ChaptersChapter 21Page 3,002

Chapter 21: Manonash

1951Page 3,002 of 5,444
Krishna Nair had also joined Baba when he was a boy in Bangalore in 1939, and stayed with him subsequently. But in 1947, he had been sent back to his home in South India. Before going on the New Life, Baba had instructed Krishna to go on a pilgrimage all over India. After this pilgrimage, and since Baba had not called him to join the New Life, Krishna had joined the police force.
Dr. Ghani once asked Baba what happened between him and Krishna: "Previously Krishna was a frequent visitor," Ghani observed. "Now we do not see him for months."
Baba replied, "Krishna was on the straight lane, but he turned. Now he has gone to the side. He is stuck there."
"Who changed his lane, Baba?" Ghani inquired.
"Don't ask," Baba replied.
Meanwhile, during this period, Krishna got the opportunity to visit Hyderabad to deliver a parcel on behalf of his superior on the police force. He knew that Baba was in Hyderabad from one of Adi's circulars mailed to him, so he attended the meeting.
When he met with Krishna, Baba inquired as to what he was doing.
Then Baba asked, "Are you willing to come and stay with me again?"
Krishna said he would.
Baba then declared, "He has come again in the lane!"
Quitting his job, Krishna rejoined Baba.
One day Kaka saw a cobra near their bungalow. He sent for Krishna, who came and killed it. After it was dead, as a joke, Nilu began whacking it forcefully. But as he was doing this, the string holding up his pajama pants broke, and they fell down around his feet. When Baba and the others saw this happen they all had a hearty laugh.
Baba ribbed Nilu, "If your trousers fall down when you strike a dead cobra, what would happen if you killed a live one?"
For a few days after the men invited to the meetings left, Baba suffered from fever and a cough. For Silence Day, for the first time Baba instructed his lovers all over the world, as well as his companions and the women with him, to observe silence on Tuesday, 10 July 1951, from 6:00 A.M. that day to 6:00 A.M. of the 11th.
On 30 July Rano and Kitty arrived in Hyderabad from Bombay. Baba had instructed them to quit their jobs, and although originally he had stated they would have to find work in Hyderabad, he now decided they should not look for employment. They again began staying with Baba permanently, along with Mehera, Mani, Meheru, Goher and Naja.
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