Naja Irani was Meher Baba's cousin—her mother Piroja was the sister of Baba's mother Shireen. She was also the sister of Pendu (Aspandiar), one of Baba's closest male mandali. From earliest childhood, Naja was drawn into the orbit of the Avatar's love.

When Naja was about four years old, she visited Hazrat Babajan with her mother. The ancient Perfect Master took the little girl by the hand and prophesied: 'Come child, you are destined for God.' This blessing would unfold throughout her entire life.

As children, Naja and her brother Aspandiar sat at young Merwan's (Baba's) feet, mesmerized by His personality, at the house of their mother Pila Masi (Baba's aunt). Aspandiar once thought wistfully: 'How wonderful it would be if Merwan were Zoroaster. He is so loving, he sings such beautiful prayers, and his nature is so kind. I wish he were Zoroaster.'

In 1917, when Naja was nine years old, her mother died from a lung condition. Baba told her grieving father Masaji: 'Don't worry. The responsibility of looking after Aspandiar and Naja is now with me. I accept full responsibility for them. They are mine now.'

Raised by her aunt Dowla Masi, Naja learned to cook at her aunt's restaurant in Poona. In 1922, when she was just thirteen, Baba sent her to Quetta, where her brother Aspandiar was working, to help Khorshed Irani (Goher and Katie's mother) care for her young children, among them little Goher and Katie.

In October 1924, Naja was one of the first six women to join Baba's ashram permanently at Meherabad—along with Mehera, Daulatmai, Dowla Masi, Big Khorshed, and Small Khorshed. When Dowla Masi had to leave in 1925 to care for Baba's ill brother Jamshed, Baba told the women plainly: 'If you are willing to cook for over 100 people every day then remain here, otherwise you should go away.' Naja agreed to stay and took over cooking for over 100 people daily.

Naja's service as the master cook was legendary. She prepared 100-200 meals daily with such skill that she could create something delicious out of anything. Once, when very tired, she wondered why Mehera was not given much work while she labored so hard. Baba told her the story of Mary and Martha from the Bible—Martha cooking while Mary sat at Jesus's feet. Baba explained: 'The sanskaras of everyone are different; hence, everyone's duty is different. Continue doing your duty with love and don't think about what others are doing. You have no idea how great your service is! It is truly great, and in the future you will realize it.' Many years later Baba said that Naja played the role of Martha in his circle, as Mehera played the role of Mary.

Baba's training of Naja was direct and sometimes severe, knowing her love could withstand it. During the festivities for Baba's own 31st birthday at Meherabad in February 1925, Naja merely smiled as she crossed the verandah, yet Baba publicly scolded her because some women guests had been laughing; through her strong love he taught the real offenders a lesson.

In December 1924 Baba told Mehera, Naja and Daulatmai: 'You should never leave me—even if I force you away. You should always hold on to me.' She obeyed this command for her entire life.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, when meeting pilgrims at Meherazad, Naja was once heard to quietly sum up their life with the Master in just three words: 'It was fire.'

Naja passed away at Meherazad on May 20, 1982. Her shrine stands on Meherabad Hill next to Mehera's. Remarkably, exactly seven years later, on the same date, May 20, 1989 (Buddha Purnima), Mehera also passed away.