Adi Kaikhusuru Irani, known affectionately as "Adi Senior" to distinguish him from Meher Baba's youngest brother Adi S. Irani, served as Meher Baba's secretary and one of His principal spokesmen for over five decades. Born on September 4, 1903, in Ahmednagar, India, to Kaikhushru Sarosh Irani (respectfully known as Khan Saheb) and Gulmai Irani, Adi came from a family deeply devoted to spiritual life.

The Irani family's spiritual connection preceded their relationship with Meher Baba. Both Adi's parents were devoted followers of Upasni Maharaj, one of Meher Baba's five Perfect Masters, before coming to recognize Baba as the Avatar. This familial devotion would ultimately lead to the entire family's profound involvement with Meher Baba's work.

Adi received his education at Panchgani High School before proceeding to Deccan College in Poona for higher studies. It was during his college years that his connection with Meher Baba deepened significantly. Baba, demonstrating his characteristic concern for his disciples' material welfare alongside their spiritual development, promised to arrange better meals for Adi through one of his followers. This thoughtful gesture, catering to Adi's particular fondness for good food, drew him closer into Meher Baba's first circle of contacts.

One evening at Baba's hut, the Master gave Adi guidance that would define his approach to spiritual life: "Keep your actions subject to your obligations. Your obligation is to devote your mind and heart to me while, at the same time, studying diligently at college. But always remember that the chief duty of your life is to think of Me." When Adi asked whether he should think of Baba even while studying, the Master replied with characteristic wisdom: "When studying, have no thought of Me; but when you find the time, devote your entire attention toward Me, remembering Me in the same way in which you naturally remember those whom you love. It is the inner contact that matters."

A pivotal moment in Adi's life occurred when Baba walked alone with him behind the house and sat on a stone near a well. There, Baba asked, "Do you know who I am?" Adi answered honestly, "I know that you are the chief disciple of Upasni Maharaj. More than that I do not know." Baba then made a profound statement about Adi's future: "I shall not tell you who I am today, but you will definitely come to know and you will see that your name is made known all over the world. Your future has deep significance in My work. With My love and with your obedience of My instructions you will prove to be a fit instrument for My work." Baba later added, "I will make you like Vivekananda"—a comparison to the great disciple of Sri Ramakrishna that filled Adi with joy and determination.

In 1921, Adi fell seriously ill with a high fever. While Upasni Maharaj treated him with quinine tablets, Baba would visit Adi every day, personally bringing him tea or water and helping him walk back and forth in the room. Adi recovered more quickly than expected, and the loving care Baba expressed left an indelible impression on him. He reflected: "My mother's or father's love is like a small pond when compared to Meher Baba's—which is like an ocean! It is better I seek the love of the ocean!"

Baba tested Adi's obedience in various ways. Once, while they passed a thick cactus hedge alongside the road, Baba suddenly asked, "Are you prepared to do anything I tell you, at any time?" When Adi affirmed his readiness, the Master ordered, "Take off your topee and throw it into that hedge." Though Adi was fond of fine clothes and this was his favorite solar topee, he obeyed without hesitation—a demonstration of the surrender that would characterize his entire life of service.

In 1922, Baba demonstrated his superhuman physical strength to Adi in a remarkable way. He told Adi to wrestle with him with all his might. Hesitant because Baba looked frail, Adi began grappling lightly, but Baba insisted, "No! As hard as you can!" When Adi finally exerted his full strength, Baba, without much apparent effort, picked him up and threw him on the floor. On another occasion, Baba challenged all forty mandali members to a tug-of-war, and even with all their combined strength, they could not budge him an inch.

Adi Sr. often served as Baba's night watchman, during which he would massage Baba's legs. During these intimate hours, Adi witnessed aspects of Baba's universal work that few others saw. Once, he observed Baba silently weeping, actually shedding tears. On another night, Baba was suddenly overcome with intense pain—unable to sit or stand, lying on the stone floor writhing in agony, with sweat on his forehead and cold hands and feet. After twenty minutes of almost unbearable suffering, Baba explained, "Today you have had ample evidence of what My Universal suffering means!"

Adi witnessed many demonstrations of Baba's spiritual power. In September 1927, when drought afflicted Ahmednagar while floods occurred elsewhere in India, a group came to Baba praying for rain. When Adi asked why there was no rain in Ahmednagar, Baba only smiled. The next day, when Adi repeated his question and requested that Baba produce rain, the Master immediately removed his woolen kamli coat, saying, "All the heat has been taken out; there will be cold now." Clouds instantly gathered, and heavy rain fell throughout the night.

On March 4, 1936, Adi informed Baba that his father, Khan Saheb, had transferred the entire Meherabad property to Meher Baba out of pure love—a gift that secured the physical foundation for Baba's work for generations to come.

Adi traveled extensively with Meher Baba around the world, often driving the Master from place to place. He accompanied Baba on his visits to the West, including significant trips to America and Europe. In 1956, Adi was part of Baba's historic visit to the Meher Spiritual Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and participated in meetings and programs in Washington D.C., New York, and other locations.

Throughout Baba's physical lifetime and after, Adi served as one of the Master's primary spokesmen, delivering talks and answering questions about Baba's life and teachings around the world. Meher Baba himself acknowledged Adi's long service simply but profoundly: "You all know about him. Nothing more to be said about him. He has been with Me for the last 30 years."

On February 28, 1963, when Meher Baba sent Maharani Shanta Devi to declare open Mehersthan at Kovvur, it was Adi K. Irani who was given the honor of unfurling Baba's flag—a symbolic recognition of his role as Baba's standard-bearer to the world.

Adi compiled and published Meher Baba's messages, including "Messages of Meher Baba Delivered in the East and West" (1945), and also wrote or published "The Life Circulars of Avatar Meher Baba," "Questions & Answers on Meher Baba," and "A Brief Life-Sketch of Avatar Meher Baba" (1960), ensuring that Baba's words reached audiences throughout the world. His own talks and essays were later collected in "Just to Love Him" (1985).

Even after Meher Baba's physical passing in 1969, Adi continued his tireless service, speaking at Baba centers worldwide and corresponding with seekers. In 1979, he was photographed performing with Michael Siegal on sitar at the Meher Center in Myrtle Beach, demonstrating the joy that permeated his life of dedication.

Adi K. Irani passed away on March 4, 1980, in Andhra Pradesh, India, at the age of 76. His mortal remains were laid to rest at Lower Meherabad, where he continues to rest near the Samadhi of his Beloved Master. His life exemplified the transformation that occurs when a soul completely surrenders to the Avatar—from a college student fond of good food and fine clothes to one of the most significant instruments in making Meher Baba's message known to the world, just as Baba had promised.