Later, a feeding of the poor was also held.1
During these four days, Upasni Maharaj and Baba would sit together discussing plans for future work, including the construction of a new temple. One day Maharaj came into Baba's room when he was absent. Adi Sr.'s sitar was lying there; Maharaj picked it up and tried to play. Like a child, he moved his hand slowly up and down the strings. When Baba, Adi and others entered the room and began to watch him, Maharaj asked, "What is this thing? How do you play it?"
He handed the sitar to Adi, saying, "Take it. I don't know anything about such things."
Adi started playing it, while Baba sang to Maharaj: " Katre se dariya banaya pir ne!" (A drop was transformed into the ocean by the pir [saint]!)
During this occasion, Upasni Maharaj spent many hours with Meher Baba's disciples and discoursed on spiritual matters under the temple mandap. He would exhort them in Marathi: "Don't leave Merwan. I have made him Perfect. You cannot imagine who he is. From today, all those who are here, I give them to Merwan. Stick to him like a stamp on an envelope. Wherever the envelope goes, it will carry the stamp with it — no matter how many times the stamp is canceled. Don't leave him under any circumstances."
In the course of his talks, about Baba's spiritual stature Maharaj repeated:
All of you pay heed to what I tell you. Merwan is the Avatar. I have handed the key of whatever I possess to Merwan. Now hold to his feet, not only with one hand but with both hands, and do as he tells you. Stick to him under all circumstances and carry out his every wish and command, and he will guide and help you. This is my advice to you; you would do well to follow it.
Merwan will make the whole world dance on his little finger! You, yourselves, will see. Even people from the West will come for his darshan and blessing. By the grace of God, if you follow my advice, you will soon reach the Goal.
Before everyone departed, Upasni Maharaj performed the engagement ceremony of Naval Talati and Dina. The wedding rings were placed before Maharaj, who called Gulmai to put the ring on Dina's finger, since no one from Naval's family was present. As Gulmai was about to do so, Rupamai Karani, Dina's mother, interrupted and requested that Maharaj place the ring on her daughter's hand. Laughing, he acquiesced.
Naval then asked Maharaj the date they should marry, and was told, "Consult Merwan and do exactly as he instructs." Because of Maharaj's emphatic order, and because of the profound remarks he had given about Merwanji, Naval's doubts disappeared. He bowed at Merwanji's feet and sought his blessing as his Master.
Footnotes
- 1.According to Naja, unbeknownst to Shireenmai, Baba had kept aside a large amount from the toddyshop proceeds, and used it to pay for the poor feeding, among other things.