The entire week resembled a joyous wedding occasion. Bhajans were sung nightly. Gulmai's son Adi would play the harmonium and Baba would accompany him on the dholak and sing in a melodious voice.
"Go and give tea to Merwan," Upasni would tell Gulmai during the programs. "His throat must have become sore from singing." Maharaj was most particular about his favorite disciple.1
"See, Merwan never eats," he remarked to Gulmai one day. "A little while ago he took a cold bath but he puts on the same dirty clothes! Go give him some of Rustom's clothes." She did so, but Baba refused them.
During this time, Adi fell seriously ill with a high fever. Maharaj treated Adi with quinine tablets, which he took several times a day. Baba would also visit Adi every day and inquire about his health; then he would personally give Adi tea or water and help him walk back and forth in the room. Adi recovered more quickly than expected and never forgot the loving care that Baba expressed to him at that time. He thought: "My mother's or father's love is like a small pond when compared to Meher Baba's — which is like an ocean! It is better I seek the love of the ocean!"
Adi was attending Deccan College in Poona and Baba promised he would arrange for better meals from one of his followers. Adi, being especially fond of good food, was further touched by Baba's consideration, and he was drawn closer into Meher Baba's first circle of contacts.
One day Baba walked alone with Adi behind the house, where Baba sat on a stone near a well. There he asked Adi, "Do you know who I am?"
"I know that you are the chief disciple of Upasni Maharaj," Adi replied. "More than that I do not know."
"I shall not tell you who I am today," Baba stated, "but you will definitely come to know and you will see that your name is made known all over the world.
Your future has deep significance in my work. With my love and with your obedience of my instructions you will prove to be a fit instrument for my work."
Later Baba added, "I will make you like Vivekananda."2 Adi was overcome with joy and began thinking of joining Baba permanently.
One day during the weeklong celebration, Upasni Maharaj requested that Gulmai and Khansaheb take him to Bapu Saheb Wali's tomb in Ahmednagar.3 The shrine was nearby and Maharaj went there with some of the guests.
Footnotes
- 1.Upasni Maharaj always referred to Meher Baba as Merwan.
- 2.Swami Vivekananda was the chief disciple of the Perfect Master Ramakrishna of Calcutta, and was a great orator. Adi Sr. became Meher Baba's public secretary and traveled with him to different parts of the world during the 1930s and 1950s.
- 3.Bapu Saheb was also known as Bapu Shah Jindewali and Bapu Fazal Shah. He died on 18 July 1912.