Baba's neck was loaded with garlands and a surfeit of presents, such as fruit, sweets, perfume, silk cloths, scarves, et cetera, were piled on the dais next to him. Most of the gifts were returned by him to the givers as prasad. Many handed Baba his photographs, which he would bless by holding them to his forehead before giving them back. Bhajans and kirtans continuously echoed throughout the pandal.
As the men were taking darshan, this was announced over the microphone by Kutumba Sastri: "Jupudi Subbanna of Akividu [in Andhra] has received Baba's permission to make up the deficit of over Rs.2,000 in connection with the special train arranged for the Andhra lovers for their return journey from Meherabad to Vijayawada."
Subbanna had approached Baba with the earnest request to bear the deficit. He said, "You in me are paying it, Baba."
Baba replied, "It is enough if you love me and do my work in your place; utilize this money for the work at Akividu."
But, insisting, Jupudi replied, "Please allow me to pay the sum. I will pay for this and spend other money for work in my area." Baba was touched by his devotion and permitted him.
Baba called Subbanna to the dais and introduced him to the gathering. The darshan by the men continued and the devotees filled bottles and other containers with the sacred water to take back to their homes. They had been told not to embrace Baba, so some were kissing his hands, some were taking them to their forehead, some were weeping, and thus, in a variety of ways, they expressed their profound love for the Embodied Beauteous Christ before them. Baba was patting everyone and lovingly caressed the cheeks of some. While giving darshan, he was exchanging jokes and clapping his hands in time with the singing.
One man from Andhra said to Baba, "You are so closely connected with Gujarat that I sincerely wish my next birth to be there."
Baba rejoined, "The very reason you want to do it will induce the Gujaratis to take their next birth in Andhra!"
Baba liked one particular song Bachoobhai and his party from Navsari were singing in Gujarati: "O wearer of the white robe, we salute you 100,000 times!"1
On Baba's prompting, Eruch declared, "Tonight in the meeting pandal the hundredth performance of the Telugu play Burra Katha will be enacted from 8:30 to 10:30 P.M. Baba wants everyone to attend the play. And although Baba will not be present physically, his presence will surely be there."
Footnotes
- 1." Safed kafniwalla tum-pe lakho salaam! "