When the others returned, Baba had a long discussion with Norina and Elizabeth, planning for his future work in the West.
Headed for Kashmir, the group left Murree in taxis at six in the morning on Tuesday, 18 April 1933 and arrived in Srinagar that afternoon at five o'clock. As they traveled through the Himalayan region, there was a landslide on the road which had to be cleared before they could drive on. Although Audrey had always had a fear of heights, she recalled that she had a feeling of perfect safety whenever traveling with Baba.
Dressed in disguise so as not to be recognized by the villagers, Baba showed them where he stayed in seclusion and fasted in 1929.1 Baba had stated that Jesus did not die on the cross but came to India, where he spent many years wandering from place to place doing his Universal work until he dropped his body in Kashmir.
Pointing to a hill, Baba revealed, "There is the place where two of Christ's apostles, Bartholomew and Thaddeus, who had accompanied him from Palestine, buried his body. When they reached a certain spot they met a yogi who tried to prevent them from passing, but they caused the body to disappear and made the yogi believe it had disappeared. Then they traversed to the [burial] spot and made it reappear again, thus fooling the yogi.
"I will live to the age of 72," Baba stated. "I have 33 more years of work. I have always suffered for the universe. I have been crucified thousands of times and will be crucified thousands of times more, so you can share a little in my sufferings."
Being in one of the most beautiful spots on Earth, the Westerners found that a spiritual presence pervaded the atmosphere. An indescribable peace and serenity were felt at Harvan!
As they were returning from Harvan, a short, scantily-clad man rushed out singing and dancing from a side path and began to run after their car. Baba smiled at him. One of the women wished to give him money, but Baba restrained her. Minta burst out laughing at the man's antics.
Baba warned her and the others, "Do not laugh at what seems to be strange behavior. He is not mad."
Baba later informed the group, "He is a borrowed agent who has to appear mad in order to carry on his spiritual work. There are three other agents in Kashmir — all old men and not the mad type."
On the 21st they rode in shikaras (a type of wooden boat) to the city and went to a movie in the afternoon. Baba sent Vishnu to Bombay on the 22nd to arrange for the group's passage. In the morning Baba took the group for a walk around the lake. At 3:00 P.M., he took them by bus to Manasbal Lake for a picnic. The road was so deep in mud that at one point all had to walk a distance on foot and the bus drove empty. It was cold and the roads were bad, but the scenery was lovely. Baba again ran about with them, up and down the lawns, full of fun and cheerfulness. They returned to the city by a different route.
Sunday, 23 April 1933 was their last day in Srinagar. The weather was again cloudy and chilly, but when it cleared in the afternoon, Baba took all to the Shalimar and Nishat Gardens. At one spot, Baba abruptly sat down on a terrace opposite to where a few Muslims were praying.
Baba gestured, "They are lucky to be praying while I am here."
Footnotes
- 1.One village boy did recognize Vishnu and said Vishnu had been there before with Meher Baba.