Baba began fasting on water from the 9th. Beginning Thursday, 10 June 1943, he shut himself in his room from morning until 3:00 P.M. After three o'clock he would meet the mandali until 5:00 P.M. and then go up the hill to see Mehera and Mani. Baba broke his fast after six days, on the 14th.
Although Shireenmai's body had been disposed of at the Parsi Tower of Silence in Poona, Baba ordered a memorial for her and Sheriarji erected on Meherabad Hill, and this work was carried out in June. When the memorial was ready, Baba, with his own hands, placed a few of their personal effects in it: a silver snuff box of Sheriarji's and Shireenmai's eyeglasses. Baba dictated the inscription on their tombstone, which reads as follows:
In eternal memory of Meherbaba's blessed parents, Sheriarji and Shirinmai, who are now merged in Baba's infinity
Baba took the women to see films four times that month, bringing them in a bus from Meherabad to Sarosh Cinema.
At 8:00 A.M. on Friday, 25 June 1943 Baba held a special gathering of a few of his lovers and the mandali to listen to songs and ghazals of Jigar (one of Baba's favorite poets) being performed at Meherabad.1
Baba was in an especially happy mood, and composed a few of his own couplets on the spot.
Baba also gave this special explanation, and hint, of what he remarked was the greatest spiritual secret: "When you want nothing, you gain everything."
He concluded, "You will all be pardoned for all your past bad karmas."
After making arrangements for the mandali during his absence, Baba was ready to proceed to Lahore. Before leaving, he had the following circular sent to his lovers:
I hereby desire you to know that I have before me two most important workings, planned to be finished by the end of this year, 1943. The two spiritual workings referred to can be explained as follows:
One: The mandali who were with me for five days during the month of May last have got to be again with me and near me for one full month. And at any time, during this period of one month, I have to give them either God-realization, illumination or inner experience according to their connection with me. This divine grace for the fortunate and deserving mandali will also coincide with the breaking of my silence and the visiting of some places in India with them all.
Footnotes
- 1.Jigar was the pen name of the poet Ali Sikander Muradabadi (1890–1960) from Merath, in northern India. Jigar was not subtle conscious, but his poetry was inspired, and according to Baba "conveyed the best of spiritual thoughts." Jigar had an unhappy personal life and became an alcoholic; but in his later years, he found a Muslim Spiritual Master named Azgaar, who inspired him to continue to write. Meher Baba never met Jigar in person. However, when Jigar was on his deathbed in 1960 in Gonda, U.P., Baba sent a Hamirpur devotee named Baghel with a copy of God Speaks, as a gift from Baba. Baghel presented the book, which Jigar touched to his forehead. Baghel told Jigar about Baba, and Jigar was consoled and happy. He sent his salutations to Baba and soon after this he died.