Bhau cooled down at once, and he repented greatly for his thoughts. To make this lesson penetrate his heart, Baba had spent four hours over this matter. It was a lesson Bhau would never forget. The Avatar's mercy is unimaginable. He is Mercy Personified, and he dispenses only that.
One day Francis told Baba that the Blue Bus and New Life Caravan were of historic interest. "People in the future will be interested in seeing them," he pointed out. "And since they are deteriorating in the harsh Indian climate, they should be properly restored and preserved." Francis sought Baba's permission to carry out this work himself.
On 21 August 1959, Baba gave him permission, stating, "Start the repairs and take any help you require. Whatever material is not available here will be brought from the market."1
Baba sanctioned Rs.1,000 for this work.
He commented, "Francis, your idea is a very good one. Mehera also appreciated it. I will give you my opinions after personally inspecting your work."
Baba added, "Still, nothing is certain about me. In the next four days, my body may come here or not. Whether I am among you or not, my work goes on. I am that 'point' from which flows infinite energy in all directions. I may be doing some work, or I may be resting. I may be playing cards, or I may be cutting jokes. My Universal work goes on without interruption."
Baba started a game of seven tiles, but he stopped it when it began raining heavily.
Daily, Baba would have Meherdas recite some poetry he had composed.
On the 24th, after Aloba read out some verses of Hafiz in Persian, Baba commented, "The composition of Hafiz's poetry, his selection of words, the flow of the language and the style in which he conveys so much in so few words which directly appeal to the heart: all of this and the beauty of his poetry is something extraordinary."
Addressing Francis, he remarked, "Your Stay With God is also an unparalleled composition. You do not know how, in the future, it will influence the hearts of humanity."
Translating some of Hafiz's lines for Francis, Baba stated, "As soon as Hafiz's words are translated into English, the beauty of the original gist is lost. The translation cannot really express the intention of the poet. Hafiz had full mastery and control of his composition. Very few can compose with such authority. His is not the poetry of a philosopher. It is altogether a different thing."
Changing the topic, Baba reminisced:
Footnotes
- 1.Francis and Eruch were ordered to fast for the entire day of 21 August, without even water.