Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1961Page 4,770 of 5,444
At this time in Germany, the Berlin crisis was coming to a head. Within a week of Baba's return to Meherazad, the city was divided and the communists began constructing the Berlin Wall to divide East and West Germany.
Although Baba was in seclusion and had no plans to travel, his passport was renewed at the end of August 1961 and again six years later, at the end of August 1967.
On Thursday, 14 September 1961, Baba arranged for the poor Arangaon villagers to be treated to a feast. Padri supervised the arrangements. Baba stopped first at Khushru Quarters at 9:30 A.M. that morning, accompanied by Eruch, Francis and Kaikobad. He told Adi that his seclusion would continue and Adi was to come to Meherazad only when called. Baba met Gulmai, Piroja and Feram. Gulmai, who was then 78, was suffering from colon cancer. She was like a mastani and would throw water over herself or others. She would often say she saw lights and tiny fairylike figures. Baba embraced and comforted her. Piroja said she wished to stay with Baba, and he told her to ask him again after his seclusion.
Baba then went to Meherabad, where he met the villagers. Several devotees sang bhajans before him. Later in the day when the food was served, the assemblage began the feast with shouts of "Avatar Meher Baba ki jai!"
At lower Meherabad, Baba sent for Bhau's family from the Family Quarters. While Baba was in Poona, Bhau's son Mehernath had been ill with jaundice. One night his skin turned dark yellow and his condition became serious.
That night when Bhau was on watch duty, Baba asked him, "Is there any letter from Rama? How is Mehernath?"
Bhau replied, "I have no idea. I have not received any letter from her. It is your order not to write."
Baba did not answer, but he was ill at ease throughout the night.
Every few minutes he started asking Bhau, "Would you feel bad if Mehernath died?"
Bhau said, "No, I won't grieve for him."
"You wouldn't, but Rama would," Baba observed.
There had been no news about Mehernath while they were at Guruprasad, but when they returned to Meherazad it was learned that he had been seriously ill. That very night during which Baba had been so restless in Guruprasad was the same night that Mehernath's condition had worsened. Padri treated him with homeopathic medicine, and he recovered without having to have a blood transfusion.