After hearing about Deshumkh's fiancée Indumati, 24, Baba permitted Deshmukh to marry her, spelling out, "You are destined to marry and have found a very good companion. But don't forget to bring her to me once before you arrange everything finally. Then you will have no worries or responsibility."
The date for the wedding was set for the following April.
Knowing Deshmukh's highly philosophical mind, Baba then explained to him, "You will have various thoughts; you will have doubts and your mind will argue. But remember one thing: I am the Truth ! If your mind goes on wondering and wandering, let it. Do not run after it from place to place [meaning from one Master or saint to another]. Hold fast to me."
Baba's remarks to Deshmukh were quite poignant. At one point, Deshmukh thought: "Meher Baba is a Parsi and I am a Brahmin. Baba's Master Upasni Maharaj is also a Brahmin. Why should I not follow Upasni Maharaj? He is a Brahmin as well as Baba's Master. By following him, I will derive more knowledge than from Baba. Besides, to be a devotee of a Parsi is not really befitting for me."
These thoughts eventually led Deshmukh to visit Upasni Maharaj's ashram in Sakori. Deshmukh approached Upasni, carrying a garland. However, as soon as Upasni saw him, he began cursing at him and shouted at him to leave immediately. Taken aback, Deshmukh stood off at a distance; Upasni spotted him and started throwing rocks at him. This frightened Deshmukh and he left, recalling the woeful stories of others who also had experienced a similar rough treatment from Upasni Maharaj.1
In a state of dismay, Deshmukh was grievously hurt and unfavorably impressed by Upasni's harshness and thought: "Baba is so kind. He is so full of love. Upasni Maharaj is just the opposite! To follow Meher Baba is much better."
In the end, Deshmukh narrated this incident to Baba who observed, "Upasni Maharaj is a real Sadguru. Remember that! You have no idea about the ways of the Perfect Masters. No one can understand them. You went to Upasni Maharaj on your own; now, according to my order, go back to him."
Bewildered, Deshmukh pleaded, "I am ready to do anything you say, Baba — except to go back to Upasni Maharaj! You do not know how furious he was, and what he said to me. I cannot go back there. I am terrified of him!"
Footnotes
- 1.When Mahatma Gandhi had gone to Upasni Maharaj, Maharaj likewise had abused and taunted him with the words: "So you are the big Mahatma? What type of Mahatma are you?"