Baba was amused and used to refer to her as "my eagle." When she died, Fred Winterfeldt sent this telegram to Baba: "Your eagle has flown to you."
Baba cabled back: "My eagle has not died, but ever flies in my Kingdom."1
When news of Ruano's death was received at Satara, Baba remarked, "Three more are coming to me sometime soon."
When Mani queried, "From the East or West?" Baba said, "Both."
A few weeks later, on 25 February, Margaret Scott, another longtime lover from New York and supporter of Baba's cause, fell to her death from the window of her apartment.2
In Satara, preparations for Baba's seclusion were made, and Baba assigned different duties to the mandali. Venkoba Rao was called to Satara and told he would have to stay for one year. He readily agreed. Savak Kotwal, Baidul and Venkoba Rao were the night watchmen; Vishnu did the marketing; Eruch and Bhau saw to Baba's personal chores. In addition, Bhau had to teach Ismail his lessons, go to the post office to bring and post the mail and telegrams, and also be on nightwatch when the occasion arose. Venkoba Rao was sent back to his home after only a month, and after his departure Savak would be on nightwatch until 2:00 A.M., and then, turn by turn, Pendu, Nilu and Baidul.
Adi Sr. was called again on 13 February and given certain instructions about the financial accounts and the trip to the West. Baba's birthday that year had been celebrated two days before, on the 11th of February. Baba told Adi to inform all that, henceforth, his birthday should be celebrated every year on the 25th of February and not according to the Zoroastrian calendar, so as not to confuse his followers in the future.
Before retiring into seclusion, people throughout the world were informed through a Life Circular (dated 1 February 1956) that they should not write or try to see Meher Baba for one year, and that from midnight of 14 February until midnight of the 15th they should fast for 24 hours, taking only two cups of tea or coffee, one time during that period. Drinking water was allowed as much and as often as needed; but, other than that, nothing else was permitted.
Footnotes
- 1.According to Baba's wishes, Rano wrote to Ruano's daughter Biji to send if possible some of Ruano's ashes to India, or if not then some intimate belonging that Ruano wore constantly, to be buried in a grave on Meherabad Hill.
- 2.Margaret Scott had met Baba for the first time while traveling on a ship from Hawaii to China in January 1935, and again in Myrtle Beach in 1952.