Deshmukh innocently replied, "Buttered chapati is quite delicious when dipped in tea, Baba. Just try it." And Baba laughed.
For a treat, Deshmukh wished to give ice cream to the mandali and Baba permitted it. Meherjee was there and Deshmukh asked him how the brand Kwality ice cream was rated. Meherjee reflected, "If you order Kwality ice cream, your skin will be peeled off [meaning, it will cost a lot, because it was one of the best brands]. You'd better order a cheaper variety for so many."
Deshmukh considered this and said, "You are right. I don't want to spend so much." He brought another brand of ice cream, which Baba distributed to all.
Pukar wished to finish his quickly, so he stirred his into liquid by mixing it with water and then drank it.
Observing him, Baba asked, "Does anyone in the world mix water in their ice cream? You are an idiot! You have no respect for my prasad! Pack up your things and leave immediately for Hamirpur!"
Baba asked Meherdas, "Did you also put water in your ice cream?"
He said no.
"Then why didn't you stop Pukar from doing it? You also pack up and get out!"
Baba continued to berate them severely until Pukar was weeping like a child. Eventually he forgave both. Deshmukh's less expensive ice cream for the mandali proved quite costly!
During this period Baba would often ask Deshmukh, Nana Kher and Bal Natu to recite some well-known Sanskrit shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita such as " Ramaya Ramabhadrai ," ("Salutations to Lord Ram") and as Krishna declared, " Yeda Yedahi Dharmasye " ("When the wick of righteousness burns low I descend") and " Shivohum, Shivohum !" ("I am Shiva!").1
Baba once remarked, "When I manifest, I will be seen at 1,000 places at one and the same time!"
A visitor asked, "Baba, why don't you reveal yourself now?"
Baba answered, "It is so easy to reveal myself. Concealing myself until you are ready to perceive me is difficult. It is like when one has to pass wind; how easy it is to let it go. It is holding it until the right time that is not only difficult and uncomfortable, but also can be painful. That is my state."
Footnotes
- 1.These quotes are the first lines of the Sanskrit shlokas.