While it was being installed in the hall, Dr. Rao said, "The photograph in this hall will always remind us of your visit here." Baba also unveiled a portrait of the saint Ramana Maharshi, after whom the hall had been named, and then toured the college campus.
At 7:30 that evening, Bapu Saheb Khaparde arranged a program at his residence in Amraoti.1 When he invited Baba, he said, "Hirabai Barodekar of Poona is on her way here to sing for you. Do grace our house with your presence."
Baba went to his home, but Hirabai, a well-known Maharashtrian singer, did not arrive.
So Baba left after half an hour and told the mandali, "Khaparde has deceived me. People are ruined by such tricks! But with me it is different. No matter how he treats me, I am the Ocean of Mercy and have forgiven him."
Sushila Subhedar, Nana Kher's elder sister, and her sons, Bal, 23, and Anand, 18, also came to see Baba. Anand had seen Baba in a dream the night before and was very anxious to meet him. He asked, "Baba, can I stay with you?"
Baba had Anand sit beside him and asked, "Will you obey me?"
"Definitely," Anand replied.
Baba similarly questioned Nana, who answered the same. Nana's brother Vinoo, his wife Asha, and other family members were present.
Baba instructed Nana, "Strip yourself, go begging at seven houses and bring back the alms."
Nana was about to undress when Baba stopped him.
"Were you really going to take off all your clothes, or was it just a show?" he asked.
Nana said, "Of course I was about to carry out your order."
Baba laughed, remarking, "I bow my head to men like you!"
To Anand he stated, "It is better that you study in school just now."
His brother was sitting quiet, but he truly loved Baba. Beginning that day, both young men surrendered their lives at Meher Baba's feet.
Nana Kher's sister-in-law had been preparing Baba's food while he was in Amraoti, and one day Baba told her, "Asha, you make very good chutney. It is quite different and I like it very much."
Meanwhile, Baba directed Dhake to find a handsome sixteen-year-old boy before the next program took place, and he immediately began his search.
The next place of mass darshan was to be in Nagpur. Babadas was there, but caused a conflict because responsibility for making the arrangements had been given to Kaka Sherlekar instead of to him.
Footnotes
- 1.Most likely, this is one of the sons of G. S. Khaparde, the famous freedom fighter and a disciple of Sai Baba.