One particular girl requested that Krishna give her Baba's books in Marathi, and he gave her one. Some of the girl's friends saw her talking to Krishna and decided to have some fun. A love letter written in Marathi was received at the school addressed to the girl. The superintendent suspected Krishna, and the matter was reported to Baba. Baba met with the superintendent and explained that Krishna did not know Marathi, as he was from South India.
Nevertheless, Baba informed the school official, "Although I know Krishna did not do anything wrong, I have decided to send him home, as you suspect him."
The woman was satisfied and she left.
Afterward, Baba explained to Krishna, "What has happened is very bad. It reflects poorly on me. Now it is better you leave."
Krishna was stunned. For a moment, he doubted whether Meher Baba was God. Weeping, he protested, "I am innocent, Baba! You know the truth, still you are sending me away?"
Baba replied, "Ram also knew that Sita was pure but he sent her away into the jungle.1 So also, I know you have done nothing wrong but I am sending you away for my own reasons. I will always have my nazar on you and help you internally."
Baba sent Krishna Nair back to his home in Malabar, and thereafter never kept Krishna with him as a permanent member of the mandali, though he was called back by Baba on various occasions.2
With Krishna having departed, the nightwatch was now shared by Savak Kotwal and Bhau: Savak until midnight, and Bhau from midnight to 5:00 A.M.
According to Baba's directions, Rano prepared a chart in Satara, titled "God is Reality and All Else is Illusion." A gifted artist, Rano made several charts under Baba's guidance.
Naja was cooking for Baba and the women. At one point, to entertain Baba, Naja dressed in different male clothing and costumes every day. During this period, Savak was ill, so Bhau was on nightwatch the whole night.
When Bhau went to Baba in the evening, Baba announced, "Vinoba Bhave [a famous religious and social leader of India] is coming for my darshan tonight."
Bhau was astonished at the news, but soon thereafter he saw Vinoba coming. But it was none other than Naja, dressed exactly like Vinoba, and Bhau was fooled by her disguise. All enjoyed the fun.
Footnotes
- 1.The incident took place after Ram had killed Ravana, who had kidnapped his queen, Sita. The people thought Sita had been raped and therefore defiled, and wanted her sent away. Ram knew that she was pure but, in the face of the people's opposition, he banished her to the jungle. Every Avatar has one weakness or commits one perfect mistake. Exiling Sita, though knowing she was innocent, Baba later explained, was Ram's one weakness or mistake.
- 2.Krishna Nair was called to stay at Meherazad for a month during the Meherabad Sahavas in November 1955. Likewise, he would attend various darshan functions throughout the later years, but Baba always sent him home when the programs were over.