"It is said that a woman is a drag on man in his attainment of divine grace. All the saints ..."
Baba interrupted, spelling out, "Ah, no. A woman can play an important part in the development of divine grace. She is man's equal. So long as she is true to herself, all will be well. But once she surrenders to her surroundings, the function of marriage fails. It is then you have divorces."
"Then what about the vow of celibacy which the saints undertook?" the reporter asked.
"It is unimportant. Some men marry, others remain single; but a man is not more backward spiritually because he has married. A woman by her love can inspire him to know the Truth. But she must develop love and not lust. This is the key to happiness."
The conversation was disturbing Edward Merrett's work, who interrupted and said, "Please look up, Baba." This abruptly stopped the interview from continuing. At that time, Merrett asked if he could make a plaster mold of Baba's right hand, to which Baba agreed.1
That night, Baba again saw White Horse Inn at the London Coliseum, which he had seen on his previous trip to London the year before. Afterwards, Minta and a friend Ayala Bentovim (whom Minta had brought to meet Baba on the 9th) sat by Baba until 2:00 A.M.
Kaka Baria did not know English and had entreated Baba not to leave him alone with the Westerners who badgered him with questions about Baba. Once when Baba was having a private interview with someone, Kaka was waiting outside the room. Seeing one of Baba's mandali, several Western women approached Kaka and besieged him with one question after another. Not following what was being said, Kaka was at a total loss and could only think to close his eyes! Thinking that he was meditating, the new lovers were all the more impressed and stood surrounding Kaka. One whispered, "There is some yogic power in him ... He must be advanced!" Kaka was sweating from being put in such a very uncomfortable position. Meanwhile the new lovers were waiting to see when he would come out of his "Samadhi." They praised Kaka — while internally he was swearing at them! How long could he stand there like a statue? Fortunately, after some minutes, Baba called him and he went inside. The naïve Westerners were thoroughly impressed, but poor Kaka was bewildered.
Footnotes
- 1.The bust Merrett made of Baba was sent to India at the beginning of 1934, but later broke. Copies of the cast of Meher Baba's right hand made by Edward Merrett were later made and distributed among his lovers. One copy, sent by Will and Mary Backett, was received at Meherazad in January 1962. Baba held and admired the cast, and it was kept in the sitting room of the main house.