Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1962Page 4,783 of 5,444
Adi was naturally concerned and surmised that Baba's weakened condition "portends something grave for the world situation." He went to Meherazad on 20 January to check on Baba's health. He was told to write to Maharani Shantadevi, requesting her to allow Baba to stay again in Guruprasad that year. Baba also gave his consent to the proposed marriage between two Ahmednagar lovers, Bhasker and Usha.
Eruch too had fallen ill again. On 23 January 1962, he was admitted to Booth Hospital and had his tonsils removed the following day. Don was with him during the operation. Eruch returned to Meherazad on 1 February, along with his mother and sister Manu, who were permitted half-an-hour of Baba's company.
Meanwhile, over a period of about three weeks, Bhau wrote a brief life story of Baba in poetry and prose, which Baba titled Meher Leela (Meher's Divine Game).
Toward the end of 1961, letters were received from a group of lovers in Dehra Dun, stating they wished to perform a play for Baba's birthday. Baba instructed Bhau to write a short play based on God Speaks , depicting the meaning of Creation and humanity's hope in the Avatar. Bhau did so, and the play, Jai Meher was read out to Baba. Baba liked it and it was proposed that it be staged in Ahmednagar. Members of the local Center were called on 4 February 1962, and Baba encouraged them to take part in it. Also he would occasionally send Bhau to Ahmednagar to assist in the play's direction.
Khorshed arrived in Meherazad from Bombay on the 8th of February and stayed for three days. That day at 4:00 P.M., Meherjee brought an ophthalmologist from Poona named Dr. Deshpande, who examined Baba's eyes.
The next day, Don Stevens arrived in Bombay from Europe. Don (Donkin) was sent to meet him, and they drove directly to Poona. On 11 February, according to Baba's instructions, Don accompanied Don Stevens and Joseph and Kari Harb to Satara and Mahabaleshwar to see the places connected with Baba's work there.
On the morning of the 13th, Don brought Don Stevens to Ahmednagar in Meherjee's car. In Ahmednagar, Adi and Francis joined them at Khushru Quarters and the four men left for Aurangabad. This was the second time Baba, for his own purposes, sent Don Stevens and Francis to the Ellora Caves, the first time being the 1955 Sahavas program.