Observing the old man's anxiety, Baba ordered the mandali to make room for the man inside. After much trouble and more vociferous complaints from the other passengers, the mandali succeeded in pulling the man in through the window. He squeezed in next to Baba and put the boy on his lap.
In the course of conversation with the old Muslim, the mandali learned he was from Gulbarga, and asked, as was their habit, if he knew any masts or saints thereabouts. The man was surprised by their question and asked, "Why do you ask about saints? People go to a saint with two distinct objects: either for obtaining wealth and prosperity, or for God. Which do you seek?"
Eruch explained, "We are Parsis from Ahmednagar, but spiritually
minded and interested in saints."
Hearing that they hailed from Ahmednagar, the old man reproached them, "What? You say you are Parsis from Ahmednagar and you do not even know about your own great saint who lives near there, named Meher Baba? Why are you running after others?"
The mandali, in order to avoid disclosing Baba's identity, had to pretend they knew nothing about Meher Baba, and casually asked who he was.
The man laughed derisively at their ignorance, and chided, "Why he is a very, very great saint of a high order. He is worshiped by thousands of all communities. I can't believe you have never heard of him! I myself have been to see him at his ashram at Meherabad twice, but was not fortunate enough to have his darshan. Once, he was away in a foreign country, and once he was in seclusion. But I am determined to pay my respects to him before I die," he added, "and take my whole family to him.
"At least once in my lifetime, I must have the good fortune of seeing him. I strongly suggest you go to him if you are interested in spiritual personalities."
At this point, the train stopped at Gulbarga, and the Muslim got down, thanking them for making room for himself and the boy. After he had left, Baba asked if they had any of his photographs with them. Eruch pulled a copy of Meher Baba Journal from his bedding roll.
Baba bowed his head to his own photograph, and sent Eruch with the journal to give to the man, with these words, "Tell him who his companion on the train has been, and that I bless him and his family. Now there is no need for him to visit Meherabad."