ChaptersChapter 13Page 1,775

Chapter 13: Nasik & Cannes

1937Page 1,775 of 5,444
Later that day, Garrett showed Baba a story he had written as a possible film script. Baba liked it and urged him to continue working on it along with writing for the magazine. Baba then left Nasik at three that afternoon for Rahuri, driven by Adi Sr.
On 1 February the opening ceremony of the Meher Free Dispensary was performed in Rahuri at eight o'clock that morning. Dr. Nilu was to be in charge of it with Jalbhai as his assistant. Ghani read out a message from a highly successful person who once said, "I succeeded because I was always fifteen minutes early to begin my work." The irony of Ghani quoting these words was not lost on his fellow mandali.
Regarding the medical facility, Baba commented, "After a month or two, people will flock to our dispensary and many, especially the poor, will be benefited."
The dispensary began operating the next day. As Baba predicted, word spread fast of the free medical care being given in that quiet, rural area. Hundreds of sick people came each day, many from remote areas. Nilu and Jalbhai were busy from dawn to dusk attending to the sick, many of whom had never seen a doctor before.
Another doctor, named Vidwans, was later hired to work in the dispensary as the caseloads increased, along with a compounder (pharmacist) named Sudrik. During this period, Dhake continued to manage the office affairs at Rahuri and kept a diary of its activities.
Dr. Nilu, Rahuri Dispensary, 1937
Baba was expected in Nasik on 4 February, but the 3rd was to be celebrated as Norina's birthday. So, to give her a surprise, Baba arrived in the evening of the 3rd from Rahuri. Baba, however, was exhausted, and Adi Sr. told the group to finish dinner and Baba would meet them after he had rested.
Baba went to the living room and laid still on the sofa, appearing to be suffering greatly, absorbed in some inner work. The Westerners came in and sat around him. Baba requested some cold water to wash his face.
Afterward, he spelled out, "Sometimes I have to take the burden of the whole universe on my shoulders. I was on the point of paralysis in the car while coming here, and I could hardly move my arms. I did not even convey this to Adi who was driving.
"I am infinite bliss and infinite suffering. It is all me — all one. Free here [pointing to himself] and bound there [pointing to the group]. All-knowing here and ignorant there. None but one loves me! Guess who? Baba loves Baba through everybody!"
Baba then narrated a past incident of his terrible suffering in Meherabad when, due to world conditions at that time, he had what appeared to be a severe heart attack. Physically he may have been trembling, shaking and breaking out in perspiration, but the cause was really his inner working.
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