Baba blessed her. His blessing proved a farewell to his dear aunt, for within a year or so, she dropped her body. This was the last time Dowla Masi saw Baba.
Baba continued with Adi to Bombay where he stayed for two days at Naoroji Dadachanji's new residence, 607-B Sohrab Bharucha House, at Dadar.1 There Baba met Pleader. Pleader was suffering tremendously under the restrictions placed on him by Baba. Eventually, he broke down and wept. Baba was glad and said so, appreciating his frank outburst and smilingly emphasizing once again the importance of his special case.
The following day, Dina Talati, who was grief-stricken over her husband Naval's death, came and Baba comforted her too. It was a very touching scene. Lost to the world and to herself due to the loss of the husband she loved, her life had become a burden, as she herself said. She heartily preferred to end it, if that would take her to her dear Naval. But a Master's ways are different. They purify through sufferings to break the stranglehold of one's ego.
This was a purifying process for Dina, a preparation for the future life intended and designed for her. Consequently, no amount of heartrending cries affected the Master. Baba instead urged her to cry aloud to give vent to all she felt, experienced and suffered. The entire atmosphere for a short while rang with her cries of "Baba! ... Baba!" touching the hearts of all those gathered, filling some eyes with tears.
Chanji described the scene: "Baba watched her wail with a smiling expression on his face, totally untouched and unaffected — rather, feeling delighted and happy at the good work that was being done so effectively."
Baba returned to Jabalpur from Bombay on the 25th. A huge pile of mail was waiting for him. Among the letters was one from Alexander Markey, describing his idea of visiting India to make a film about true spirituality.
Baba sent this telegram: "Approve your plan. My moral support and spiritual help."
But, as with many other such projects, no film was ever made.
Gulmai and Masaji were sent for and they arrived at noon on 29 March 1939. Memo and Jalbhai were to arrive in Jabalpur the following day, so before his mother arrived, Baba forewarned Gulmai about Memo's jealous maternal nature and urged her to do her best to avoid the usual conflict between his spiritual and material mother. Although their quarrels served his own purposes well, at this time, because he was so preoccupied in his mast work, Baba wished for absolute harmony among his companions and would not tolerate any petty quarrels.
Footnotes
- 1.The family had moved out of Boman Lodge in February that year.