Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1961Page 4,776 of 5,444
Rama, Sheela and Mehernath Kalchuri were called to Meherazad periodically during this time.
On one occasion, Baba asked Rama, "You are living alone with two small children. What would you do if a thief enters your house at night?"
Rama answered that she would cover herself and pretend to be asleep.
They returned to Meherabad and some days later, on Dassera (circa 19 October 1961) as they were sleeping at night, thieves broke into the Family Quarters and stole Rama's gold ornaments. But, instead of covering herself and feigning sleep, Rama confronted them and gave chase. Fortunately, because of Baba's nazar, the robbers did not manhandle her. She received only a slight injury to her neck when the thieves tore off her necklace.
When the Kalchuris saw Baba next, Rama told him of the incident.
He remarked to Rama, "I saved your life! Now forget about it. One day I will give you your gold back. The thief has done you a favor; he is your friend, not your enemy. You have no idea about this. He took the gold, but with it, so many of your bad sanskaras. Never remember it or feel bad over the loss. If you keep happy in your heart you will be benefited more and the bad sanskaras will go to him. Don't worry; it is as I wanted it to be."
The robbers were never caught. Several days later Baba had a sewing machine purchased for Rama and gave it to her as a present.
As promised, on Mehernath's eighth birthday on Sunday, 22 October 1961, Baba called him, Rama and Sheela to Meherazad.1 He embraced first Mehernath and then Rama and Sheela.
He asked him, "What are you holding in your hands?"
Mehernath said, "A shawl for Babuji."
Baba remarked, "You say you love me but you have not brought me anything. This shows that you love Babuji more."
Mehernath quickly said, "Mother has brought this shawl, not me. I would have brought one only for you, Baba." His answer pleased Baba, and every year thereafter he would call the family to Meherazad on Mehernath's birthday.
On 4 November 1961, Baba was given spring hand-exercisers to strengthen his forearms, hands and wrists, and he would do the exercises daily for a little while. Adi brought Katie for a visit that day. After several Sundays of no entertainment, Baba's music-mood revived when he received a letter from Rustom Kaka highly praising the voice and talents of a new singer, who had recently begun attending the Ahmednagar Center.
Footnotes
- 1.Baba may have gone to Meherabad to see the family that day.