After the meeting, Baba dictated this message to Gandhi, which Chanji delivered on 11 January 1943 to Gandhi's associates at Wardha to pass along to Gandhi:
“”From the personal individual standpoint of a seeker of God, you did absolutely right. Stick to it to the end. Before Truth, everything fades into insignificance.
One's life, one's country, one's nation, one's universe — all are set aside where Truth is concerned. Because the only thing worth living for and dying for is the Realization of God, and after that, making others realize God.
Sripat Sahai Rawat of Hamirpur, called Sribhai , had heard of Baba in Nagpur from Deshmukh and Babadas. He was also an active member of the Indian National Congress party, agitating for the country's independence. The British government was arresting all of the Congress party leaders for stirring up revolt against their rule, and a warrant had been issued for Sribhai's arrest too.
Absconding from the authorities, Sahai came to Meherabad in 1942 to see Baba.
“”When Baba saw him, he raised an eyebrow and inquired, "You are here? You should be in jail!"
Sribhai was amazed, as he was coming to Baba for the first time, and had not told him anything.
“”Baba spelled out, "Take darshan without touching my feet."
Baba then asked him what had brought him to Meherabad.
“”Sribhai described his long interest in spirituality, and at the end of his narration Baba dictated, "I am happy about your honest seeking for the Real. I am pleased with you. Ask me what you want; you will get it. But express your wish in one sentence."
Sribhai was greatly affected by his meeting and on the spur of the moment said, "Spiritual advancement."
For a moment Baba looked serious.
“”Then he gestured, "Granted."
Sribhai then admitted he was being pursued by the police, and Baba counseled, "You say that the conflict between a political and a spiritual life is now resolved. As you do not want to involve yourself further in politics, turn yourself in to the authorities. Send a telegram to this effect to the District Magistrate of Hamirpur.
"Don't run away," Baba advised, "Go and surrender yourself to the police. Your going to prison is good, and I will have my eye on you."
Sribhai obeyed and was imprisoned. He was the first person from Hamirpur District to come in the Master's contact, and it is due to him that the whole of Hamirpur is today at Meher Baba's feet. His contact proved to be a link, and he also informed other Congress leaders in prison about Meher Baba.
At the time, Keshav Narayan Nigam, 34, a lawyer of Hamirpur, was imprisoned also. Keshav too had heard of Baba from Babadas, who gave him some books and photographs. But Keshav was not interested and he later threw the photographs on the road.
While in jail, when Sribhai told him more about Meher Baba, Keshav became annoyed and caustically remarked, "Meher Baba is not the Avatar. He lies idle without doing any work [for the country] and declares himself to be the Avatar so that people may worship him. Mahatma Gandhiji is the Avatar who is dying for the country and suffering for it, having renounced everything for that sake."
Keshav continued to bitterly denounce Baba before Sribhai. However, as events unfolded, this bitter "opponent" of Meher Baba turned into one of his greatest workers, devoting his entire life to the Master's cause.
Savak Kotwal was living in the Family Quarters, and his wife Nergiz, who was living on the hill with the women, wished to stay with him.
“”She asked Baba, who told her, "You may live with him, but live for me! To him who suffers in my darbar [court] without complaint, I will give the greatest benefit."
He later informed Savak, "Nergiz is gold, but she wastes it weeping without cause."
Nergiz then moved into the Family Quarters. Their three children were studying in Hyderabad and would come to Meherabad on their holidays.
Chhagan was also residing in the Family Quarters compound with his wife and daughter, as were Jangle Master and his family.
Baba's brother Adi Jr. conducted a homeopathic dispensary in Meherabad periodically, from 1936 to 1944. Once a sick person came to him, but even when he was given medicine, he did not leave. Adi told him graciously, "I have given you your medicine; now you may go."
The man demanded, "I want good medicine."
"But this is good medicine," Adi replied. "It will make you well."
"Give me some medicine which will cure me instantly," demanded the man. "You are Baba's brother, and only you can give such medicine."
Adi tried to persuade him to leave, but he would not budge. Getting fed up, Adi said, "Brother, kindly leave. Don't bother me further." But the man continued sitting there.
Soon Baba came along. Adi explained the situation to Baba, concluding, "This fellow is a real headache!"
“”Baba replied, "If he is a headache to you, it is good. You should thank him. He is teaching you forbearance. Be grateful to him. You are not obliging him by giving him medicine. On the contrary, he is obliging you by giving you the chance of serving others."
Padri and Murli also took up the practice of homeopathy, by Adi Jr.'s influence, and later Padri began treating the villagers of Arangaon and other surrounding villages.
