As Merwan rode by that day, he happened to glance at Babajan who, at that very moment, looked directly at him — and with a nod of her head, beckoned him to her. As a polite and courteous young gentleman, Merwan could not disregard her. He got off his bicycle and walked over to her. Their eyes met and Merwan could sense that the old woman was extremely happy to see him.
Babajan had been eagerly awaiting him, and as Merwan approached her, he felt as if he were being drawn to her magnetically. Babajan stood up with her arms spread wide. The old woman embraced Merwan with the fervor of a mother finding her long lost child. Tears streamed down her wrinkled cheeks as she repeated, " Mera piarra beta ... Mera piarra beta [My beloved son]!"
Age, too, had been waiting for this moment. Finally, Babajan's beloved son had returned. The echo of the Sadguru's loving words, "My beloved son," touched the innermost recesses of its heart and the hearts of all who bore witness to that spectacular, momentous scene.
Merwan was speechless and stood as motionless as a statue in front of the ancient woman. From the moment of her embrace, he felt as if an electric current was passing through his body, sending impulses from his head to his toes. What he then experienced is indescribable — his individual consciousness was merging with the Ocean of bliss!
Although Merwan was dazzled by the effect of Babajan's embrace, he maintained some consciousness of his environment and walked home, leaving his bicycle behind. Although, inwardly, his total being was profoundly affected, outwardly he appeared, for the most part, normal.
Gradually, however, the young man lost all interest in his studies and became indifferent to participating in sports or games with his classmates. As the weeks and months passed, he preferred more and more to be left alone. A profound change in his personality was noticed. Merwan was no longer enthusiastic about anything in life; in every endeavor in which he had previously sparkled — and excelled — he became a failure. He appeared not to be able to concentrate on anything, nor could he communicate to his family, teachers or friends what he was experiencing.
Life was now totally empty except for one person: Hazrat Babajan. From that day in May 1913 onward, for the next seven months the only thing Merwan did regularly was to visit Babajan every evening.