names in the Reservation Chart. I saw it three times: I did not see names. I asked someone to see the name. He saw my ticket and said, “Your ticket is for 19 January and not 19 February! “I felt relieved because now I knew why I was so restless. I was unable to go for the release of the book but I did understand how Baba helps His followers by giving them intuition.

~~Your job will be done~~

My wife worked in Government Girls Inter College at Dehradun as a Science Teacher. She took voluntary retirement. But she could not get her pension and we had been writing letters but in vain, nothing happened. We were then told that our file has been sent to Allahabad. I then decided to go to Allahabad to settle my wife’s pension. I then remembered to take the address of one Retired Wing Commander Mishra to whom I had sent ‘Panj Pyare’' book.

I took the address and went to meet him. Unfortunately, he was not available. His neighbors staying upstairs asked my whereabouts. The lady then called me upstairs. Having known my identity, the man of the house Rajesh Tiwari declared that Wing Commander Mishra had gone to his In-law’s place for the first time in the last twenty years. He also said that he was a practicing advocate in the Allahabad High Court. I then revealed my problem and implored him to help me if he could. He then said “Why not? You just do not worry. Your job will be done.”

Can any one believe that within 15 days of my meeting this gentleman, my wife’s pension started! There was a letter that came and all her arrears were given and regular pension commenced the following month! If this is not Baba’s grace what else is this? ______

~~11 My visits to Meherabad & Meherazad~~

"The major portion of my Universal work was done on this hill (Meherabad hill). I have selected this spot for my last resting place; when I drop the body, it shall rest here in my Tomb. I have fasted here for six months. I used to lie down here in the crypt taking only water and coffee, not tea...After I drop my body the physical remains will rest here and this hill will become an important place of pilgrimage of the world. After 70 years this place will be a place of great privilege and pilgrimage. A big township will grow around here."# -Meher Baba

I went after nine years in 1998 to Meherazad and Meherabad for Baba’s darshan. Every time one goes to Meherabad there is a feeling of home-coming. One tends a look from the bus or taxi the seven colored flag of Baba always hoisted atop Meher Retreat. I was now coming after 1989 and the feeling was overwhelming me to be at the land where God had trod.

~~Meeting Eruch for the last time~~

I was there at the Samadhi. Next day two buses with Baba lovers left Meherabad to reach Meherazad by 11 A.M. Eruch and Aloba were standing at Meherazad entrance to meet the Baba lovers. When I met Eruch he addressed me as Udham Singh. (Udham Singh was a revolutionary and he was hanged during British rule). When I told him my father’s name, he gave me warm embrace. All went to the hall. Eruch asked someone to bring the big Picture of ‘Panj Pyare’ hanging on the wall. He asked me to tell about my father. I said few words. At the time of departure, I wanted to embrace Eruch as I had a thought that we might not meet again. Eruch gave me a loving embrace, which became my last embrace with Eruch.

~~Kafni~~

~~Once, my father gave a cloth of Kafni to be presented to Mohammed mast. Padri Kaka who was looking after Mohammed then, took me to the Mast and told him that Pritam Singh had sent Kafni for~~

~~him. Many times he would repeat Pritam Singh and Kafni and finally accepted the Kafni. It was really a memorable event for me.~~

~~Tumi Tekri waar Jaa~~

Once I went to Meherabad, Mohammed mast saw me from the other corner of the hall and started shouting, “Go out”. I went outside the hall and was out of sight of the mast and thinking, why he sends me out? He sent his maid. She told me in Marathi, “Baba Sangitley, Tumi Tekri waar jaa”. It meant, “Baba says, “Go to Samadhi at the top of the hill”.

~~Mohammed Mast was brought to the Rahuri Ashram in August, 1936 and no mast, despite the hundreds whom BABA had contacted, proved so exacting.~~

As a result of Baba’s contact Mohammed never entered the fourth plane, but jumped into a state between the fourth plane and fifth and then entered the fifth plane. He is now on the fifth plane and will not progress in this life. Whatever maybe one’s intellectual estimate of the strange blend of child, man and saint, Mohammed some how commands affections……… The spiritual state of these God intoxicated souls is veiled from our eyes by the dense holds of a cloak of eccentricity.

~~Amartithi~~

I have attended the Amarthithi for the first time during 2003 and again in 2004. Baba willing, I shall come to the Samadhi and when He calls me. I remember, I used to go to Meherabad often during 1970s as I had my business in and around Ahmednagar and Pune. I was fortunate enough to have Samadhi’s darshan every month. It was such a beautiful time then. Going to Meherabad then and now is rarely comparable. What one misses today is the presence of Mandali members who filled us with their stories of love with Baba. ______

~~12 The Book ‘PANJ PYARE’~~

~~“The book that I shall make people read is the book of the heart, which holds the key to the mystery of life.” -Meher Baba~~

There was a picture of five Sikh lovers with Baba in our house. After my father’s death my attention was drawn towards this photo, but the photo was not found. Since, a thought came in my mind why Baba allowed photograph with five Sikh lovers and not four or six. I remembered ‘Panj Pyare’ of Guru Gobind Singh and I decided to publish their life history with Baba.

~~Picture of five favorite Sikh lovers with Baba~~

Now the question was where to find this picture. I had the chance to go to Pune and there I met K. K. Rama Krishnan and explained in detail and discussed with him my proposal. He guided to contact Milan Studio of Pune, since they had Baba’s so many photos. Because this photo was not clicked by them so they guided to contact Pandey photographer of Ahmednagar. There also I could not find this photo.

After about two years K. K. Rama Krishnan sent me this picture, which I later on came to know that this particular picture was sent to him by Hardeep Singh Hanspal, now residing at Meherabad. Since, this book ‘Panj Pyare’ was based on this picture, I contacted Prof. B. N. Bhasin who was kind enough to collect the maternal of individuals. Then I sent the whole matter to K. K. Rama Krishnan for editing, printing and publishing at Pune. But it was given to Balakrishna Meher for final editing and ultimately it was released on Baba’s Birthday 25th February, 2000.

~~Distribution of Panj Pyare~~

The story of Panj Pyare is significant to me as I could complete my dream of publishing the life of all the five favorite Sikh Lovers of Baba. Baba used to call my father Pritam Singh Meher as beloved, the other four being Dr. Daulat Singh, Vir Inder Singh Principal Niranjan Singh and Prof. Joginder Singh. With several delays and breaks finally the book was published at Avatar Meher Baba Poona Center. I was too glad and have sent this book to all the Baba Centers and have given a copy to Don Stevens who came here to Delhi Center during 2003 and August, 2004. I presented him the book to be given to Myrtle Beach Center. I also sent few photographs of Baba clicked by me during 1958 for the Myrtle Beach Center.

~~Panj Pyare in Hindi and Telugu~~

Someone then suggested me that I should get this book translated in Hindi. Luckily this translation took place and I was able to get it published also. This gave me the opportunity to attend Amarthithi for the first time (34th Amartithi) along with my wife Inderjit Kaur. I got the book,’ Panj Pyare’ in Hindi released by Bhauji on 31st January, 2003. Sometimes what seems impossible becomes easily possible. Whereas I was wondering would ‘Panj Pyare’ ever get published in English at all, here Telugu translation of the book was ready! Again on 31st January, 2004 I was able to attend Telugu translation of the book ‘Panj Pyare’ was released by Bhauji.

~~13 Child Speaks~~

“I love all of you. I love children. Do you know why? Because your Baba is also a child. You are innocent and so am I. My very name is Bholanath. Just as your heart is soft so is Mine. You like to play games and so do I”. #. -Meher Baba

Before the birth of Meheranshi my 1st Grand daughter I had intuition that this child was Madrasi Pandit (South Indian Priest). Once, when Meheranshi was practicing Baba’s Parvardigar and Repentance prayers in English, she told me, Nana (grand father) when you go old, don’t forget to remember Baba. I feel she is a noble soul indeed.

~~Meeting the PM~~

On 19th August, 2005, on the festival of RakshaBandhan Meheranshi on behalf of her school ‘Play Station’, where she was studying, along with other children went to tie Rakhi to the Prime Minister of India. Children of some other schools also attended! When the Prime Minister, Dr. Man Mohan Singh came, she ran 88

~~towards him. Stretched her arms indicating to lift her. He took her in his lap and was pleased to meet children’s. When I asked her why you ran to him, she replied I had to meet him.~~

~~Plants have consciousness~~

On one of the days during winter season, I was sitting in the park. Meheranshi was playing with another girl child. That child plucked a plant. She reprimanded her as to why she plucked the plant? It is weeping.” Then that child said, ‘where are its tears’? Meheranshi replied, “Its tears are not visible because Baba has made it like that, but it is weeping? It is explained in God Speaks consciousness in plants is in the most initial stage and has feeling of life. This is proved by scientist too. So, Meheranshi’s statement was in coherence to what is given in God Speaks.

~~I am always with you~~

When Meheranshi was a student of 7th Class, was sitting on the back bench in the Class room with other students and teacher. She had an experience. She felt a hand on her head and heard whispering voice saying, ‘I am always with you’. She was conscious and looked back but no body was there. She narrated her experience to me. I assured her who else He could be except Baba. Baba is divine power present every where. She was satisfied and happy.

~~______~~

~~# LETTERS FROM THE MANDALI, Vol. II, pp. 151-152 ed. Jim Mistry 1983 © Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust~~

~~14 Meher Baba’s Grace Never Fails~~

“To have My real darshan is to find Me. The way to find Me is to find your abode in Me. And the only one and sure way to find your abode in Me is to love Me. To love Me as I love you, you must become the recipient of My grace. Only My grace can bestow the gift of divine love. To receive My grace, you must obey me wholeheartedly with the firm foundation of unshakeable faith in Me. And you can only obey Me spontaneously as I want when you completely surrender yourselves to Me, so that My wish becomes your law and My love sustains your being. Age after age, many aspire for such a surrender, but only very few really attempt to surrender themselves to Me completely as I want. He who succeeds ultimately not only finds Me but becomes Me and realizes the goal of life”. # -Meher Baba

Meher Baba did give me small visions and words that make me spellbound. Once, while traveling by a local bus in Delhi Old Station area for a moment I saw all the bus passengers were Baba. All divine experiences of my life are due to His grace. Although my divine experiences are too small and insignificant, I feel like sharing them as these visions, dreams and experiences are because of His sheer grace.

~~Treasure~~

Once my father told me, “I shall leave a treasure for you that very few parents shall bequeath to their children”. One of the most valuable treasures I have received from my father is Baba’s book ‘God Speaks’ First edition which was published in 1955. Beloved Meher Baba signed 498 copies and I have the.422nd copy. It is truly a treasure which only a chosen few can give to their children.

~~Darshan of Kovvur centre~~

In the year 1962, I was on a business tour of Andhra Pradesh. My dealer at Rajahmundry guided me to visit Kovvur to secure business. Then I was dealing in electronic goods. Rajahmundry is on the one bank of Godavari River and on the other bank is the town Kovvur. At that time, the only link was Railway Bridge through people would commute. But the Train Services were very poor. Therefore, I had decided to cross the railway bridge on 90

foot to reach Kovvur. I visited a shop and was overjoyed to see Baba’s picture at such an unexpected place. I was very happy and I shared with him how my father and I had come into His fold and the various darshans I had of Baba until then. He took me to Baba Centre which was still under construction. He was also very happy to meet me. This was my first & last darshan of Kovvur Centre.

~~Meditation Hall at Delhi Center~~

One such special experience is of construction of Meditation Hall at Avatar Meher Baba Delhi Center. The Center was coming up very well and there were many who could have easily participated in this venture. I prayed to Baba to give me my share of participation. I then requested the Executive Committee and they were very kind to give me the chance to serve Baba and allowed me to contribute in making of the Meditation Hall on the top floor of the Center. It all was so sudden. My daughter herself is an Interior designer-Navdeep Vats and this was her first task. We immediately set ourselves for the task as Bhauji was to arrive, New Delhi within the next 15 days in March, 2000. It was a different experience altogether, everyday I would arrive at the center with my wife, daughter and the workers.

The Hall was getting decorated and now the question arose about selecting Baba Pictures I was to put in the hall. I was getting impatient and suddenly I found the photographs of Baba, which I clicked during my darshan of Baba in 1956 and 1958! My God I thought so many transfers and so many shifting, yet, I had not lost these photographs! It just popped out in front of me. Though there was no negative, I was able to get these picture developed into big photographs and my sentiment of being able to hang pictures of Baba clicked by me was fulfilled. Finally, the room was inaugurated as planned on time by Bhauji. Is it not His grace?

~~Decoration of one room at MBUSC~~

My mother had told me that I must build a room in my son’s name who had passed away. It was again a blessing from Baba that I could participate in decorating one room at Meher Baba Universal Spiritual Center, Byramangala at Bangalore. Luckily that room was the room in which Baba had stayed for a day. This again is Baba’s grace that such small sincere desires do get fulfilled.

~~Spirits~~

After the death of my son for some time, I used to sleep on floor. At that time one night during 1990, while sleeping I felt the presence of someone. They asked me to pray to Baba to give them bodies. Then I heard a voice guiding me, to take Baba’s Name five times. I was awake heard the chirping sound and felt the spirits were going.

~~Guru Gobind Singh Ji~~

During the year 1990, Guru Gobind Singh Ji tenth guru of Sikhs came in my dream and directed me to follow his foot – steps. My wife was also with me. I obeyed and followed. After few steps, a black dog came running towards us and we ran back for the fear of dog and I was awake.

~~Heroes prepare me…~~

In the year 2000, on April 13th, I was alone at home. At 3.50 A.M. I was awake and there was a message from Baba dictated in English. “Heroes prepare Me before they prepare themselves for Me”. This message was repeated second time. Baba does not require any medium and speaks direct in the heart. Hero, it is referred to as a Sadguru in Lord Meher.

~~Ask what you want~~

My wife Inderjit Kaur in dream saw a hand, almost black, stretched towards her with burning candle on its palm. She did not see any person. Then she heard a commanding voice. ‘Ask what you want’. She responded, ‘I have all the material things. Since no good deeds are on my part hence I cannot expect Baba’s darshan’, when the dream ended. But Baba gives us much more than what we can actually hold.

~~Leg operation of my grand daughter~~

In the month of May, 2010 I had Baba’s darshan in dream. Then I saw Baba was sleeping and covered Himself with bed sheet. Bhaktishi my second grand daughter about two years bowed at Baba’s Holy feet and He was angry. Then the dream ended. Few days later it was noticed my grand daughter while walking was limping her left leg. X-Ray was taken in the month of June 2010, one month after the dream. Some bone problem was diagnosed by Dr. Mathews of St Stephens Hospital, Delhi. Three operations were suggested.

First operation was performed successfully in the month of August, 2010. After about one year she was taken to Dr. for checkup. He prepared the video from all angles and finally declared no further operation is required and whatever the deficiency nature will adjust as she advances in age.

On the day of operation, I had a talk with Bhauji and informed him regarding the operation. Bhauji responded saying, ‘Jai Baba, Don’t worry, it will be O.K’. Also, when she was taken to operation Theatre I requested Mehera mai (Baba’s beloved) to pray to Baba, since I knew whatever she says Baba accepts. I remember 93

~~one incident. Once, Mani (Baba’s sister) said, “Baba whatever Mehera says you agree. Suppose if Mehera will say our earth is square and not round, will you agree, Baba said yes”!~~

She was studying in Play Station School in year 2012 few children were taken to meet the Chief Minister of Delhi Mrs. Sheela Dixit. She asked her some questions, which she promptly replied and received her embrace.

Some times her talk is mysterious and she often says,” Those who are small will became big and those who are big will become small.” Now, she is six years, while playing if she falls or faces street dog, then she would remember Baba and would say – Baba saved me. Recently she took few coins from her mother’s purse and requested her grand mother Inderjit Kaur to offer at Baba’s Photo. Then she remarked, “It is a pity, Baba has no money, therefore I have given Him coins”. I think it is all Baba’s grace that she has so much feeling for Baba. I feel she is an old Baba lover.

~~Photograph: Bhaktishi with Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dixit~~

A soft ‘Salutation’ to the ‘Silent Master’ My granddaughter then eight years old pours out her love for ‘BABA’ “I have written this for Baba because Baba is so good and he give blessings to all people” From- Bhaktishi, a baba lover

FOR BABA you are roses and plants. you are everything and you are also shops and clothes. for you these words also. you say don’t worry, be happy, I will remember you. Why were you quiet in your life for 44 years. Ans.:- I have mounvratt in my Life for 44 years “Bhaktishi Vats” 7th March 2016

FOR BABA You are the roses You are the flowers You are the bodies You are the sky, clouds. You are the love of people. You are the best in world You are the dogs, cats and all the other animals I love you the most You are the best in the world We all love you Oh my lord where you are - Bhaktishi Vats 23rd November 2016

When I Surrendered By Baba’s grace I had attended 1958 sahavas held in February at Meherabad (Hindi Marathi Group) with my father, Late Pritam Singh Meher. When I came to know regarding the Golden Jubilee of 1958 Sahavas congregation to be held on 15 to 17 February, 2008, I had desire to attend. Baba lover Pradeep Kapil contacted me and asked my programme. On my confirmation, he offered to reserve my tickets in Goa Express since he too was going with his wife (Nisha). On the day of departure i.e. 13th February, 2008, I contacted and asked him to be on time to avoid tension, but he said it takes only 15 minutes from my residence. I reached station at 1.30 PM and tried his mobile phone but there was no response. Ultimately, I contacted his son who responded and informed that they were entering the gate.

It was already 2.50 PM and the departure time was 3 PM. When only two minutes were left for departure there was no trace of him. I was much disturbed since my tickets were with him and left all the hopes. I was helpless and was now sure to miss the train. Then I silently prayed to Baba, ‘Baba thine will not mine’. There was no option but to surrender to His will. That few moments I had no worry, no tension, and no thought. I was calm and quiet, there was only Baba. It was the same – either I go or miss the train. By His grace only I experienced this state of mind and attended Golden Jubilee of sahavas. Then I tried his phone, he responded – I am in the coach. I was standing next to that coach and asked him to rush and take my luggage. He came running and took two items and rest of the items were thrown in the coach and train started. I had seven items with me including four hundred and fifty books of ‘Baba’s grace’ to be released by Bhauji which were specially printed for this occasion. Fifty laminated photos 7”x5” size clicked by me during 1958 Sahavas and nine hundred badges to be distributed among lovers expected to attend. Itvks is saidlrxq# in Guru I;kjk Granth esjs uky Sahib: gS] ftFks fdFks eSuw ys N

~~“So Satgur Pyara Mere Nall Hai, Jithey Kithey Mainu Ley Chadai” 96~~

~~That loving Master is always with me, wherever I may be He will liberate me.~~

~~Baba said “One who calls God sincerely, he never fails to be heard and receive His help.~~

~~There is a discourse published by Adi K Irani – “Dust unto Dawn”:~~

“Higher than love and obedience is surrender to the Messiah or Perfect Master. To surrender is to seek His wish and pleasure. To surrender is to become nothing, like dust. Dust has no thought of its own whether it is trampled upon or suspended in air or water. It is all one and the same to it. In obedience there is the feeling that one has obeyed, but in surrender even this feeling does not exist. In fact, he does not exist by himself or for himself. Like the smithy’s bellows he breathes, but not by himself or for himself. He has not only resigned to his Beloved’s will, but he has no will of his own. He has no separate existence by himself. He has no thought of his surrender. He is oblivious of his obliviousness. He does not expect acceptance of his surrender from the Master.

“Surrender does not imply a flight onto some transcendent sphere beyond life or from the world, nor does it mean a negation of life or other worldliness. Surrender should not be mistaken for inactivity. When the self (ego) is absent one achieves inaction in one’s every action. The only way to live a life of absolute inaction is to completely surrender to a Messiah, so that one dies to oneself entirely and lives for the Beloved without thought that one is living for Him. One has no thought of self at all. “One, who loves, is the lover of the Beloved. One who obeys is the beloved of the Beloved. ” One who surrenders body, mind and all else, has no existence other than that of Beloved, who alone exists in him. Thus becoming dust at the feet of the Messiah is like becoming nothing, and when one becomes absolutely nothing, one gains everything.

“The only easy way to realize our Self and to know that it is the same Self in all, thereby achieving Universal Peace and Brotherhood, is to become like dust. The only way to Everything is by becoming nothing.”

~~BABA ACCEPTED PRAYER~~

In 2005, I wanted to close my business of manufacturing electronic goods. First of all, I called two workers to settle the account but they demanded an unreasonable amount. Ultimately they filed a case against me demanding a heavy amount, whereas, as per government rules, they were paid. As per law, I had submitted my written statement and was to be cross-examined. I prayed to Baba,” Save me from telling any lie.” The date for cross-examination was fixed but the advocate of the opposite party had not turned up. My advocate wanted to attend some other case in another court. The case was adjourned after Lunch. I told her previously you wanted to be cross-examined in your presence, but now you want to go. The honorable Judge was hearing and asked, what she says, when I told the truth, he said I am sitting for you, let her go. My written statement was accepted and the case was dismissed.

~~My Financer~~

Before the Golden Jubilee of 1958 sahavas I had a talk with Gokaran Srivastava, since he was in charge of the congregation. I had also sent him a group photograph in which I was sitting with my father in sahavas and some other pictures clicked by me during 1958 sahavas, which were to be included in the film for this occasion.

~~After my confirmation of having original badges issued to sahavasees, he asked me to arrange sixty badges of the same pattern. (Sixty lovers were expected who had attended Baba’s 1958 sahavas.)~~

I told him that as per information given by you nine hundred lovers were expected to attend this Golden Jubilee of Sahavas 2008, therefore it would be partiality not to issue such badges to others. He agreed and suggested to share the expenses. I told him that he should not worry regarding the finance. I said, “I have a financier who finances all the projects and never demands any other return, but love and obedience. Do you know who He is? Who else He could be except my most near, dear and loving Beloved of my heart, Meher Baba”. We had a hearty laugh. I had arranged all the 900 badges and it gave me so much happiness.

~~Baba said: “Love me because I am ocean of Love. I do not want any thing else from you but the gift of your obedience. Give me that and you will free yourself from the bondage of ignorance”.~~

~~It is said in Guru Granth Sahib: tks ekaxs Bkdqj vius rs lksb lksbZ nsos~~

~~“Jo Mange Thakur apne Tey soi soi Deve”~~

~~Which means, ‘Whatever I demand from my Master, He provides.~~

There are no words to express my gratefulness to Baba, the Lord of the Universe for His unending blessings and His grace. I pray to Baba to continue to shower His grace and help us all to love Him the way He should be loved.

Last but not the least; I would like to quote what Baba said about Grace from the book ‘6 days in Parasise’ written by Dr HP Bharucha, “All these darshan programs are insignificant compared with what will happen when my grace descends...all this is a tamasha”

~~May we all work towards drawing His grace!~~

~~______~~

~~Part-II~~

~~Selected Messages and Discourses~~

~~Avatar Meher Baba~~

~~100~~

~~15 Short Biography of Avatar Meher Baba “I am God in human form” #-Meher Baba~~

~~Avatar Meher Baba~~

Avatar Meher Baba regarded as the Love- Incarnation by His lovers all over the world was born of Persian parents, Sheriarji Irani and Shirin Banoo, at Sasoon Hospital Pune on 25th February, 1894. He was named Merwan Sheriar Irani. He studied in the city’s St. Vincent’s School as a very normal student having quite a lot of interest in poetry, games and general activities like any other child until He met the Sufi Master, Hazrat Babajan in 1913. Although, she was a Sadguru, Babajan, was a grand old lady of 113 years then. One day, she beckoned Merwan who was coming on cycle from the school and kissed him on the forehead and bestowed him with Infinite bliss. For nine months he was in a state of semi- consciousness. In 1914, he was made God realized by Babajan. Babajan used to say, “This child of mine will create a great sensation in the world and do immense good to humanity”. He met Narayan Maharaj, the Perfect Master of Kedgaon and also met Tajuddin Baba, the Perfect Master of Nagpur.

Merwan met Sai Baba, the Perfect Master of Shirdi in 1915, who gazed into the eyes of Merwan and exclaimed “Parvardigar” (Sustainer, God Almighty). He met Upasni Maharaj the Perfect Master of Sakori who flung a stone aiming at his forehead, where Babajan had kissed. This brought him down to the gross consciousness without any reduction in his feeling of infinite consciousness. Upasani Maharaj used to say, “I have given my key 101

~~to Merwan, he is now the repository of my power” Thus in 1921, he became Meher Baba, meaning Compassionate Father.~~

~~Meher Baba used to say, “Sai Baba made me what I Am, Babajan made me feel what I Am and Upasani Maharaj made me know what I am”.~~

In 1923, at Arangaon, near Ahmadnagar, a very poor village now called ‘Meherabad’, Meher Baba established his first ashram, wherein he opened a free dispensary, school for all children irrespective of their religion, a hospital for the lepers and an abode for the mad and masts (God Intoxicated Souls-Please refer “The Wayfarers” by Dr. William Donkin).

Meher Baba undertook silence on 10 July 1925, which he did not break till he dropped his physical body. This silence he undertook was for the benefit of mankind. Although, Baba was silent he never remained aloof or inactive. His facial expressions were so explicit that anyone could understand. Initially, he used to write and later on he began using an alphabet board which could be read by any one. He left that also in 1954 and used hand gestures, which were interpreted by his Mandali members, mostly by Eruch Jessawala.

Meher Baba went to the west for the first time in 1931. He was traveling in a ship called Rajputana and Mahatma Gandhi was also traveling in the same ship. They both met and Baba had surprisingly foretold that he would be seeing Gandhiji soon. Gandhiji learnt about silence from Meher Baba.

~~Meher Baba consecutively went to the West until 1936 to sow the seeds of love and consciousness. He went to the West again in the years 1952 and 1956 and lastly in 1958.~~

One of the important features of Baba’s life was that he went on fasting and seclusions aimed at spiritual work. This was done many times in the Tomb at Meherabad where rests his Samadhi. Baba once fasted as long as six months with only cup of cocoa a day. Meher Baba established a Universal Spiritual Center on 17th December, 1939 at Bangalore but was later abandoned. The same has now been revived from 1983. 16th October, 1949 earmarked the end of his old Life and beginning of New Life that lasted till 31st 102

January, 1952. This, he explained was for Mano-nash meaning mind’s annihilation. During this period Baba, with a very few of his Mandali travelled all over India by rail and by foot leading a very hopeless and helpless lives. Baba contacted many sadhus and saints, maulvis and masts and imparted them spiritual education.

In 1955, Baba gave a book to the world, “God Speaks” wherein he explained the meaning of creation and its purpose. In it, he says, “If there is any beginning, it is in the beginning of consciousness, if there is any development, it is in the development of consciousness and if there be an end, it is in the end of consciousness.” Baba said that he always suffered for the sake of humanity. As said by him, in May 1952, he faced a motor accident in Prague, Oklahoma, USA. He had made a mysterious statement long before that American soil was demanding his blood. Again, he met with another accident in December 1956 at Satara, Maharashtra, India.

In 1956 Baba gave his first public darshan at Pune. Later, he began giving open darshan to all in Guru Prasad, a palace, owned by Maharani Shanta Devi of Baroda, who offered it to Baba to use it. Even today, a small model of it still stands. Every year Baba gave darshan to thousands and this continued until 1965. Baba stopped all public darshan from then and would only call select lovers of his for darshan. Many had come by then seeking his darshan. In Guru Prasad, seekers, intellectuals, opulent, politicians, destitute, and the commoners had Baba’s darshan.

Every Baba lover has his own story to tell as to how he has become a Baba lover. Baba never performed any miracles nor did he give any new religion. His emblem consists of all religions and the motto is ‘Mastery in Servitude’.

On 31st January, 1969 he dropped his body without breaking his silence. Every year 31st January is celebrated as Amartithi to feel the presence of the Timeless one and to pour out their love for the selfless one, the Love incarnate – Avatar Meher Baba.

~~-D V Balakrishna Meher~~

~~#Quote of Meher Baba from Lord Meher~~

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~~16 Perfect Masters~~

~~“What I am, what I was and what I will be as the Ancient One is always due to the five Perfect Masters of the Age, during Avataric period, the five Perfect Masters make God incarnate as man.”~~

“Sai Baba, Upasani Maharaj, Babajan, Tajuddin Baba and Narayan Maharaj are the five Perfect Masters of this Age for me. Of these five, Upasani Maharaj and Babajan directly played the main roles. Babajan, in less than millionth of a second, made me realize my Ancient State- that I am God and in the period of seven years, Upasani Maharaj gave me the knowledge that I am the Avatar, the Ancient One. That is to say, he established me in that State.

“Sai Baba made me assert what I am. Babajan made me feel what I am. Upasani Maharaj made me know what I am. Babajan gave me Divine Bliss. Sai Baba gave me Divine Power. Upasani Maharaj gave me Divine Knowledge. I am Infinite Power, Knowledge and Bliss. I am the Ancient One, come to redeem the modern World.” - Meher Baba

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~~17 Meher Baba’s Call~~

~~“Age after age, amidst the clamor of disruptions, wars fear and chaos, rings the Avatar’s call: COME ALL UNTO ME.~~

Although, because of the veil of illusion, this Call of the Ancient One may appear as a voice in the wilderness, its echo and re-echo nevertheless pervades through time and space, to rouse at first a few, and eventually millions, from their deep slumber of ignorance. And in the midst of illusion, as the Voice behind all voices, it awakens humanity to bear witness to the manifestation of God amidst mankind.

~~The time is come. I repeat the Call, and bid all to come unto me.~~

This time – honored Call of mine thrills the hearts of those who have patiently endured all in their love for God, loving God only for love of God. There are those who fear and shudder at its reverberations, and would flee or resist. And there are yet others who, baffled, fail to understand why the Highest of the High, who is All-sufficient, need necessarily give this call to humanity.

Irrespective of doubts and convictions, and for the infinite Love I bear for one and all, I continue to come as the Avatar, to be judged time and again by humanity in its ignorance, in order to help man distinguish the Real from the false.

Invariably muffled in the cloak of the infinitely true humility of the Ancient One, the Divine Call is at first little heeded, until, in its Infinite strength it spreads in volume to reverberate and keep on reverberating in countless hearts as the Voice of Reality.

~~Strength begets humility, whereas modesty bespeaks weakness. Only he who is truly great can be really humble.~~

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When, in the firm knowledge of it, a man admits his true greatness, it is in itself an expression of humility. He accepts his greatness as most natural and is expressing merely what he is, just as a man would not hesitate to admit to himself and others the fact of his being man.

For a truly great man, who knows himself to be truly great to deny his greatness would be to belittle what he indubitably is. For whereas modesty is the basis of guise, true greatness is free from camouflage.

~~On the other hand, when a man expresses a greatness he knows or feels he does not possess, he is the greatest hypocrite.~~

~~Honest is the man who is not great and, knowing and feeling this, firmly and frankly states that he is not great.~~

There are more than a few who are not great, yet assume humility in the genuine belief of their own worth. Through words and actions, they express repeatedly their humbleness, professing to be the servants of humanity. True humility is not acquired by merely donning a garb of humility. True humility spontaneously and continually emanates from the strength of the truly great. Voicing one’s humbleness does not make one humble. For all that a parrot may utter “I am a man” it does not make it so.

Better the absence of greatness than the establishing of a false greatness by assumed humility. Not only do these efforts at humility on man’s part not express strength, they are, on the contrary expressions of modesty born of weakness which springs from a lack of knowledge of the truth of Reality.

~~Beware of modesty, Modesty, under the cloak of humility, invariably leads one into the clutches of self-deception. Modesty breeds egoism and man eventually succumbs to pride through assumed humility.~~

~~The greatest greatness and the greatest humility go hand in hand naturally and without effort.~~

~~When the Greatest of all says, ‘I am the Greatest’ it is but a spontaneous expression of an infallible Truth. The strength of His 106~~

greatness lies, not in raising the dead, but in His great humiliation when he allows Himself to be ridiculed, persecuted and crucified at the hands of those who are weak in flesh and spirit. Throughout the ages, humanity has failed to fathom the true depths of the Humility underlying the greatness of the Avatar, gauging his Divinity but its acquired limited religious standards. Even real saints and sages, who have some knowledge of the who, have some knowledge of the Truth, have failed to understand the Avatar’s greatness when faced with his real humility.

Age after age history repeats itself when men and women, in their ignorance, limitations and pride, sit in judgment over the God incarnated man who declares his God-hood, and condemn him for uttering the Truth they cannot understand. He is indifferent to abuse and persecution for, in His true compassion, He understands, in His continual experience of Realty he knows, and in His Infinite Mercy He forgives.

God is all. God knows all, and God does all. When the Avatar proclaims he is the Ancient One, it is God who proclaims His manifestation on earth. When man utters for or against the Avatar hood it is God who speaks through him. It is God alone who declares Himself through the Avatar and mankind.

I tell you all with my Divine authority, that you and I are not “WE” but “ONE”. You unconsciously feel my Avatar hood within you; I consciously feel in you what each of you feel. Thus every one of us is Avatar, in the sense that everyone and everything is everyone and everything, at the same time, and for all time.

There is nothing but God. He is the only Reality, and we all are one in the indivisible Oneness of this absolute Realty. When the One who has realized God says, ‘I am God. You are God and we are all one, ‘and also awakens this feeling of Oneness in His illusion bound selves, then the question of the lowly and the great, the poor and the rich the humble and the modest the good and the bad simply vanishes. It is his false awareness of duality that misleads man into making illusory distinctions and filling them into separate categories.

~~I repeat and emphasize that in my continual and eternal experience of reality no difference exists between the worldly rich 107~~

and the poor. But, if ever such a question of difference between opulence and poverty were to exist for me, I would deem him really poor, who possessing worldly riches, possesses not the wealth of Love for God. And, I would know him truly rich who owning nothing possesses the priceless treasures of his Love for God. His is the poverty Kings could envoy and makes even the King of Kings his slave.

~~Know therefore, that in the eyes of God the only difference between the rich and poor is not of wealth and poverty, but the degrees of intensity and sincerity in the longing for God.~~

Love for God alone can annihilate the falsity of the limited ego, the basis of life ephemeral. It alone can make one realize the Reality of one’s Unlimited Ego, the basis of External Existence. The divine Ego, as the basis of Eternal Existence, continually expresses itself; but shrouded in the veil of ignorance, man misconstrues his Indivisible Ego and experiences and expresses it as the limited separate ego.

Pay heed when I say with my Divine authority, that the Oneness of Reality is so uncompromisingly Unlimited and All- pervading that not only “We are one” but this collective term of “WE” has no place in the Infinite Indivisible Oneness.

Awaken from your ignorance, and try at least to understand that in the uncompromisingly indivisible Oneness not only is the Avatar God, but also the ant and the sparrow, just as one and all of you, are nothing but God. The only apparent difference is in the states of Consciousness. The Avatar knows that which is a sparrow is not sparrow whereas the sparrow does not realize this and being ignorant of its ignorance, identifies itself as a sparrow.

Live not in ignorance. Do not waste your precious life-span in differentiating between and judging your fellowmen, but learn to long for the love of God. Even in the midst of your worldly activities live only to find and realize your true identity with your Beloved God.

~~Be pure and simple, and love all because all are one, live a sincere, life, be natural, and be honest with yourself.~~

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Honesty will guard you against false modesty and also will give you the strength of true humility. Spare no pains to help others. Seek no other reward than the gift of Divine Love. Yearn for this gift sincerely and intensely, and I promise in the name of my Divine Honesty, that I will give you much more than you yearn for.

~~I GIVE YOU ALL MY BLESSINGS THAT THE SPARK OF MY DIVINE LOVE MAY IMPLANT IN YOUR HEARTS, THE DEEP LONGING FOR THE LOVE OF GOD”.~~

~~-Meher Baba Sunday 12th September, 1954~~

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~~18 The Inexorable “Must”~~

“Everything and everyone in the universe is constrained to move alone a path which is prescribed by its past. There is an inexorable “must” that reigns over all things large or small. Whether one is male or female, rich or poor, strong or weak, beautiful or ugly, intelligent or dull-one cannot escape from being such because one must necessarily be so due to the impressions of the past.

The freedom which man seems to enjoy is itself subject to inner compulsions; and the environmental pressure, which limits the scope of reactions or moulds the reacting self, is itself subject to the inexorable “must”, which is operative in the past, present and future. Man has his name, his sex, his personality, his colour, his nationality, his characteristics, his pain and pleasure and all that he may possess because he must have all these. This overpowering compulsion is exercised by the force of innumerable impressions gathered in the past; these accumulated impressions cloud the consciousness of the “self” at every stage, in every incarnation of the future, which, in one’s life, belongs to one’s living present.

The rule of this inexorable ‘must’ governs and reshapes the so-called destiny of man in every incarnation as long as the “self” of man remains conscious of impressions. The principle of “must” which overrides human plans is based on divine law which both adjusts and gets adjusted by evolutionary impressions. It is only the divine will that can supersede the divine law. The so many deaths during the one whole life, beginning from the evolution of consciousness to the end of the involution of consciousness, are like so many sleeps during one lifetime. One who lives for himself is truly dead and one who dies for God is truly alive”. - Meher Baba

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~~19 The Circles of the Avatar ______~~

~~The Circles By MEHER BABA~~

“Absolute oneness prevails in Reality. Space and time are but illusory. They are merely the effect of the reflection of God’s Infinitude. When man realizes Reality, the reflection which has estranged him from Reality, vanishes and he experiences the absoluteness of the Absolute Oneness of God. And, when such a Man continues to live his life in Illusion, he leads the life of the Man-God, or Perfect Master, on earth. With his abiding experience of the Absolute Reality, he serves as the pivot around which rotates the entire cosmic universe. Every point in the cosmos is equidistant

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~~from the Perfect Master, who abides in illusion as the nucleus of the cosmos.~~

Although the Perfect Master remains in illusion as the Centre of the cosmic periphery, and radiates his influence uniformly over the entire universe, in his lifetime he gathers around him twelve men who directly have their center of interest in his individuality. These men, through their constant and close association with him in the past, right from the evolutionary stages of consciousness, reap the greatest benefit now when their past close associate has become a Perfect Master.

Such a group of 12 men is called the ‘Circle’ of a Perfect Master. However, besides this group of twelve men, there is an appendage of two women to complete the Circle of a Perfect Master in all its aspects. These two women also owe their position in regard to the Circle, to their past connection with the Perfect Master.

One or more of these fourteen close ones associated with the Perfect Master realizes the God-state during or after the lifetime of the Perfect Master; and in some instances, after one or a few more reincarnations. However, the Perfect Master fulfills his obligations by establishing his Circle during his lifetime, and the greatest good he bestows is God-realization with all its Perfection to at least one from among his circle of twelve men.

In the case of the Avatar it is different. He has ten Circles in all, as shown in the accompanying diagram. The First or Inner Circle of the Avatar consists of twelve men with an appendage of two women; and each of the following nine Outer Circles consists of twelve persons, both men and women. In all there are 120 persons in the ten circles of the Avatar, plus the two women of the Inner Circle who are but the appendage to that particular circle (122 in all).

~~Either one or more of the 108 members of the nine Outer Circle realize the God-state during or after the life-span of the Avatar; and some in the next incarnation or after a few more reincarnations.~~

~~As in the case of the Perfect Master’s Circle, the Inner Circle of the Avatar consists of only twelve men, with an appendage of two 112~~

women. The difference between the Circle of the Perfect Master and the Inner Circle of the Avatar is that the Perfect Master establishes his Circle from amongst those who were closely connected with him right from the evolutionary stages of their consciousness; but the Avatar who, in His recurrent advents, neither passes through the process of evolution, reincarnation, nor involution, does not therefore have the same links of association to establish anew His Inner Circle with every advent. In short, whereas the Perfect Master establishes his Circle, the Avatar is directly allied with His Inner Circle, which is always the same in all His advents. With His descent on earth, the Avatar, as it were, brings along with Him the association of His Inner Circle.

The connection of the Inner Circle in relation to the Avatar may be compared to that of a man who directly associates himself with the fourteen parts of his own body: two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one mouth, two hands, two legs, and the trunk of the body itself: plus, the external genitals and anus that act as the appendage to the body as a whole. As soon as man is born, he directly makes use of these fourteen parts of his body, and these parts in turn respond to his dictates individually or collectively.

Similarly, with the advent of the Avatar on earth, His Inner Circle of the same twelve individualities and the appendage of the same two individualities directly begin to function, individually and collectively, according to the dictates of the Avatar Himself.

With every advent of the Avatar on earth. The 12 men of the Inner Circle and its appendage of two women, gather round the Personality of the Avatar, as the self-same 14 types of individualities. These fourteen different individualities, in the shape of different personalities, always occupy their respective offices, whenever the Avatar manifests on earth; and during and after the life-span of the Avatar, they – individually and collectively – function in the same way as their predecessors, who had held, and functioned in, the same offices of the Inner Circle during the past advents of the Avatar.

Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that with Christ’s coming again, comes Peter, Judas, and all His apostles. But this can never mean that the very same Peter, or the self-same Judas, reincarnates again and again. These can never reincarnate, as all 113

~~of the twelve individual personalities of the Avatar’s Inner Circle attain God-realization in every Avataric period, either during or soon after the life-span of the Avatar.~~

~~Once God-realization is attained, reincarnation is impossible. The only exception to this rule is the Avatar Himself, who comes again and again to redeem humanity.~~

It is not the same individualized personalities of the Inner Circle that reincarnate; it is the individualities of their particular offices that come with every advent of the Avatar. It is because in all the Avatar’s advents each of the twelve men and two women of the Inner Circle hold exactly the same office and function in exactly the same manner, that it is said the Avatar always brings with him the same Circle.

As soon as the veil, with which the Avatar descends on earth, is rent, by the then-living Perfect Master or Masters, and the Avatar realizes His Avatarhood. The twelve men and two women automatically group around the Personality of the Avatar to occupy their respective positions in the Inner Circle and to function as usual according to the dictates of the Avatar of the Age.

The position of the Avatar in regard to the Inner Circle and its function may be compared to a man asleep. As soon as the man is made to wake up through some external agency. And no sooner is he awake, than he spontaneously finds that all the fourteen parts of his body, as mentioned before, are already there in their individual roles, ready to function at the slightest wish of the man. Similarly, as soon as the Avatar is made to realize his Avatarhood through one or two or more of the five Perfect Masters of the time. He also realizes that the 14 personalities, in their characteristic roles of the Inner Circle, are ready at hand to discharge their duties.

To explain in detail why only these 14 particular personalities hold such position in every advent of the Avatar would take a volume of explanations. Who can become the fourteen members and how do they become attached to the Inner Circle of the Avatar? ---these questions would require more volumes of explanation.

~~Suffice it to say that each of these fourteen particular personalities, when occupying the office and function of the Inner 114~~

Circle, not only must resemble the characteristic individuality of his or her predecessor in the previous advents of the Avatar, but must be exactly similar in all respects. For example, one of the offices of the Inner Circle of Jesus Christ was held by Peter. At the second advent of Christ, this particular office must be held by another Peter, who may be named “A, “but having the same quality of mind and heart and other characteristics as of the Peter. The same applies to the office held by Judas, John, James, etc., of the Inner Circle in the time of Christ.

All the fourteen members of the Avatar’s Inner Circle realize God by the grace of the Avatar, during the same Avataric period, which is of one hundred years’ duration after the Manifestation of the Avatar on earth. Regarding the Outer Circles of the Avatar, none of the 108 persons in the nine circles holds any office similar to that held by those of the Inner Circle; and all of these 108 persons attain God-realization by the grace of the Avatar, but not necessarily during the Avataric period.

These 108 persons of the Outer Circle have their respective places in the nine Circles in accordance with their past connections with the members of the Circle ahead of them. For example, the members of the Second Circle of twelve persons, next to the Inner Circle, are grouped round the Avatar in accordance with their past connections with the members of the Inner Circle. Similarly, the twelve persons of the Third Circle, next to the Second Circle, are grouped round the Avatar in accordance with their past connections with the members of the Second Circle; and so on, with all the remaining seven Circles”. -Meher Baba ______

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~~20 God Alone Is ______~~

“Infinite consciousness is infinite. Thus it can never lessen at any point in time or space. Infinite consciousness, being infinite, includes every aspect of the consciousness. Unconsciousness is one of the aspects of infinite consciousness. Thus infinite consciousness includes unconsciousness. It sustains, covers, pierces through, and provides an end to, unconsciousness – which flows from and is consumed by infinite consciousness.

In order to assert infinite consciousness unequivocally, I declare that I have infinite consciousness; and I can do this most emphatically because I am infinite consciousness. I am everything and I am beyond, beyond everything.

~~I am ever conscious that I am in you, while you are never conscious that I am in you. Daily I support you and share your consciousness. Now I want you to uphold Me and share My consciousness one day.~~

Man being unconscious of actually possessing the never- ending continuously conscious experience that God is everything and all else is nothing, for him “everything” is everything, Air is, Water is, Fire is. Earth is, Light is, Darkness is, Stone is, Iron is, Vegetation is, Insect is, Fish is. Bird is, Beast is, Man is, Good is. Bad is. Pain is. Pleasure is – and thus there is no end to what all else is, until he arrives at” nothing is” and instantaneously he realizes “God Is”.

It is not easy for man to accept and keep on accepting under all circumstances that God is. Even after his firm acceptance that God is, it is supremely difficult though not impossible for him to realize what he has formally accepted: And realization means instead of being fully conscious that he is man, man becomes fully conscious that he is God, was God has always been God and will ever remain God. 116

Knowingly or unknowingly, man is ever seeking the Goal, which is to realize his true Self. The very nearest and innermost to man is his Soul, but the fun of it is that he feels far, far away from it. There appears no end to his journeys towards the Goal through the numberless highways and by-ways of life and death, although in fact there is no distance at all to cover. Having achieved full consciousness as man, he has already arrived at his destination, and now possess the capacity to become fully conscious of his Soul. Still he is unable to realize this divine destiny because his consciousness remains completely focused on his perverted, limited, finite self-the Mind-which ironically has been the medium of achieving consciousness.

Before he can know who he is, man has to unlearn the mass of illusory knowledge he has burdened himself with on the interminable journey from unconsciousness to consciousness. It is only through love that you can begin to unlearn, thus eventually putting an end to all that you do not know. God-love penetrates all illusion, while no amount of illusion can penetrate God-love. Start learning to love God by beginning to love those whom you cannot. You will find that in serving others you are serving yourself. The more you remember others with kindness and generosity, the less you remember yourself; and the less you remember yourself the more you forget yourself. And when you completely forget yourself, you find Me as the Source of all love.

Give up parrotry in all its aspects. Start practicing whatever you truly feel to be true and justly to be just. Do not make a show of your faith and beliefs. You have not to give up your religions, but to give up clinging to the outer husk of mere ritual and ceremonies. To get to the fundamental core of Truth underlying all religions, reach beyond religion.

Through endless time God’s greatest gift is continuously given in silence. But when mankind becomes completely deaf to the thunder of His silence, God incarnates as Man. The Unlimited assumes the Limited, to shake Maya – drugged humanity to a consciousness of its true destiny and to give a spiritual push to the world by His physical presence on earth. He uses the Body for His universal work, to be discarded in final sacrifice as soon as it has served Its purpose. 117

God has come again and again in various Forms, has spoken again and again in different words and different languages the same one Truth – but how many are there that live up to it? Instead of making Truth the vital breath of his life, man compromises by making over and over again a mechanical religion of it – as a handy staff to lean on in times of adversity, as a soothing balm for his conscience or as a tradition to be followed in the footsteps of the past. Man’s inability to live God’s words makes them a mockery. How many Christians follow Christ’s teaching to ‘turn the other cheek’ or ‘to love thy neighbors as thyself? How many Muslims follow Mohammed’s precept to hold God above everything else? How many Hindus bear the torch of righteousness at all cost? How many Buddhists live the ‘life of pure compassion’ expounded by Buddha? How many Zoroastrians ‘think truly, speak truly, and act truly’? God’s Truth cannot be ignored; and thus by mankind’s ignorance and weakness a tremendous adverse reaction is produced – and the world finds itself in a cauldron of suffering through wars, hate, conflicting ideologies, and nature’s rebellion in the form of floods, famines, earthquakes, and other disasters. Ultimately when the apex is reached, God manifests anew in human form to guide mankind to the destruction of its self-created evil, that it may be re-established in the Divine Truth.

My Silence and the imminent breaking of my Silence is to save mankind from the monumental forces of ignorance, and to fulfill the divine Plan of universal unity. The breaking of my Silence will reveal to man the universal oneness of God, which will bring about the universal brotherhood of man. My Silence had to be. The breaking of my Silence has to be --- soon”.

~~Meherabad 10th July, 1958. -Meher Baba~~

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~~21 Meher Baba’s messages on Grace ______~~

~~Avatar Meher Baba on various occasions discoursed on GRACE. A compilation is given below:~~

“The only miracle which is worthy of the name, is, the divine grace that knows no fetters, and that can control the entire universe with its all laws. It is the last supervising factor in the graded orders which obtains in the spiritual panorama”.

~~“Divine grace is not concerned with phenomenon. It is concerned with the emancipation and spiritual fulfillment of the souls”.~~

“To get nearer and nearer to God, you have to get further and further away from ‘I’, ‘Me’ and ‘Mine’. You have not to renounce anything but your own self. It is as simple as that, though found almost impossible. It is possible for you to renounce your limited self by My Grace, I have come to release that Grace”.

“There are different ways of seeing God. Firstly, by meditation, which is a very long process, only one in a million sees God through meditation, and even that is not being One with God. Another method is by the grace of the Perfect Master. The simplest way is to leave all and follow Baba, which does not mean to leave your family and work. It is not your love for Me that had brought you here, but My love for you, One cannot do it oneself, if one has the will, one gets the grace”.

“The descent of the grace of the Master is conditioned, however, by the preliminary spiritual preparation of the aspirant. This preliminary preparation for grace is never complete until the aspirant has built into his spiritual makeup some divine attributes. For example, when a person avoids back biting and thinks more of the good points in others than of their bad points, and when he can practice supreme tolerance and desires good for others even at the 119

cost of himself, then he is ready to receive the grace of the Master. One of the greatest obstacles hindering the spiritual preparation of the aspirant is worry. When, with supreme effort, this obstacle of worry is overcome a way is paved for the cultivation of the divine attributes that contribute the spiritual preparation of the disciple. As soon as the disciple is ready, the grace of Master descends; for the Master, who is the ocean of Divine Love, is always on the lookout for the soul in whom His grace will fructify”.

“The kind of love that is awakened by the grace of the Master is a rare privilege. The mother who is willing to sacrifice all and die for her child and the martyr who is prepared to give up his very life for his country, are indeed supremely noble; but they have not necessarily tested this pure love born through the Grace of their Master. Even the great yogis who sit in caves and on mountain tops and are completely absorbed in deep Samadhi (meditative Samadhi) do not necessarily have this precious love”.

“True worship is an expression of devotion, not just saying prayers and making supplications. For you to worship truly, it is necessary for you to have My grace. What is grace? No bargaining whatsoever is possible in receiving of the grace, and there is absolutely no specific condition for its bestowal.

~~“It may be given freely to anyone, whether saint or sinner, intellectual or illiterate, man or woman, Grace is just Grace, nothing more and nothing less”.~~

“Although it is next to impossible, yet it is conceivable that one might become one hundred percent prepared by one’s own efforts, and thereupon realize God. In such an improbable event, God realization is not through Grace.”

“But if the worst sinner stood before me and I had the whim (Iahar), I could make him realize God in less than the flash of a second. That would be Grace. My Grace descends upon you, you also become Me and remain one”.

~~“It is easier for me to come as an Avatar than for you to receive My Grace. The problem is that once you have been conditioned by duality there is no end to the conditions that restrict~~

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your ability to receive My Grace. Therefore it is difficult for My Grace to flow from me to you”. “That is why it is not as easy as it sounds for Me to get the whim to cause you to receive My Grace. As a matter of fact it is flowing sufficiently all the time to fill one and all receptacle everywhere.” “There is rarely a vessel which is not filled with other things. A vessel must first be emptied before it can be filled by the flow of My Grace. It is also my Grace which helps a vessel to become completely emptied in the first place”.

“The sun is now shining brilliantly outside this hall, but the sunlight does not reach you here under the roof. The sun is doing its duty of giving light. You also have to do your duty in removing whatever comes between you and the sun.

“Unless you break open the roof, how can you ask the sun to pour its light upon you? You have raised this roof of ‘ignorance’ over your own self. Demolish it and you will find that you yourself are the light and you yourself are the sun”.

“Through My Grace, a sudden crack in the roof can let the sunlight in, on you immediately, but one in a million roofs might thus attract My Grace. I am the Ocean of Grace but I am also hard as flint when you try to draw that Grace from Me. The flow of My Grace to you depends upon the intensity of your love, for it is love which attracts My Grace for you”.

~~“All religions of the world proclaim that there is one God, the Father of all in creation. I am that Father”.~~

“I have come to remind all people that they should live on earth as the children of the One Father until My Grace awakens them to the realization that they are all one without a second and that all divisions and conflicts and hatred are but a shadow play of their ignorance. “Do not seek my blessings which are always with you, but long for the day when My Grace will descend on you all who love Me. Most blessed are they who do not even long for My Grace, but simply seek to do My will”. - Meher Baba ------121

~~22 The Avatar ______~~

“CONSCIOUSLY or unconsciously, every living creature seeks one thing. In the lower forms of life and in less advanced human beings, the quest is unconscious; in advanced human beings, it is conscious. The object of the quest is called by many names – happiness, peace, freedom, truth, love, perfection Self- realization, God-realization, union with God, Essentially, it is a search for all of these, but in a special way. Everyone has moments of happiness, glimpses of truth, and fleeting experiences of union with God; what they want is to make them permanent. They want to establish an abiding reality in the midst of constant change.

It is a natural desire, based fundamentally on a memory, dim or clear as the individual’s evolution may be low or high, of his essential unity with God; for, every living thing is a partial manifestation of God, conditioned only by its lack of knowledge of its own true nature. The whole of evolution, in fact, is an evolution from unconscious divinity to conscious divinity, in which God Himself, essentially eternal and unchangeable, assumes an infinite variety of forms, enjoys an infinite variety of experiences and transcends an infinite variety of self-imposed limitations. Evolution from the standpoint of the Creator is a divine sport, in which the Unconditioned tests the infinitude of His absolute knowledge, power and bliss in the midst of all conditions. But evolution from the standpoint of the creature, with his limited knowledge, limited knowledge, limited, power, limited capacity for enjoying bliss, is an epic of alternating rest and struggle, joy and sorrow, love and hate, until, in the perfected man, God balances the pairs of opposites and transcends duality. Then creature and Creator recognize themselves as one; changelessness is established in the midst of change, eternity is experienced in the midst of time. God knows Himself as God, unchangeable in essence, infinite in manifestation, ever experiencing the supreme bliss of Self-realization in continually fresh awareness of Himself by Himself. 122

This realization must and does take place only in the midst of life, for it is only in the midst of life that limitation can be experienced and transcended, and that subsequent freedom from limitation can be enjoyed. This freedom from limitation assumes three forms:

Most God-realized souls leave the body at once and forever, and remain eternally merged in the unmanifest aspect of God. They are conscious only of the bliss of union. Creation no longer exists for them. Their constant round of births and deaths is ended. This is known as mukti or liberation.

Some God-realized souls retain the body for a time, but their consciousness is merged completely in the unmanifest aspect of God, and they are therefore not conscious either of their bodies or of creation. They experience constantly the infinite bliss, power and knowledge of God, but they cannot consciously use them in creation or help others to attain to liberation. Nevertheless, their presence on earth is like a focal point for the concentration and radiation of the infinite power, knowledge and bliss of God; and those who approach them, serve them and worship them are spiritually benefited by contact with them. These souls are called Majzubs, and this particular type of liberation is called videh-mukti or liberation with the body.

A few God-realized souls keep the body, yet are conscious of themselves as God in both His unmanifest and His manifest aspects. They know themselves both as the unchangeable divine essence and as the infinitely varied manifestation. They experience themselves as God apart from creation, as God the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer of the whole of creation, and as God Who has accepted and transcended the limitations of creation. They experience constantly the absolute peace, the infinite knowledge, power and bliss of God. They enjoy to the full the divine sport of creation. They know themselves as God in everything spiritually, and to make other souls realize God, either as Muktas, Majzubs or Sadgurus as they themselves are called.

~~There are fifty-six God-realized souls in the world at all times. They are always one in consciousness. They are always different in function. For the most part they live and work apart 123~~

from and unknown to the general public, but five, who act in a sense as a directing body, always work in public and attain to public prominence and importance. These are known as Sadgurus or Perfect Masters. In Avataric periods, the Avatar, as a supreme Sadguru, takes his place as the head of this body and of the spiritual hierarchy as a whole.

Avataric periods are like the spring-tide of creation. They bring a new release of power, a new awakening of consciousness, a new experience of life – not merely for a few, but for all. Qualities of energy and awareness, which had been used and enjoyed by only a few advanced souls, are made available for all humanity. Life, as a whole, is stepped up to a higher level of consciousness, is geared to a new rate of energy. The transition from sensation to reason was one such step; the transition from reason to intuition will be another.

This new influx of the creative impulse takes, through the medium of a divine personality, an incarnation of God in a special sense – the Avatar. This Avatar was the first individual soul to emerge from the evolutionary process as a Sadguru, and he is the only Avatar who has ever manifested or will ever manifest. Through him God first completed the journey from unconscious divinity to conscious divinity, first unconsciously became man in order consciously to become God. Through him, periodically, God consciously becomes man for the liberation of mankind.

The Avatar appears in different forms, under different names, at different times, in different parts of the world. As his appearance always coincides with the spiritual birth of man, so the period immediately preceding his manifestation is always one in which humanity suffers from the pangs of the approaching birth. Man seems more than ever enslaved by desire, more than ever driven by greed, held by fear, swept by anger. The strong dominate the weak; the rich oppress the poor; large masses of people are exploited for the benefit of the few who are in power. The individual, who finds no peace or rest, seeks to forget himself in excitement. Immorality increases, crime flourishes, religion is ridiculed. Corruption spreads throughout the social order. Class and national hatreds are aroused and fostered. Wars break out. Humanity grows desperate. There seems to be no possibility of stemming the tide of destruction.

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At this moment the Avatar appears. Being the total manifestation of God in human form, he is like a gauge against which man can measure what he is and what he may become. He trues the standard of human values by interpreting them in terms of divinely human life.

He is interested in everything but not concerned about anything. The slightest mishap may command his sympathy; the greatest tragedy will not upset him. He is beyond the alternations of pain and pleasure, desire and satisfaction, rest and struggle, life and death. To him they are equally illusions which he has transcended, but by which others are bound, and from which he has come to free them. He uses every circumstance as a means to lead others towards Realization.

He knows that men do not cease to exist when they die, and therefore is not concerned over death. He knows that destruction must precede construction that out of suffering is born peace and bliss, that out of struggle comes liberation from the bounds of action. He is only concerned about concern.

In those who contact him he awakens a love that consumes all selfish desires in the flame of the one desire to serve him. Those who consecrate their lives to him gradually become identified with him in consciousness. Little by little, their humanity is absorbed into his divinity and they become free.

Those who are closest to him are known as his circle. Every Sadguru has an intimate circle of twelve disciples who, in point of realization, are made equal to the Sadguru himself, though they differ from him in function and authority. In Avataric periods the Avatar has a circle of one hundred and twenty disciples, all of whom experience realization and work for the liberation of others.

Their work is not only for contemporary humanity but for posterity as well. The unfoldment of life and consciousness for the whole Avataric cycle, which has been mapped out in the creative world before the Avatar took form, is endorsed and fixed in the formative and material worlds during the Avatar’s life on earth.

The Avatar awakens contemporary humanity to a realization of its true spiritual nature, give liberation to those who are ready, and quickens the life of the spirit in his time. For posterity is left the 125

stimulating power of his divinely human example, the nobility of a life supremely lived, of a love unmixed with desire of a power unused except for others, of a peace untroubled by ambition, of a knowledge undimmed by illusion. He has demonstrated the possibility of a divine life for all humanity, of a heavenly life on earth. Those who have the necessary courage and integrity can follow when they will.

Those who are spiritually awake have been aware for some time that the world is at present in the midst of a period such as always precedes Avataric manifestations. Even unawakened men and women are becoming aware of it now. From their darkness they are reaching out for light; in their sorrow they are longing for comfort; from the most of the strobe in which they have found themselves plugged, they are praying for peace and deliverance.

For the moment they must be patient. The wave of destruction must rise still higher, must spread still further. But when, from the depths of his heart, man desires something more lasting than wealth, something more real than material power, the wave will recede. Then peace will come, joy will come, light will come.

The breaking of my silence – the signal for my public manifestation – is not far off. I bring the greatest treasure which it is possible for man to receive – a treasure which includes all other treasures, which will endure forever, which increases when shared with others. Be ready to receive it”.

~~-Meher Baba~~

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~~23 How to Love God~~

~~“To love God in the most practical way is to love our fellow beings. If we feel for others in the same way as we feel for our own dear ones, we love God.~~

~~“If, instead of seeing faults in others we look within ourselves we are loving God.~~

~~“If, instead of robbing others to help ourselves, we rob ourselves to help others, we are loving God.~~

~~“If we suffer in the suffering of others and feel happy in the happiness of others, we are loving God.~~

~~“If, instead of worrying over our own misfortunes, we think of ourselves more fortunate than many, many others, we are loving God.~~

~~“If we endure our lot with patience and contentment, accepting it as His Will, we are loving God.~~

“If we understand and feel that the greatest act of devotion and worship to God is not to hurt or harm any of His beings, we are loving God. “To love God as He ought to be loved, we must live for God and die for God, knowing that the goal of all life is to love God, and find Him as our own Self”.

~~-Meher Baba~~

~~______~~

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~~24 Sixteen Select Quotes ______~~

~~1. I seem as though I know nothing but know well that I know everything.~~

~~2. Love does not require the presence of the Beloved in order to Love.~~

~~3. Have desires but be their master and not their slave.~~

~~4. I am the Ancient one residing in every heart. Therefore, love Me, love others and make others happy even at the discomfort to yourself. This is to love Me.~~

~~5. Mind stopped is God. Mind working normal is Man. Mind working slow is mast. Mind working fast is Mad.~~

~~6. I am really the only One who is not in seclusion. It is the rest of the humanity that is in seclusion and I have come to make it emerge in the eternal freedom.~~

~~7. I am the Ocean of Love. Draw as much of this love as possible. Make most of this opportunity while I am in your midst.~~

~~8. When mankind becomes completely deaf to the thunder of His silence, God incarnates as man.~~

~~9. I have come not to teach but to awaken.~~

~~10. If drugs could make one realize God, then is not worthy of being God.~~

~~11. Do not search for God outside of you. God can only be found within you for His only abode is the human heart.~~

~~12. Don’t Worry. All is as I want. Keep calm. Don’t get excited.~~

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~~13. Think of Me and remain cheerful in all your trials and I am with you helping you.~~

~~14. The law of karma is impartial and inexorable. It knows no concessions, give no preferences, and makes no exceptions. It dispenses justice.~~

~~15. I want you to remain undisturbed and unshaken by the life’s currents for whatever the circumstances; they too will be of My own creation.~~

~~16. Understanding has no meaning, Love has meaning. Obedience has more meaning and holding My Daaman has most meaning.~~

~~-Meher Baba~~

~~(Compiled by D V Ananda Rao)~~

~~______Sourced from~~

1. God Speaks’ 2. Page 7. Over the years with Meher Baba 3. Page 60. How a Master Works by Ivy O. Duce 4. Page 12. The Awakener 5. Page 72. Still Dancing with Love by Margaret Crask 6. Page 19. The Wayfarers by Wiliam Donkin 7. Page 670. How a Master works by Ivy O. Duce 8. Page 142. Much Silence by Tom and Dorothy Hopkinson 9. Page 12. Much Silence by Tom and Dorothy Hopkinsons 10. Page 5486.Lord Meher by Bhau Kalchuri 11. Page 6402.Lord Meher by Bhau Kalchuri 12. Page 7. The Everything and the Nothing by Meher Baba 13. Page 63.Gift of Love by Meher Era Publications 14. Page 56.The Everything and the Nothing by Meher Baba 15. Page 56.The Everything and the Nothing by Meher Baba 16. Page 82.Gift of Love by Meher Era Publications

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~~Parvardigar Prayer~~

~~O Parvardigar, the Preserver and Protector of all!~~

~~You are without Beginning, and without End; Non-dual, beyond comparison, and none can measure You. You are without colour, without expression,without form, and without attributes.~~

~~You are unlimited and unfathomable, beyond imagination and conception, eternal and imperishable. You are indivisible; and none can see You but with eyes Divine.~~

~~You always were, You always are, and You always will be; You are everywhere, You are in everything; and You are also beyond everywhere; and beyond everything.~~

You are in the firmament and in the depths, You are manifest and unmanifest; on all planes, and beyond all planes. You are in the three worlds, and also beyond the three worlds. You are imperceptible and independent.

~~You are the Creator, the Lord of Lords, the Knower of all minds and hearts; You are omnipotent and omnipresent. You are Knowledge Infinite, Power Infinite, and Bliss Infinite.~~

~~You are the Ocean of Knowledge, All-Knowing, Infinitely Knowing; the Knower of the past, the present; and the future, and You are Knowledge Itself.~~

You are all-merciful and eternally benevolent; You are the Soul of souls, the One with Infinite attributes.You are the trinity of Truth, Knowledge, and Bliss; You are the Source of Truth, the Ocean of Love;

~~You are the Ancient One, the Highest of the High; You are Prabhu and Parameshwar; You are the Beyond-God, and the Beyond- Beyond God also;~~

~~You are Parabrahma; Paramatma; Allah; Elahi; Yazdan; Ahuramazda; God Almighty; and God the Beloved.You are named Ezad, the Only One worthy of worship. ______~~

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~~Prayer of Repentance~~

“We repent, O God Most Merciful, for all our sins; for every thought that was false or unjust or unclean; for every word spoken that ought not to have been spoken; and for every deed done that ought not to have been done.

~~“We repent, for every deed and word and thought inspired by selfishness and for every deed and word and thought inspired by hatred.~~

~~“We repent, most specially for every lustful thought and every lustful action; for every lie; for all hypocrisy; for every promise given but not fulfilled; and for all slander and backbiting.~~

~~“Most specially also, we repent for every action that has brought ruin to others; for every word and deed that has given others pains, and for every wish that pain should befall others.~~

~~“In Your Unbounded Mercy, we ask you to forgive us, O God, for all these sins committed by us and to forgive us for our constant failures to think and speak and act according to Your Will”.~~

~~______~~

~~Prayer for Baba Lovers & Mandali~~

“Beloved God, help us all to love you more and more, and more and more and still yet more, till we become worthy of union with you; and help us all to hold fast to beloved Baba’s daaman till the very end”.

~~______~~

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~~Centers of Information about Meher Baba~~

~~Avatar Meher Baba PPC Trust, Avatar Meher Baba Hamirpur Center PB-31, Kings Road, Hamirpur (Uttar Pradesh) Ahmedagar-414 001 (Maharashtra) Pin Code:210301 (www.ambppct.org.)~~

Meher Baba Universal Spiritual Center Meher Ashram Temple of Silence Byramangala, Abbanakuppe Village, 7-Brahmin Street, Saida Pet, Badadi Hobli, Ramanagaram Taluk, Chennai-600 015. Ittmadu Post Bangalore Dist. Pin Code: 562 109 Karnataka

~~Avatar Meher Baba Bombay Center, Avatar Meher Baba Kovvur Center, 167, Navyug Niwas, Bhadkhamkar West Godavri Distt. Marg, Opposite Minierva Cinema, Mumbai (Andhra Pradesh) Pin Code:400 007~~

Avatar Meher Baba Delhi Center, Meher Spiritual Center, 50A, Tuglakabad Institutional Area, PO Box 487, Myrtle Beach, Near Batra Hospital, Tuglakabad, South Carolina 29577 USA New Delhi Pin Code: 110062 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.MeherBabaTheAvatar.org

~~Avatar Meher Baba Dehradun Center, Meher Dham, Nauranga, 107, Rajpur Road, Distt.Hamirpur Deheradun, Uttarkahand Uttar Pradesh Pin Code:248001 Pin Code:210428~~

~~Meher Spiritual Center Avatar’s Abode 10200 Highway Myrtle Beach, 17 North Meher Road South Carolina Woombye, Queensland 29577 USA 4559 Australia (www.mehercenter.org) (www.avatarsabode,com.au)~~

~~Avatar Meher Baba Pune Meher Mount Center 9902 Sulphur Mountain Road 441/1, Somwar Peth, Ojai, California 93923 Pune. USA Pin Code: 411011 (www.mehermount.com).~~

~~Avatar Meher Baba Centre Avatar Meher Baba Centre Jubilee Hills, Dalavi Bavi Street Hyderabad PAVAGADA-561202 (Andhra Pradesh) DISTT. Tumkur (Karnataka)~~

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