ChaptersChapter 20Page 2,897

Chapter 20: Manjri Mafi

1950Page 2,897 of 5,444
On Tuesday, 21 March 1950, Don, Elcha, Keki Nalavala and Kumar came to see Baba at 9:30 that morning.
Baba advised Don, "Don't worry about your practice. If there aren't any patients, close the dispensary and come back here."
Don wanted to help the companions financially, and had originally thought of the idea of opening a dispensary for that purpose. But he experienced one disappointment after another. Local residents would take advantage of his generosity, and he continued to lose money.
During Baba's stay in Manjri Mafi, the families of Keki Nalavala, Burjor Chacha, Elcha Mistry, Hellan, Virendra Pandey, the university professor Ulfat Lekh Raj, and especially Kumar's came closer in Baba's love. It seemed as if these people had been unconsciously awaiting Baba's arrival, and Baba had gone to Manjri Mafi mainly for them. Kumar's wife Subhadra mingled with the five women companions as if she were one of them, and Baba bestowed much affection upon her children.
After checking on arrangements for the women, Baba left Manjri Mafi for Motichur with Pendu on the 22nd. Before departing, he ordered that the men and women at Manjri Mafi be inoculated against cholera so they could attend the Kumbha Mela for one day.
At the Hardwar train station, Baba and Pendu were joined by Eruch, Gustadji and Baidul. Accompanied by the men, Baba set out for Kankhal once again. Throughout Baba's tour of Motichur, it was extremely cold, as icy winds whipped down from the Himalayas. For the most part the sky remained overcast, and at times it rained heavily. That day, too, was cloudy and stormy. By 10:30 that morning, rain began pouring down, accompanied by strong winds, loud thunder and lightning. In spite of the storm, Baba searched the ashrams and camps, contacting 225 more sadhus and mahatmas. Exhausted, Baba and the companions returned to Motichur in the late afternoon.
At their residence, Prakashwati Sharma from Delhi was waiting with her two-month-old baby. Kishan Singh had told her about Baba.
Even though there was a ban on darshan, Baba saw her, but asked, "Didn't anyone in Delhi tell you that darshan has been stopped?"
"They did, "Prakashwati replied. "But the gates of one's father's house are always open for his daughter!"
Baba smiled, touched his forehead three times and said, "You are very fortunate. In the New Life, I have stopped seeing visitors and giving interviews, darshan and blessings. Tell others not to come here."
Before leaving, Prakashwati prayed for his blessings.
Baba told her, "In the New Life I give only love — not blessings — to others. And I expect love from others in return."
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