Whenever Chanji visited Gandhi, no matter how preoccupied he was at the time, Gandhi would leave what he was doing to talk with Chanji and inquire about Meher Baba and his activities.1
Baba had detailed his plans for the establishment of different centers in the West, and upon their return to India, Aga Ali was sent to Persia to arrange for lands and properties for retreats there, as well. After the work in Persia was completed, Aga Ali was instructed to return to Bombay and remain there with his father until Baba called him. Chanji accompanied Ali to Karachi and returned to Bombay ten days later, around 16 January 1932, after meeting Pilamai, Jal Kerawalla and others there.
Baba remained at Banubai's in Bombay for two weeks, giving the opportunity of his close contact to his many lovers there. He also visited the homes of some of his followers, such as Munshiji and Pudumjee.
Once while in Bombay, Baba suddenly informed Kaka Baria, "I've caught pneumonia! Get some anti-phlogistine [a heated, paste-like ointment] and apply it to my chest."
Kaka was quite astonished by this, for Baba looked all right; but he applied it as directed. Two days passed without further incident. Then Bachamai Dadachanji came to see Baba and informed him that two days before, her son Dara had come down with double pneumonia and had been seriously ill.
Baba related, "I, too, had pneumonia. If I had not caught it, Dara would have died."
Dara was still quite ill and had a dangerously high fever; the doctors had given up hope. Baba went to see him. The next day Dara's temperature became normal, but Baba was observed to be suffering a high fever. Bachamai asked him, "Baba, why are you doing this? Dara is all right, but now you have a fever. You have taken his suffering upon yourself. Let him die, Baba; you must not suffer!" Baba smiled at the woman's brave words, and was pleased with her love and detachment.
Sorabji Desai came from Navsari with his niece Mansari and other family members. One day Mansari asked Baba for some work with which to serve him.
Baba directed her, "Go out into the bazaar and bring me some jamun [a type of plum], but don't go too far. Find some nearby and come back."
Mansari left for the bazaar but had trouble finding the fruit, since it was not in season. Despite Baba's order, she looked far and wide in the city for several hours, only to return empty-handed.
She thought it would have pleased Baba if she had been able to find a few of the plums, but Baba responded, "Obeying my order was more important than bringing the fruit. Always remember to obey me. By sticking to what I tell you, you will please me."
K. J. Dastur had taken umbrage at not being included in the trip to the West, and consequently, as mentioned, he had started to write and speak against Baba to the point that he even vented his anger in the magazine The Meher Message . But when Baba returned, Dastur immediately came to see him and expressed his regret over what he had done and the misunderstandings he had caused.
Soon after Baba's return, Memo arrived from Poona with Mani. This little "ray" now longed to be near the Sun always. But a year still remained before Mani would move into the ashram with the other women mandali, and Memo clearly indicated to Baba that she was not anxious to give up her only daughter to him.
Footnotes
- 1.On 25 March 1932, in his diary Mahadev Desai recorded Gandhi's impression of Baba: "He is a remarkable man. He seeks nobody, but still people flock to him and place large funds at his disposal." I said, "There is an air of happiness about his face." Bapu [Gandhi] said, "Certainly. And he asserts that he is always happy. He believes that he has had the beatific vision. He has never married and he says he is free from carnal thoughts. I have felt that he is a sincere man and no hypocrite." (The Diary of Mahadev Desai, Volume I, Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad, p.28.)