Jesus said to his disciples: "All stick by me. There will be a time when some of you will betray me." It was not a test; it was the work of the Divine Being. Judas turned against him. It is said Judas betrayed him, but it was a great help. It was not a betrayal by Judas, it was Judas helping Jesus to fulfill his mission. It was all in the divine plan.
So, what time should I leave?
Originally, Baba was to have left by Trans Australian Airlines at 7:15 that night, but now seats on the 4:10 plane, Ansett Flight 920, were booked. Baba spoke about the darshan given in Andhra when 50 to 60,000 people had come and he had to give prasad with both hands nonstop for hours and hours.
"It cannot be described," he stated, and then remarked, "Last night I worked a lot. I was working universally."
Concluding, Baba instructed Denis and Joan O'Brien that this house would be his Melbourne center and that all major meetings should be held here. He instructed the O'Briens to keep the house, to live in it and not to sell it.1
There was a moment of silence with Baba, and then all the adults went outside and the children were brought in, the parents introducing them to Baba. It was a delightful scene, as all the little ones sat on the carpet looking up at Baba. He patted their heads and embraced some. Again Baba played marbles. The boys were highly disconcerted at his accuracy and the fact that Baba insisted that they shoot Indian fashion, using the index fingers of both hands. He also played ball with them, looking at one child then quickly throwing the ball in the opposite direction.
After playing with the children, Baba called for the cake, but as it was being handed to him, he waved it away and asked for the other cake. Another iced fruit cake was brought, which he cut and then handed to Eruch to divide into slices. These he handed to all the children, who of course were happy to devour their prasad.
Cynthia Adams was one of the last to be given her share; she even thought that perhaps Baba was going to forget her. But Baba never forgot anyone and he handed her an enormous piece. Baba had said they were to eat the cake in front of him, but poor Cynthia just could not finish hers. She was one of the last to leave when Baba said it was enough, and the children were sent away. Years later she realized how lucky she was, in that Baba had given her more time to be in his presence.
Footnotes
- 1.Dr. Denis O'Brien was one of the key figures of the early Sufi group. He had been important in developing the early Melbourne group, and later Baba designated that Denis be head of the Baba group in Melbourne, which he effectively remained until Baba dropped his body — an event which so shocked Denis that he ceased to hold meetings and withdrew from social contact.