On 9 February 1936, the politician Dr. S. Radhakrishnan came to see Baba with V. Subrahmanya Iyer, 67, the retired vice-chancellor of Mysore University and a professor of philosophy, and Professor Wadia, also of Mysore University.1 Radhakrishnan had come to know about Baba through Dr. Deshmukh in Nagpur and learned of Baba's presence in the area through Iyer, who was one of Baba's neighbors. Kalemama informed them that Meher Baba was now in seclusion and would not be granting interviews until his seclusion ended in June. They left.
Radhakrishnan never came again for Baba's darshan, though he was interested in Baba and was later given a copy of God Speaks . After he became President of India during the 1960s, he would hear about Baba from Delhi Baba lovers, Mona and Manohar Sakhare. They would keep Radhakrishnan informed about Baba's activities and play Baba's arti for him on their record player.
In Mysore, Baba went to the men mandali's bungalow on the morning of 14 February.
After discussing certain matters, the conversation drifted toward aspects of love and Baba remarked, "Love gives happiness and also suffering. The cup of wine turns into a cup of blood! For example, suppose Buasaheb loves Gustadji and, as an outer expression of his love, he jumps on Gustadji's back, pinches his cheek and pulls at his mustache. It is love and a playful game — happiness for Buasaheb, but so much suffering and agony for poor Gustadji."
After this discussion, that evening Baba went on an outing to Chamundi Hill with the men, and the next evening went back with the women. There was a Hindu temple on Chamundi Hill. Baba sent Kalemama inside to have the goddess' darshan.
Before moving to Mysore, Baba had emphasized that the mandali not observe his birthday, since he would be in seclusion. Accordingly, it was not observed in Meherabad, Ahmednagar, Nasik, or Mysore. Baba visited Bangalore on Sunday, 16 February 1936, the day of his 42nd birthday according to the Zoroastrian calendar. He had already informed the Aiyangar family that his birthday was not to be celebrated and he would be visiting only to see the family. Baba even stopped using the alphabet board that day and communicated only through signs and gestures.
Leaving Mysore by car at 8:15 that morning, he reached Bangalore three hours later. The Aiyangars graciously received Baba, but according to his wishes, no arti or worship ceremony was performed.
Footnotes
- 1.Subrahmanya Iyer had been a Theosophist and had a close personal relation with the Maharaja of Mysore. Iyer was to have a deep influence on Paul Brunton, also, to whom the Maharaja of Mysore extended his hospitality.