ChaptersChapter 17Page 2,450

Chapter 17: Meetings & Darshans

1944Page 2,450 of 5,444
One by one, the multi-colored attachments to the false have to be relinquished, and one by one the sanskaric fagots [twigs] that feed the deceptive fires of the separative ego have to be surrendered in favor of the imperative claims of the invincible flame of the Truth. The clouds of sanskaras have to disappear completely before the sky of consciousness is illumined by the inextinguishable light of God, Who is the Real Self of all. My mission is to help you to inherit this hidden treasure of the Self, and all who earnestly seek it have my blessings.
Afterwards, Baba visited the homes of Justice Niyogi and Puranik before proceeding to the train station. Most of his lovers had gathered there, anxious for one final glimpse of the Beloved. The station platform was full, and there were piles and piles of garlands. The crowd gave Baba a rousing send-off with heavy hearts. Although it was a bright winter morning, "showers" fell in the form of rain from his lover's hearts.
Age witnessed this touching scene and marveled at the spontaneous outpouring of love for Meher Baba during the previous five days. Even the angels were envious of the populace of Nagpur, as they looked down on these lucky individuals who were drenched in the "showers," and felt their own longing to take human form grow to new heights!
Nagpur, November 1944
During the journey in the train, those accompanying Baba told jokes, some sang songs and some recited stories to entertain him. Bal Natu, who was traveling with Baba again, this time with everyone else, had the sudden thought: "Why not sing a song for Baba?" At that very moment, Baba gestured to him to sing. Bal did, and thus obtained a firsthand experience of the Master's omniscience.
Baba distributed fruits to all and after a while lay down on the seat, covering himself with a white sheet to do his inner work, while everyone remained quiet.
Baba reached Manmad on 17 November, and went with the mandali to Aurangabad. The rest of those traveling with Baba returned to their respective homes.
A week later, Baba left early in the morning of the 24th with Adi Sr., Baidul and Vishnu for a village beyond Ellora, where he contacted a spiritual seeker at a temple. At another small village Baba contacted a young Mohammedan, who Baba said was spiritually inclined but not a mast. They returned to their bungalow at Aurangabad in the evening.
At 2:00 P.M. the next day, Baba went to Ajanta with Adi Sr., Baidul and Kaka and contacted an advanced mast named Miyan Saheb who was reported to be more than 100 years old. The mast seemed to be waiting for Baba. Adi Sr. recalled, "I drove Baba there and expected there would be the usual problem of finding the mast. But Baba said, 'Stop the car. He is coming from there!' Though never having met Baba before, this strong, hefty mast [recognized Baba and] was glowing to see Baba." As soon as he saw Baba, he embraced him very lovingly and alone took Baba to a room on the upper floor of a devotee's house. Miyan Saheb invited Baba to sit on a sofa and sat next to him. He caressed Baba's face and wept loudly.
At one point, the mandali waiting outside heard the mast utter a Persian couplet, " Khud be kud azad budi, khud gireftar amadi. [You were free, but of your own accord, for the benefit of the world, you got yourself bound.]"
Baba was exceptionally pleased with the contact.
When he returned to the car he revealed to the mandali what the mast had said and how exceptional Miyan Saheb was, adding, "Most masts and saints do not know me as the Avatar, but only recognize me according to their station. They do not 'see' beyond where they are — beyond their state of advancement."
Baba returned to Aurangabad at 6:00 P.M.
On the 28th, Baba left Aurangabad with the men and women mandali for Pimpalgaon, arriving the same day. He sent Kitty and Walu back to Meherabad as soon as the group arrived.
On 1 December 1944, Baba had a circular issued through Adi Sr.'s office in which he mentioned his forthcoming visit to Allahabad in April and the one-month meeting at Meherabad in May. The number of lovers coming had now reached 500. The circular also announced:
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