Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1961Page 4,743 of 5,444
Sunday, 7 May 1961, was the day Baba's state of disinterestedness turned into one of interest, for on that day he gave darshan to over 300 children in Guruprasad. At a time when he had been threading the hearts of his lovers with the "garlands" of his Will Supreme, Baba's heart was touched by the children of his lovers, whose hearts contain absolute dependence. Children are fully dependent on their parents, and their dependence binds their parents with the responsibility of looking after and maintaining them. In turn, the parents' responsibility is fulfilled by depending entirely on the God-Man's will in every way.
Therefore, that year Baba first allowed his darshan to children, and while among them, his apparent distaste in everything around him was replaced by the joy of his usual keen interest in all. The function took place in the afternoon from 4:30 to 6:00 P.M. Children of Poona lovers (up to twelve years of age) were invited. To care for the tiny toddlers, one adult from each family was permitted to accompany them. So mostly mothers and an occasional aunt had the good fortune to enjoy the delightful interplay between Baba and their children. (Two among those who came were not more than a month old.)
Toffees were purchased as prasad, and each candy was fashioned so that it whistled. Starting the function, Baba picked up one of the sweets and blew it, and the shrill sound drew the attention of all toward him. Sardar Raste, who brought an orphaned boy, looked at Baba amazed.
Baba said, "The first prasad must go to the biggest baby of all!" Amidst the cheers and clapping that followed, Baba gave the toffee to Raste, and gestured, "Take this and whistle it! Be a child among children!"
Taking the toffee, Sardar blew it so loudly that none of the other children could match him.
Baba's grandniece, Gulnar's nine-month-old daughter, Mehernaz, was one of the youngest participants; but his nephews, Sohrab and Rustom, being almost sixteen, had not been invited. To gain admittance, they decided to dress up as a mother and her child. Donning a sari, Sohrab was the mother, and Rustom her bonny baby boy. Sohrab entered Guruprasad with her "baby" on her back and went toward Baba. Rustom was holding a bottle in his hand, sucking it with such force (and hollering for all he was worth), as if he had been starving for days. Everyone was laughing loudly, but the greatest merriment arose when, being unable to bear Rustom's weight, Sohrab collapsed. The baby clung on! Rustom at once changed positions and laid down on Sohrab's lap, and Sohrab gave him his bottle. Everyone enjoyed their performance, and Baba rewarded each with a toffee.