That big head of his was truly a treasure-house in which wisdom and wit were blended to perfection.
We were intimate friends since our earliest years, and no one knows better than I how courageous and how loyal and loving was his heart. To me, therefore, Ghani is irreplaceable, both as a friend and as a tool for my work.
Those of you who were at the meeting at Hyderabad on June 28th will remember that Ghani read out the explanation to my Declaration and also the Declaration itself. As one of the witnesses to that Declaration, he was to fast on October 16 and say a prayer on my behalf.
Until February 16, 1952, I want to feel that Ghani is still in the physical body, and I have therefore asked Ghani's son-in-law Baggu, who was not present at the meeting of June 28, to act as Ghani's proxy on October 16 by fasting and saying the prayer for me. Ramjoo has been instructed to convey to Baggu such a full and vivid picture of the meeting that he will feel himself to have been actually present at it. In this way, Ghani's duty as one of the witnesses to my Declaration will be fulfilled.
And if it be God's will that I manifest universally by February 16 next year, may it be His will also that Ghani, and every Old Life disciple who has passed away, experience and enjoy that manifestation as if they were still in the physical body.
Age saluted Baba's langoti dost (childhood friend), "O dear, Doctor, our profound salutations to you!"
The necessary preparations for Baba's seclusion continued throughout September, and Baba was still planning to visit the West.1 Although Baba had stated that from October he would stop corresponding with everyone, he appointed Don to correspond with "Elinorina" (Elizabeth's and Norina's names as one) about the upcoming visit to America.2
On Tuesday, 2 October 1951, Baba sent them the following telegram: "Absolutely happy Elinorina successful having Baba definitely come to America about end of March God willing. Deepest love." After the telegram was sent, Baba dictated a letter, also, and ended it: "So now, you beloved lovers of Baba, be happy that at last you have made it possible for me to come to the West."
A curious encounter occurred before leaving Hyderabad. Eruch visited the police commissioner's office and submitted a letter stating that Meher Baba intended to travel by foot from Hyderabad to Ahmednagar and requesting the police to inform other officials along their way, so that the group would not be stopped and unnecessarily inconvenienced for verification of their identity by the local police.
Footnotes
- 1.A new Indian passport was issued on 29 September 1951.
- 2.Don was also sent to Ahmednagar in mid-October to arrange for the group's passports.