ChaptersChapter 31Page 4,185

Chapter 31: Blood On Indian Soil

1957Page 4,185 of 5,444
The mandali were preoccupied with packing everything for their return to Meherazad that day by bus, but sending for Savak and Aloba (Baidul had gone ahead), Baba scolded them for teasing and goading Pukar.
As a punishment, he ordered Aloba that, while leaving Poona, he should, "Walk to the bus stand, so that by your walking Pukar will be able to digest his dinner!"
Early on Monday, 10 June 1957, Baba left Poona for Meherazad with the women mandali. Adi Sr. brought Dr. Dhanapathy, Eruch, Gustadji and Savak. The rest of the men mandali, including Deshmukh (who was returning to Nagpur), Kumar and Pukar traveled by bus. Kutumba Sastri also came to Ahmednagar, and he and Dhanapathy, stayed at Khushru Quarters, as there was to be a bhajan program of Arangaon devotees at Meherabad in two days. At Meherazad, Baba resumed using his bedroom upstairs.
Considered a child-god, a young Hindu of seventeen named Balak Bhagwan had many devotees in Raipur. Bhagwan had been urged by Abdul Majid Khan to take Meher Baba's darshan. Eventually, Abdul Majid Khan sent Bhagwan from Raipur to see Baba. The youth arrived at Meherazad just before the darshan on the morning of 12 June. Taking him and the mandali in Sarosh's car with him, Baba was driven to Meherabad. On the way, Balak Bhagwan kept pointing mystically to the sun so that, as he explained, "it may set, and we will not feel the heat." Baba enjoyed his antics — though there was no lessening in the warm weather!
Rama, Sheela and Mehernath Kalchuri had moved into the Family Quarters on 21 May. Rama's brother, Dhiraj, who, according to Baba's instructions, had brought them from Nagpur, had also stayed for a few days. Baba went to see them. Rama burst out weeping, as she was so grateful for his mercy in calling them.
Embracing her, Baba assured her, "How fortunate you are that I have called you to be so near me. Don't ever worry about anything; I am with you."
Pointing to Bhau, he asked Mehernath, "Who is he?"
Mehernath had hardly seen his father and did not say a word. At his reaction, Baba had a hearty laugh.
Baba went to Meherabad Hall, where he gave darshan to the Arangaon villagers and repeated the warning he had given to other groups in Poona.
To Dhanapathy and Kutumba Sastri of Andhra, who were also present, Baba remarked, "Look at these people; they are poor but they have my love in them."
Pendu was still bedridden, unable to walk. Baba had sent Don to Meherabad to help Pendu try to walk with the aid of crutches. Since May, Baba had given up using crutches and was able to walk by supporting himself on the arms of two of the men mandali. Baba explained to Pendu about the upcoming sahavas, confirmed the dates for it, and then returned to Meherazad.
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