Cowas' first reading of the Discourses convinced him that Meher Baba was the person who was worthy to be a "true guru." He knew he was destined to have Baba as his Guide, and his first physical contact with Baba strengthened that feeling. About his first meeting in Surat, Cowas later related, "Baba looked directly into my eyes, as if to confirm that age-old connection of the past."
The mass darshan program continued the next day, Friday, 19 September 1947, and Baba also graced the nearby town of Rander with his presence.
Some people began creating a disturbance during one of the programs, and Baba turned to a singer sitting by his side and gestured, "Sing a song that will gladden my heart."
The singer chose an appropriate song, with this line, which pleased Baba: "Those who do not bow to the Sadguru and keep beating their own drums are worse than animals!"
For this rare darshan occasion, Baba's elderly maternal uncle and aunt, Rustom Mama and Piroja Mami, had come from Bombay to attend the program.1 Calling them on stage, Baba made them sit by his side. Both loved Baba dearly and would come for his darshan from time to time.
Dina Talati, her son Curshed and daughter Perviz had also joined the group from Bombay. Perviz sweetly sang arti, and Baba smiled showing his pleasure.
Baba was happy with the whole darshan program and praised Manek Mehta, commenting, "I am very pleased with your efforts. The function has happened as I wished. I am satisfied and happy with your love."
Baba departed the same day with Baidul, Eruch and Pendu for mast work in Gujarat. The rest of the men mandali returned to Meherabad and Pimpalgaon.
Arriving in Baroda, Baba began contacting masts, among whom was the fifth-plane mast Chambu Shah , whom Baba was to contact again a month later.
On Monday, 22 September 1947, Baba left Baroda for Ahmedabad. The train compartment was extremely crowded and Baidul had to sit on the floor by the door. When the train halted at Nadiad, Baidul moved in front of the exit. Suddenly, someone pushed the door open, but as the compartment was already overflowing, Baidul quickly closed it, pushing the man out. The man slipped and nearly fell, but was not injured.
Footnotes
- 1.Rustom Mama (Shireenmai's brother) was the uncle who used to manage a drama company and had arranged employment for young Merwan with the Alfred Theatrical Company in 1916, when Merwan had come to stay with Rustom Mama and his wife in Calcutta.