Chhagan replied, exasperated, "To find such a boy, I would have to be God-realized! This is not a job for an ordinary man!"
In India, the "profession" of being a sadhu or sanyasi is as common as the profession of a priest or preacher in the West.
One day, while observing a mass gathering of sadhus and sanyasis, Baba remarked to the women, "Of these 7,000, only seven are real!"
Leaving Benares early on the morning of 23 January 1939, Baba's entourage proceeded to Kanpur, arriving at four o'clock in the afternoon, where they stayed in the Kashmir Hotel , which was managed by Hindus. After contacting some poor destitutes living in the streets of Kanpur and a few boys, Baba traveled to Agra, arriving on the 24th at three in the afternoon.
Chanji had left for Agra several days before to arrange accommodations there and found a suitable private home for their stay.1 The house was brand new and had never been occupied. When the owner found out that Meher Baba and his party were the intended occupants, he offered the house gratis for a fortnight and expressed his gratitude and good fortune to host such an august personality. There were electric lights, but unfortunately there was a problem with the water supply, as the well water was unfit for drinking. Kitty contacted a Western neighbor, Mrs. Brown, who allowed them to collect water from her tap.
On the 26th, Baba took the women to see the Taj Mahal, Jumma Masjid, the Fort, Shish Mahal and Moti Masjid (with Mrs. Brown in tow as their guide). Every time they went into a masjid, the group had to remove their shoes, and even Baba took off his sandals.
About these famous tourist spots, he remarked, "All this is a big zero — a dream! Only I am real. So, don't forget, while looking at all these wonderful places, to see me in this zero!"
But, in the evening, Baba did comment, "I personally liked the Fort better than the Taj. It is perfect in its variety, yet all in harmony."
Yet, all the sightseeing held little interest for the women, because Baba would tease, irritate and invariably create tensions and quarrels among them, so that they found no pleasure in the excursions. And while Baba guided the women through the different beautiful spots of the city, he kept the men separately occupied — Chhagan in searching for boys, and Eruch, Kaka and Adi Sr. in searching for masts. Chanji would arrange housing and food in advance at each halting place, and Gustadji would keep watch at night.
Baba assembled the women on the evening of the 26th and had the newspaper read.
About current events, Baba observed: "England and France are weak. They are not firm enough. America is strong now. The Prime Minister [of England] made a broadcast. He is a thorough gentleman and noble, and no match for these rogues [Hitler and Mussolini]. The German head is mad! No one but a madman could have done what he did to the Jews. But it all had and has to happen. It is nobody's fault. It is all just right.
"It is like a game of chess; they are the figures and I play the game."
On 27 January, Baba visited Fatehpur Sikri with the women in the morning. Baba and the women saw the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti, the Panch Mahal, Birbal's palace, the residence of Rukya Begum, the palace and temple of Jodhbai, and other sights.
Footnotes
- 1.The address was Andleigh Cottage No. 1, Idgah Colony, Agra.