Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1961Page 4,750 of 5,444
"If you permit us to visit Guruprasad for several more days, we can stay in Poona for that period."
"Have you read the circular?"
"Yes, Baba."
"Accordingly, you are not to seek advice from me on any personal or spiritual problem. You are not to expect any discourse from me. And you are not to seek permission to repeat the visit to Guruprasad."
"We are not claiming permission. Can we not request you, Baba?"
"But then, what will you do here?"
"Just sit in the hall."
"All right," replied Baba, "stay in Poona, but without jeopardizing your jobs or family responsibilities. And, if there is nothing to be attended to in Guruprasad, we will just sit or doze!"
On Wednesday, 24 May 1961, there was a large gathering for darshan when the Andhra, Bombay and other groups came. Baba expressed his surprise and concern at those from Andhra traveling such a long distance for just one hour, as his previous circular had discouraged lovers from coming from distant places. There were also many new persons among the Andhra group.
Baba "scolded" Dr. Dhanapathy Rao about this and asked him, "Didn't you read the circular that only close lovers should come, and you've brought all these new people?"
Dhanapathy Rao replied, "Although they have not seen you before, Baba, their love for you is not new. I did not bring them, they insisted on coming."
Baba smiled, pleased at his answer, and assured them, "I am happy you came; it was I who drew you to me."
To Dhanapathy, he remarked, "I like old men and children!"
As Dhanapathy lowered his head and closed his eyes, Baba joked, "But you are neither an old man nor a child. Your clean shave makes you look young!"
When Bhaskara Raju came, Baba asked, "How is it that you look like you are becoming weaker day by day?"
Bhaskara did not answer, and Baba asked, "Is it due to loving me?"
He nodded. Baba embraced him again and Bhaskara wept bitterly on Baba's lap. Baba made him sit near him and jokingly pushed his head so that it fell at his feet.
One hundred persons came in a bus from Chirle Village (near Panvel) under the guidance of their village headman, Ramrao S. Patil, who was the chief Baba worker in the area. The entire village had come. They had tied their animals at home and left enough fodder and water for two days. The villagers were mostly fishermen, and Baba was very pleased by their simple devotion.
Since visitors were not to expect any spiritual discourse from Baba and were not to tell him about their personal problems, the group heads would tell Baba how Baba's birthday had been celebrated in their areas that year.