Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
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From the hundreds who had visited Guruprasad that year it seemed incredible to the woman that Baba would remember such a small detail. The woman felt ashamed and apologized, explaining, "Baba, treat me as your daughter ... I had to attend my brother's marriage, so I could not come. Please pardon me."
Baba as usual pardoned her, but also remarked, "I forgive you but remember, you yourself asked for an opportunity of which you did not avail. Any appointment with the God-Man has special significance which cannot be repeated. It is difficult to make up that loss. However, now be happy and forget about it."
Kusum Singh's husband, Mohkam, of Delhi, was a cynical sort of fellow and was skeptical about Baba's claim to Godhood. He was reading a popular science-fiction novel, Chariots of the Gods, in which it claimed that God was an astronaut from another planet. As they sat before Baba, he nudged his wife and told her to ask Baba which planet he was from. Kusum held up her hand and said, "Baba, my husband wants to know which planet you are from, or which you belong to?"
Baba laughed and remarked, "I do not come from any planet — all planets come from me!"
Mohkam was having trouble with a dislocated shoulder and Kusum asked if they should have Dr. Kenmore examine him.
Baba remarked, "No, I am the biggest doctor. My nazar is on him."
Baba put his hand on Mohkam's shoulder and he never had any trouble with it again.
Kusum's brother-in-law, Raja Bhalendra Singh of Patiala and his second wife, who were meeting Baba for the first time, had also come.
Baba met the Hamirpur contingent of lovers at 10:00 A.M. on the final morning of darshan, Wednesday, 31 May 1961. Each morning when Baba was meeting with the men, Ann Conlon was sent with Arnavaz to visit Baba's family house, Bindra House and other places of interest in Poona. The last morning, Baba permitted her to come to Guruprasad.
He stated, "Now you are not supposed to be here. No women are allowed in these morning sessions which are exclusively for men. So you can only stay for five minutes."
After five minutes had elapsed, Ann was told to leave, but Baba then asked her to remain seated. Harry Kenmore began to tell jokes.
At one point Baba stopped him and remarked, "Harry, are you sure you want to tell that one? Ann is here."
"She is over 21, Baba," Kenmore retorted, and Baba laughed and gestured all right.